Downhole Shock Wave Generator for Resonant Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating shock waves in well boreholes to enhance oil recovery and seismic surveys are not optimal in terms of efficiency, particularly due to mismatched vibration frequencies with hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a pumping unit, tubing string, damper cylinder, and compression chamber with specific geometric and hydraulic connections to generate shock waves, including a damper plunger and upper plunger connected by sucker rods, creating a constant counterforce and compressing liquid to produce shock waves that match the dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing shock wave generation methods are used in boreholes, then oil recovery efficiency is improved, but the vibration frequency does not match the dominant frequency of hydrocarbon-bearing formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pumping unit stroke length adjustable and calculable based on formation characteristics. The stroke length Lstr is determined by the formula involving formation thickness H, wave velocity V, and frequency parameters, allowing the system to adapt to different formation dominant frequencies dynamically rather than using fixed parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by calculating and adjusting the pumping unit stroke length Lstr based on formation properties. The stroke length is derived from parameters including formation thickness H, wave velocity V, plunger diameters D1 and D2, and elasticity modulus E, enabling frequency matching with different hydrocarbon-bearing formations
2Productivity
If shock waves are generated to enhance oil recovery, then production increases, but continuous seismic surveys cannot be performed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the pumping unit in cyclic strokes with calculated duration. The upstroke duration is determined by formation thickness and wave velocity parameters, creating periodic shock waves that allow the formation to respond and be surveyed between cycles, enabling both production enhancement and continuous seismic monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuity by calculating optimal stroke parameters that allow repeated shock wave generation without interruption. The pumping unit operates continuously with stroke lengths and durations optimized for the specific formation, maintaining productive action while enabling ongoing seismic surveys through properly timed cycles
3Force
If complex pumping mechanisms are used to generate shock waves, then vibration amplitude increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulics by using liquid compression in the tubing string to generate shock waves. The pumping unit compresses liquid in the borehole through controlled plunger motion, utilizing the incompressibility and pressure transmission properties of hydraulic fluids to generate high-amplitude vibrations without complex mechanical shock mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical shock generation with hydraulic pressure waves. Instead of using complex mechanical impact devices, the system uses a pumping unit that generates pressure waves through liquid compression, replacing elaborate mechanical shock wave generators with a simpler pump-based hydraulic system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the efficiency of shock wave generation, allowing for continuous seismic surveys and increased oil production by ensuring the generated vibrations resonate at the dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, thereby improving the efficacy of the process.
Implementation Method 1
compressing a liquid contained within the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into borehole of a well when the lower plunger exits out of the lower cylinder on the upstroke of a pumping unit thereby generating a shock wave
Implementation Method 2
generating a shock wave
Implementation Method 3
creating a constant counterforce inside the damper chamber on upstroke of the pumping unit as a result of a constant flow of the fluid from the damper chamber into the borehole of the well or from the borehole of the well into the damper chamber
Implementation Method 4
matching the generated vibration frequency to so called dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon bearing production horizon
Implementation Method 5
generating shock waves that match the dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation
Data Source
AI summary
The method and apparatus for producing shock waves in a well including a device connected to the bottom of the tubing string in a borehole of the well filled by liquid and containing the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within corresponding cylinders for compressing a liquid inside the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into the borehole on upstroke thereby generating a shock wave. In addition, a length of upstroke Lstr is determined by the following expression:Lstr≥H1+(D12-D22)AswL2Edr2,where H1 is a length of a lower cylinder, L2 is a distance between lower and upper plungers, D1 is a diameter of the lower plunger, D2 is a diameter of the upper plunger, Asw is a required amplitude of a generated shock wave, E is an elasticity modulus of a sucker rod's material, dr is a diameter of the sucker rods.