Electric Closing Side Pocket Mandrel for Gas Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas lift systems face challenges in managing interventions and adapting to changing production parameters, as well as the need for electrification to improve operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electric valve assembly within a side pocket mandrel, which includes a central body, a gas lift valve pocket, and a gas lift valve, allows for selective control of fluid passage between the annulus and the gas lift valve pocket, enabling easy retrieval and installation of gas lift valves using wireline-based tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional gas lift valves are used in side pocket mandrels, then the system allows unimpeded production of wellbore fluids through the production tubing, but the valves cannot be easily adjusted or retrieved once installed
Solution Approach 1:
The side pocket mandrel is divided into separate functional components: a valve pocket containing the gas lift valve, an electric valve assembly with actuator, and a body with bore. This segmentation allows the gas lift valve to be independently retrieved and replaced through the open primary passage while maintaining the structural integrity of the mandrel, directly enabling easy valve retrieval and installation without requiring well unloading or complex intervention procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric valve assemblies are integrated into side pocket mandrels, then on-demand isolation of the gas lift valve is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric valve assembly is merged with the side pocket mandrel structure, where the actuator is positioned within the valve pocket and the valve member is integrated into the lateral valve chamber. This merging allows the electric valve to provide on-demand isolation of the gas lift valve from the annulus while utilizing the existing mandrel geometry, thereby achieving enhanced versatility without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If gas lift valves are housed in laterally offset valve pockets, then tools can be deployed and retrieved through the open primary passage, but the predetermined position of valves controls entry points for gas into the production string
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lift valve is positioned in a lateral valve chamber offset from the central bore, utilizing the lateral dimension to create an independent access path. This lateral offsetting allows tools to be deployed and retrieved through the open primary passage without interfering with the valve mechanism, while the predetermined lateral position of the valve controls the entry point for gas into the production string through the lateral valve chamber.
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
This solution enhances the versatility and adaptability of gas lift systems by allowing for on-demand isolation of the gas lift valve from the annulus, improving operational efficiency and enabling efficient unloading of wells.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to drive the valve member
Implementation Method 2
The gas lift valves can be configured to automatically open when the pressure gradient between the annulus and the production tubing exceeds the closing force holding each gas lift valve in a closed position
Implementation Method 3
Gas lift is a technique in which pressurized gaseous fluids are used to reduce the density of the produced fluids to allow the formation pressure to push the less dense mixture to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A side pocket mandrel is configured for use within a gas lift system deployed in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift system. The side pocket mandrel includes a central body that includes a central bore, a gas lift valve pocket, and a gas lift valve installed within the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include a motorized choke valve assembly to selectively cover some or all of an internal tubing port extending between the central bore and the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include an automatic closing valve assembly configured to automatically close the gas lift valve port when the gas lift valve is removed from the side pocket mandrel.