ESP Gas Lock Prevention via Pressure Escape System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submersible pumps used in hydrocarbon recovery operations face inefficiencies and potential stoppages due to gas lock conditions, where the presence of gas in the fluid reduces pump performance and requires costly interventions such as stopping or delaying operations to allow gas coalescence or separation, leading to increased costs and reduced production.
Innovation Solution
A pressure escape system utilizing valves or a sliding sleeve that operates based on discharge pressure changes, allowing gas to escape from the pump and relieving pressure within the pump, thereby preventing gas lock conditions without altering the pump's operation, by using upper and lower valves or a sliding sleeve that transition between open and closed states in response to pressure changes to manage gas buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas is present in the pump stages, then the pump can still operate, but gas buildup blocks fluid flow and creates gas lock condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts gas from the pump system by providing a dedicated gas escape pathway through gas ports in the pump housing. This allows gas to be separated and vented from the fluid stream, preventing gas accumulation that would otherwise block fluid flow and create gas lock conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing is segmented into distinct regions with separate functions: fluid intake ports for liquid entry, gas ports for gas venting, and fluid discharge ports for pumped fluid exit. This segmentation allows simultaneous handling of gas and fluid phases without interference, preventing gas lock while maintaining productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pump speed is increased to force out gas, then gas may be expelled, but pump efficiency degrades and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas ports act as an intermediary mechanism between the pump stages and the external environment, providing a dedicated pathway for gas escape. This intermediary system removes gas without requiring changes to pump operating parameters, thereby maintaining pump efficiency while effectively removing the harmful gas phase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pump operation is stopped to allow gas coalescence, then gas lock is prevented, but operational time is lost and production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas ports enable continuous operation of the pump by providing ongoing gas removal capability during pumping operations. Gas is continuously vented as it accumulates in the pump stages, eliminating the need to stop the pump for gas coalescence and maintaining continuous productive operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If separation systems are used to separate gas from liquid, then gas lock is reduced, but device complexity increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The gas removal function is merged into the pump housing structure itself, with gas ports integrated into the existing pump casing. This eliminates the need for separate external separation systems, reducing device complexity while still achieving effective gas lock prevention through in-line gas venting.
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 system effectively minimizes gas buildup and prevents gas lock conditions, maintaining pump efficiency and reducing operational interruptions, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon recovery and production efficiency while minimizing costs associated with delays and increased completion times.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure escape system utilizing valves or a sliding sleeve that operates based on discharge pressure changes, allowing gas to escape from the pump and relieving pressure within the pump
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a pressure escape system comprising: an intake port, wherein the intake port receives a downhole fluid; a sliding sleeve, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises fluid ports disposed through a portion of the sliding sleeve that is within a fluid flow path of the downhole fluid travelling from the intake port; a spring, wherein the spring is disposed within a housing and coupled to the sliding sleeve; and one or more exit ports, wherein the one or more exit ports are disposed through the housing and through the sliding sleeve.