Integrated ESP Shut-In Valve for Pressure Survey Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial lift systems face challenges in accurately controlling fluid flow, particularly in minimizing wellbore storage effects, managing multiple zones, and providing real-time data for pressure surveys, often requiring complex and expensive hydraulic control lines or temporary valves that lack synchronization with submersible pumps.
Innovation Solution
An integrated artificial lift apparatus with an electrical submersible pump and shut-in valve assembly, connected via a single electrical line, allows for precise control of fluid flow, minimizes wellbore storage effects, and provides high-quality pressure data by integrating a pressure sensor, enabling efficient reservoir analysis and reducing offline time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional artificial lift systems use hydraulic control lines or temporary valves, then fluid flow control is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic control system with an electrical control system. The shut-in valve is controlled by an electric motor that receives signals through electrical lines from the surface, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic control lines and temporary valves while maintaining fluid flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ESP pump and shut-in valve into a single integrated downhole assembly. This merging of components allows both fluid lifting and flow control functions to be performed from one location, synchronized through a common electrical control system, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional systems use temporary valves, then pressure surveys can be conducted, but synchronization with submersible pumps is lost and data quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-in valve and ESP pump are merged into a single integrated assembly with synchronized electrical control. This allows the valve to be precisely timed with pump operations, enabling accurate pressure surveys that are synchronized with the pumping cycle and providing high-quality reservoir data.
3Loss of information
If integrated electrical control system is used, then real-time data communication and precise control are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical line serves multiple functions: it powers the ESP motor, controls the shut-in valve motor, and transmits pressure sensor data and pump operational status to the surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control and communication systems, thereby managing complexity while enabling real-time data exchange.
4Adaptability or versatility
If longer bottom hole assembly is used, then more components can be included, but corrosion risks and installation difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ESP pump and shut-in valve are merged into a compact integrated assembly, reducing the overall length of the bottom hole assembly. This integration minimizes the exposed surface area susceptible to corrosion while maintaining all necessary control and pumping functions within a shorter, more manageable configuration.
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 enhances data quality for pressure transient analysis, reduces wellbore storage duration, and optimizes production availability by integrating a shut-in valve for real-time control and data communication, while reducing the length of the bottom hole assembly and minimizing corrosion risks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor, wherein the AL apparatus is configured such that, when the assembly is disposed in the wellbore, the sensor is exposed to fluid pressure in an annular volume within the wellbore exterior of the SIV sub-assembly downhole of the packer
Implementation Method 2
The SIV sub-assembly includes a sliding sleeve, a linear actuator connected to the sliding sleeve, and an electric valve motor. The electric valve motor is configured to drive the linear actuator to axially translate the sliding sleeve within the housing
Implementation Method 3
The ESP sub-assembly includes an intake at a downhole end of the ESP sub-assembly, a pump, and an ESP motor. The ESP motor is configured to drive the pump and thereby pump fluids from the intake in an uphole direction through the production tubing string
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial lift apparatus includes an ESP sub-assembly, shut-in valve (SIV) subassembly, and a pressure sensor, each operatively connected to a common electrical line. The ESP sub-assembly includes a pump and an ESP motor configured to receive electrical current from the common electrical line thereby drive the pump to pump fluids from the intake in an uphole direction through the production tubing string. The SIV sub-assembly includes a sliding sleeve connected to a linear actuator driven by an electric valve motor which receives electrical current from the common electrical line and drives the actuator translate the sliding sleeve to modulate fluid flow. The system is configured such that pressure data from the pressure sensor can be received at the surface via the common electrical line.