Flexible Hose Cleaning Fluid Conduits Deviated Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore cleanout systems, such as coiled tubing injector systems, are unsuitable for cleaning fluid conduits with deviated or convoluted paths and are too large and heavy for offshore operations, requiring shutdowns and being inefficient in managing produced water flowlines.
Innovation Solution
A flexible hose system with a feeding module and pressure control device allows for the deployment of a flexible hose into fluid conduits with deviated paths, using a cleaning fluid jet to dislodge substances and carry them away, while the hose can be compactly stored and requires lower injection forces due to its flexibility and lighter weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coiled tubing injector systems are used for wellbore cleanout, then cleaning capability is achieved, but equipment size and weight become excessive for offshore operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid coiled tubing with a flexible hose that can be easily deployed and stored. The flexible hose maintains cleaning capability while dramatically reducing equipment weight and size, making it suitable for offshore operations where space and weight are critical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential cleaning function from the heavy coiled tubing injector system and implements it through a simplified flexible hose system with a small feeding module, eliminating unnecessary complexity and weight while preserving the core cleaning capability.
2Reliability
If coiled tubing injector systems are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but the equipment requires large footprint and high capital expense
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose system requires minimal storage space and can be easily maneuvered through conduit systems, dramatically reducing the equipment footprint compared to rigid coiled tubing systems while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose is a simpler, more economical component compared to expensive coiled tubing and injector systems. The system can be quickly deployed and replaced if needed, reducing both capital expense and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If coiled tubing is pushed into the wellbore, then cleaning access is achieved, but substantial injection force is required against pressure control equipment resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose can be easily fed through pressure control equipment and conduit systems without requiring substantial pushing force, as it naturally conforms to the path and requires minimal force to advance compared to rigid coiled tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the complex mechanical injector head with a simple feeding module that uses a small drive mechanism to advance the flexible hose, significantly reducing the force and complexity required for deployment.
4Ease of operation
If coiled tubing is pulled out of the wellbore, then retrieval is achieved, but high force is needed to overcome the weight of inserted tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose is lightweight and easy to retrieve, requiring minimal pulling force compared to heavy coiled tubing. The hose can be easily pulled back through the conduit system without substantial effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightweight flexible hose inherently counteracts its own weight, eliminating the need for substantial pulling force to overcome gravity during retrieval operations.
5Strength
If coiled tubing with rigid structure is used, then structural strength is maintained, but it cannot navigate deviated or convoluted conduit paths
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose can navigate deviated, convoluted, and complex conduit paths while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through its flexible yet durable construction, unlike rigid coiled tubing that cannot adapt to irregular geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose dynamically adapts its shape to conform to the conduit path, allowing it to navigate complex geometries while maintaining the strength needed to withstand operating pressures and forces.
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
Enables effective cleaning of fluid conduits without shutdowns, accommodating various conduit geometries and sizes, and reduces equipment size and weight, making it suitable for offshore operations and complex conduit systems.
Implementation Method 1
cleaning at least one substance from the conduit by pumping a cleaning fluid into a bore of the flexible hose and expelling the cleaning fluid from the flexible hose into the conduit through at least one outlet in the flexible hose
Implementation Method 2
carrying the at least one substance in the fluid stream to a conduit outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cleaning a fluid conduit in a hydrocarbon production installation is described. The method comprises introducing a flexible hose into a fluid conduit system through a pressure control device, and running the flexible hose into a conduit to be cleaned while a fluid stream flows in the conduit. At least one substance is cleaned from the conduit by pumping a cleaning fluid into a bore of the flexible hose and expelling the cleaning fluid from the flexible hose into the conduit through at least one outlet in the flexible hose. The at least one substance is carried in the fluid stream to a conduit outlet.