Downhole Flow Diverter Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole pump gas interference and solid particulate matter entrainment hinder hydrocarbon production, particularly in wells with horizontal sections, by causing sluggish flow and adverse production effects.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir production assembly with a flow diverter body that separates gaseous material from reservoir fluid, utilizing a cavity with a reservoir fluid receiver, conducting space, and discharge communicator, and an orientable design to direct gas-depleted fluid to a pump, along with a downhole-disposed conductor and on-off tool for fluid coupling, effectively managing gas interference and solid particulate matter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reservoir fluid is discharged into the reservoir fluid separation space for gas separation, then gaseous material is separated from the discharged reservoir fluid, but the device complexity increases due to the need for flow diverter body with multiple receivers and conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter body is segmented into distinct functional sections: a reservoir fluid receiver for receiving fluid from the wellbore, a reservoir fluid discharge communicator for discharging fluid to the separation space, and a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver for receiving separated fluid. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability for gas separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a receiver for reservoir fluid, a conductor for directing fluid flow, a discharge mechanism for releasing fluid to the separation space, and a secondary receiver for gas-depleted fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If on-off tool is used for releasable coupling of the flow diverter to the conductor, then ease of operation is improved for installing and removing the flow diverter, but the device complexity increases due to the additional coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic releasable connection. The on-off tool enables the flow diverter to be coupled to and decoupled from the conductor as needed, providing operational flexibility. This dynamic coupling allows for easy installation and removal while the tool remains integrated within the cavity when not in use, minimizing its impact on device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The on-off tool acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flow diverter body and the conductor. It provides the interface that enables releasable coupling, allowing operators to install or remove the flow diverter without complex procedures. The tool is disposed within the cavity, serving as a space-efficient mediator that simplifies operation without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If the flow diverter is orientable to direct gas-depleted fluid to the pump, then productivity is improved by ensuring proper fluid direction, but the device complexity increases due to the orientable design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter body incorporates an orientable component that can rotate or pivot to change the directional orientation of the gas-depleted reservoir fluid discharge communicator. This dimensional adjustment capability allows the discharge direction to be optimized for directing fluid to the pump, improving productivity by ensuring proper fluid flow direction without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
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 hydrocarbon production by mitigating gas lock issues and solid debris interference, improving fluid flow and extending system runtime by effectively separating gaseous material and solid particulates, thereby optimizing production operations.
Implementation Method 1
a separator assembly and the wellbore are co-operatively configured for effecting supply of reservoir fluid... to a reservoir fluid separation space... such that gaseous material is separated from the discharged reservoir fluid in response to at least buoyancy forces
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir production assembly for disposition within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation is disclosed. The reservoir production assembly includes a flow diverter including a cavity. The flow diverter defines a reservoir fluid receiver, a reservoir fluid-conducting space, a reservoir fluid discharge communicator, a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver, a gas-depleted reservoir fluid-conducting space, and a gas-depleted reservoir fluid discharge communicator. The reservoir production assembly includes a downhole-disposed reservoir fluid-supplying conductor for receiving the reservoir fluid from a downhole wellbore space and conducting the received reservoir fluid to the reservoir fluid receiver, and an on-off tool effecting releasable coupling of the reservoir fluid receiver of the flow diverter to the downhole-disposed reservoir fluid-supplying conductor with effect that fluid coupling of the flow diverter to the downhole-disposed reservoir fluid-supplying conductor is effected. At least a portion of the on-off tool is disposed within the cavity of the flow diverter.