Flow Regulator with Gas Siphon for Multi-Phase Well Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas wells produce multi-phase fluid flows that often have high gas volume fractions, leading to reduced production flow rates and equipment performance issues due to gas locking and buildup in production equipment.
Innovation Solution
A regulator apparatus with a conduit featuring a primary flow path and a first restriction with a throat portion, along with a return path and a gas siphon system, which reduces the gas volume fraction by creating a low-pressure zone and directing gas portions back into the flow path, thereby reducing the likelihood of gas locking and equipment impairment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-phase fluid flow with high gas volume fraction is produced from geological formation, then production flow rates are reduced and equipment performance is hindered due to gas locking and gas buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts gas from the multi-phase fluid stream by introducing a gas removal fluid through injection ports into the flow path. This creates a separate gas phase that can be selectively removed, effectively extracting the harmful gas component from the production stream to improve flow rates and prevent gas locking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas removal fluid as an intermediary substance that interacts with the gas phase in the multi-phase stream. This intermediary fluid facilitates gas separation and removal through controlled interaction, allowing gas to be selectively targeted and removed without directly affecting the liquid production phase
2Reliability
If gas builds up and forms pockets in production equipment, then equipment performance is hindered and production flow rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing the gas removal fluid upstream in the flow path before gas pockets can form and accumulate in equipment. This proactive approach prevents gas buildup by continuously removing gas phase throughout the flow path, eliminating the condition that would lead to equipment performance issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the continuous circulation of gas removal fluid that picks up gas phase and returns it to the injection point. This closed-loop approach continuously monitors and corrects gas accumulation, maintaining stable flow conditions and preventing gas pocket formation in equipment
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 apparatus effectively reduces the gas volume fraction of the fluid stream, preventing gas locking in pumps and minimizing gas buildup in production equipment, ensuring stable operation without additional power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a gas siphon path extending from the conduit. The gas siphon path is fluidly connected to the gas siphon port
Implementation Method 2
a first restriction having a throat portion... a return outlet positioned upstream of the return inlet and disposed within the first restriction at the throat portion
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for regulating flow from a geological formation, and associated components thereof. In one implementation, an apparatus for regulating a multi-phase fluid stream flowing from a subterranean geological formation includes a conduit. The conduit includes an outer wall, a primary flow path for a fluid stream, and a first restriction having a throat portion. A first return path includes a return channel, and the return channel is fluidly connected to the primary flow path through a return inlet and a return outlet. The apparatus includes a gas siphon port formed in the outer wall of the conduit, and a gas siphon path extending from the conduit. The gas siphon path is fluidly connected to the gas siphon port.