Flow Communication Stations for Hydrocarbon Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hydrocarbon production from subterranean formations, existing drive processes often result in channeling of injected fluids, leading to bypassing of hydrocarbon material, which reduces efficiency and uniformity of production.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a plurality of flow communication stations (valves) in injection and production wells, where the state of each station is dynamically controlled to optimize operating parameters by sensing characteristics of the injected or produced fluids, ensuring even distribution and maximizing hydrocarbon extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a pressurized fluid is injected into a subterranean formation to drive hydrocarbon material to a production well, then hydrocarbon production is achieved, but channeling of the injected fluid occurs causing the fluid to bypass hydrocarbon material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidfluid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection well is divided into multiple injection zones with individually controllable injection strings and flow communication stations. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid injection in different zones, preventing channeling by distributing injection more uniformly across the formation. Each injection string can be adjusted to optimize local fluid distribution and prevent bypassing of hydrocarbon material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the state (open/closed) of flow communication stations based on real-time operating conditions and sensed fluid characteristics. This dynamic control enables adaptation to changing formation conditions, maintaining optimal fluid distribution and preventing channeling development over time. The ability to change injection patterns dynamically ensures sustained uniform hydrocarbon production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If flow communication stations are controlled to optimize operating parameters, then fluid distribution uniformity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid distribution uniformityVSAvoidflow communication station control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensing of fluid characteristics (such as pressure, temperature, or flow rate) and uses this information to determine the optimal state of flow communication stations. This feedback mechanism automates the control process, reducing the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining uniform fluid distribution. The feedback loop continuously optimizes injection patterns based on actual formation response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system operates autonomously by sensing fluid characteristics and automatically determining the appropriate state of flow communication stations without requiring constant external control. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal operating parameters, reducing operational complexity while ensuring uniform fluid distribution and preventing channeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach enhances the management of fluid channeling and breakthrough, resulting in more uniform and efficient hydrocarbon production by optimizing the conditions of flow communication stations based on real-time fluid characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a pressurized fluid from an injection well into subterranean formation such that hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation is driven to a production well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation is driven to a production well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid displacement: Advection

Data Source

PatentUS11549344B2Apparatuses, systems and methods for producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation using a displacement process

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 NCS MULTISTAGE

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems and methods for controlling production of hydrocarbon material disposed within a subterranean formation are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing hydrocarbon material by displacement via flow communication station of a production well. Working states of the production well are analyzed by setting the flow communication stations in the working state, producing hydrocarbon material while in the working state, and sensing a characteristic of the produced material while in the working state. A working state that optimizes operating parameters of the of the production well is determined based on the sensed characteristic, and the production well is subsequently operated in that working state.