Fluid Injection Device for Oil Well Chemical Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil well gas lift systems require multiple dedicated supply lines for chemical injection, which is costly and complex, and existing chemical injection methods rely on pressure control, making them less flexible and more prone to corrosion from impurities.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection device integrated with a gas lift unit, featuring independently actuable injection ports for both fluid and gas, using a single supply pipe and a pressure-balanced actuator to control fluid injection without relying on overpressure, allowing for flexible and efficient chemical injection at multiple points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated supply line is used for each injection point, then the reliability of chemical injection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple chemical injection functions into a single integrated downhole assembly. Multiple injection ports are provided within one downhole device, allowing different chemicals to be injected at different points along the production tubing through a single supply line connection, thereby reducing the number of separate supply lines needed while maintaining reliable chemical injection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole assembly is designed with multi-functionality to serve both gas injection and chemical injection purposes. The device can handle both gas lift operations and chemical injection through its multiple ports and integrated valve system, eliminating the need for separate dedicated supply lines for each function and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If pressure control is used to open and close the injection valve, then the valve mechanism becomes simpler and more durable, but the flexibility of injection control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms for the injection valves that allow flexible operation. The valves can be opened and closed on demand through actuation mechanisms that respond to control signals, enabling precise control of chemical injection timing and duration while maintaining the simplicity and durability of the valve mechanism through standardized pressure-actuated design
3Reliability
If multiple dedicated supply lines are installed, then each injection point can be served reliably, but the amount of downhole tubing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple injection functions into a single downhole assembly that contains multiple injection ports. This consolidation allows the device to serve multiple injection points along the production tubing through one integrated unit, significantly reducing the total length of downhole tubing required compared to having separate dedicated supply lines for each injection point
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection device (18) for controlling injection of fluid into an oil-carrying tube in an oil well includes an inlet (20) for receiving the fluid; an outlet (28) for supplying the fluid for injection into the oil-carrying tube; an inlet valve (22) in a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet; an actuator (24) for opening and closing the valve; and a connector (36) for coupling the inlet to a fluid supply tube (32) extending between the device and a source of the fluid above the ground. A method of controlling injection of fluid using such a device is also provided.