Fluid Isolation Tool for Casing Gas Separator Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools face challenges in precisely locating and isolating the pump intake within a casing gas separator in oil and gas wells, especially in wells with horizontal or deviated sections, leading to potential pump starvation, overheating, and equipment failure due to inaccurate placement.
Innovation Solution
A fluid isolation tool with expandable sealing cups that expand under differential pressure to form a seal between the casing gas separator ports, allowing for precise location and flow isolation, utilizing a combination of hydrostatic actuation and pressure differential to engage and seal against the inner diameter of the casing and gas separator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing tools are used to locate and isolate pump intake, then the basic isolation function is provided, but precise placement within the casing gas separator cannot be achieved leading to pump starvation and equipment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation device serves as an intermediary tool between the pump intake and the casing gas separator ports. It includes a body with first and second cups that can be positioned within the separator, allowing precise location detection through port alignment and flow isolation to verify correct placement before final isolation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical positioning methods with a system that uses fluid flow characteristics and pressure differentials to detect and confirm precise placement. The expandable cups respond to pressure changes when aligned with ports, providing feedback on position without requiring complex mechanical measurement systems.
2Measurement precision
If traditional isolation methods are used, then simple flow isolation is achieved, but accurate location detection within the separator is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation device performs self-location detection within the casing gas separator. The expandable cups automatically respond to pressure differentials created when positioned over ports, providing self-verification of placement without requiring external positioning systems or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in pressure parameters to detect location. When the expandable cups are positioned over the ports, the pressure differential causes them to expand or contract, providing a detectable signal that confirms accurate placement within the separator.
3Productivity
If the pump intake is not precisely located within the casing gas separator, then installation is simpler, but fluid flow isolation cannot be achieved leading to pump starvation
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation device is installed preliminarily to enable precise location detection before final flow isolation is established. The expandable cups are positioned in advance within the separator, allowing operators to verify correct placement over the ports before activating the isolation function, ensuring proper alignment is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback on placement accuracy through the response of the expandable cups to pressure differentials. When the cups are correctly positioned over the ports, they expand or contract in a detectable manner, giving operators feedback that precise location has been achieved before final isolation is completed.
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 accurate placement of the pump intake within the casing gas separator, preventing fluid flow through the normal pathway and ensuring efficient fluid extraction, thereby preventing pump starvation and equipment failure by creating a conduit through the annulus for fluid flow and allowing for precise location detection.
Implementation Method 1
A first of the expandable seals is expandable in response to flow in a first direction and a second of the expandable seals is expandable in response to flow in a second direction
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a combination of hydrostatic actuation and pressure differential to engage and seal against the inner diameter of the casing and gas separator
Implementation Method 3
creating a conduit through the annulus for fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation device for use with a casing gas separator. The device incorporates multiple cups, some upward-facing and others downward-facing. The downward-facing cup or cups seal against an internal surface of the casing gas separator to divert flow into the annulus of the separator and enable the separation process. The upward-facing cup or cups hold a pressurized fluid when the device is being located within the casing. Upon reaching the upper ports of the casing gas separator, the fluid releases into the annulus, allowing an operator to determine the location of the device and accurately place it within the casing gas separator.