Foamer Evaluation System for Mature Oil Well Liquid Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mature oil and gas wells, liquid loading occurs when gas flow rates are insufficient to lift associated reservoir liquid to the surface, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure that can stop production, and existing methods for evaluating foaming agents to mitigate this issue are inadequate as they focus on foam half-life without considering liquid recovery and density.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for evaluating foaming agents that includes a temperature-controlled bath, gas sparging, and mass balance to measure foam and liquid volumes over time, allowing for the determination of foam stability and liquid recovery rates, focusing on liquid holdup and density changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional foam half-life testing methods are used, then the evaluation process is simple, but the assessment accuracy of foamer performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a first vessel for foam generation, a second vessel for liquid collection, a temperature-controlled bath for environmental simulation, a mass balance for precise measurement, and a condenser for vapor management. This modular segmentation enables comprehensive performance assessment while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized interfaces and independent operation of each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces several intermediary components to bridge measurement gaps: a condenser acts as an intermediary to condense and collect vapor-phase hydrocarbons that would otherwise be lost, a mass balance serves as an intermediary to precisely measure liquid recovery rates, and the temperature-controlled bath acts as an intermediary to simulate downhole conditions. These intermediaries enable accurate measurement of parameters that would be difficult to measure directly.
2Measurement precision
If only foam half-life is measured, then the testing procedure is quick, but liquid recovery performance is not evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures liquid recovery over time using a mass balance connected to the second vessel, providing real-time data on liquid unloading performance. The continuous operation of the mass balance and the sustained foam generation in the first vessel enable comprehensive temporal analysis of foamer performance without requiring multiple separate tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is designed to simultaneously evaluate multiple performance parameters: foam stability (half-life), liquid recovery rate, foam density, and liquid holdup. The first vessel serves both foam generation and density measurement functions, while the second vessel handles both liquid collection and mass measurement, enabling multi-parameter assessment in a single integrated test sequence.
3Reliability
If foam density and liquid holdup are not considered, then the evaluation is simpler, but the effectiveness for liquid unloading is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex direct measurement methods with more practical approaches: foam density is determined by measuring the mass of the foam column and dividing by its volume, rather than using complex density measurement instruments. Liquid holdup is calculated from the mass balance data and volume measurements, substituting direct observation with computational analysis based on simpler measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a scaled-down laboratory model that replicates downhole conditions through the temperature-controlled bath set to reservoir temperatures and the controlled sparging process that simulates gas injection. This physical copy allows reliable prediction of field performance through controlled experimentation, reducing the need for complex field measurement systems.
4Reliability
If temperature control is not implemented, then the testing equipment is simpler, but the simulation of real well conditions is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-controlled bath actively maintains the liquid in the first vessel at specific reservoir temperatures, dynamically adjusting the thermal parameter to match downhole conditions. This parameter control enables reliable simulation of temperature-dependent foamer performance without requiring excessive energy input, as the system only needs to maintain rather than continuously heat or cool the liquid.
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
Provides a more accurate assessment of foaming agent performance by measuring liquid recovery rates and foam density changes, ensuring effective liquid unloading and stable gas production by reducing liquid holdup in wells.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature-controlled bath having a first vessel for containing a liquid in the first vessel at a temperature controlled by the temperature-controlled bath
Implementation Method 2
a gas tubing operatively connected from a gas flow meter and a gas source to a gas delivery tubing and a frit for sparging the liquid in the first vessel with a gas for making a foam
Implementation Method 3
a mass balance; and a second vessel on the mass balance
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for evaluating a foamer for use in an oil and gas well for unloading of a liquid. The systems and methods provide for methods including: (a) combining (i) an aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon phase, or both an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbon phase in a predetermined proportion with (ii) a foamer to obtain a liquid, wherein the foamer is in a predetermined concentration in the liquid; (b) sparging the liquid with a gas at a predetermined gas flow rate to create a foam from at least some of the liquid and at least some of the gas; and (c) during or after the step of sparging, determining the amount of the liquid in the foam, wherein the step of determining is performed one or more times.