Gas-Activated Vent Valve Below Packer for Stable ESP Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ESP systems face challenges with gas accumulation beneath the packer, leading to corrosion, pump failure, and operational instability due to reliance on human intervention for gas venting and high-pressure hydraulic systems, which are not feasible in all jurisdictions.
Innovation Solution
A gas-activated vent valve installed below the packer that opens automatically with gas pressure, connected to a vent line for safe and efficient gas removal to the surface, eliminating the need for hydraulic pressure and human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ESP systems use human intervention for gas venting, then gas accumulation can be managed, but system reliability deteriorates due to operational instability and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve is designed to automatically vent gas using gas pressure differential without requiring external hydraulic pressure or human intervention. The valve self-regulates based on gas accumulation pressure, eliminating the need for automated control systems while achieving self-service gas venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic control systems with a simpler gas-pressure-activated mechanical valve. Instead of using hydraulic pressure to open/close the valve, the gas pressure differential directly actuates the valve mechanism, reducing system complexity and improving reliability.
2Productivity
If high-pressure hydraulic systems are used for gas venting, then gas can be vented effectively, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas venting function from the complex hydraulic control system and implements it through a dedicated gas-pressure-activated valve mechanism. This separates the venting function from the pump and hydraulic systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining venting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gas pressure (pneumatic principle) to activate the vent valve instead of requiring external hydraulic pressure systems. The gas pressure differential directly actuates the valve, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic control mechanisms and reducing device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If gas accumulates beneath the packer, then gas separation occurs, but harmful effects increase due to corrosion and pump failure
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve is positioned and configured to automatically vent gas as it accumulates beneath the packer, preventing excessive gas buildup before it can cause corrosion or pump failure. The valve activates when gas pressure reaches a threshold, providing preliminary action to prevent harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of gas accumulation into a beneficial automatic venting mechanism. The gas pressure that would otherwise cause corrosion is used to activate the vent valve, transforming the harmful gas buildup into the activating force for safe gas removal.
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
Automated gas venting prevents corrosion and pump failure, maintains system stability, and complies with regulatory requirements by safely venting gas to the surface without external intervention.
Implementation Method 1
configured to open using a pressure exerted on the gas activated vent valve by the gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a packer sealed against a casing string deployed in the well, production tubing extending through the packer and configured to transport the production fluids to a surface location, and an electric submersible pump connected to the production tubing at a location downhole from the packer. The electric submersible pump is configured to pump the production fluids through the production tubing. The system further comprises a gas activated vent valve installed on the production tubing at a location downhole from the packer and configured to open using a pressure exerted on the gas activated vent valve by the gas and a vent line connected to an outlet of the gas activated vent valve, extending through the packer, and configured to transport the gas from the gas activated vent valve to the surface location when the gas activated vent valve is opened by the gas.