Gas Pump System with Single Fluid Control Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas lift systems for oil and gas wells face inefficiencies, particularly in deeper wells where existing gas pumps struggle to generate sufficient lift pressure and require complex hydraulic control lines, leading to high maintenance costs and reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of a gas pump system with a single fluid control line actuating both gas supply and vent valves, mounted in pocket mandrels within the production tubing, allowing for efficient operation and easy replacement, and utilizing a booster compressor to provide high-pressure gas for enhanced lift capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional gas lift systems are used in deeper wells, then existing gas pumps can operate, but they cannot generate sufficient lift pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas supply valve and gas vent valve into a single integrated control assembly actuated by one fluid control line. This merging of functions allows for more efficient pressure management and gas injection control, enabling the system to generate sufficient lift pressure in deeper wells while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a fluid control line that operates the valves through pneumatic or hydraulic pressure differentials. The single control line creates pressure changes that sequentially open and close the gas supply and vent valves, enabling deep well operation through efficient use of fluid mechanics rather than complex mechanical actuation.
2Ease of operation
If multiple control lines are used for gas supply and vent valves, then valve control is achieved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple lines into a single fluid control line that actuates both the gas supply valve and gas vent valve. This single line reduces the number of components, simplifies installation, and decreases maintenance requirements while still providing independent control of both valves through sequential pressure actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fluid control line performs multiple functions: it acts as both the control line for the gas supply valve and the control line for the gas vent valve. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control lines and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full valve control capability.
3Ease of operation
If complex hydraulic control lines are used, then valve actuation is achieved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic control line system from conventional designs. By using a simplified single fluid control line that relies on natural pressure differentials and sequential actuation, the system removes the need for complex hydraulic infrastructure, thereby reducing both manufacturing complexity and ongoing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the well's own produced gas and natural pressure differentials to actuate the valves through the single control line. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external complex hydraulic power systems, reducing maintenance requirements and operational costs while maintaining reliable valve actuation.
4Productivity
If conventional gas pumps are used, then production can be maintained, but production efficiency decreases in deeper wells
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve control assembly improves production efficiency by coordinating gas injection and venting in a single optimized cycle. This merging of control functions reduces cycle time and improves the timing of gas injection, thereby enhancing production rates and efficiency in deeper wells compared to conventional separate control systems.
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 design improves lift efficiency, reduces maintenance complexity, and extends the operational life of gas lift systems by eliminating the need for multiple control lines and enabling deeper well installations, while maintaining high production rates.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows responsive to pressure in the actuating chamber and the sealed chamber; and a valve stem coupled to the bellows and the valve body. The valve body is selectively seated on the valve seat by increasing and decreasing pressure in the actuating chamber relative to the sealed chamber
Implementation Method 2
The gas supply line is adapted to convey gas into the chamber. The gas vent line is adapted to vent gas from the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A gas lift system for oil and gas wells has a gas pump. The gas pump comprises production tubing, a chamber, a dip tube, check valves, a gas supply line and control valve, a gas vent line and control valve, and a fluid control line. Liquid is pumped to the surface by allowing it to collect in the chamber and then forcing it out of the chamber with high-pressure gas. The gas supply and vent valves preferably are controlled by a single pressure control line. The system preferably included retrievable valves that may be installed through the production tubing to provide a life-of-the-well gas lift system.