Heating System for Hydrocarbon Extraction Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deposition of paraffins or asphaltenes on the walls of hydrocarbon extraction pipes in wells leads to frequent production shutdowns, reduced production rates, and increased costs due to high viscosity and solid deposits, especially in paraffinic and heavy crude oil extraction, where temperature drops cause these fractions to solidify and block pipes.
Innovation Solution
A heating system is implemented using resistive or inductive electrical heating elements along the oil rise pipe, with a closed-loop circulation of a hot fluid through thermally insulated pipes to maintain oil viscosity and prevent deposition, comprising a first heating pipe for injecting hot fluid and a second pipe for returning it to the surface, with continuous temperature and flow control to ensure continuous production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical heating elements are installed along the oil rise pipe, then paraffin deposition is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hot fluid (water or thermal oil) is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the surface to the downhole heating elements. This fluid circulates through a closed-loop system, carrying thermal energy to dissolve paraffin deposits without requiring direct electrical heating elements in the production pipe, thus simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical heating elements with a thermal fluid circulation system. Instead of using resistive or inductive heating directly in the oil rise pipe, the system uses a pumped fluid to transfer heat, substituting a mechanical/thermal system for an electrical one, which reduces device complexity and improves reliability.
2Power
If large quantities of electrical energy are brought downhole, then heating effectiveness is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A hot fluid serves as an intermediary to transport thermal energy from surface heating equipment to downhole heating elements. This eliminates the need to bring large quantities of electrical energy directly downhole, as the thermal energy is carried by the circulating fluid instead, thereby improving reliability while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic circulation of a hot fluid (water or thermal oil) to transfer heat energy. By using a fluid-based heat transfer system rather than direct electrical power transmission downhole, the reliability is improved while still delivering sufficient heating power to prevent paraffin deposition.
3Productivity
If mechanical scraping operations are performed to remove paraffin, then production continuity is maintained, but production shutdown frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heating elements are installed in advance within the oil rise pipe, and a hot fluid circulation system is prepared beforehand. This preliminary heating infrastructure allows continuous prevention of paraffin deposition during normal operation, eliminating the need for subsequent mechanical scraping operations and associated production shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot fluid circulation system operates continuously to maintain heating of the oil rise pipe, ensuring continuous prevention of paraffin deposition. This continuous useful action eliminates intermittent shutdowns for mechanical scraping, thereby improving production continuity and reducing loss of time.
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 solution prevents paraffin deposition, maintains oil viscosity, and ensures continuous production by supplying heat to the oil rise pipe, reducing the frequency of shutdowns and increasing production efficiency by up to 100% while avoiding contamination and pollution of the hydrocarbon deposit.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating pipe thermally insulated for injection from the surface of the hot fluid
Implementation Method 2
means making it possible to circulate a hot fluid from the surface towards the zone to be heated of the well
Implementation Method 3
a first heating pipe thermally insulated for injection from the surface of the hot fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a facility for heating (1) conduits for extracting hydrocarbons through a well (2) connecting the surface to an extraction zone (12), comprising a substantially cylindrical conduit (3) for consolidating the borehole, extraction means for extracting (4) hydrocarbons, and injection means (5) for injecting a hot fluid from the surface towards the zone to be heated of the well (2). The injection means (5) comprise, in the conduit (3), a first heating pipe (8) that is thermally insulated from the injection of the hot fluid from the surface to said zone, and a second heating pipe (11) surrounding the first pipe (8), for returning the hot fluid to the surface, and the extraction means (4) comprise a pumping pipe (7) surrounding the first and second heating pipes (8, 11), for extracting the hydrocarbons.