Hydrate Plug Remover Using Dissolving Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing hydrate plugs in petroleum wells, especially those on the seabed, are inefficient and costly, requiring extensive rigging and time-consuming processes, and prior solutions are not effective in melting hydrate plugs under unfavorable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a wireline tractor with a collecting container and hydrate dissolving fluid, where the fluid is circulated through a circulation gate to dissolve hydrate plugs, and mechanical machining is used to aid in removal, allowing for continuous operation without needing to remove the tractor from the well, thus simplifying and speeding up the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If circulation of hydrate dissolving fluid by means of coil tubing is used to remove hydrates, then removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydrate removal process into two functional components: a circulation pump positioned at the wellhead to circulate hydrate dissolving fluid, and a heating element that can be lowered to the hydrate plug location. This segmentation allows the complex fluid circulation function to remain at the surface while only the simple heating element needs to be deployed to the well, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the surface-based circulation pump and the subsurface hydrate plug. By using the heating element as a mediator, the system achieves effective hydrate removal without requiring complex subsea rigging equipment, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If a heating element is displaced down to the hydrate plug to melt it, then hydrate removal is achieved, but time consumption increases disproportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump is pre-positioned at the wellhead and hydrate dissolving fluid is prepared for circulation before the heating element is deployed. This preliminary setup allows the system to immediately begin efficient hydrate removal once the heating element reaches the plug, eliminating setup time and reducing overall operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous circulation of hydrate dissolving fluid throughout the operation, ensuring that the useful action of hydrate dissolution and removal proceeds without interruption. This continuous operation maximizes the hydrate removal rate and minimizes total time required, addressing the time consumption issue.
3Reliability
If extensive rigging is used for well intervention to dissolve hydrate plugs, then hydrate removal capability is improved, but operation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex fluid circulation system is extracted from the subsea environment and positioned at the wellhead, where it can operate with simpler rigging requirements. Only the essential heating element needs to be lowered to the hydrate plug, while the complex pump and fluid supply remain at the surface, reducing intervention time and cost while maintaining removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump at the wellhead autonomously circulates hydrate dissolving fluid through the system, and the heating element automatically melts the hydrate plug when positioned correctly. This self-service operation reduces the need for continuous human intervention and extensive rigging, thereby reducing operation time and cost while ensuring reliable hydrate 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
This method improves the efficiency of hydrate plug removal by using hydrate dissolving fluid and mechanical machining, reducing the need for extensive rigging and time-consuming operations, allowing for continuous operation and efficient removal of hydrate plugs without the need to frequently remove the wireline tractor from the well.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrate plugs are constituted of a material similar to wax, which may be dissolved by means of heat or by means of a hydrate dissolving fluid, for example methanol or monoethylene glycol
Implementation Method 2
It is also known to displace a heating element down to the hydrate plug in order to melt it
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a hydrate plug remover for removal of a hydrate plug in a tube. The hydrate plug remover includes a collecting container provided with a valve in a lower end portion. The valve connects the collecting container to surroundings of the hydrate plug remover. The collecting container in an upper end portion is provided with a circulation gate connecting the collecting container to the surroundings of the hydrate plug remover.