Hydraulic Well Tool Pulsing Mechanism for Fluid Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid bridging between injection and production wells in subterranean formations hampers effective fluid injection and product recovery, as existing methods fail to control injection rates effectively, leading to inefficient sweeping of products towards production wells.
Innovation Solution
A well tool with a first hydraulic area that seals against fluid passage and a second larger hydraulic area that stores and releases energy to displace the seal, allowing controlled pulsing of injection fluid into the subterranean zone, utilizing a fluid pulsing unit to manage fluid flow and prevent bridging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluid is injected continuously into the subterranean formation, then the injection rate is high and production efficiency is improved, but fluid bridging occurs between injection and production wells causing ineffective sweeping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a pulsing injection mechanism that alternates between injecting fluid and allowing pressure to build up. The system uses a valve that opens and closes periodically, creating pulses of fluid injection followed by pressure accumulation phases. This periodic operation prevents continuous fluid bridging while maintaining effective sweeping through controlled pressure cycles that push product toward production wells in discrete bursts rather than continuous flow.
2Productivity
If fluid injection rate is increased to improve production, then productivity is improved, but fluid bridging occurs reducing effective product recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsing injection system creates periodic cycles of high-rate injection followed by pressure buildup phases. During injection pulses, fluid is injected at high rates to maintain productivity. During the subsequent pressure buildup phase, the valve closes and pressure accumulates in the formation, preventing fluid bridging while continuing to push product toward production wells. This periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by separating the harmful continuous injection from the beneficial high-rate injection periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pressure buildup action before the next injection pulse. By closing the valve after each injection pulse, the system allows pressure to accumulate in the subterranean formation in advance of the next injection. This preliminary pressure accumulation prevents fluid bridging from occurring during the subsequent injection pulse, as the pre-built pressure creates a pressure differential that directs fluid through the formation rather than creating direct bridges between injection and production wells.
3Reliability
If pulsed injection is used to prevent fluid bridging, then effective sweeping is improved, but device complexity increases due to valve and hydraulic mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsing mechanism is self-service in that it uses the pressure of the injected fluid itself to drive the pulsing action. The hydraulic area differential causes the valve to automatically open and close based on pressure conditions without requiring external control systems. When pressure builds up during injection, it automatically actuates the valve to close, creating the pulse. During pressure buildup phase, the stored pressure automatically drives the valve open for the next injection pulse. This self-service operation minimizes device complexity by eliminating the need for external actuators, control systems, or power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles to create the pulsing mechanism. The valve is actuated by hydraulic pressure differential across two areas: a first hydraulic area exposed to formation pressure and a second hydraulic area exposed to higher injection pressure. This hydraulic area differential automatically drives the valve open and closed based on pressure conditions. The elastic element provides pneumatic spring action to assist in valve actuation. This use of fluid pressure and elastic energy creates a simple pulsing mechanism without complex mechanical or electronic 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
The solution enables efficient pulsing of injection fluid, preventing bridging and ensuring effective sweeping of products towards production wells, thereby enhancing production efficiency and maintaining consistent fluid flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic area on which the fluid acts tending to move a first body to substantially seal against passage of fluid through an aperture
Implementation Method 2
A second, larger hydraulic area is provided on which the fluid acts tending to move a second body. The second body is movable by the fluid acting on the second hydraulic to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture
Implementation Method 3
An energy storing device is provided that is configured to store energy from movement of the second body until at least a specified amount of energy is stored and release the energy when the second body is moved to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A well tool is operable to receive a flow of fluid. The well tool includes a first hydraulic area on which the fluid acts tending to move a first body to substantially seal against passage of fluid through an aperture. A second, larger hydraulic area is provided on which the fluid acts tending to move a second body. The second body is movable by the fluid acting on the second hydraulic to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture. An energy storing device is provided that is configured to store energy from movement of the second body until at least a specified amount of energy is stored and release the energy when the second body is moved to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture.