Injection Well Surface Leak Rate Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surface leaks in injection wells can compromise the integrity of the well and hinder hydrocarbon recovery, as they are difficult to detect and quantify without metering devices, leading to increased production costs and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A computer system generates an injection well performance model based on measured parameters like reservoir pressure, fluid injection pressure, and well dimensions, using steady-state multiphase simulation to determine the surface leak rate without requiring metering devices, and generates a graphical representation of the leak flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If metering devices are used to detect surface leaks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leak detection function from complex metering devices and implements it using simple visual identification of surface indicators combined with pressure data. The method removes the need for specialized metering equipment by using readily available pressure measurements and visual inspection to determine leak presence and rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the well's own pressure measurements and visual surface indicators to self-diagnose leak conditions. The pressure data already being collected for well operation is repurposed for leak detection, and surface visual cues that naturally occur provide the detection mechanism without requiring additional sensing equipment.
2Measurement precision
If metering devices are installed to quantify leak rates, then measurement precision is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method replaces expensive, durable metering devices with inexpensive visual identification and pressure analysis. The approach uses low-cost elements (visual inspection and existing pressure sensors) to achieve leak quantification without requiring investment in specialized expensive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the quantitative measurement capability from expensive metering devices and achieves it through computational analysis of pressure data and visual indicators, eliminating the need for costly hardware while maintaining measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If visual identification method is used to detect surface leaks, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visual identification with pressure data analysis to compensate for the limitations of visual inspection alone. By combining these two simple methods, the system achieves accurate leak detection and quantification without the complexity of sophisticated sensing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure measurements serve as an intermediary that translates visual surface leak indicators into quantifiable data. The pressure changes caused by leaks are measured and used to calculate leak rates, bridging the gap between simple visual detection and precise measurement.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If complex metering devices are used, then surface leak detection capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing pressure data and visual indicators to determine leak conditions. This eliminates the need for operators to manually operate complex metering devices or interpret complex measurements, making the process as simple as visual inspection while maintaining detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for determination of surface leak rates in an injection well after determining a presence of a surface leak based on visual identification of a leak typically associated with abnormal decrease in surface injection pressure. An injection well performance model is generated based on a reservoir pressure of the injection well, a fluid injection pressure, and properties of an injection fluid. The injection well performance model is calibrated using a shut-in bottomhole pressure and injection data measured prior to the determining of the presence of the surface leak. A production well model is generated from the injection well performance model. For each pressure value between the pressure of the injection well measured at the surface and a shut-in wellhead pressure (SIWHP), the production well model is executed to determine a flow rate of the surface leak.