Gas Lift Mandrel Scale Inhibitor Injection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valve failures in gas lift mandrels due to scaling issues, caused by pressure imbalances and dehydration, lead to production losses and equipment malfunctions, particularly in offshore platforms where safety and environmental concerns are heightened.
Innovation Solution
A chemical injection system is integrated into the gas lift mandrel to deliver a scale inhibitor, protecting check valves and preventing scale deposition by injecting the inhibitor simultaneously with gas, ensuring efficient flow and reducing the need for costly interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas injection is performed through the gas lift mandrel, then production efficiency is improved, but scale deposition occurs due to dehydration causing check valve failure
Solution Approach 1:
A scale inhibitor injection system is introduced as an intermediary between the gas injection system and the production fluid. The system includes a chemical injection pump, injection lines, and injection points positioned at the gas lift mandrel and/or production tree, delivering scale inhibitor chemicals that prevent scale deposition on check valves while allowing continuous gas injection for maintained productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The scale inhibitor is injected in advance before scale can form on the check valves. The injection system is designed to deliver the chemical inhibitor ahead of the gas front and into the production fluid, creating a protective environment that prevents scale deposition before it can occur during gas lift operations
2Reliability
If scale inhibitor injection system is added to prevent scaling, then check valve reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can inject scale inhibitor chemicals, the system components can be integrated with existing production equipment, and the same infrastructure can potentially serve other chemical injection needs. The patent describes a versatile system that can be configured at different levels (gas lift mandrel, production tree) and can handle various types of scale inhibitors
Solution Approach 2:
The injection system is nested within the existing production infrastructure. The injection lines are routed through existing conduits and equipment, the injection points are integrated into the gas lift mandrel or production tree structure, and the chemical injection pump can be positioned within the existing facility footprint, thereby minimizing additional complexity
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 enhances the efficiency and reliability of gas lift mandrels, reducing production losses and environmental impact by preventing scaling, minimizing the use of critical resources, and ensuring safer operations with reduced waste and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the injection of a scale inhibitor to prevent the formation of salt scales in check valves
Implementation Method 2
when this gas finds the water in the production BSW a phenomenon of dehydration of the oil through the passage of the water from the oil to the gas phase takes place
Implementation Method 3
A chemical injection system is integrated into the gas lift mandrel to deliver a scale inhibitor, protecting check valves and preventing scale deposition by injecting the inhibitor simultaneously with gas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a chemical injection system adapted inside of the gas lift mandrel, such scale inhibitor injection system being intended to protect the chemical injection valve as well as the check valves and will also prevent scale deposition on the column above the gas lift mandrel due to dehydration caused by dry gas.