Multi-phase ejector for low-pressure well production boosting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-pressure or dead wells in hydrocarbon reservoirs pose a challenge for commercial-scale hydrocarbon production, as existing methods are costly and inefficient in reviving production without increasing emissions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-phase ejector system in a gas-oil separation plant, where a processed crude oil stream is used as motive fluid to induce flow from low-pressure wells by converting pressure energy into kinetic energy, thereby boosting production without additional rotating equipment and reducing capital, operating, and maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to revive production from low-pressure or dead wells, then production can be boosted, but capital costs, operating costs, and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidequipment and infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing processed crude oil stream from the gas-oil separation plant as motive fluid to drive the ejector, making the existing infrastructure serve the dual purpose of processing and boosting production without requiring external energy sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-phase ejector acts as an intermediary device that transfers energy from the processed crude oil stream to the production stream from low-pressure wells, enabling production boosting without direct mechanical connection or additional rotating equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If additional rotating equipment is installed to boost production from low-pressure wells, then production can be increased, but capital costs and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidcapital investment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical rotating equipment (such as compressors or pumps) with a multi-phase ejector that uses fluid dynamics and pressure energy conversion to achieve the same production boosting effect, eliminating the need for additional rotating machinery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and utilizes the existing pressure energy from the processed crude oil stream in the gas-oil separation plant, converting it into kinetic energy to drive the ejector and boost production without requiring external energy sources or additional equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If traditional methods are used to handle production from low-pressure wells, then production can be maintained, but emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidemissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts what would otherwise be wasted pressure energy in the processed crude oil stream into useful kinetic energy to drive the ejector and boost production from low-pressure wells, turning a potential waste stream into a beneficial resource while reducing emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system effectively boosts production from low-pressure wells by converting kinetic energy back into pressure, reducing the need for additional equipment and minimizing emissions, while capitalizing on existing infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

Pressure energy of the portion of the processed crude oil stream is converted into kinetic energy by the multi-phase ejector, thereby reducing pressure within the multi-phase ejector and inducing flow of a production stream from the well to the multi-phase ejector as suction fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure energy to kinetic energy conversion: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 2

A low-pressure area is created by the multi-phase ejector responsive to flowing the processed crude oil stream, thereby inducing flow of a production stream from the well to the multi-phase ejector at a second pressure less than the first pressure. A pressure in the low-pressure area is less than the second pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-pressure area creation and fluid induction: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11639651B2Boosting production from low pressure or dead wells

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A gas-oil separation plant (GOSP) is configured to process crude oil produced from a well. A production stream from the well operates at a first pressure. A processed crude oil stream from the GOSP flows to a multi-phase ejector. The multi-phase ejector induces flow of a production stream from the well in response to the flow of the processed crude oil stream.