Smart Choke Valve Control Using Sand Sensing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling hydrocarbon well production rates is challenging due to issues like premature well depletion, water breakthrough, and sand production, which can plug wellbores and wear equipment, necessitating effective monitoring and regulation of sand production.
Innovation Solution
A smart choke valve system with a nanoparticle detector and onboard control system that automatically assesses sand production, adjusts choke valve settings, and generates alerts to maintain optimal production rates, utilizing a locally stored well profile based on multi-rate testing data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If production rate is increased to maximize hydrocarbon extraction, then productivity improves, but sand production increases causing wellbore plugging and equipment wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors sand production through sensors and automatically adjusts choke valve positioning based on real-time sand production measurements, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that maintains production while preventing excessive sand carryover
Solution Approach 2:
The choke valve positioning is dynamically adjusted in real-time based on changing sand production conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying production rates and sand production characteristics throughout the well's lifecycle
2Loss of time
If manual monitoring and adjustment of choke valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but response time to sand production changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying choke valve positioning in response to sand production measurements, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and enabling rapid response to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of the choke valve is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to adjust valve positioning based on real-time measurements, significantly reducing response time
3Object-affected harmful factors
If choke valve settings are frequently adjusted to control sand production, then sand production is reduced, but wear on well components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the choke valve to the minimum extent necessary to maintain sand production within acceptable limits, avoiding excessive adjustments that would accelerate component wear while still effectively controlling sand carryover
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 system enables robust and flexible regulation of sand production, minimizing detrimental effects on the well and equipment, allowing for real-time operational control and maintaining optimal production rates.
Implementation Method 1
a smart choke valve system with a nanoparticle detector and onboard control system that automatically assesses sand production
Data Source
AI summary
A choke valve system operable to obtain sand production measurements from a sand production sensor, compare the sand production measurements to a target sand production range for a current setting of a choke valve, and, in response to determining that the sand production measurements are outside of the target sand production range, adjust the setting of the choke valve in an effort to bring the sand production of the well into a target sand production range, and generate an alert regarding the out of range sand production measurements and the corresponding adjustment of the choke valve.