Parallel Capacitive Elements for Well Stimulation Arc Risk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well stimulation tools face a significant risk of electrical arcing due to high voltage levels required for effective stimulation, which is challenging to manage in a narrow tool design suitable for insertion into drilled wells.
Innovation Solution
The tool features capacitive elements arranged in series with their connection faces facing each other, ensuring a minimum distance between terminals of the same polarity and greater distance between terminals of different polarities, reducing the risk of arcing, along with specific configurations such as links and insulation to enhance electrical safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high voltage levels are used for effective well stimulation, then the stimulation effectiveness is improved, but the risk of electrical arcing inside the tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive elements are divided into multiple separate units arranged in parallel, each with its own terminals. This segmentation allows for controlled spacing between terminals of different polarities, reducing the risk of electrical arcing while maintaining the high power capability through parallel connection of multiple capacitive elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive elements are arranged in a spatial configuration where connection faces are positioned at different angular positions around the circumference. This dimensional arrangement ensures that terminals of opposite polarity are separated by sufficient distance, preventing arcing while allowing compact packaging within the narrow tool diameter.
2Length of moving object
If the tool diameter is reduced to fit into drilled wells, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the space for electrical components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive elements are arranged radially around the circumference of the tool rather than linearly along the axis. This angular distribution allows multiple capacitive elements to be packed into a compact cross-sectional area, reducing the tool diameter while accommodating the necessary electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple capacitive elements are electrically connected in parallel, merging their capacitance values to achieve the required electrical performance. This parallel connection allows the use of smaller individual capacitive elements that can be compactly arranged within the limited radial space of the narrow tool.
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 configuration effectively minimizes the risk of electrical arcing, ensuring reliable operation and safe discharge of high-intensity currents for well stimulation while maintaining a narrow tool design suitable for well insertion.
Implementation Method 1
the tool comprises at least two capacitive elements between said power supply port and said stimulation head, each capacitive element comprising two terminals of respectively different polarities arranged on respectively opposite connection faces of said capacitive element
Implementation Method 2
The spark-gap 106 primarily comprises two states: an open state wherein the capacitive elements 105 are disconnected from the stimulation head 110, so that no electric current can flow between said capacitive elements 105 and said stimulation head 110
Implementation Method 3
The capacitive elements 105 discharge, through the stimulation head, by circulating a pulse of high-intensity current (possibly exceeding one hundred kilo-amperes) in the fluid separating the first electrode 111 from the second electrode 112. This pulse of high-intensity current creates an acoustic shock wave that propagates in the well
Data Source
AI summary
A tool (200) for stimulation of wells, includes an electrical supply port, a stimulation head (210) and at least two capacitive elements (205a-205c) between the supply port and the stimulation head, each capacitive element including two terminals (Bp, Bn) with respectively different polarities arranged on the respectively opposed connection faces of the capacitive element, the poles of the capacitive elements (205a-205c) having the same polarity being connected together in such a way that the capacitive elements are electrically in parallel. Advantageously, the capacitive elements (205a-205c) of the tool (200) are arranged in series with their connection faces facing each other, and in such a way that the connection faces facing each other of each adjacent pair or capacitive elements correspond to terminals of the same polarity.