Perforation Gun Flushing for In-Well Formation Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and maintenance of dedicated monitoring wells for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) operations incur significant costs, and there is a need for a more cost-effective and accurate method to monitor the integrity of CO2 storage sites.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system is positioned within the annulus between the casing and open hole of a wellbore, using a perforating device to create perforations for fluid flow between the geological formation and the monitoring system, with a fluid circuit routing fluids to sensors for sampling and analysis, reducing the need for dedicated monitoring wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated monitoring wells are installed for CO2 storage monitoring, then monitoring reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is integrated into the existing injection well structure, allowing the same well to serve both CO2 injection and monitoring functions. The system includes a perforating device that can create perforations in the casing to access formation fluids, sensors for detecting fluid properties, and a fluid circuit for sample collection, all integrated within the injection well architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monitoring system components (perforating device, sensors, fluid circuit) into a single integrated assembly that can be deployed within the injection well. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated monitoring wells while maintaining monitoring capability through the shared well infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then monitoring coverage is sufficient, but accuracy of fluid monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical sampling methods with an integrated sensor-based monitoring approach. Sensors are positioned within the fluid circuit to continuously detect fluid properties (such as density, composition, or pressure) directly at the perforation site, providing real-time data without requiring physical sample retrieval and laboratory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circuit acts as an intermediary between the formation fluids and the monitoring system. It routes formation fluids through a controlled path that includes sensors and sampling points, allowing for accurate measurement and analysis while maintaining isolation between the formation and surface equipment.
3Ease of operation
If casing penetration is performed for sampling, then direct fluid access is achieved, but risk of contamination and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perforating device creates controlled perforations in the casing before sampling operations begin. These pre-established perforations provide dedicated access points that are sealed when not in use, allowing for controlled fluid access while maintaining casing integrity and preventing contamination during non-sampling periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements localized perforations at specific positions along the casing where fluid access is needed, rather than penetrating the entire casing. The perforating device and associated components are positioned to create access only at the required depth and location, minimizing exposure to potential contamination sources and reducing operational 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
This approach allows for non-invasive sampling and monitoring of geological formations, reducing installation costs and improving the accuracy of fluid monitoring without penetrating the casing, thereby enhancing the integrity and efficiency of CO2 storage operations.
Implementation Method 1
a perforating device outside of the casing, where the perforating device is configured to produce one or more perforations into the geological formation outside of the casing
Implementation Method 2
the fluid circuit is configured to route a first fluid from the geological formation to a sample collecting system during a sampling operation
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a casing configured to mount within an open hole of a wellsite and a monitoring system configured to mount outside of the casing and monitor a geological formation. The monitoring system includes a perforating device outside of the casing, where the perforating device is configured to produce one or more perforations into the geological formation outside of the casing in a perforating operation of the monitoring system, where the one or more perforations are configured to enable fluid flow between the geological formation and the monitoring system. The system also includes a fluid circuit outside of the casing, where the fluid circuit is coupled to the perforating device, and the fluid circuit is configured to route a first fluid from the geological formation to a sample collecting system during a sampling operation of the monitoring system.