Downhole Piezoelectric Pump for Deep Well Liquid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional artificial lift systems, such as plunger lift and rod pump systems, are ineffective in removing wellbore liquids from long, deep, or deviated hydrocarbon wells, as they require sufficient gas pressure and are prone to mechanical failure, limiting their efficiency in accessing previously inaccessible subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a downhole piezoelectric pump that is electrically powered and capable of pressurizing wellbore liquids to a discharge pressure of at least 25 MPa, allowing for efficient removal of wellbore liquids over a threshold vertical distance without the need for a mechanical linkage or minimum gas pressure, and can be located and operated within nonlinear regions of the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rod pump systems are used to provide artificial lift, then mechanical linkage can extend between surface and subterranean formation, but the mechanical linkage becomes more prone to failure and damage to casing as depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rod pump system with an electrical submersible pump system. The pump is driven by an electric motor powered through a flexible rotor cable that can accommodate well depths of thousands of meters without mechanical linkage failure or casing damage. This substitution eliminates the mechanical linkage reliability issue while enabling operation at greater depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the wellbore fluid itself (gas-liquid mixture) as the power transmission medium to drive the pump. The kinetic energy of the flowing wellbore fluid activates the pump mechanism, eliminating the need for long mechanical linkages from the surface and allowing reliable operation in deep wells where traditional mechanical systems would fail.
2Reliability
If plunger lift systems are used to remove wellbore liquid, then gas pressure can provide motive force, but the system requires gaseous hydrocarbons to develop at least a threshold pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the plunger lift system's gas-pressure-dependent mechanism with an electrically-powered pump system. The pump can operate effectively regardless of the gas pressure in the wellbore, as it is driven by electrical power transmitted through the rotor cable. This substitution eliminates the threshold gas pressure requirement while maintaining reliable liquid removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the artificial lift system by transitioning from a gas-pressure-driven system to an electrically-powered system. This parameter change allows the pump to operate at various gas pressure levels without requiring a minimum threshold, thereby expanding the range of conditions under which effective liquid removal can be achieved.
3Reliability
If traditional artificial lift systems are used in deviated wellbores, then liquid removal may be achieved, but the systems are not capable of efficiently removing wellbore liquid from wellbores with deviated or nonlinear portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional artificial lift systems with an electrically-powered submersible pump system that can be positioned directly in the wellbore at the production zone. The pump's compact design and electrical power transmission through a flexible rotor cable enable it to operate efficiently in deviated and nonlinear wellbore configurations where traditional systems would fail or be ineffective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from surface-based mechanical systems to a downhole electrical system, adding the dimension of operational flexibility in three-dimensional wellbore paths. The pump can be positioned and oriented to match the wellbore's deviation angles, and the rotor cable can accommodate nonlinear paths, enabling effective operation in previously inaccessible deviated formations.
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 downhole piezoelectric pump effectively removes wellbore liquids at discharge flow rates of 0.75 to 16 cubic meters per day with a pumping efficiency of at least 50%, enabling the production of gaseous hydrocarbons from previously inaccessible formations by overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a downhole piezoelectric pump that is electrically powered and capable of pressurizing wellbore liquids
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole piezoelectric pump including methods of removing a wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and/or methods of locating the downhole piezoelectric pump within the wellbore. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the wellbore, a casing, the downhole piezoelectric pump, and a liquid discharge conduit and the systems may be utilized with and/or configured to perform the methods.