Self-Supplied Pneumatic Pumping System for Oil Wells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Oil wells with low production require artificial production systems, but existing pneumatic pumping systems often rely on external high-pressure gas sources, which are costly and can contaminate the oil, reducing its commercial value.
Innovation Solution
A portable, self-supplied pneumatic pumping system that uses natural gas produced from the well for injection, eliminating the need for external high-pressure gas infrastructure and incorporating movable equipment with separating, compression, and energy supply skids to optimize gas injection and separation, ensuring efficient and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If external high-pressure gas sources are used for pneumatic pumping, then gas injection capability is improved, but operational cost increases and oil quality deteriorates due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the well's own natural gas production to fuel the pneumatic pumping process, eliminating the need for external gas sources. The gas is separated from the oil stream and recycled back to the wellhead for injection, creating a self-sustaining system that avoids contamination while maintaining pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the natural gas produced during oil extraction, the system recovers and reuses it for pneumatic pumping. The gas is separated from the produced fluids, processed through compression and regulation, then injected back into the well to drive the pumping action, thereby eliminating contamination issues and reducing operational costs.
2Power
If external high-pressure gas infrastructure is installed, then pneumatic pumping performance is improved, but device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-sufficient by utilizing the well's own gas production. The gas separation, compression, and regulation equipment processes the well's natural gas directly, eliminating the need for external high-pressure gas infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unit: gas separation, gas compression, gas regulation, and pneumatic pumping all occur within a compact integrated platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external infrastructure while maintaining pumping performance.
3Productivity
If continuous gas injection is used, then production efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs intermittent gas injection cycles rather than continuous injection. The gas is injected in controlled pulses synchronized with the pumping action, which maintains production efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation. The periodic action allows for more efficient heat transfer and reduces the total energy required for gas compression.
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 enhances oil production without external gas dependency, maintaining oil quality and reducing operational costs, as it utilizes the well's natural gas, making it efficient, independent, and adaptable for low-production wells.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression skid including a compressor
Implementation Method 2
at least one separating skid including separating and rectification equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for the artificial pneumatic production of oil and gas which is self-supplied is provided. The well's originating gas separates in a skid of separation of oil and after gas is rectified, gas is injected again into the well; the gas injection is made to a pressure enough to lift the oil-gas mixture inside the well. The excess of gas is exhausted toward the closer processing station.