Pneumatic Source Selection for Well Gas Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well systems in the oil and gas industry rely on well gas for pneumatic control, which eventually escapes into the atmosphere, negatively impacting their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and apparatus for pneumatic source selection that allows for the use of compressed air instead of well gas for controlling valves, thereby reducing environmental impact and improving ESG efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If well gas is used for pneumatic control, then operational efficiency is maintained, but greenhouse gas emissions increase and ESG ratings deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (inert gas or compressed air) that mediates between the well gas system and the atmospheric environment. This intermediary replaces well gas in the pneumatic control system, preventing direct release of greenhouse gases while maintaining the necessary pneumatic function for valve control and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the pneumatic substance from well gas (high greenhouse gas content) to inert gas or compressed air (low or zero greenhouse gas content). This parameter change maintains the pneumatic properties needed for operational efficiency while eliminating the harmful environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If well gas is used for pneumatic control, then system simplicity is maintained, but environmental responsibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental responsibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (inert gas or compressed air) that mediates between the well gas system and the atmospheric environment. This intermediary replaces well gas in the pneumatic control system, preventing direct release of greenhouse gases while maintaining the necessary pneumatic function for valve control and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful component (greenhouse gas) from the pneumatic system by replacing well gas with environmentally benign alternatives. This extraction maintains the essential pneumatic control function while removing the environmental harm, achieving both system simplicity and environmental responsibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If compressed air is used instead of well gas, then ESG ratings improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveESG ratingsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal pneumatic control system that can accept multiple gas sources (well gas, compressed air, inert gas) depending on operational requirements and environmental considerations. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain ESG compliance while preserving operational flexibility and avoiding unnecessary complexity through adaptive design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (inert gas or compressed air) that mediates between the well gas system and the atmospheric environment. This intermediary replaces well gas in the pneumatic control system, preventing direct release of greenhouse gases while maintaining the necessary pneumatic function for valve control and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enhances the ESG ratings of well systems by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing ecological impacts, while maintaining operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

gas passageway ports gas production from the well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250137349A1Method and apparatus for pneumatic source selection

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TALLY PROD SYST LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for pneumatic source selection. The method and apparatus uses a modular approach of having inputs, systems, programming and/or circuit logic, and pneumatic source selection able to operate independently of each other, allowing for different combinations, while achieving the same goal of using inputs to evaluate source selection via systems using programming and/or circuit logic. Inputs, systems, programming/circuit logic can be created in different combinations/configurations based on needs to select the proper source from the pool of sources to send to downstream devices. Sources can be from one to multiple pneumatic sources, such as one or more of well gas, compressed air, and nitrogen tanks to be selected from based on the inputs and logic.