Autonomous Pressure-Triggered Well Livening Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for livening oil or gas wells using nitrogen lift are costly, risky, and inefficient, especially in offshore environments, due to the large footprint and material wastage associated with coiled tubing and nitrogen tanks, and are not effective in wells with low reservoir pressure.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore tool that utilizes a rupture disk and liquid-permeable membrane to generate nitrogen gas through an exothermic reaction between solid reactants, activated by pressure differential downhole, allowing for autonomous operation and efficient fluid lift without the need for external nitrogen sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional nitrogen lift methods using coiled tubing and nitrogen tanks are used, then nitrogen gas can be delivered to the wellbore, but the footprint and cost are large and high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the nitrogen generation function from external equipment (nitrogen tanks and trucks) and places it inside the wellbore tool itself. The tool contains solid reactants that generate nitrogen gas in situ through chemical reaction, eliminating the need for large external nitrogen storage and delivery equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is self-sufficient in generating its own nitrogen gas supply through onboard chemical reactants. The solid reactants are stored within the tool and react to produce nitrogen gas when needed, without requiring external nitrogen delivery infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional nitrogen lift methods using coiled tubing are used, then nitrogen gas can be pumped through the wellbore, but the risk to operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the hazardous coiled tubing handling operations from the process by generating nitrogen directly in the wellbore. This eliminates risks associated with coiled tubing deployment, handling, and potential failures during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool appears to be a disposable or single-use device that is lowered into the well, activates to generate nitrogen, and then is abandoned or retrieved. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex equipment that requires safe handling and recovery operations.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional nitrogen lift methods are used, then nitrogen can be delivered to lighten the fluid column, but the cost associated with equipment is high
Solution Approach 1:
The tool generates its own nitrogen gas supply using onboard solid reactants, eliminating the need to pay for external nitrogen delivery services, nitrogen tank rentals, and truck operations. The chemical reaction produces nitrogen gas on-demand within the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the nitrogen delivery function from expensive external equipment and replaces it with an inexpensive chemical reaction system contained within a simple tool that can be deployed using standard well intervention equipment.
4Quantity of substance
If random depth selection for nitrogen pumping is used, then nitrogen lift can be attempted, but material wastage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical system of pumped nitrogen delivery with a chemically-triggered generation system. The tool is activated by pressure differential at the target depth, causing the chemical reaction to occur precisely where needed, eliminating waste from unsuccessful attempts at wrong depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure differential acts as an intermediary trigger that activates the nitrogen generation at the correct depth. The rupture disk responds to the pressure condition, ensuring the chemical reaction occurs only when the tool reaches the appropriate depth, preventing premature or incorrect activation.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, safe, and efficient means to lift well fluids by producing nitrogen in situ, reducing the need for expensive equipment and minimizing risks to operators, while being suitable for both onshore and offshore operations.
Implementation Method 1
the first rupture disk is configured to rupture at a pressure differential downhole
Implementation Method 2
a liquid-permeable membrane separating the first interior chamber and the second interior chamber within the body
Implementation Method 3
generate nitrogen gas through an exothermic reaction between solid reactants
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore tool may include a port through the body and a first rupture disk disposed on the body and covering the port, the body defining a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber, with a liquid-permeable membrane separating the first interior chamber and the second interior chamber within the body. The body may be configured to retain a first solid reactant in the first interior chamber and a second solid reactant in the second interior chamber, wherein the first rupture disk is configured to rupture at a pressure differential downhole. A method for livening a well may include lowering the wellbore tool into a wellbore.