Pressurized Injection Apparatus for Downhole Pellets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for injecting solid treatment pellets into high-pressure oil and gas wells are inefficient, as conventional methods either fail to overcome well pressures or are not suitable for elongated pellets, leading to reduced production and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized liquid flow system using a multiple-stage positive displacement pump, such as a triplex pump, is employed to entrain solid pellets within a conduit, ensuring the pellets are delivered successfully by exceeding the well pressure, with the apparatus mounted on a mobile vehicle for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid treatment agents are added to the well, then treatment can be provided, but production must be shut down for an entire day to drive the agent downward
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the treatment agent from liquid to solid pellets, and changes the delivery mechanism from gravity-dependent flow to pressure-driven injection. This allows the treatment agent to be injected under pressure (1,000-10,000 psi) to overcome well pressures and reach subterranean levels without requiring production shutdown for flushing operations.
2Ease of operation
If solid treatment pellets are dumped into an above ground tank, then handling is simplified, but the pellets cannot overcome the existing well pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a pressurized liquid flow system as an intermediary between the pellet storage tank and the well. The pump system generates high pressure (1,000-10,000 psi) to propel the pellets through the conduit and into the well, bridging the gap between simple handling and pressure overcoming capabilities.
3Force
If spring-loaded piston pumps are used to propel pellets, then mechanical propulsion is achieved, but the devices do not generate adequate forces for very high pressure wells and are not suitable for elongated pellets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical spring-loaded piston propulsion with a hydraulic/pneumatic system using pressurized liquid flow. This system can generate the necessary forces for very high pressure wells (1,000-10,000 psi) and is compatible with various pellet shapes including elongated forms, as the pressurized fluid can effectively propel different geometries through the conduit.
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
Enables successful injection of solid treatment pellets into high-pressure wells, minimizing production shutdowns and facilitating efficient delivery of treatment agents, thereby maintaining continuous well operations.
Implementation Method 1
causing solid pellets to be drawn into and entrained in the pressurized flowing liquid
Implementation Method 2
a multiple-stage positive displacement pump (e.g., a triplex pump) is used to generate the necessary pressure in the flowing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (10) permits injection of solid well treatment pellets into a producing well (25) having a positive well pressure. The apparatus (10) includes a water storage tank (12) connected to the input of a high pressure pump (14). The pump (14) generates a pressurized flow of water at a pressure greater than well pressure through a conduit (24) and/or through a container (30) holding the pellets to be injected. The pellets are entrained within the pressurized flow of water for well injection.