Sealed Well Cellar Fluid Containment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Well cellars in oil and gas exploration/production sites often experience fluid leaks and spills, leading to soil and water pollution, which are costly to remediate before a well is capped.
Innovation Solution
A sealed well cellar system with a planar base, side members, and a conductor pipe aperture, featuring seals between the side members and base, and between the base and the conductor pipe, along with an impermeable liner and berm to contain and collect fluids, and sensors to monitor and manage fluid levels, preventing fluid leakage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seal means are added between side members and base, then fluid leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible gasket seals between the side members and base, utilizing elastomeric or rubber-like materials that deform to create effective sealing surfaces. This approach prevents fluid leakage while avoiding complex mechanical sealing systems, as the flexible nature of the gaskets accommodates manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations.
2Reliability
If an attachment between base and conductor pipe is implemented, then fluid flow between base and conductor pipe is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible gasket seal at the interface between the base and conductor pipe attachment. This gasket deforms under compression to fill gaps and prevent fluid migration, providing reliable sealing without requiring complex multi-component attachment systems or precision machining.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed well cellar system is implemented, then soil and water pollution is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes relatively simple flexible gasket seals made from common elastomeric materials that can be manufactured using standard molding processes. These gaskets provide effective sealing to prevent environmental pollution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness, avoiding the need for complex welded seals or specialized fabrication procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The well cellar system also includes at least one substantially inflexible side member attached to the base, the at least one side member and the base defining a cavity. A seal between the at least one side member and the base substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the at least one side member and the base. The attachment between the base and the conductor pipe substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the base and the conductor. The well cellar system of the present invention substantially eliminates contamination of soil and water sources adjacent the well site during its operation.