Segmented Wellbore Fluid Injection with Real-Time Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a latency issue between surface changes and corresponding changes downhole in well treatments due to the tubing being filled with fluid, and the extreme length of tubing causes significant time delays, making it difficult to determine fluid flow characteristics and optimize well treatments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves staging fluids in a tubing, such as coiled tubing, with a sensor system to detect parameters and optimize fluid inflow, allowing for real-time data analysis and adjustment of fluid stages to improve control and placement of fluids during well treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tubing is filled with fluid for well treatment, then fluid delivery to formation is enabled, but latency between surface changes and downhole changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into multiple tubings or annuli, allowing independent control of fluid stages. This enables different fluid types to be delivered simultaneously or in controlled sequences without waiting for one stage to complete before starting the next, thereby reducing latency while maintaining productivity.
2Length of stationary object
If extreme length tubing is used to reach deep formations, then treatment coverage is improved, but time delay between fluid entrance at surface and exit downhole increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long tubing system into segments (multiple tubings or annuli), allowing fluid stages to progress through different paths simultaneously. This reduces the effective time delay by parallelizing fluid delivery through segmented pathways rather than sequential progression through a single long tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the annular space around the tubing as an additional dimension for fluid delivery. By injecting fluids into both the tubing interior and the annulus simultaneously, the system creates parallel fluid delivery pathways, effectively reducing time delay by operating in multiple spatial dimensions rather than a single linear path.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If tubing is already full of fluid, then continuous fluid flow is maintained, but ability to add new fluid stages is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into multiple independent channels (tubing and annulus), allowing different fluid stages to be injected simultaneously or in controlled sequences. This maintains continuous flow while providing the versatility to adjust and add new fluid stages by controlling each segment independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the annulus as an intermediary pathway that allows new fluid stages to be introduced without disrupting the continuous flow in the tubing. The annulus acts as a mediator that enables flexible fluid stage adjustments while maintaining the integrity of ongoing fluid delivery operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection system is used in a well. Fluid stages are arranged in repeating series within a tubing of the fluid injection system to facilitate control over effects of injection. A sensor system can be used to detect one or more parameters related to the fluids moved downhole through the tubing to further enhance injection procedures.