Downhole Shock Wave Generator for Hydrocarbon Formation Resonance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating shock waves in well boreholes for enhanced oil recovery and seismic surveys are not optimal in terms of efficiency, particularly in matching the generated vibration frequency with the dominant frequency of hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a pumping unit, a tubing string, a damper cylinder, and plungers with specific geometries and connections to create a constant counterforce and compress liquid, generating shock waves by discharging liquid into the borehole, with parameters such as stroke length and taper angles optimized to match the dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional shock wave generation methods are used in boreholes, then oil recovery efficiency is improved, but the vibration frequency does not match the dominant frequency of hydrocarbon-bearing formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the stroke length of the plunger and the geometry of the compression chamber to control the frequency of shock wave generation. By adjusting these parameters, the system matches the dominant frequency of hydrocarbon-bearing formations, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and frequency adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a movable plunger within a cylinder that can be actuated with controlled stroke length and frequency. This dynamic mechanism allows real-time adjustment of shock wave parameters to match formation characteristics, enabling both high productivity and frequency adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex pumping mechanisms are used to generate shock waves, then vibration frequency control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the frequency control function into a simple plunger-cylinder mechanism with adjustable stroke length. By separating this control function from complex pumping systems, the invention achieves vibration frequency control while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by focusing complexity only where needed - the plunger and compression chamber geometry are optimized for frequency control, while the rest of the system remains simple. This localized optimization achieves frequency adaptability without overall system complexity.
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 enhances the efficiency of shock wave generation, ensuring the generated vibrations resonate with the dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, leading to improved oil recovery and seismic survey effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
creating a constant counterforce inside the damper chamber on upstroke of the pumping unit as a result of a constant flow of the fluid from the damper chamber into the borehole of the well or from the borehole of the well into the damper chamber through at least one hole on the side surface of the damper chamber or, as an alternative, through the channel inside a damper plunger hydraulically connecting damper chamber with tubing string
Implementation Method 2
the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within the upper and lower cylinders, correspondingly, for compressing a liquid contained within the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into borehole of a well when the lower plunger exits out of the lower cylinder on the upstroke of a pumping unit thereby generating a shock wave
Implementation Method 3
the efficacy of the device's implementation could be substantially enhanced from the point of view matching the generated vibration frequency to so called dominant frequency of the hydrocarbon bearing production horizon
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
The method and apparatus for producing shock waves in a well wherein a device connected to the bottom of the tubing string in the borehole of the well filled by liquid and containing the damper, the upper and lower plungers movably arranged within corresponding cylinders for compressing the liquid inside the compression chamber and discharging the liquid into the borehole on upstroke thereby generating a shock wave. In addition, providing a length of upstroke Lstr of the pumping unit determined by the following expression: (I) where H1 is the length of the lower cylinder, L2 is the distance between the lower and upper plungers, D1 is the diameter of the lower plunger, D2 is the diameter of the upper plunger, Asw is the required amplitude of the generated shock wave, E is a modulus of elasticity of the sucker rod's material, dr is the diameter of the sucker rods.