Solution Gas Capture and Compression for Low-Flaring Well Completions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil and gas well completion processes result in significant greenhouse gas emissions due to the venting and flaring of solution gas, which is considered nuisance gas and not previously measured or utilized effectively, leading to environmental impact and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A process involving pressurized gas storage and compression systems to capture and compress solution gas from high and low stage separators, allowing it to be sent to pipelines for sale instead of being vented or flared, utilizing measurement devices and proprietary compression technology to achieve a closed-loop system with minimal venting or flaring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If solution gas is vented to atmosphere, then the gas disposal process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but greenhouse gas emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful vented solution gas into a beneficial resource by capturing it and compressing it to pipeline pressure for sale. The compression system transforms what was previously waste emissions into sellable natural gas product, eliminating GHG emissions while creating economic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compression system as an intermediary device between the gas source and the pipeline. This compression unit acts as a mediator that bridges the pressure gap, enabling the solution gas to transition from low-pressure vented state to high-pressure pipeline-ready state for sale.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If solution gas is flared instead of vented, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced compared to venting, but equipment complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of burning the solution gas through flaring (which converts methane to CO2), the patent captures and compresses the gas for direct sale. This converts a harmful emission stream into a valuable energy resource, eliminating emissions entirely while generating revenue from what was previously waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the solution gas from low pressure (suitable only for venting or flaring) to high pressure (pipeline-ready for sale). By compressing the gas to meet pipeline pressure requirements, the system transforms the gas from a disposal problem into a sellable commodity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If solution gas is captured and compressed to pipeline pressure, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by over 80%, but equipment complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically converts the harmful solution gas stream into a beneficial economic and environmental asset. The capture and compression infrastructure transforms emissions into sellable natural gas, creating both environmental compliance benefits and revenue generation from previously wasted resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression system serves multiple functions: it acts as a gas capture device, a pressure elevation device, and a gas delivery system to the pipeline. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate venting infrastructure, flaring equipment, and emission monitoring systems into a unified gas-to-pipeline solution.
4Loss of substance
If traditional venting equipment is used, then the system is simple and requires minimal infrastructure, but the gas cannot be sold and represents lost revenue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the solution gas from low pressure (incompatible with pipeline injection) to high pressure (pipeline-ready). This parameter transformation enables the gas to meet sales contract requirements and be injected into the pipeline for revenue generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression system serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the solution gas production and pipeline sales requirements. It mediates the pressure mismatch, enabling the gas to transition from a lost revenue stream to a sellable product that meets pipeline injection specifications.
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
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% during well completion operations, enabling sustainable oil and gas operations by capturing and utilizing previously wasted solution gas, thereby reducing environmental impact and increasing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
performing compression of the collected gas in the pressure vessel until parameters of compressed gas are such that it can be compressed by the compression unit providing a constant feed to the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
a primary separator adapted to separate the incoming well stream into: a first stream of pipeline-worthy gas; a second stream of fluids; a third stream of gas which is collected; and a fourth stream of oil condensate which is collected
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the reduction of flaring/venting gases during completions operations on an oil/gas well, said process comprising providing a well in need of completion; providing a system to capture oil and gas generated by the well; the system including a primary separator to separate an incoming well stream into a plurality of streams wherein a first stream is sent to a pipeline and a second stream is sent for further processing. The process further includes flowing and collecting a third stream of gas in a gas pressure vessel; compressing the collected gas in the vessel until parameters of compressed gas are compressed to provide a constant feed to the pipeline; and transferring the compressed gas to the gas pipeline wherein the process reduces the amount of gas flared and/or vented during operation by over 80%.