Subsurface Flow Line and Drainage Wells for Hydrocarbon Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering subsurface hydrocarbons from multiple wells are inefficient due to small, heterogeneous lenticular pay zones, varying reservoir quality, and high operating costs, particularly in areas with difficult access or offshore environments, where fracture stimulation and commingling of zones complicate oil and water productivity testing and lead to excessive paraffin deposition.
Innovation Solution
A system involving a subsurface flow line and multiple drainage wells, where each well intercepts the subterranean formation and is in fluid communication with a recovery well, allowing for efficient fluid recovery using a single artificial lift system, reducing the need for multiple wells and minimizing paraffin buildup by using gravity and pressure differentials to drive fluids to the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple individual wells with beam pump lift systems are used to recover hydrocarbons from small lenticular pay zones, then each well can be independently produced, but the development costs and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drainage wells that intercept different lenticular pay zones into a single common flow line that drains to one recovery well. This merging approach allows hydrocarbons from multiple small, heterogeneous pay zones to be collected and produced through a single artificial lift system, reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective recovery from compartmentalized reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The common flow line serves multiple functions: it acts as a collection conduit for hydrocarbons from multiple drainage wells, provides a unified drainage path for heterogeneous pay zones, and connects to a single recovery well system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate production systems for each well while accommodating varied reservoir conditions
2Quantity of substance
If fracture stimulation is performed on multiple zones through a single well, then more pay zones can be accessed, but fracture half-lengths are limited and zones remain under-stimulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reservoir into multiple separate drainage wells, each intercepting specific lenticular pay zones. By segmenting the drainage function across multiple wells that all feed into a common flow line, each well can be fracture stimulated independently to achieve adequate fracture half-lengths without the constraints of treating multiple zones through a single wellbore
3Ease of operation
If all zones are commingled in a single production well, then production can be simplified, but zone-specific productivity testing and water breakthrough detection become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the production system by having each drainage well intercept and drain specific pay zones into a common flow line. This segmentation allows zone-specific productivity testing and water breakthrough detection at each drainage well while still achieving simplified centralized production through the single recovery well, as each drainage well serves as an independent testing point
4Power
If vertical wells with beam pump systems are used, then artificial lift can be effectively provided, but wells cannot be drilled in areas with difficult access or offshore environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from purely vertical well configurations to include laterally extending flow lines that can be routed to accessible surface locations. The flow line acts as an intermediary that connects remotely located drainage wells in difficult-to-access areas to a recovery well that can be positioned at a practical surface location, enabling deployment in offshore or land areas with access constraints
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
This approach enables efficient completion and production of multiple thin reservoirs with reduced operational costs, improved fracture half-lengths, and enhanced oil recovery by allowing for zone-specific testing and stimulation without the need for extensive rig intervention, while maintaining access for maintenance and reducing paraffin deposition.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for efficient fluid recovery using a single artificial lift system, reducing the need for multiple wells and minimizing paraffin buildup by using gravity and pressure differentials to drive fluids to the surface
Implementation Method 2
allowing for efficient fluid recovery using a single artificial lift system, reducing the need for multiple wells and minimizing paraffin buildup by using gravity and pressure differentials to drive fluids to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
The system of subterranean wells includes a subsurface flow line 20 having at least a portion within or underlining one or more subterranean formations 12. One or more drainage wells 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 each extend from the surface and intercept at least one of the subterranean formations at a respective interception location. A lower portion of each drainage well is in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line. A recovery well 42 extends from the surface and is also in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, so that fluids entering the drainage well flow into the subsurface flow line and then into the recovery well.