Subsurface Reservoir Injection Control for Lower Pump Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary recovery methods typically extract only about 30% of oil initially present in a reservoir, necessitating secondary recovery techniques like water injection, which can be inefficient in terms of energy consumption and operational control.
Innovation Solution
An injection control engine utilizing a reservoir model and allocation module to set and adjust injection targets, optimizing water injection schedules and pump allocation to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water injection is performed at multiple locations to pressurize the reservoir, then hydrocarbon production is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts injection rates and schedules based on real-time reservoir conditions and production responses. The control system optimizes injection parameters continuously, varying rates and timing to maintain pressure while minimizing energy consumption across multiple injection locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters such as injection rates, pressure levels, and timing schedules to optimize the balance between production enhancement and energy consumption. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves better production outcomes with reduced energy input.
2Productivity
If injection rates are adjusted frequently to optimize production, then production efficiency is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor reservoir pressure, production rates, and injection performance. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of injection parameters without requiring frequent manual interventions, thereby improving production efficiency while keeping operational complexity manageable through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to self-regulate injection operations based on pre-programmed optimization algorithms and real-time data. The automated control reduces the need for complex manual operations and frequent adjustments, allowing the system to optimize production independently while simplifying operational management.
3Stress or pressure
If water injection operations are intensified to maintain pressure, then reservoir pressure is maintained, but operational control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual mechanical control of injection operations with automated electronic control systems. This substitution enables precise control of injection rates and pressure maintenance while simplifying operational management through computerized monitoring and adjustment, making intensified injection operations easier to control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of producing hydrocarbons from a reservoir using a plurality of injection wells include receiving reservoir parameters, initial pressures, and target pressures. A reservoir model incorporating reservoir parameters and initial pressures is run to identify initial injection targets to achieve target pressures. Based on initial injection targets, an injection schedule is developed that minimize the overall power consumption of pumps associated with the plurality of injection wells using an allocation module incorporating operational constraints of the pumps and the pumps are controlled to implement the injection schedule.