Subterranean Gas Capture Wellbore for Hydrocarbon Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enhanced hydrocarbon recovery by gas injection, a significant portion of the injected produced gas is lost into non-producing zones of the subterranean formation, leading to reduced recovery efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a process that includes injecting produced gas into a subterranean formation via a horizontal portion of a first wellbore, recovering a hydrocarbon-containing fluid with a portion of the injected gas from a second wellbore, and capturing a second portion of the injected gas from a gas capture wellbore with horizontal portions stacked above the injection and production wellbores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas injection is used for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, then hydrocarbon displacement and production rates are improved, but significant portions of injected gas are lost into non-producing zones reducing recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to gas capture by positioning capture wells at different depths (shallower than injection wells) to intercept gas that migrates upward into non-producing zones. This multi-depth well configuration captures gas in three-dimensional space, preventing lateral loss while maintaining enhanced recovery productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermediary capture wells positioned between the injection wells and the non-producing zones. These intermediate wells intercept and redirect gas flow, acting as mediators that prevent direct gas loss to non-producing zones while allowing continued hydrocarbon displacement and production.
2Volume of moving object
If injection wells are positioned at greater depths to improve hydrocarbon displacement, then deeper reservoir zones are effectively treated, but injected gas migrates upward into shallower non-producing zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where capture wells monitor and intercept gas migration patterns in real-time. The system continuously adjusts by capturing migrated gas and redirecting it back to producing zones, creating a closed-loop system that prevents permanent gas loss while maintaining deep reservoir treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts gas that has migrated to non-producing zones by deploying capture wells in those shallower zones. This extracted gas is then redirected back to producing zones, effectively removing the harmful migration effect while preserving the benefits of deep injection for treating extensive reservoir volumes.
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 enhances hydrocarbon recovery by ensuring that a larger proportion of the injected gas is recovered, reducing gas loss into non-producing zones and improving overall recovery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a significant portion of the injected produced gas is lost into non-producing zones of the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
Subterranean gas capture wellbores are used to capture lost produced gas. Produced gas can be injected into a subterranean for gas enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and rise in the subterranean formation toward a production wellbore. A first portion is effective for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and a second portion rises past the production wellbore to become the lost produced gas that is converted to captured produced gas in the subterranean gas capture wellbore. The captured produced gas can then flow in the subterranean gas capture wellbore to the surface for recovery.