Automated Well Annulus Pressure Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well annulus pressure control techniques require costly human interaction and surveillance, leading to potential well integrity issues due to delayed pressure relief, which can result in catastrophic failures of well components like packers, casings, and tubing.
Innovation Solution
An automated well annulus pressure control system that includes sensors to detect pressure levels and a controller to manage fluid flow between the well annulus and a reservoir, allowing for automatic pressure relief and refill within predetermined limits, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional manual pressure control techniques are used, then human surveillance and intervention are required, but this leads to costly operations and delayed pressure relief
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated pressure monitoring and control. Sensors continuously detect annulus pressure levels, and the controller automatically activates control valves to release or retain fluids based on predetermined thresholds, eliminating the need for continuous human surveillance and intervention while maintaining well integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring annulus pressure through sensors and comparing readings against predetermined thresholds. When pressure exceeds the upper threshold, the controller activates control valves to release fluids; when pressure falls below the lower threshold, valves are closed to retain fluids, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains pressure within safe operating ranges
2Reliability
If frequent manual visits are made to monitor and control pressure, then pressure control can be maintained, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs self-service by continuously monitoring pressure and autonomously controlling fluid release/retention through control valves, eliminating the need for frequent manual site visits while maintaining reliable pressure control, thereby significantly improving operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous pressure monitoring and control through automated sensors and controllers that operate without interruption. The control valves are automatically adjusted based on real-time pressure readings, providing uninterrupted pressure management without requiring periodic manual intervention, thus maintaining reliability while reducing operational costs
3Ease of operation
If delayed pressure relief is allowed, then manual intervention time is reduced, but well integrity is compromised leading to catastrophic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors annulus pressure and immediately responds when pressure exceeds the upper threshold by activating control valves to release fluids. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures prompt pressure relief without requiring manual intervention, maintaining well integrity while minimizing operational involvement
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by pre-setting control valves and pressure thresholds before operation begins. When pressure reaches critical levels, the pre-configured system automatically activates the appropriate control actions without waiting for human decision-making, ensuring immediate response to protect well integrity
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 system maintains well integrity by automatically regulating pressure, extending the life of wells, minimizing costly workover operations, and reducing the need for frequent site visits, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor that is disposed in the well annulus and that is configured to detect a well annulus pressure of fluid in the well annulus
Implementation Method 2
control the at least one control valve to release the fluid from the well annulus into the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
control the at least one control valve to refill the fluid from the reservoir back into the well annulus
Data Source
AI summary
A well annulus pressure control system includes a reservoir in fluid communication with a well annulus, a control valve disposed on a fluid coupling between the reservoir and well annulus, a sensor disposed in the well annulus that detects a well annulus pressure, a controller that is operatively coupled to the control valve and sensor. The controller detects the well annulus pressure of the fluid in the well annulus based on sensor data from the sensor, controls the control valve to release the fluid from the well annulus into the reservoir in response to determining that the detected well annulus pressure is higher than a normal operating range of pressure in the well annulus, and controls the control valve to refill the fluid from the reservoir back into the well annulus in response to determining that the detected well annulus pressure is lower than the normal operating range.