Intelligent Well Completion Tubing with Optical Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining fluid communication between multiple zones in a subterranean well and a tubing string is challenging, especially when fluids are commingled or the same fluid is injected into multiple zones, making it difficult to manage production and injection operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A well completion system incorporating a variable flow restricting device, optical waveguides external to the tubing string, and pressure sensors to detect internal and external pressures, allowing for precise control and monitoring of fluid flow between zones and the tubing string, enabling accurate modeling of fluid characteristics and flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple zones are produced with commingled fluids in the tubing string, then production from multiple zones is achieved, but it becomes difficult to determine fluid communication between zones and tubing string
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid flow path by installing separate flow paths for each zone within the tubing string, allowing fluids from different zones to be transported independently to the surface. This segmentation enables distinct tracking and measurement of fluid characteristics from each zone, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining multi-zone production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow control devices and pressure sensors as intermediary elements between each zone and the tubing string. These intermediaries provide controlled access points and measurement locations, enabling monitoring of fluid communication and characteristics without requiring complete separation of all zone fluids
2Ease of operation
If the same fluid is injected from the well into multiple zones, then injection operations are simplified, but it becomes difficult to manage production and injection operations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the injection system by providing separate flow paths and flow control devices for each zone, allowing independent control of injection rates and pressures for each zone while maintaining the ability to inject the same fluid type into all zones. This reduces management complexity through standardized control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamically controllable flow control devices that can adjust injection parameters in real-time for each zone independently. This dynamic control enables flexible adaptation to different zone conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated regulation
3Measurement precision
If flow control devices are installed in each zone to control fluid flow, then precise control of fluid flow is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal flow control devices that can be applied to each zone with the same basic design, providing precise flow control through standardized mechanisms. This multi-functionality approach maintains precision while reducing overall system complexity through repetition of proven components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors and flow measurement devices that provide feedback to control systems, enabling automatic regulation of fluid flow in each zone. This feedback mechanism achieves precise control while reducing manual management complexity through automated operation
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
Enhances well diagnostics and operational efficiency by providing real-time data on fluid properties and flow patterns, allowing for balanced production from multiple zones and precise control of injection processes, thereby improving well management and preventing issues like water or gas coning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical waveguide which senses at least one property of the fluid as it flows between the tubing string and at least one of the zones
Implementation Method 2
multiple pressure sensors which sense pressure of the fluid which flows through respective ones of the multiple well screens
Implementation Method 3
multiple flow control devices which variably restrict flow of the fluid through respective ones of the multiple well screens
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use with a well having multiple zones can include multiple well screens which filter fluid flowing between a tubing string and respective ones of the zones, at least one optical waveguide which senses at least one property of the fluid as it flows between the tubing string and at least one of the zones, multiple flow control devices which variably restrict flow of the fluid through respective ones of the well screens, and multiple pressure sensors which sense pressure of the fluid which flows through respective ones of the well screens. A tubing string for use in a subterranean well can include at least one well screen, at least one flow control device which selectively prevents and permits substantially unrestricted flow through the well screen, and at least one other flow control device which is remotely operable, and which variably restricts flow through the well screen.