Automated Wellbore Fluid Sampling System for High Temperature Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore fluid sampling systems face accuracy issues and operational limitations, particularly in high temperature and pressure environments such as those resulting from steam treatments, where traditional sensors fail to provide reliable data and require manual intervention for sample collection.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained wellbore fluid sampling system with a two-phase separator, mixer, pneumatic sampler, and multi-position valve, powered by solar panels and compressed gas, which automates the sampling process, ensuring accurate representation of fluid composition and withstanding high temperatures and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional in-situ cut sensors are used to identify fluid composition, then the sampling system can operate automatically, but the accuracy decreases as water content increases and the sensors cannot withstand high temperature and pressure from steam treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the harsh high-temperature/pressure environment by using a sampling probe that physically removes fluid samples from the wellbore and transports them to a separate analysis location. This separates the measurement function from the extreme conditions, allowing accurate analysis without exposing sensors to damaging temperatures and pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling probe acts as an intermediary between the high-temperature wellbore environment and the analysis system. It transports fluid samples through a controlled interface, allowing the measurement of fluid properties (including water content) in a safe, controlled environment away from the harsh conditions that would damage traditional sensors.
2Ease of operation
If manual sampling with replaceable bottles is used, then sample collection is simple, but the system requires continuous human intervention and cannot provide continuous sampling over extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a multi-position valve that automatically directs samples to different bottles in sequence without human intervention. The valve cycles through multiple positions, filling different sample bottles automatically, enabling continuous sampling over extended periods while maintaining the simplicity of the sampling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-position valve introduces dynamic switching capability to the sampling system, allowing it to automatically redirect samples to different containers based on timing or volume criteria. This dynamic operation enables continuous sampling across multiple bottles, eliminating the need for manual bottle replacement while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
3Device complexity
If a single sample bottle is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot capture samples over different time periods or with different sample sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is segmented into multiple independent sample bottles, each capable of storing samples from different time periods or with different characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to capture diverse sampling requirements (different times, different sizes) while keeping each individual bottle simple and the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-position valve provides multi-functionality by directing samples to different bottles based on various criteria (time, volume, test requirements). This single component enables the system to adapt to different sampling needs without requiring complex separate systems for each sampling scenario.
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
Enables accurate, automated, and continuous sampling of wellbore fluids over extended periods without human intervention, maintaining sample integrity and accuracy even in harsh conditions, facilitating remote operation and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a two-phase separator to separate wellbore fluid into a liquid stream and a vapor stream
Implementation Method 2
The sampling system includes solar panels that power the system
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, hydrocarbon well test unit for use with high temperature and high-pressure hydrocarbon wellbore flow includes a two-phase separator unit having a hydrocarbon inlet, a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet. A static mixer is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. A liquid sampler positioned downstream of the static mixer ensures that liquid and gas are mixed to accurately represent a sample of the wellbore hydrocarbon flow. The sampler can be actuated to extract a sample of the mixed fluid. The sampler directs samples to a multi-position valve having a plurality of valve outlets, each outlet being in fluid communication with one of a plurality of sample bottles. A controller actuates the multi-position valve to direct a sample into a particular sample bottle, thereby allowing different types of samples to be taken over different time periods without the need for intervention for extended periods of time.