Wireless Downhole Pumping Apparatus for Targeted Fluid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying fluids in boreholes, such as coiled tubing, are capital intensive, time-consuming, and often unable to accurately target specific areas within the well due to configuration limitations, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete treatment of well blockages or perforations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless-controlled apparatus with a container, electric pump, and pressure-balancing mechanism that allows for precise fluid deployment and isolation within the well, using electromagnetic, acoustic, or inductively coupled signals to operate the pump and direct fluids to specific areas, reducing the need for extensive rig time and fluid volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coiled tubing is used to deploy fluid into the well, then fluid can be directed to specific areas of the well, but the process becomes capital intensive and time-consuming requiring considerable rig time and large volumes of fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The well treatment process is segmented into multiple deployable apparatus units that can be independently positioned and operated. Each apparatus contains its own pump and control system, allowing treatment to be performed in discrete sections rather than requiring continuous coiled tubing deployment throughout the entire well depth.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between surface control systems and downhole apparatus. This allows control signals and data to be transmitted without physical cable connections, eliminating the need for extensive coiled tubing deployment and associated rig time while maintaining precise control over fluid deployment.
2Measurement precision
If coiled tubing is deployed into the well to treat specific areas, then fluid can be accurately directed, but the process requires many thousands of meters of tubing and large volumes of fluid
Solution Approach 1:
Each downhole apparatus is equipped with localized pumping and fluid delivery systems that can treat specific target areas independently. This allows concentrated treatment of problem zones without requiring large volumes of fluid to be pumped through thousands of meters of coiled tubing, reducing overall fluid consumption while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus can be pre-positioned at target locations and pre-charged with treatment fluids before activation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to pump large volumes of fluid through long distances during the treatment process, reducing both fluid volume requirements and operational time.
3Ease of operation
If coiled tubing is used to deploy fluid, then treatment can be performed, but coiled tubing cannot access parts of the well due to configuration of the bottom hole assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into multiple smaller apparatus units that can navigate well configurations more easily than long coiled tubing strings. These segmented units can access areas that would be inaccessible to conventional coiled tubing while maintaining the ability to deliver treatment fluids to target zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying treatment fluids through coiled tubing from the surface, the system inverts the approach by placing self-contained pumping apparatus directly at downhole locations. These apparatus can draw in and deploy treatment fluids locally, reversing the traditional flow direction and eliminating accessibility constraints imposed by bottom hole assembly configurations.
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 more efficient and targeted fluid deployment, reducing operational costs and time by isolating the treatment area, allowing for precise application of chemicals or treatments where conventional methods fail, and improving well maintenance and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically powered pump configured to direct fluids to/from the container from/to the surrounding portion of the well
Implementation Method 2
a communication device configured to receive a control signal for operating the pump; sending a control signal to the communication device at least in part by a wireless control signal transmitted in at least one of the following forms: electromagnetic
Implementation Method 3
a battery to supply electrical power to the pump
Data Source
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AI summary
A method to manipulate a well, comprising running an apparatus having a container and an electrically powered pump into the well. The well is isolated, and a wireless control signal, such as an electromagnetic or acoustic signal, is sent to operate the pump in response in order to pump fluid from within the container to the surrounding portion of the well. The apparatus may comprise a pressure balancing means, such as a floating piston between two ports of the container, and/or an in well charging means.