Zero-Flaring Well Testing Assembly Gas Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface well testing for multiphase fluids poses challenges due to complex flow rate measurements and the environmental and economic drawbacks of gas flaring, which wastes energy and releases carbon dioxide.
Innovation Solution
A zero-flaring well testing assembly that includes multiphase pumps and a flowmeter to process well effluent without flaring, injecting gas and oil into an output line instead, with the option to add water to reduce the gas volume fraction and maintain pump efficiency, allowing for efficient fluid measurement and processing without burning hydrocarbons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gas flaring is used to dispose of separated gas, then the handling of gas is simplified, but energy is wasted and carbon dioxide is released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful practice of gas flaring into a beneficial process by injecting the separated gas back into the wellbore. This eliminates energy waste and CO2 emissions while utilizing the gas as a resource for enhanced oil recovery or pressure maintenance, transforming an environmental problem into an operational advantage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the separated gas through flaring, the system recovers it by reinjecting into the wellbore. This recovery approach eliminates the need for flaring infrastructure while capturing the energy value of the gas and reducing environmental impact
2Productivity
If multiphase pumps process high gas volume fraction effluent, then fluid processing continues, but pump performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation of gas and liquid phases before the effluent enters the multiphase pump. By using a separator to reduce the gas volume fraction upstream of the pump, the pump receives a more manageable fluid mixture, maintaining optimal performance and avoiding the deterioration that would occur with high gas content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluid processing into distinct stages: first separating the multiphase stream into gas and liquid phases, then selectively reinjecting gas while pumping the liquid phase. This segmentation allows each component to be handled by equipment optimized for its specific properties, maintaining overall system productivity while protecting pump performance
3Reliability
If water is added to lower gas volume fraction, then pump efficiency is maintained, but additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The separator performs multiple functions: it separates gas and liquid phases, reduces gas volume fraction for pump protection, and provides a source of liquid for potential reinjection or water cut adjustment. This multi-functionality maintains pump efficiency without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
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 solution enables efficient and environmentally friendly well testing by avoiding gas flaring, reducing energy waste, and maintaining pump performance across varying gas volume fractions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
one or more multiphase pumps for boosting pressure of a received well effluent
Implementation Method 2
A flowmeter, such as a multiphase flowmeter, may be used to monitor the GVF and other parameters of the well effluent
Implementation Method 3
A liquid, such as water, can be added to the well effluent upstream of the pumps to lower the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the well effluent received in the pumps. In certain embodiments, the liquid added to the well effluent upstream of the pumps is water separated from the well effluent with a separator
Data Source
AI summary
A zero-flaring well testing assembly is provided. The zero-flaring well testing assembly can be coupled to receive a gas-containing well effluent from a wellhead assembly. The zero-flaring well testing assembly can include a flowmeter and at least one multiphase pump. The zero-flaring well testing assembly can also be coupled to a production line to provide at least a gas-containing portion of the well effluent to the production line without flaring gas of the well effluent. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.