Zoned Extraction String With Sliding Sleeves for Water Ingress Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The extraction of hydrocarbons from a depleting reservoir is hindered by high concentrations of water, which increases costs and may end the economic life of the reservoir, particularly when global oil prices are low.
Innovation Solution
An extraction system with selectively operable zones and fluid isolation devices that allow for individual control of hydrocarbon extraction, using screen assemblies and sliding sleeve doors (SSDs) to manage water ingress and maintain productive zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If extraction continues from the entire well as the reservoir depletes, then hydrocarbon extraction is maintained, but water concentration increases and extraction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The well is divided into multiple discrete zones using fluid isolation devices (packers) that segment the extraction string into separate zones. Each zone can be independently controlled with its own SSD, allowing selective extraction from productive zones while isolating water-bearing zones. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling continued hydrocarbon extraction from productive zones while preventing water ingress from depleted zones.
2Productivity
If extraction continues from the entire well, then hydrocarbon extraction is maintained, but extraction costs increase due to water removal
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction string is segmented into multiple zones with independent control, allowing selective activation of only productive zones. This reduces the energy and cost required for extraction by eliminating the need to process water-bearing zones, directly addressing the cost increase problem while maintaining hydrocarbon production from viable zones.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the well is re-drilled for productive extraction, then water ingress is avoided, but capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of re-drilling, the existing well is segmented into zones using fluid isolation devices. This allows selective isolation of water-bearing zones while maintaining extraction from productive zones, avoiding the high capital cost of re-drilling while effectively preventing water ingress from depleted zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically controllable SSDs that can be opened or closed based on zone productivity. This dynamic control allows the well to adapt to changing reservoir conditions without physical re-drilling, providing a cost-effective alternative to static well structures that would require re-drilling to avoid water ingress.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If zones are isolated and selectively controlled, then water ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The well is divided into discrete zones using packers and SSDs, creating a modular system where each zone can be independently controlled. While this increases device complexity compared to a single-open well, it provides precise control over water ingress and enables selective extraction from productive zones, making the added complexity worthwhile for extending reservoir economic life.
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction system for extracting hydrocarbons from a well is provided. The system comprises an extraction string. The extraction string comprises a plurality of screen assemblies. The screen assemblies comprises screens positioned about a base pipe. The extraction system further comprises a plurality of fluid isolation devices arranged to divide the extraction string into zones. Each zone has at least one sliding sleeve door (SSD). The SSD is arranged to be selectively operable to permit, or prevent, ingress into the base pipe. Each zone is arranged to be individually open to receive an ingress or closed to seal that zone from receiving ingress.