PNEUMATIC LIFTING SYSTEM FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION

Abstract

This invention is related to a pneumatic lifting system for hydrocarbon production, comprising at least one mandrel (1) and at least one gas flow control valve (11), wherein the at least one mandrel (1) is connected to a production string (3), wherein the production string is positioned inside a well casing (2), wherein it comprises a straddle (10) supported on the production string and enveloping the mandrel, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) of the gas flow control valve (11) a chamber (105) is formed, wherein the straddle (10) comprises a means of fluidic communication (102) adapted to feed gas inside the straddle (10).

Claims

1. A pneumatic lifting system for hydrocarbon production, comprising at least one mandrel (1) and at least one gas flow control valve (11), wherein the at least one mandrel (1) is connected to a production string (3), wherein the production string (3) is positioned inside a well casing (2), wherein it comprises a straddle (10) supported on the production string (3) and enveloping the mandrel (1), wherein in the region of gas outlet (110) of the gas flow control valve (11) a chamber (105) is formed, wherein the straddle (10) comprises a means of fluidic communication (102) adapted to feed gas inside the straddle (10).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means of fluidic communication (102) adapted to feed gas inside the straddle (10) comprises a plurality of orifices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) from the gas flow control valve (11) the system comprises an annular (105) delimited by the straddle (10) and by the mandrel (1).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) from the gas flow control valve (11) at least one portion of the straddle (10) comprises a reduced cross-section area (101) in relation to its ends (103,104).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein it comprises sealing elements (13) positioned between the straddle (10) and the production string (3), wherein at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the upper end (106) of the straddle and at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the lower end (103) of the straddle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the production string (3) comprises at least one seating nipple immediately above or below the mandrel (1).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mandrel (1) is a side pocket mandrel (104).

8. The system of claim 2, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) from the gas flow control valve (11) the system comprises an annular (105) delimited by the straddle (10) and by the mandrel (1).

9. The system of claim 2, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) from the gas flow control valve (11) at least one portion of the straddle (10) comprises a reduced cross-section area (101) in relation to its ends (103,104).

10. The system of claim 3, wherein in the region of the gas outlet (110) from the gas flow control valve (11) at least one portion of the straddle (10) comprises a reduced cross-section area (101) in relation to its ends (103,104).

11. The system of claim 2, wherein it comprises sealing elements (13) positioned between the straddle (10) and the production string (3), wherein at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the upper end (106) of the straddle and at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the lower end (103) of the straddle.

12. The system of claim 3, wherein it comprises sealing elements (13) positioned between the straddle (10) and the production string (3), wherein at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the upper end (106) of the straddle and at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the lower end (103) of the straddle.

13. The system of claim 4, wherein it comprises sealing elements (13) positioned between the straddle (10) and the production string (3), wherein at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the upper end (106) of the straddle and at least one sealing element (13) is positioned close to the lower end (103) of the straddle.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the production string (3) comprises at least one seating nipple immediately above or below the mandrel (1).

15. The system of claim 3, wherein the production string (3) comprises at least one seating nipple immediately above or below the mandrel (1).

16. The system of claim 4, wherein the production string (3) comprises at least one seating nipple immediately above or below the mandrel (1).

17. The system of claim 5, wherein the production string (3) comprises at least one seating nipple immediately above or below the mandrel (1).

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the mandrel (1) is a side pocket mandrel (104).

19. The system of claim 3, wherein the mandrel (1) is a side pocket mandrel (104).

20. The system of claim 4, wherein the mandrel (1) is a side pocket mandrel (104).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The detailed description presented below references the annexed figures and their respective reference numbers, representing the methods of this invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an oil well that comprises a pneumatic lifting system for production of hydrocarbons as described by this invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the detail of the mandrel of the pneumatic lifting system for production of hydrocarbons as described of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] First, it is noted that the description that follows will start with a preferred embodiment of the invention, applied to a pneumatic lifting system for production of hydrocarbons. As will become evident to any expert in the matter, however, the invention is not limited to that particular embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a pneumatic lifting system for hydrocarbon production from an oil well. The illustrated system comprises a well casing 2 with a production string 3 in its interior.

[0029] Optionally, a packer 14 is installed between the production string 3 and the well casing 2, at a point close to the oil reservoir 4, creating an annular space 5 between the well casing 2 and the production string 3, wherein that chamber is sealed down low by a packer 14, and up above by a wellhead 6, widely known in the state-of-the-art by the term in English wellhead.

[0030] During production from the well, the fluids from the reservoir 4 enter into a lower area of the well 21 through openings 7 formed in the well and they are run through the production string 3 to the wellhead 6, from where they are redirected to processing facilities 8. That system as a whole is widely known in the current state-of-the-art, therefore, for the purpose of providing a concise description, details of that system will not be included, which will in no way hinder understanding by any expert in the area.

[0031] During the pneumatic lifting process in hydrocarbon production, an external source of high-pressure gas 9 injects highly pressurized gas into the annular space 5 between the casing 2 and the production string 3. That gas is then injected inside the production string 3 by a gas flow control valve 11 positioned on a pneumatic pumping mandrel 1.

[0032] Then the injected gas is mixed into the flow coming from the reservoir 4, reducing its apparent density and causing the fluid to be run more easily towards the wellhead 6.

[0033] As already discussed in the section FOUNDATIONS OF THE INVENTION, the pneumatic lifting process may be continuous or intermittent. However, the basic process in both cases is that described in the previous paragraph.

[0034] It is noted that although FIG. 1 is shown with just one mandrel 1 for installation of the pneumatic pumping valve 11, the number of valves used may vary substantially from one valve up to a plurality of valves, in which the valves may act differently among themselves.

[0035] The wells in which the described system is used may be onshore or offshore. Offshore, the wells may have wellhead equipment 6, and dry or wet completion.

[0036] The mandrel 1 that is preferably used is a side pocket mandrel. This mandrel 1, one of those most used in the state-of-the-art, comprises a lateral space (pocket) where the gas flow control valve 11 is positioned. Thus, the area from the section of the production string 3 where the valve 11 is positioned is not reduced, which may be a disadvantage in conventional mandrels (without a side pocket).

[0037] However, the invention that will be described below may be used both with side pocket mandrels 1, as well as conventional mandrels 104, as well be obvious to any expert in the matter.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the detail of the mandrel 1 of the pneumatic lifting system for production of hydrocarbons of this invention. In this detail, it can be seen that the system comprises a straddle 10 supported on the production string 3 and enveloping the mandrel 1, wherein a chamber 105 is formed in the gas exit region 110 of the gas flow control valve 11, wherein the straddle 10 comprises at least one means of fluidic communication 102 adapted to feed gas inside the straddle 10.

[0039] With use of the straddle 10, the hydrocarbon flow does not come into contact with the gas flow control valve 11, since the entire flow that runs through the production string 3 passes inside the straddle 10 along the entire length of the mandrel 1, until returning to the production string 3 after the mandrel 1. Thus, the gas is not injected against the hydrocarbon flow, but into the chamber 105 formed in the region of the gas outlet 110.

[0040] Therefore, in accordance with this invention, the pressurized gas, located inside the annular space 5 between the well casing 2 and the production string 3, feeds the gas flow control valve 11, which is positioned with the help of gaskets 111, which cause all of the gas to be directed towards the gas flow control valve 11, which redirects the gas to the gas outlet area 110 of the valve 11. At least in that region (gas outlet region 110 of the gas flow control valve 11), the straddle 10 comprises a means of fluidic communication 102 adapted to feed gas inside the straddle 10. Optionally, the means of fluidic communication 102 is a plurality of openings that communicate fluidically to the chamber 105 formed with the interior of the straddle 10.

[0041] Thus the gas directed towards the chamber 105 is injected inside the straddle 10 through the fluidic communication means 102 (plurality of orifices), in order to provide a better mixture of the gas with the flow of hydrocarbons.

[0042] Thus, this invention solves the two mentioned problems in the state-of-the-art. The gas is not injected against the hydrocarbon flow, since it is injected into the chamber 105. Additionally, the means of fluidic communication 102 ensures that the gas is inserted in such a way as to provide an efficient mixture of the gas in the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0043] Optionally, as shown, the mandrel 1 is a side pocket mandrel 1. However, although FIG. 2 only shows that configuration, it will be obvious to an expert in the matter that the mandrel 1 used in specific embodiments of the invention may be a conventional mandrel 1 or a side pocket mandrel 1.

[0044] Optionally, in the gas outlet region 110 of the gas flow control valve 11, a annular chamber 105 is formed, delimited by the straddle 10 and by the side pocket mandrel 1. In this case, a configuration may be used wherein, in the gas outlet region 110 of the gas control valve 11, at least one portion of the straddle 10 comprises a reduced cross section 101 in relation to its extremities. That narrowing 101 of the straddle 10 would form a annular chamber 105 in that region, such that increasing the area of the straddle 10 wherein the means of fluidic communication 102 is used, also increases homogenization of the gas with the hydrocarbon flow.

[0045] Also optionally, the system may comprise sealing elements 13 positioned between the straddle 10 and the production string 3, wherein at least one sealing element 13 is positioned close to the upper end 106 of the straddle and at least one sealing element 13 is positioned close to the lower end of the straddle 103, in order to prevent the escape of gas or hydrocarbon leaks, reinforcing the watertightness of the chamber 105 formed.

[0046] The system of this invention also has the advantage that it may be used with pneumatic lifting systems that have already been installed. In these cases, the straddle 10 could be seated as such components are normally seated, or the column could be provided with seating nipple(s) immediately above or below the mandrel 1.

[0047] The design of the mandrel 1 could also be adapted to anticipate the seating of these devices in the region of the side pocket 104.

[0048] The straddle 10 could be installed in already-existing gas lift wells by means of operation with a wire, or it could be dropped directly, and seated on the column in new installations.

[0049] Therefore, in summary, this invention provides a pneumatic lifting system for hydrocarbon production, comprising at least one mandrel 1 and at least one gas flow control valve 11, wherein the at least one mandrel 1 is connected to a production string 3, wherein the production string 3 is positioned inside a well casing 2, wherein the system comprises a straddle 10 supported on the production string 3 and enveloping the mandrel 1, wherein in the region of the gas outlet 110 from the gas flow control valve 11 a chamber 105 is formed, wherein the straddle 10 comprises a means of fluidic communication 102 adapted to feed gas inside the straddle 10