Wellbore density meter using a rotor and diffuser
11591899 · 2023-02-28
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E21B43/128
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
This disclosure relates to an electric submersible pump assembly to measure a density of a fluid in a wellbore. The ESP assembly includes a density meter having a diffuser with an interior volume defined by an inner surface, a rotatable rotor arranged in the interior volume, a measurement channel, and a sensor sub-assembly configured to measure pressures in the measurement channel. The rotor includes a rotor channel defined by a first face of a partition of the rotor and an interior wall of the rotor, extends from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet is arranged at a first radial distance from an axis and the outlet is arranged at a second radial distance from the axis, greater than the first radial distance. The measurement channel, defined by the inner surface of the diffuser and a second face of the partition, extends from the outlet to the inlet.
Claims
1. An electric submersible pump assembly to measure a density of a fluid in a wellbore, the ESP assembly comprising: a fluid entrance, a shaft extending from a first end of the assembly to a second end of the assembly along an axis, wherein the shaft is rotationally connected to a motor; and a density meter fluidly connected to the fluid entrance, the density meter comprising: a diffuser having an interior volume defined by an inner surface, a rotor arranged in the interior volume of the diffuser and rotationally coupled to the motor via the shaft, the rotor comprising: an interior wall, a partition having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and a rotor channel defined by the first face of the partition of the rotor and the interior wall of the rotor, wherein the rotor channel extends from an inlet to an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly connected to the fluid entrance of the ESP assembly and is arranged at a first radial distance from the axis, wherein the outlet is arranged at a second radial distance from the axis, wherein the first radial distance of the inlet is less than the second radial distance of the outlet; and a measurement channel, wherein the measurement channel is defined by the inner surface of the diffuser and the second face of the partition of the rotor, wherein the measurement channel extends from the outlet of the rotor channel to the inlet of the rotor channel, and a sensor sub-assembly arranged on the inner surface of the diffuser, the sensor sub-assembly configured to measure at least two pressures in the measurement channel.
2. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the measurement channel is configured to flow fluid from the rotor channel.
3. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the measurement channel is arranged adjacent to the rotor channel.
4. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor sub-assembly comprises a first pressure sensor arranged in the measurement channel at a first radial distance from the axis.
5. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 4, wherein the sensor sub-assembly comprises a second pressure sensor arranged in the measurement channel at a second radial distance from the axis, wherein the first radial distance of the first pressure sensor is greater than the second radial distance of the second pressure sensor.
6. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first radial distance of the first pressure sensor is known.
7. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second radial distance of the second pressure sensor is known.
8. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more processors; and a computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: prompting the motor to rotate the rotor of the ESP assembly about the axis such that the fluid at the outlet of the rotor channel of the rotor is at a higher fluid pressure than the inlet of the rotor channel, wherein inlet of the rotor channel is arranged radially closer to the axis than the outlet of the rotor channel, prompting a first pressure sensor disposed in a measurement channel defined between the rotor and a diffuser to measure a first pressure, prompting a second pressure sensor disposed in the measurement channel to measure a second pressure, wherein the second pressure sensor is arranged downstream of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is arranged radially closer to the axis than the first pressure sensor.
9. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining the density of the fluid in the measurement channel based on the first pressure and the second pressure.
10. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pump configured to convey fluid in a first direction from the inlet on the rotor channel to the outlet of the rotor channel.
11. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 10, wherein the fluid flowing in the measurement channel flows in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
12. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first radial distance of the inlet of the rotor channel is known.
13. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second radial distance of the outlet of the rotor channel is known.
14. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein a diffuser channel defined by the inner surface if the diffuser is fluidly connected to the outlet of the rotor channel and the fluid entrance of the ESP assembly.
15. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 14, wherein the diffuser channel is arranged downstream of the rotor channel.
16. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the diffuser.
17. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is an oil-water mixture.
18. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein a total volume of the measurement channel is less than the total volume of the rotor channel.
19. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 18, wherein the total volume of the measurement channel is about 1% to about 20% of the total volume of the rotor channel.
20. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ESP assembly further comprises a pump configured to convey the fluid from the first end of the ESP assembly to the second end of the ESP assembly, wherein the pump is arranged upstream of the density meter.
21. The electric submersible pump assembly according to claim 20, wherein the density meter forms an intake portion of the pump.
22. A method to determine a density of a fluid flowing in an electric submersible pump assembly, the method comprising: rotating a shaft, by a motor, at a predetermined angular velocity such that a rotor of the ESP, rotationally coupled to the shaft, rotates about an axis relative to a diffuser of the ESP assembly, wherein the rotor defines a rotor channel, sensing, by a first pressure sensor, a first pressure indicative of the pressure at a first location in a measurement channel, wherein the first location is at a first radial distance from the axis sensing, by a second pressure sensor, a second pressure indicative of the pressure at a second location in a measurement channel, wherein the second location is at a second radial distance from the axis, wherein the first radial distance is larger than the second radial distance.
23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising determining the density of the fluid based on the first and second pressures, the first radial distance, the second radial distance, and a predetermined angular velocity of the shaft.
24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the density is determined using the equation:
25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the method further comprises determining a water cut of the fluid.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the water cut is determined based on the determined density of the fluid, a predetermined density of water, and a predetermined density of oil.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the water-cut is determined using the equation; WC=P−Po/Pw−Po.
28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the fluid is an oil-water mixture.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7) Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) Production of oil-water mixtures is very common in oilfield operations. One of the physical properties of the fluid mixture required by production engineers, reservoir engineers, or the field operators is the water-cut of the produced fluid downhole. Water-cut is the ratio of water volume flow rate to the oil-water (mixture) volume flow rate. To determine the production water-cut, accurate knowledge of the downhole oil-water mixture density is useful.
(9) This disclosure describes an apparatus and method for measuring the density of oil-water mixtures and determining an oil-to-water ratio during production operations either downhole or topside. The disclosed ESP assembly includes a density meter with a main (first) channel and a measurement channel. The first channel is arranged in a rotatable rotor and has an inlet and an outlet through which fluid flows uphole from the inlet to the outlet. The channel is shaped so that, when the rotor rotates, the fluid at the outlet experiences a higher pressure than the fluid at the inlet, specifically due to centrifugal forces. The measurement channel fluidly connects to the first channel at the inlet and the outlet. Due to the high pressure at the outlet of the channel, a small portion of fluid leaks from the channel into the measurement channel. The fluid in the measurement channel moves from the outlet of the channel to the inlet of the channel due to the pressure difference between the inlet of the channel and the outlet of the channel. A first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor are arranged at known locations in the measurement channel. The difference between the pressures measured by the pressure sensors can be used to calculate the density of the fluid flowing in the measurement channel, and therefore, the density of the fluid flowing in the ESP assembly.
(10) This compressed configuration of the measurement channel does not increase the length of the ESP assembly, thereby reducing the risk of bending and reducing installation time. Further, the density meter can be used in any well orientation and can be used at the surface to determine a density of a fluid. In addition, the density measurement is not restricted by or tied to the flow rate of the fluid. The disclosed density meter is compact and, during operation, does not constitute a health, safety, security, or environmental concern.
(11)
(12) The monitoring sub-system 122 contains sensors that measure pump intake, intake pressures, discharge pressures, motor oil, winding temperature, and winding vibrations. The data sensed by the sensors of the monitoring subsystem can be transmitted to the surface via a power cable and/or via the processor 125. The processor 125 can sort, compile, compute, and analyze the sensed data prior to transmitting the data to the surface. In other systems, the sensed data may be sent to the surface, where it is sorted, complied, computed, and analyzed. Some processors can control the motor. In some systems, the motor is controlled by a variable frequency driver at the surface.
(13) The pump 108, density meter 116, motor 120, protector 124 and monitoring sub-system 122 are axially attached to each other and are each positionally maintained by an exterior housing. The fluid 110 enters the wellbore 102 from a formation 128 via a perforation 130 in a wellbore casing 132. A packer 134, attached to the production tubing 114 fluidic ally isolates the wellbore so that the fluid 110 from the formation enters the fluid entrance 112. The fluid 110 then moves from the fluid entrance 112 to the density meter 116, arranged upstream of the pump 108 so that the pump 108 provides a primary suction force, pulling the fluid 110 uphole from the fluid entrance 112 to the density meter 116. The density meter 116 measures a pressure differential in a measurement channel (not shown), to determine a density of the fluid 110.
(14)
(15) The rotor 144 includes an interior wall 146 and a partition 148 have a first face 148a and a second face 148b, opposite the first face 148a. The partition may be a plate or baffle. The size and dimensions of the plate or baffle may increase as the rotor size increases. The rotor 144 defines the first channel 136 by the first face 148a of the partition 148 of the rotor 144 and the interior wall 146 of the rotor 144. The first face 148a is curved so that the first channel 136 extends radially outward from the axis 119. The second face 148b can be curves or can include steps. The first channel 136 extends from an inlet 150 to an outlet 152. The inlet 150 is fluidly connected to the fluid entrance 112 of the ESP assembly 100 and is arranged at a known first radial distance d.sub.inlet from the axis 119. The outlet 152 is arranged at a known second radial distance d.sub.outlet from the axis 119 and fluidically connects to the diffuser channel 143. The first radial distance d.sub.inlet of the inlet 150 is less than the second radial distance d.sub.outlet of the outlet 152.
(16) The interior wall 146 of the rotor 144 attaches to the shaft 118 so that the rotor 144, including the partition 148 and the interior wall 146 rotate at the same revolutions per minute (RPM) or angular velocity (Ω) as the shaft 118. The angular velocity (or RPM) of the rotor 144 is therefore known as the motor 120 can be programed or prompted to rotate at a predetermined angular velocity or RPM.
(17) In this configuration, when the rotor 144 is rotating under the force of the motor 120, the fluid 110 flowing in the first channel pressurizes. Due to the outlet 152 being arranged farther from the axis 119 than the inlet 150, the centrifugal forces on the fluid 110 at the outlet 152 are larger than the centrifugal forces on the fluid 110 at the inlet 150. Therefore, when the rotor 144 is rotating, the fluid at the outlet 152 is at a higher pressure than the fluid at the inlet 150. This centrifugal force also contributes to the suction force of the pump 108 to move the fluid from the inlet 150 to the outlet 152. Despite pressure difference of the outlet and the inlet (downhole), the pump 108 and rotor 144 provide sufficient conveyance force to move the fluid 110 through the first channel 136 in a first direction, (uphole) towards the surface.
(18) The density meter 116 further includes a measurement channel 154 on which a sensor sub-assembly 156 is mounted. The measurement channel 154 is defined by the inner surface 142 of the diffuser 138 and a second face 148b of the partition 148 of the rotor 144. The measurement channel 154 extends from the outlet 152 of the first channel 136 to the inlet 150 of the first channel 136. The sensor sub-assembly 156 is electronically and/or electrically connected to the monitoring sub-system 122, for example, the processor 125. The sensor sub-assembly 156 of the density meter 116 includes a first pressure sensor 156a and a second pressure sensor 156b. The first pressure sensor 156a is arranged in the measurement channel 154 at known first radial distance d.sub.p1 from the axis 119 and the second pressure sensor 156b is arranged in the measurement channel 154 at a known second radial distance d.sub.p2 from the axis 119. The first radial distance d.sub.p1 of the first pressure sensor 156a is greater than the second radial distance d.sub.p2 of the second pressure sensor 156b. The first pressure sensor is configured to transmit first pressure signals to the monitoring sub-system 122 and/or processor 125 indicative of the pressure measured at the first radial distance d.sub.p1. The second pressure sensor is configured to transmit second pressure signals to the monitoring sub-system 122 and/or processor 125 indicative of the pressure measured at the second radial distance d.sub.p2.
(19) While the pump 108 conveys the fluid from the inlet 150 of the first channel 136 to the outlet 152 of the first channel, the pressure differences between the inlet 150 and the outlet 152 cause a small portion of the fluid 110 to leak or enter into the measurement channel 154 at the outlet 152 of the first channel 136 and flow in a second direction from the outlet 152 (high pressure) to the inlet 150 (low pressure). At the inlet 150, the leaked or diverted fluid can re-enter the fluid 110 flowing in the first channel 136. In some cases the second direction is opposite the first direction. In some cases, the average directional vector of the first channel is opposite the average directional vector of the measurement channel. A total volume of the measurement channel is less than the total volume of the first channel so that only a portion of the fluid flowing in the first channel 136 is redirected to the measurement channel. In some cases, about 1% to about 25% of the volume of the fluid flowing in the first channel is diverted into the measurement channel. In some density channels, 1% to 15% (e.g., 2%, 5%, 7%, or 10%). In some cases, 1% to 5% of the volume of fluid in the first channel is diverted into the measuring channel.
(20) The first pressure sensor 156a measures the pressure of the leaked fluid in the measurement channel 154 at a first location L.sub.1 and the second pressure sensor 156b measures the pressure of the leaked fluid in the measurement channel 154 at a second location L.sub.2 downstream of the first location L.sub.1 and the first pressure sensor 156a. The distances between the axis 119, about which the shaft 118 and the rotor 144 rotate, and the first and second locations L.sub.1, L.sub.2 are known and can be used to calculate the density of the fluid.
(21) The processor 125 can be located either downhole or at a topside facility. The processor 125 includes one or more processors and non-transitory memory storing computer instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations, for example, the operations to determine density. Alternatively, or in addition, the processor 125 can be implemented as processing circuitry, including electrical or electronic components (or both), configured to perform the operations described here. The processor 125 is configured to determine a density of the fluid flow using the following equation:
(22)
wherein p.sub.1 is the pressure measured by the first pressure sensor at the first location L.sub.1, p.sub.2 is the pressure measured by the second pressure sensor 156b at the second location L.sub.2, d.sub.1 is the radial distance between the axis 119 and the first location L.sub.1, d.sub.2 is the radial distance between the axis 119 and the second location L.sub.2, Ω is the angular velocity of the rotor, and k is a known constant, and ρ is a density of the fluid flow. Once density of the fluid flow is determined, then, the processor 125 can also determine a water-cut using the following equation:
(23)
where ρ.sub.o is a density of an oil portion of the fluid flow, ρ.sub.w is a water density of the fluid flow, and WC is the water-cut. The oil density variation with temperature and pressure would have been obtained with pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) analysis on the hydrocarbon obtained in the early life of the well. In the operation of the ESP assembly 100, the downhole pressure and temperature can be obtained from the monitoring sub-system 122. Based on the temperature and pressure, the density of the pure oil can be determined and can be used in Equation 2. Density of water can be determined by the processor 125 based on the pressure and temperature of the fluid flowing through the ESP assembly 100. The processor 125 is configured to execute a computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform operations or methods. The executable method includes prompting a pump of an electric submersible pump assembly to pump fluid from a first end to a second end of the ESP assembly, prompting a motor to rotate a rotor of the ESP assembly about an axis such that the fluid at an outlet of a first channel of the rotor is at a higher fluid pressure than the inlet of the first channel, wherein inlet of the first channel is arranged radially closer to the axis than the outlet of the first channel, prompting a first pressure sensor in a measurement channel defined between the rotor and a diffuser to measure a first pressure, wherein the measurement channel extends from the outlet of the first channel to the inlet of the first channel, and prompting a second pressure in the measurement channel to measure a second pressure, wherein the second pressure sensor is arranged downstream of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is arranged radially closer to the axis than the first pressure sensor. In some cases, the executable method further comprises determining the density of the fluid in the measurement channel based on the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal. The motor can be prompted to rotate by a processor or by a driver at the surface. The driver may be a fixed driver or a variable frequency driver.
(24)
(25) A majority of the fluid 110 continues to flow from the outlet 152 of the first channel 136 into the diffuser channel under the suction force of the pump 108, however, a portion of the fluid is diverted at the outlet 152 into the measurement channel due to the pressure drop from the outlet 152 to the inlet 150. The portion of fluid diverted into the measurement channel may be 1% to 5% (e.g., 1% to 30%) of the fluid flowing in the first channel 136.
(26) The method 200 further includes measuring the first pressure at the first location L.sub.1 by prompting the first pressure sensor 156a to measure or read a first pressure. The first pressure is indicative of the pressure at the first location L.sub.1 in a measurement channel 154. The first location L.sub.1 is at a first radial distance d.sub.p1 from the axis 119 about which the rotor 144 and shaft 118 rotate. Next, the second pressure at the second location L.sub.2 is measured by prompting the second pressure sensor 156b to measure or read a second pressure. The second pressure is indicative of the pressure at the second location L.sub.2 in the measurement channel 154. The second location L.sub.2 is at a second radial distance d.sub.p2 from the axis 119 about which the rotor 144 and shaft 118 rotate. In the density meter 116, the first radial distance d.sub.p1 is larger than the second radial distance d.sub.p2, however, in some cases, the first radial distance may be less than the second radial distance. In some cases, the sensor sub-assembly includes a pressure differential sensor that determines the differential pressure between the first location of the measurement channel and the second location of the measurement channel.
(27) After the first and second pressures, or the differential pressure, has been measured, the processor 125 determines the density of the fluid 110 using the first and second pressure signals, the first radial distance, the second radial distance, and a predetermined angular velocity of the shaft. The density can be determined using Equation 1. The processor 125 can also determine a water-cut of the fluid 110 based on the determined density of the fluid, a predetermined density of water and a predetermined density of oil. The water-cut can be determined using Equation 2.
(28) A number of embodiments of the ESP assembly have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, some pumps and density meter may be arranged in different axial positions relative to the protector 124, the motor 120, and the monitoring sub-system 122.
(29)
(30) In use, the fluid 110 downhole of the second packer 254 enters the first fluid entrance 256. The fluid 110 then flows through the density meter 116 and the pump 108 and exits the ESP assembly via the fluid discharge 258. The density of the fluid can be calculated as previously described with reference to
(31)
(32) In use, the fluid 110 downhole of the tubing packer 304 and the casing packer 310 enters the fluid entrance 256. The fluid 110 then flows through the density meter 116 and the pump 108 and exits the ESP assembly via the fluid discharge 258. The density of the fluid can be calculated as previously described with reference to
(33)
(34) In use, the fluid 110 downhole of the packer 352 enters the fluid entrance 256. The fluid 110 then flows through the density meter 116 and the pump 108 and exits the ESP assembly via the fluid discharge 258. The density of the fluid can be calculated as previously described with reference to
(35) In some embodiments, the density meter can be installed separately as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into the pump at an intake section of the pump.
(36) In some cases, the sensor sub-assemblies includes a plurality of pressure sensors (e.g., more than two) to increase flexibility and accuracy and to provide an average reading for the high pressure and low pressure measurement locations
(37) In some cases, the pressure sensors of the sensor sub-assembly may be arranged at the same circumferential angle, however, some pressure sensors may be staggered. For example, in a case having two pressure sensors at the first (high pressure) location and two pressure sensors at the second (low pressure) location taps each for high-pressure and low-pressure measurements, the high-pressure sensors can be arranged at 90° and 270° circumferential angular position, whereas the low-pressure sensors can be arranged at 0° and 180° circumferential angular positions.
(38) In some cases, the shaft is formed by multiple shaft sections. Each of the density meter, monitoring sub-system, and protector may be mounted on a shaft section. The shaft sections can be attached by shaft connections. z
(39) In some embodiments, the density meter is incorporated into a Cable-Deployed Artificial Lift system, for example, a Cable Deployed ESP system or any artificial lift system.
(40) While the density meter has been described as upstream of the pump, some meters are not arranged directly upstream of the pump. Rather, the density meter may be installed at the pump discharge (downstream of the pump) or anywhere along the length of the ESP assembly.
(41) While the density meter has been described as measuring the density of a fluid in a wellbore, the density meter may also be used at the surface to determine a density of a fluid.
(42) While a density meter with one rotor and one diffuser has been described, some density meters include multiple diffusers and multiple rotors. This configuration may reduce the entrance effects that can occur in a single rotor configuration. For example, incorporating multiple rotors can provide a more stable flow condition that is at equilibrium. In addition, this configuration may increase accuracy by increasing the pressure of the measured fluid, thereby reducing measurement of low magnitude pressures when measuring or calculating the density. In such a density meter, first and second rotors are mounted on a shaft and are arranged in the interior volume of a diffuser. The first and second rotors rotate at the same speed, however, the first and second rotors can rotate at different speeds. The first rotor has a first measurement channel with a first inlet and a first outlet. The second rotor has a second measurement channel with a second inlet and a second outlet. The first and second rotors are aligned along the axis so that the outlet of the first rotor channel of the first rotor is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second rotor channel of the second rotor. The first inlet is arranged radially closer to the axis than the first outlet. The second inlet is arranged radially closer to the axis than the second outlet. In some cases, the first outlet is arranged radially closer to or equidistant to the axis than the second inlet. The first rotor has a first measurement channel that extends from the first outlet to the first inlet and the second rotor has a second measurement channel that extends from the second outlet to the second inlet. The first and second measurement channels are substantially similar to the measurement channel described with reference to
(43) A sensor sub-system includes a first pressure sensor disposed in the first measurement channel at a first radial distance relative to the axis and a second pressure sensor disposed downstream of the first pressure sensor. The second pressure sensor is arranged at a second radial distance relative to the axis. The first and second radial distances may be known. The first radial distance is radially farther from the axis than the second radial distance. In some cases, the first radial distance is radially closer to the axis than the second radial distance.
(44) The sensor sub-system includes a third pressure sensor disposed in the second measurement channel at a third radial distance relative to the axis and a fourth pressure sensor disposed downstream of the third pressure sensor. The fourth pressure sensor is arranged at a fourth radial distance relative to the axis. The third and fourth radial distances may be known. The third radial distance is radially farther from the axis than the fourth radial distance. In some cases, the third radial distance is closer to the axis than the fourth radial distance.
(45) In some density meters, the sensor sub-assembly includes one pressure sensor in each measurement channel of the rotors. For example, the first measurement channel of the first rotor includes a first pressure sensor and the second measurement channel of the second rotor includes a second pressure sensor.
(46) In some density meters, a plurality of pressure sensors (e.g., two pressure sensors) are arranged in the second measurement channel. In some cases, no pressure sensors are disposed in the first measurement channel.
(47) While the rotor has been described as operating at the same angular velocity as the motor, some rotors may include a speed reducer to proportionally reduce the angular velocity of the rotor relative to the motor. In some cases, the density meter is connected to the motor via the speed reduce rather than directly to the shaft.