CA2887821C - Ice preventing system and method for a gas well - Google Patents
Ice preventing system and method for a gas well Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2887821C CA2887821C CA2887821A CA2887821A CA2887821C CA 2887821 C CA2887821 C CA 2887821C CA 2887821 A CA2887821 A CA 2887821A CA 2887821 A CA2887821 A CA 2887821A CA 2887821 C CA2887821 C CA 2887821C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- flow passage
- pressure
- inducer
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 48
- 239000000411 inducer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 39
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
- E21B37/06—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells using chemical means for preventing or limiting, e.g. eliminating, the deposition of paraffins or like substances
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
Abstract
An ice preventing system for a flow passage of a well or pipe line includes a fluid tank holding an ice prohibiting fluid and a pressure inducer positioned in the flow passage. The fluid tank is fluidically connected to the flow passage at an upstream location from the pressure inducer by an inlet pressure line. And the fluid tank is fluidically connected to the flow passage at a downstream location from the pressure inducer by a fluid injection line. A normally closed valve is disposed across the fluid injection line that is opened by a pressure differential across the pressure induce by ice accumulation in the flow passage, thereby allowing injection of the ice prohibiting fluid into the flow passage from the tank. Once the pressure differential lowers by removing the ice accumulation, the valve once again closes, and fluid injection stops.
Description
ICE PREVENTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A GAS WELL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to ice prevention in well and pipeline systems, and more particularly, relating to an ice preventing system that operates without electricity to selective inject an ice prohibiting fluid into a well or pipeline system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to ice prevention in well and pipeline systems, and more particularly, relating to an ice preventing system that operates without electricity to selective inject an ice prohibiting fluid into a well or pipeline system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Ice hydrate formation in gas wells is problematic because it can damage the well and form a blockage that plugs the well, which can severely disrupt or even prevent fluid production entirely. It is common to inject liquid methanol into a well to lower the freezing point at which ice hydrate forms in order to prevent ice formation and to remove any ice accumulation from the well.
[003] Drip-feed systems are conventionally used to inject liquid methanol into low pressure wells. Typically, a drip-feed system includes a large storage tank that is located near the wellhead. The storage tank contains a supply of liquid methanol and the tank is operatively connected to the wellhead to allow the methanol to continuously drip into the wellhead under the force of gravity. While the drip-feed system is capable of preventing ice formation and removing ice accumulation, it has several inherent problems. For one, the drip-feed system is primarily a passive system and once started, methanol is continuously injected into the well until an operator returns to the well to turn the system off. The problem with this is that methanol is injected regardless of whether the methanol it is need to prevent ice formation, resulting in significant and unnecessary waste and costs.
[004] Forced liquid methanol injection systems are alternatives to drip-feed systems.
But forced injection systems require expensive pumps and controls, and also require electricity to operate. Consequently, forced liquid injection systems are not always a desirable alternative to drip-feed systems.
But forced injection systems require expensive pumps and controls, and also require electricity to operate. Consequently, forced liquid injection systems are not always a desirable alternative to drip-feed systems.
[005] Accordingly there is a desire for an alternative ice preventing system that overcomes the problems with existing drip-feed systems and that does not require expensive equipment and electricity to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice preventing system for wells and methods of preventing ice in wells using the same. Broadly, the ice preventing system of the invention is a passive system that does not require electricity to operate and which operates to selectively inject an ice prohibiting liquid into a well or pipeline only during periods were injection is required.
[007] In general, in one aspect, an ice preventing system for wells is provided. The ice preventing system includes a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid that is fluidically connected to the well or pipeline by an inlet pressure line and a fluid injection line. The system operates to inject ice prohibiting fluid from the tank and into the flow passage when a pressure differential is established in the flow passage that is sufficiently high to open a one-way valve disposed on the fluid injection line.
[008] In general, in one aspect, an ice preventing system for wells the ice preventing system includes tank a containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid and a pressure inducer disposed across a flow passage of a well. An inlet pressure line is connects the tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position downhole of the pressure inducer. An injector line connects the tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position uphole of the pressure inducer. And a check valve is disposed across the injector line and is normally biased to prevent the discharge of the ice prohibiting fluid from the injector line and into the flow passage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] In the drawings:
[010] Figure I is a diagrammatic view of an ice preventing system constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention, and in use in connection with a well;
[011] Figure 2 is a front view of an ice preventing system constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the system in a first operating state where ice prohibiting fluid is not injected to a well;
[012] Figure 3 is a front view of an ice preventing system constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the system in a second operating state where ice prohibiting fluid is injected to a well;
and
and
[013] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a one-way valve of an ice preventing system constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 schematically illustrates an ice preventing system 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. System 10 is shown in use with a representatively illustrated well having a wellhead 12. While system 10 is shown in connection with the represented wellhead 12, the system is not limited to the particular configuration of the wellhead. It is also contemplated that system 10 could be used in connection with other well configurations as well as pipelines that have fluid flow passages that are prone to icing.
[015] System 10 includes a pressure inducer 14 that is positioned within a fluid flow passage 16 of the wellhead 12. As representatively illustrated, pressure inducer 14 is a fiat plate that is centrally disposed within flow passage 16 and extends horizontally across the flow passage. While the pressure inducer 14 is illustrated here as a flat plo-, the pressure inducer should not be limited to such a configuration. The purpose of pressure inducer 14 is to create a pressure differential in the flow passage 16 when ice 18 accumulates along the walls of the flow passage. Accordingly, pressure inducer 14 could have many different configurations while maintaining this critical function of system 10.
[016] System 10 further includes a fluid vessel or tank 20 that holds a quantity of an ice prohibiting liquid 22 for injection into the wellhead 12 by system 10. In a particular ernbodhnent, the ice prohibiting liquid 22 is liquid methanol or a mixture containing liquid methanol as a constituent part. When tank 20 contains the ice prohibiting liquid 22 the tank includes an upper void space 24 containing air and a lower liquid space 26 containing the ice prohibiting liquid.
[017] An inlet pressure line 24' is connected at one end to the tank 20 and is connected at its opposite end to the wellhead 12. More specifically, the inlet pressure line 24' establiches a fluidic communication between the void space 24 of the tank 20 and the flow passage 16 of the wellhead 12 at a position downhole (upstream the direction of fluid flow in the flow passage) from the pressure inducer 14.
[018] An injector line 28 is connected at one end to the tank 20 and is connected at its opposite end to the wellhead 12 to deliver ice prohibiting liquid 22 from the tank to the flow passage. More specifically, the injector line 28 establishes a fluidic communication between the liquid space 26 of tank 20 and the flow passage 16 of the wellhead 12 at a position uphole (downstream) of the pressure inducer 14.
While only a single injector line 28 is illustrated here, multiple injector lines could be employed in order to distribute the ice prohibiting liquid 22 in the flow passage as needed or desired.
While only a single injector line 28 is illustrated here, multiple injector lines could be employed in order to distribute the ice prohibiting liquid 22 in the flow passage as needed or desired.
[019] A one-way valve 30 is connected to injector line 28 and operates to control the flow of ice prohibiting liquid 22 from tank 20 into flow passage 16 of the wellhead 12. The valve 30 is normally biased into a closed position so that ice prohibiting liquid 22 cannot flow through the injector line 28 from tank 20 and into the flow passage 16. In the illustrated embodiment, valve 30 is a spring-loaded ball check valve that is spring biased into the closed position. Valve 30 is operated from the biased, closed position to the open position when the pressure exerted on the valve by the ice prohibiting liquid 22 is sufficiently great to overcome the biasing force.
[020] With particular reference to FIG. 2, system 10 is illustrated in connection with wellhead 12 with the system in a first operating state wherein the system is not injecting ice prohibiting liquid 22 in the flow passage 16. Particularly, as illustrated, flow passage 16 is free of ice accumulation and formation fluid flows through flow passage without constraint. Importantly, in such a condition, there is a low pressure differential within the flow passage 16 across the pressure inducer 14. In such as condition, the system 10 does not operate to inject ice prohibiting fluid 22 into the flow passage.
[021] Turning now to FIG. 3, system 10 is illustrated in connection with wellhead 12 with the system in a second operating state wherein the system injects ice prohibiting fluid 22 in the flow passage 16. As shown here, ice 18 has accumulated in flow passage 16 and the flow of formation fluid 32 across the pressure inducer 14 is constrained by the ice, which has a narrowed the flow passage approximate the pressure inducer. In this condition, there is a high pressure differential within the flow passage 16 across the pressure inducer 14.
The pressure within the flow passage 16 downhole (upstream) the pressure inducer is much greater than the pressure of the flow passage uphole (downstream) the pressure inducer.
The pressure within the flow passage 16 downhole (upstream) the pressure inducer is much greater than the pressure of the flow passage uphole (downstream) the pressure inducer.
[022] The pressure differential within the flow passage 16 across the pressure inducer 14 causes the static pressure of the void space 24 of the tank 20 to increase.
The static pressure of the void space 24 continues to increase as more ice accumulates in the flow passage. Once the void space pressure becomes sufficiently high, the force exerted by the ice prohibiting fluid 22 on the valve 30 is great enough to overcome the bias force and open the valve, thereby allowing the flow of ice prohibiting fluid 22 from tank 20 and into flow passage 16. The valve 30 remains open and injection continues until a sufficient amount of ice 18 is removed from the flow passage 16, thereby lowering the pressure differential across the pressure inducer 14 and the static pressure of the void space. The system 10 operates to cycle between states of non-injection and injection automatically as needed when ice accumulates in the flow passage. The only limit to this system it the amount of ice prohibiting fluid that is stored in tank 20. However, the tank volume can be sufficiently large to permit operation of the system 10 through extend periods, thereby reducing servicing intervals.
The static pressure of the void space 24 continues to increase as more ice accumulates in the flow passage. Once the void space pressure becomes sufficiently high, the force exerted by the ice prohibiting fluid 22 on the valve 30 is great enough to overcome the bias force and open the valve, thereby allowing the flow of ice prohibiting fluid 22 from tank 20 and into flow passage 16. The valve 30 remains open and injection continues until a sufficient amount of ice 18 is removed from the flow passage 16, thereby lowering the pressure differential across the pressure inducer 14 and the static pressure of the void space. The system 10 operates to cycle between states of non-injection and injection automatically as needed when ice accumulates in the flow passage. The only limit to this system it the amount of ice prohibiting fluid that is stored in tank 20. However, the tank volume can be sufficiently large to permit operation of the system 10 through extend periods, thereby reducing servicing intervals.
Claims (15)
1. An ice preventing system for a well, the system comprising:
a pressure inducer disposed across a flow passage of a well;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position downhole of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position uphole of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage.
a pressure inducer disposed across a flow passage of a well;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position downhole of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position uphole of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage.
2. The ice preventing system of claim 1, wherein said inlet pressure line extends through said pressure inducer.
3. The ice preventing system of claim 2, wherein said pressure inducer is a horizontal plate having a diameter less than the diameter of the flow passage.
4. The ice preventing system of claim 1, wherein said pressure inducer is centrally disposed within the flow passage.
5. The ice preventing system of claim 1, wherein said ice prohibiting fluid is liquid methanol.
6. A method of removing ice accumulation in a flow passage of a well, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an ice preventing system , the ice preventing system having:
a pressure inducer disposed across a flow passage of a well;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position downhole of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position uphole of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased closed to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage;
injecting said ice prohibiting fluid into the flow passage when a pressure differential across said inducer is sufficient to bias said check valve open;
and ceasing injection of said ice prohibiting fluid into the flow passage when the pressure differential across said inducer is not sufficient to bias said check valve open.
providing an ice preventing system , the ice preventing system having:
a pressure inducer disposed across a flow passage of a well;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position downhole of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage of the well at a position uphole of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased closed to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage;
injecting said ice prohibiting fluid into the flow passage when a pressure differential across said inducer is sufficient to bias said check valve open;
and ceasing injection of said ice prohibiting fluid into the flow passage when the pressure differential across said inducer is not sufficient to bias said check valve open.
7. The ice preventing system of claim 6, wherein said inlet pressure line extends through said pressure inducer.
8. The ice preventing system of claim 7, wherein said pressure inducer is a horizontal plate having a diameter less than the diameter of the flow passage.
9. The ice preventing system of claim 6, wherein said pressure inducer is centrally disposed within the flow passage.
10. The ice preventing system of claim 6, wherein said ice prohibiting fluid is liquid methanol.
11. An ice preventing system for a flow passage, the system comprising:
a pressure inducer disposed across the flow passage;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage at a position upstream of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage at a position downstream of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage.
a pressure inducer disposed across the flow passage;
a tank containing a quantity of ice prohibiting fluid;
an inlet pressure line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage at a position upstream of said pressure inducer;
an injector line connected to said tank in fluid communication with the flow passage at a position downstream of said pressure inducer; and a check valve disposed across said injector line and normally biased to prevent the discharge of said ice prohibiting fluid from said injector line and into the flow passage.
12. The ice preventing system of claim 11, wherein said inlet pressure line extends through said pressure inducer.
13. The ice preventing system of claim 12, wherein said pressure inducer is a plate having a diameter less than the diameter of the flow passage.
14. The ice preventing system of claim 11, wherein said pressure inducer is centrally disposed within the flow passage.
15. The ice preventing system of claim 11, wherein said ice prohibiting fluid is liquid methanol.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14/667,752 US20160281469A1 (en) | 2015-03-25 | 2015-03-25 | Ice Preventing System and Method for a Gas Well |
| US14/667,752 | 2015-03-25 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2887821A1 CA2887821A1 (en) | 2016-09-25 |
| CA2887821C true CA2887821C (en) | 2016-12-06 |
Family
ID=56974050
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2887821A Active CA2887821C (en) | 2015-03-25 | 2015-04-13 | Ice preventing system and method for a gas well |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20160281469A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2887821C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113187426B (en) * | 2021-06-01 | 2022-01-04 | 大庆百世圣科石油科技有限公司 | Annular wellhead flow device |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1056716A (en) * | 1977-07-29 | 1979-06-19 | Dome Petroleum Limited | System for preventing hydrate plug formation in gas wells |
| US4776775A (en) * | 1986-09-10 | 1988-10-11 | Txam Chemical Pumps, Inc. | Chemical injector pump |
| US5009246A (en) * | 1988-11-04 | 1991-04-23 | Dresser Industries, Inc. | System to avoid icing in the discharge piping of a pressure relief valve |
| IS4012A (en) * | 1992-04-29 | 1993-10-30 | New Systems Limited | Apparatus for the production of processing plants for power plants, in particular power plants, and a method for producing the aforementioned processing medium |
| US5244362A (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 1993-09-14 | Txam Chemical Pumps, Inc. | Chemical injector system for hydrocarbon wells |
| US5937946A (en) * | 1998-04-08 | 1999-08-17 | Streetman; Foy | Apparatus and method for enhancing fluid and gas flow in a well |
| US7389787B2 (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2008-06-24 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Closed loop additive injection and monitoring system for oilfield operations |
| MXPA01006122A (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2002-03-27 | Baker Hughes Inc | Closed loop chemical injection and monitoring system for oilfield operations. |
| GB0016595D0 (en) * | 2000-07-07 | 2000-08-23 | Moyes Peter B | Deformable member |
| US7318476B2 (en) * | 2004-11-16 | 2008-01-15 | Ayres Robert M | Automatic chemical treatment system with integral flush fluid dispenser |
| US7874381B2 (en) * | 2008-08-29 | 2011-01-25 | Skyhawk Chemicals, Inc. | Pneumatic line deicing system |
| US8408421B2 (en) * | 2008-09-16 | 2013-04-02 | Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. | Flow regulating stopcocks and related methods |
-
2015
- 2015-03-25 US US14/667,752 patent/US20160281469A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-04-13 CA CA2887821A patent/CA2887821C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20160281469A1 (en) | 2016-09-29 |
| CA2887821A1 (en) | 2016-09-25 |
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