EP0830494A1 - Verfahren zum zykloneabscheiden im bohrloch - Google Patents

Verfahren zum zykloneabscheiden im bohrloch

Info

Publication number
EP0830494A1
EP0830494A1 EP95931870A EP95931870A EP0830494A1 EP 0830494 A1 EP0830494 A1 EP 0830494A1 EP 95931870 A EP95931870 A EP 95931870A EP 95931870 A EP95931870 A EP 95931870A EP 0830494 A1 EP0830494 A1 EP 0830494A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
outlet
stream
disposal
liquids
cyclone
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP95931870A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0830494B1 (de
Inventor
Bruce R. Peachey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centre for Frontier Engineering Research Institute
Original Assignee
Centre for Frontier Engineering Research Institute
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Centre for Frontier Engineering Research Institute filed Critical Centre for Frontier Engineering Research Institute
Publication of EP0830494A1 publication Critical patent/EP0830494A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0830494B1 publication Critical patent/EP0830494B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
    • E21B43/38—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
    • E21B43/385—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well by reinjecting the separated materials into an earth formation in the same well

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for downhole cyclone separation and, in particular, a method that can be used for oil/water separation in producing oil wells.
  • United States Patent number 5,296,153 teaches a method of reducing the amount of formation water in oil recovered from an oil well through the insertion of a cyclone separator downhole in an oil well producing a stream of mixed oil and water.
  • a first outlet of the cyclone separator is connected to a recovery conduit extending to surface.
  • the recovery conduit conveys a recovery stream of oil with a reduced water content to surface.
  • a second outlet of the cyclone separator is connected to a disposal conduit.
  • the disposal conduit conveys a disposal stream of mainly water to a disposal site, which is usually a downhole formation chosen to be a disposal zone.
  • gas breakout involves the release of entrained gases from the liquid being pumped. This gas breakout can adversely affect the efficiency of the pumping configuration and may also impact the operation and efficiency of the cyclone separator.
  • a method of downhole cyclone separation include the following steps. Firstly, placing a cyclone separator downhole in an oil well producing a mixed stream of oil, water and gas.
  • the cyclone separator includes a separation chamber wherein liquids of differing densities are separated, at least one mixed liquids inlet through which liquids pass into the separation chamber, a first outlet for liquids of a first density range to pass from the separation chamber, and a second outlet for liquids of a second density range to pass from the separation chamber.
  • the method being characterized by the further step of, fourthly, connecting the at least one mixed liquids inlet to pumping means and pumping a mixed stream of oil, water and gas into the separation chamber of the cyclone separator.
  • the mixed stream is separated into a recovery stream of oil with a reduced water content which flows out of the first outlet and along the recovery conduit to the surface and a disposal stream of mainly water which flows out of the second outlet and along the disposal conduit to the selected disposal site.
  • Gas breakout adversely affecting pumping operation occurs due to pressure drop and agitation as the mixed stream passes through the separation chamber of the cyclone separator.
  • Placing pumping means upstream of the cyclone separator, as described above, is a more effective pumping configuration.
  • the pump, being upstream, is isolated from whatever gas breakout may occur as the mixed stream passes through the separation chamber and is separated into the recovery stream and the disposal stream.
  • Pumping fluids through the separator reduces gas breakout, as it increases the pressure of fluids within the separator and forces the gas to remain in solution.
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a first form of pumping configuration in accordance with the described method.
  • FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an enhanced form of pumping configuration in accordance with the described method.
  • FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view in longitudinal section of an apparatus developed for use with the described method.
  • FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of a pumping configuration involving the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view in longitudinal section of a plurality of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 3 connected in series.
  • Cyclone separator 12 includes a separation chamber 16 wherein liquids of differing densities are separated, a mixed liquids inlet 18 through which liquids pass into separation chamber 16, a first outlet 20 for liquids of a first density range to pass from separation chamber 16 and a second outlet 22 for liquids of a second density range to pass from separation chamber 16.
  • first outlet 20 to a recovery conduit 24 extending to surface (not shown) .
  • Second outlet 22 connects second outlet 22 to a disposal conduit 26 extending to a selected disposal site (not shown).
  • the mixed stream is separated in separation chamber 16 into a recovery stream of oil with a reduced water content which flows out of first outlet 20 and along recovery conduit 24 to the surface and a disposal stream of mainly water which flows out of second outlet 22 and along disposal conduit 26 to the selected disposal site.
  • an enhanced pumping configuration in which a backpressure valve 30 is positioned on disposal conduit 26.
  • the use of backpressure valve 30 ensures that there is sufficient pressure maintained to get the disposal stream into an underground disposal formation selected as a disposal site, while at the same time ensuring that the pump and cyclone separator are both operating within their most efficient operating ranges. It also enables a more accurate assessment to be made as to the amount of fluid being pumped into the disposal site.
  • backpressure control means that can be used such as a flow restriction orifice.
  • Backpressure valve 30 is preferred as it prevents a reversal of flow when pump 28 is turned off.
  • Secondary pump 32 is positioned on the recovery conduit 24. Secondary pump 32 is intended to assist in conveying the recovery stream to the surface.
  • the problem of gas breakout previously described, does not adversely affect the operation of secondary pump 32 due to the fact that pump 28 provides sufficient pressure to maintain the majority of the gas in solution.
  • Apparatus 40 includes a multiple cyclone separator housing 42 having an interior cavity 44, an mixed liquids inlet 46, a disposal stream outlet 48 and a recovery stream outlet 50. Although single inlets and outlets are illustrated, it will be appreciated that multiple inlets or outlets into housing 42 could be utilized depending upon the installation environment.
  • a plurality of cyclone separators 12 are disposed in interior cavity 44 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42.
  • each of cyclone separators 12 has a separation chamber 16 wherein liquids of differing densities are separated, a mixed liquids inlet 18 through which liquids pass into separation chamber 16, a first outlet 20 for liquids of a first density range to pass from separation chamber 16, and a second outlet 22 for liquids of a second density range to pass from separation chamber 16.
  • Some means must be used for channelling the various flow streams flowing into mixed liquids inlet 18 and out of first outlet 20 and second outlet 22.
  • the channelling means illustrated in FIGURE 3 is by way of conduits 52 and 54. It should be noted that only two conduit are required as in the illustrated embodiment interior cavity 44 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42 can serve as one of the channelling means.
  • Conduit 52 has been connected as an inlet conduit allowing liquids to pass from mixed liquids inlet 46 in multiple cyclone separator housing 42 to mixed liquids inlets 18 of each of cyclone separators 12.
  • Conduit 54 has been connected as an outlet conduit allowing liquids to pass from first outlet 20 of each of cyclone separators 12 to recovery stream outlet 50 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42.
  • Second outlet 22 of each of cyclone separators 12 discharges directly into interior cavity 44, so that interior cavity 44 serves to connect second outlet 22 of each of cyclone separators 12 with disposal stream outlet 48.
  • multiple cyclone separator housing 42 is placed downhole in an oil well producing a mixed stream of oil, water and gas.
  • recovery stream outlet 50 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42 is connected to recovery conduit 24 extending to surface.
  • disposal stream outlet 48 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42 is connected to disposal conduit 26 extending to a selected disposal site.
  • a mixed stream of oil, water and gas is pumped by means of pump 28 into mixed liquids inlet 46 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42.
  • the mixed stream of oil, water and gas is channelled by inlet conduit 50 to mixed liquid inlets 18 of each of cyclone separators 12, whereupon the oil and water is separated in separation chamber 16 of cyclone separators 12.
  • a recovery stream of oil with a reduced water content passes through first outlet 20 of each of cyclone separators 12 for channelling by outlet conduit 54 to recovery stream outlet 50 in multiple cyclone separator housing 42 for conveyance through recovery conduit 24 to the surface.
  • a disposal stream of water is discharged from second outlet 22 of each of cyclone separators 12 into interior cavity 44 for channelling to disposal stream outlet 48 of multiple cyclone separator housing 42 for disposal through disposal conduit 26 to the selected disposal site.
  • apparatus 40 provides numerous advantages.
  • the flow rate is increased.
  • the pressure drop across each of separators 12 is reduced, which reduces the power requirements and reduces the chance of gas breakout downstream.
  • Multiple cyclone separators 12 provide a redundancy, if any one cyclone separator ceases to function, the remaining cyclone separators can continue to function.
  • a cyclone separator has a separation ratio that the percentage of the fluids flowing through first outlet 20 bears to the entire volume of fluids flowing through separation chamber 16. There is no minimum percentage. This means that in wells with an extremely high water content, the majority of the fluids (ie. the water) can be left downhole. There is however a maximum percentage of approximately 25 percent of the total volume leaving via first outlet 20. At this maximum percentage approximately 75 percent of the fluids are leaving via second outlet 22. This creates a problem with oil wells having a low water content. There is a danger that a portion of the oil can be pumped into the disposal zone along with the water.
  • a plurality of apparatus 40 containing multiple cyclone separators can be connected in series. In this way a sequential reduction in the oil content can occur prior to pumping the disposal stream to the selected disposal site.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Cyclones (AREA)
EP95931870A 1995-06-07 1995-09-27 Verfahren zum zykloneabscheiden im bohrloch Expired - Lifetime EP0830494B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47844095A 1995-06-07 1995-06-07
US478440 1995-06-07
PCT/CA1995/000549 WO1996041065A1 (en) 1995-06-07 1995-09-27 Method for downhole cyclone separation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0830494A1 true EP0830494A1 (de) 1998-03-25
EP0830494B1 EP0830494B1 (de) 2000-03-29

Family

ID=23899947

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95931870A Expired - Lifetime EP0830494B1 (de) 1995-06-07 1995-09-27 Verfahren zum zykloneabscheiden im bohrloch

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0830494B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE191255T1 (de)
AU (1) AU712601B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69516022D1 (de)
DK (1) DK0830494T3 (de)
NO (1) NO975724L (de)
WO (1) WO1996041065A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2262911C (en) * 1996-08-01 2007-10-23 Camco International, Inc. Method and apparatus for the downhole metering and control of fluids produced from wells
US5961841A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-10-05 Camco International Inc. Downhole fluid separation system
GB9816725D0 (en) * 1998-08-01 1998-09-30 Kvaerner Process Systems As Cyclone separator
NO324778B1 (no) * 2002-10-29 2007-12-10 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As System og fremgangsmate for separasjon av fluider.
CN103821494A (zh) * 2014-03-15 2014-05-28 中国石油大学(华东) 配有举升油管式海上用大流量井下油水分离器

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986003143A1 (en) * 1984-11-28 1986-06-05 Noel Carroll Cyclone separator
FR2652610B1 (fr) * 1989-09-29 1992-01-03 Elf Aquitaine Procede de pompage de melange liquide gaz dans un puits d'extraction petrolier et dispositif de mise en óoeuvre du procede.
US4981175A (en) * 1990-01-09 1991-01-01 Conoco Inc Recirculating gas separator for electric submersible pumps
NO924896L (no) * 1992-12-17 1994-06-20 Read Process Engineering As Nede-i-hullet prosess
US5296153A (en) * 1993-02-03 1994-03-22 Peachey Bruce R Method and apparatus for reducing the amount of formation water in oil recovered from an oil well
NO933517L (no) * 1993-10-01 1995-04-03 Anil As Fremgangsmåte ved utvinning av hydrokarboner i et underjordisk reservoar

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9641065A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU712601B2 (en) 1999-11-11
NO975724L (no) 1998-01-29
AU3515895A (en) 1996-12-30
EP0830494B1 (de) 2000-03-29
ATE191255T1 (de) 2000-04-15
DE69516022D1 (de) 2000-05-04
DK0830494T3 (da) 2000-09-04
NO975724D0 (no) 1997-12-05
WO1996041065A1 (en) 1996-12-19

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