WO2002001044A1 - Separateur incline utilise pour separer des fluides de puits - Google Patents

Separateur incline utilise pour separer des fluides de puits Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002001044A1
WO2002001044A1 PCT/NO2001/000253 NO0100253W WO0201044A1 WO 2002001044 A1 WO2002001044 A1 WO 2002001044A1 NO 0100253 W NO0100253 W NO 0100253W WO 0201044 A1 WO0201044 A1 WO 0201044A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
separator
insert tube
separator according
well
fluids
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2001/000253
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Otto Skovholt
Dag ØKLAND
Original Assignee
Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S
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 Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S filed Critical Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S
Priority to AU2001264436A priority Critical patent/AU2001264436A1/en
Publication of WO2002001044A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002001044A1/fr
Priority to NO20025892A priority patent/NO20025892D0/no

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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D17/0211—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with baffles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D17/0214—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with removal of one of the phases

Definitions

  • Inclined separator for separating well fluids.
  • This invention relates to an inclined separator for separating well fluids, in particular water and hydrocarbons, and possibly gas, which comprises an insert tube for well fluids, and at least two outlets for discharge of the separated fluids .
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a separator which can be located on or at the seabed and which does not result in the separator tank itself, but which can use strict requirements for existing equipment for the purpose.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a separator which can be easily provided and which facilitates optimal separation conditions.
  • the present invention thus relates to a separator as described above and which is characterized as stated in claim 1.
  • a separator which can be formed of a suitable wellbore in which the dimensions may be adapted to the task, without taking the production conditions into account, so that it can be designed with optimal flow conditions.
  • the suitable wide well can preferably be dedicated for arrangement of separator as the upper part of a production well.
  • the separator according the invention is made of available piping systems which is sufficiently pressure resistant for withstanding the separator pressure without requiring more expensive supplementary solutions .
  • Figure 1 which shows a longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment of the separator according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 which shows a corresponding longitudinal section with indication of the separation zones.
  • Figure 3 which shows a longitudinal section of an embodiment according to the invention in which it is connected to means for controlling the separation process.
  • Figure 4 which shows a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the separator as a part of a production well.
  • Figure 5A og 5B illustrates the connection between production rate and angle in a separator according to the invention.
  • the separator 11 is shown shaped as an inclined tube or well in which the inlet is made of an insert tube 12 extending from the top of the well to an inlet location approximately in the middle of the well .
  • the location centrally in the separator is not an absolute requirement, but the insert tube preferably extends along at least 20% of the separator, but preferably between 40 and 50% of the same.
  • the insert tube itself can be designed in a number of different ways in order to obtain favourable separation conditions. It can be provided with perforations 18 in various places along its length in order to obtain a slow and an advantageously small mixture of the fluid supplied • with the fluid already present in the separator. In this manner, the separation process will be distributed along a larger length of the separator, so that turbulence in the separation zone is reduced.
  • the perforations are preferably located on the lower and the upper portions of the tube, but may also be located on the complete circumference of the tube.
  • the separator is divided into three zones with regard to illustration, in which the separation itself takes place in zone 1.
  • the flow conditions usually are turbulent when the water and oil are separated and move in opposite directions.
  • the insert tube as mentioned above is provided with perforations so that the fluids can be gradually separated already in the insert tube. The oil will for this reason leak from the insert tube and be moved upwardly to an earlier stage and reduce the momentum of fluids which otherwise would be washed out of the end of the insert tube.
  • the separation zone 1 the transition between oil- containing water and water-containing oil will be unclear and be dependent on various conditions such as for example flow rates.
  • the light-weight fluids usually oil
  • the heavy-weight, ususally water will sink toward the lower portion of the separator.
  • the separator As the separator is tilted, the fluids will move out from the separation zone. Should the velocity of the fluids be too large, the fluid flow in both directions will draw along droplets and particles of undesired types, so that oil flows will draw some droplets and particles of water. In order to avoid this and let the separation become as complete as possible, the fluid flow from the separation zone should for this reason be slow. For this reason, there will be a consideration between production rate and purity of the extracted fluids.
  • the separation has essentially been undertaken, and extraction of the fluids can be made.
  • the length and the dimensions in these zones are less critical and can be adapted to the situation. However, they should be of a certain length and have steady flow so that any possible remains of unseparated fluid can be separated and flow in the opposite direction to the main flow, so that for example water droplets in the oil flow fall down towards the bottom of the separator and form a flow down to the separator zone 1. If the flow velocity in these zones is too high, the water droplets will be driven along with the flow, so that the separation will become poorer. This leads to a consideration between the desired production rate and the degree of separation.
  • the perforations 18 are arranged in the separation zone 1 and are not located higher than the level at which the well flow already has generally started to separate. Moreover, the perforations should not extend further down than the length of the separation zone. As mentioned above, the perforations have the purpose of dampening the flow velocity and the turbulence in the separation zone. From an ideal point of view, the fluids which flow from the insert tube in the lower end, or possibly from the upper end if the insert tube guides fluids in from below, should not have an essentially greater velocity than the separated fluids which have the same movement direction as the fluid supplied. w ) M to ⁇ > H
  • the control unit is connected with two sensors 20,21 for measuring the fluid content below and above the separation zone 19. If the sensor upper 21 measures a water content which exceeds a predetermined limit, an indication is given to the valves 16,17 which regulate the flow rates out of the separator.
  • the separation zone 19 can be lowered by reducing the flow rate through the upper valve 16 and/or by increasing the flow rate through the lower valve 17. The choices here will be determined by production conditions and the amount of flow rate which can be accepted through the separator in order to obtain sufficiently purity of the fluids being separated.
  • the control unit can be designed as a very simple battery operated mechanism which can be arranged at the seabed independent on continuous contact with other parts of the pipe systems.
  • the control unit and the separator can provide a passive purification of the fluid flow within certain variations in the content of the fluid flow.
  • the lower valve 17, which then will be difficult of access can be a robust valve with relatively coarse settings, while the upper valve 16 takes care of the fine adjustments of the flow rates.
  • guide means or similar may be provided along at least parts of the longitudinal direction of the separator.
  • the lower outlet 10 can be a drainage directly into a formation which is suitable for receiving water.
  • Such formations may be of different kinds, such as water-filled reservoirs or water- or hydrocarbon reservoirs which has been drained in part or completely.
  • a particular tube may be used which is connected to the lower end of the separator for retrieving the heavy fraction through the upper end. This tube may extend upwardly within the separator or be arranged on the outside of the same.
  • the separator volume preferably has a diameter which exceeds 12", and should generally be as large as possible, but within the practical limits which is set by the arrangement of the separator by means of for example a drilling vessel.
  • the length may vary, but will be essentially larger than the diameter, typically larger than 20m and possibly preferably as long as that the lower end gives direct discharge into a deeposit area, such as described above, for discharge of produced water.
  • the separator may further have an inclined angle in the area of 1-15° in relation to the horizontal. The angle will depend on the length, as the most important in this connection is to have a difference in altitude between the lower and the upper end of the separator, so that sufficiently well separation is obtained.
  • Figures 5A og 5B illustrate the production rate R for a separator according to the invention in relation to the angle V relative to the horisontal plane. As appears, the production rate increases strongly at smaller angles for a maximum of at least 10°. However, here it should be noted that the measurements in these diagrams have been made on separator tubes having a length of 6 metres, which is far less than that which will typically be in use. It is considered likely that a longer separator having the same difference in altitude between the upper and lower valve will have calmer flow conditions due to the smaller angle, and thus also improve the separation, and possibly the production rate.
  • Figure 5A further illustrates the separation differences depending on the properties of the insert tube, in which the graph T3 shows the separation using an insert tube having 4 apertures on the top side with a diameter of ca. 1/3 of the thickness of the insert tube.
  • T6 shows the effect of apertures both on the top side and the underside of the insert tube having the same diameter.
  • Figure 5B further illustrates the difference of the rate in relation to the water cut in the mixture to be separated. As appears, the separation is poorest (see W 50 ) when the water cut is 50%, while water cuts of 20% and 80% give better separation rate. Maximum separation in figure 5B is achieved at an angle of approximately 15°. As mentioned above, this top would probably be shifted to lower angles by using longer separators.
  • the dimensions and the angle of the separator will depend on the local conditions, such as water fraction, flow conditions and similar.
  • the cross section of the insert tube may be as large as the annulus outside.
  • cases are likely in which the angle varies throughout the separator, for example if it forms a part of a well, such as in figure 4, or a part of a tube which follows the seabed.
  • the different parts of the separator can be formed of known elements per se, so that valve types and tube types beyond those described above are not essential for the invention and may vary depending on use and availability.
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the separator 1 is formed of the annulus around a production tube 40 in a well.
  • the perforated area 18, which length is strongly understated for illustration reasons, enables a separation of the light-weight fluids from the top of the production tube. These fluids flows further upwardly and can, according to a chosen length which among other things will depend on the desired degree of separation, be transported back to the production tube through another perforation and be further conveyed up to the surface.
  • the annulus is delimited by packings 44 for defining a finite separation volume and preventing intrusion of other fluids along the production tube.
  • the separated water in figure 4 is carried from the annular space down into a well branch 45 which for example can lead to a suitable formation via an outlet tube 46.
  • the outlet tube 46 is in the figure connected to the production tube, but is sealed with a packing 43 for preventing penetration of the produced fluids. Under the of the packing 43, the tube 46 is perforated in order to permit entry of separated water and further is provided with a pump or valve 41 for pumping or permitting entry of the separated water down into the predetermined geological formation.
  • the separator according to the invention can be embodied by wells which is drilled into the earth, and by tubes or equivalent mounted on or at the seabed. It is clear that the solution also could be used aboard vessels, drilling platforms and similar. For some installations of such types, e.g., offshore platforms, the support structure may extend deep into the sea, in some cases to the sea bed, wich enables installation of very long tubes in connection with such. For such uses, tubes suitable for use at high pressure could be used, e.g., of the same type which is used for gas transfer at the sea bed.
  • Another embodiment of the invention may comprise a number of separators arranged in parallel, so that the total separation rate is increased, or possibly so that a gradual separation can be obtained through a series of separators.
  • This can for example be a solution of interest in cases wherein the separators form an integrated part of a pipeline from a subsea installation to an onshore installaton.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Cyclones (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un séparateur incliné utilisé pour séparer des fluides de puits, notamment de l'eau et des hydrocarbures, éventuellement du gaz. Le séparateur comprend au moins une entrée comportant des tuyaux rapportés destinés aux fluides de puits et au moins deux sorties prévues pour évacuer les liquides séparés. Le séparateur comprend des tuyaux rapportés qui, depuis une des extrémités du séparateur, s'étendent jusqu'à un endroit d'entrée situé au centre dans le sens longitudinal du séparateur, une première sortie située à l'extrémité supérieure du séparateur prévue pour évacuer la fraction légère des fluides de puits et une deuxième sortie située à l'extrémité inférieure du séparateur qui est prévue pour évacuer la fraction lourde du séparateur.
PCT/NO2001/000253 2000-06-22 2001-06-15 Separateur incline utilise pour separer des fluides de puits WO2002001044A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001264436A AU2001264436A1 (en) 2000-06-22 2001-06-15 Inclined separator for separating well fluids
NO20025892A NO20025892D0 (no) 2000-06-22 2002-12-09 Separator

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20003291A NO20003291D0 (no) 2000-06-22 2000-06-22 Separator
NO20003291 2000-06-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002001044A1 true WO2002001044A1 (fr) 2002-01-03

Family

ID=19911298

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2001/000253 WO2002001044A1 (fr) 2000-06-22 2001-06-15 Separateur incline utilise pour separer des fluides de puits

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001264436A1 (fr)
NO (1) NO20003291D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002001044A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003062597A1 (fr) * 2002-01-22 2003-07-31 Kværner Oilfield Products As Dispositif et procede destines a la separation a contre-courant de fluides d'un puits de forage
GB2420132A (en) * 2004-11-15 2006-05-17 Schlumberger Holdings An inclined fluid separation system
WO2012040339A1 (fr) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-29 Bp Corporation North America Inc. Dispositif d'échantillonnage d'eau à faible coupure
WO2014096330A1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Cappelen Skovholt As Séparateur tubulaire incliné pour séparer les substances hydrocarbonées provenant de puits de pétrole
US20180154282A1 (en) * 2016-12-06 2018-06-07 Fluidsep As Method and device for separation of liquids and gas with use of inclined and rounded holes or channels in the wall of a pipe
NO20180538A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-06-11 Seabed Separation As Method for control of and inner tube of inclined tubular separator

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2986215A (en) * 1958-09-23 1961-05-30 Shell Oil Co Salt water disposal system
US3893918A (en) * 1971-11-22 1975-07-08 Engineering Specialties Inc Method for separating material leaving a well
DE3929044A1 (de) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-14 Stephan Dipl Ing Winkelhorst Oelabscheider
US5443120A (en) * 1994-08-25 1995-08-22 Mobil Oil Corporation Method for improving productivity of a well

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2986215A (en) * 1958-09-23 1961-05-30 Shell Oil Co Salt water disposal system
US3893918A (en) * 1971-11-22 1975-07-08 Engineering Specialties Inc Method for separating material leaving a well
DE3929044A1 (de) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-14 Stephan Dipl Ing Winkelhorst Oelabscheider
US5443120A (en) * 1994-08-25 1995-08-22 Mobil Oil Corporation Method for improving productivity of a well

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003062597A1 (fr) * 2002-01-22 2003-07-31 Kværner Oilfield Products As Dispositif et procede destines a la separation a contre-courant de fluides d'un puits de forage
GB2420132A (en) * 2004-11-15 2006-05-17 Schlumberger Holdings An inclined fluid separation system
GB2420132B (en) * 2004-11-15 2006-09-13 Schlumberger Holdings System and method for controlling sump flow in a pipeline
US8002121B2 (en) 2004-11-15 2011-08-23 Schlumberger Technology Corporation In-line flow separation of fluids in a pipe separator
US8414781B2 (en) 2004-11-15 2013-04-09 Schlumberger Technology Corporation In-line flow separation of fluids in a pipe separator
WO2012040339A1 (fr) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-29 Bp Corporation North America Inc. Dispositif d'échantillonnage d'eau à faible coupure
GB2523524A (en) * 2012-12-21 2015-08-26 Seabed Separation As Inclined tubular separator for separating oil well substances
WO2014096356A1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Cappelen Skovholt As Procédé de séparation des substances mélangées formant les fluides provenant de puits de pétrole
WO2014096330A1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Cappelen Skovholt As Séparateur tubulaire incliné pour séparer les substances hydrocarbonées provenant de puits de pétrole
GB2523523A (en) * 2012-12-21 2015-08-26 Seabed Separation As Method for separating substances mixed in fluids from oil wells
US9724623B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2017-08-08 Seabed Separation As Inclined tubular separator for separating oil well substances
US9827509B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2017-11-28 Seabed Separation As Method for separating substances mixed in fluids from oil wells
US20180154282A1 (en) * 2016-12-06 2018-06-07 Fluidsep As Method and device for separation of liquids and gas with use of inclined and rounded holes or channels in the wall of a pipe
US10583373B2 (en) * 2016-12-06 2020-03-10 Fluidsep As Method and device for separation of liquids and gas with use of inclined and rounded holes or channels in the wall of a pipe
NO20180538A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-06-11 Seabed Separation As Method for control of and inner tube of inclined tubular separator
NO343799B1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-06-11 Seabed Separation As Method for control of and inner tube of inclined tubular separator
WO2019203657A1 (fr) * 2018-04-20 2019-10-24 Seabed Separation As Procédé de commande d'un tube intérieur d'un séparateur d'huile et d'eau tubulaire incliné
US11236600B2 (en) 2018-04-20 2022-02-01 Seabed Separation As Method for control of an inner tube of an inclined tubular oil and water separator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20003291D0 (no) 2000-06-22
AU2001264436A1 (en) 2002-01-08

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