This disclosure generally relates to conducting fluids. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus, system and method for conducting fluids with thermally insulated conduits (TICs).
Conducting fluids through a thermally-insulated conduit (TIC) within an underground wellbore, pipeline or an above-ground pipe is becoming more demanding, while providing specific benefits. Non-limiting examples of wellbore processes that benefit from TICs include, but are not limited to: various oil-and-gas processes, such as cyclic steam stimulation, steam flooding, steam assisted gravity drainage; geothermal processes; under surface and above-surface transport of fluids and the like. The TICs may provide various benefits, such as increased energy efficiency, isolating hot fluids from cold fluids or operational components, insulating thermally-sensitive environments from cold or hot fluids, and insulating fluids from cold or hot environments.
Wellbores, conduit, pipelines and the processes operated therein present a number of challenges, such as high fluid pressures, high temperatures and corrosive chemicals, to name a few. As such, implementing a layer of thermal insulation about a wellbore conduit, which are typically made of steel that is conducting high pressure and high temperature fluids, is difficult. For example, the common approach for providing thermal insulation on above-ground conduits, such as external wraps of typical insulation materials, are too fragile and difficult to handle for use in a wellbore. Furthermore, the known external wraps of typical insulation materials are not suitable for use threaded connections within a confined wellbore, with threaded connections being the most common method of connecting conduits in a string of conduits and implementing them into a desired depth of a wellbore (often times hundreds to thousands of meters).
One known approach for providing a TICs within a wellbore is to deploy two, concentrically arranged steel tubes that are welded together, or otherwise closed, at both ends to create an internal annular space and then creating a vacuum within that internal annular space to make a vacuum-insulated conduit, also referred to as vacuum-insulated tubing (VIT). The vacuum-insulated conduit uses an inner steel tube through which a fluid is conducted and an outer steel tube. The tubes are made of steel (or other similar mechanical strength materials) so that the tubes can withstand the torque that is applied to threadably connect the tubes together to form a tubing string and so that the tubing string can withstand the linear force required to deploy the tubing string down into a desired depth of the wellbore, such as thousands of feet from surface. Vacuum-insulated conduits are used to provide thermally insulated flow-paths for conducting fluids through an oil-and-gas well or a geothermal well. The distances that such fluids are required to be conducted require typically hundreds of individual lengths of vacuum-insulated conduit to be connected, endwise to each other. Many known vacuum-insulated tubes have connectors, such as threaded connectors, at each end and there is no internal annular space or vacuum at the ends. Therefore, at least some portions of vacuum-insulated conduits are without the vacuum and about 90% thermal conduction (either heat loss or gain) can occur across the walls of the conduit at the connection points. Additionally, if the vacuum within the internal annular space is lost, which occurs for various reasons, there may be an increase in thermal conductivity across the walls of the (non) vacuum-insulated section. Furthermore, the inner conduit and outer conduit are often made by welding and connecting the steel tubing suitable for the pressures, temperatures and chemicals of a wellbore environment. Vacuum-insulated conduits have to be manufactured within strict specifications and with significantly more materials per length, accordingly, vacuum-insulated conduits are much more expensive than a standard, non-insulated conduits.
It is also known to deploy some form of insulation material, such as thick mineral wool blankets or fiberglass, by wrapping those materials around a metal conduit. But those applications are labor intensive when deployed on remote field sites, and the known materials are fragile and easily absorb water if exposed to the elements or if deployed on an underground system of conduit.
As such, it may be desirable to provide new approaches for TICs, systems and methods that address some of the shortcomings of known solutions for conducting fluids through conduits with thermal insulation.
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a thermally-insulated conduit (TIC) for conducting fluids from a first location to a second location. The TIC may comprise a first length of a metal conduit that is operatively coupled to at least a first layer of thermal insulation material (TIM). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least first layer of TIM may be positioned within the TIC. In some embodiments of the present disclosure the at least first layer of TIM may be positioned about the TIC. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least first layer of TIM may be two layers of TIM, a first layer of TIM and a second layer of TIM. The first and second layers of TIM may be made of the same materials, or not. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC further comprises a third layer of TIM, which may be made of the same materials as the first layer of TIM, the second layer of TIM, both the first layer and second layer of TIM, or the third layer of TIM may be made of a different material.
The at least first layer of TIM is operatively coupled to the TIC so that fluids within the TIC are thermally isolated from the environment in which the TIC is positioned. For example, the first location may be positioned underground and multiple TICs may be endwise coupled to conduct fluids from the first location to a second location. As the fluids are conducted from the first location to the second location, within a string of endwise connected TIMs, the temperature of the fluids is maintained substantially the same or there is a predetermined amount of heat transfer that occurs—either heat transfer into the conducted fluids or out of the conducted fluids. Heat transfer into the conducted fluids may occur when the temperature of the environment about the string of TICs is higher than the conducted fluids. Heat transfer out of the conducted fluids may occur when the temperature of the conducted fluids is higher than the environment about the string of TICs.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first location is underground and the second location is above ground. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first location and the second location are both underground. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first location and the second location are both above ground.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises a first layer of TIM that is operatively coupled to an inner surface of the TIC.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises a first layer of TIM and a second layer of TIM, both of which are operatively to an inner surface of a metal conduit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises a first layer of TIM, a second layer of TIM and a third layer of TIM, where all three layers of TIM are operatively coupled to an outer surface of metal conduit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises a first layer of TIM that is operatively coupled to an inner surface of a metal conduit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises a first layer of TIM and a second layer of TIM, both of which are operatively coupled to an inner surface of a metal conduit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises: an intermediate insulation conduit that is made of a first TIM; an outer insulation conduit that is spaced from the inner insulation tubing for defining an annular gap therebetween, wherein the outer layer is made of a second TIM; and a layer of a third TIM that is positioned within the annular gap between the intermediate insulation conduit and the outer insulation tubing, wherein the third TIM has greater insulation properties than the first and second thermal insulation material.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC comprises an inner conduit with a treated external surface; a layer of a TIM that is positioned about a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit; and an outer insulation conduit that is adjacent the TIM, wherein the outer insulation conduit is made of a second TIM; wherein the TIM has greater insulation properties than the second thermal insulation material.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of making a TIC, the method comprises the steps of: receiving an inner layer of insulation pipe; securing a connector to one end of the inner layer of insulation pipe; positioning a second layer of a further insulation material about the inner layer; positioning an outer layer of insulation pipe about the further thermal insulation material; and, coupling, with a threaded plug and a connector, the inner layer, the further thermal insulation material and the outer layer together at one end to reinforce the thermally insulated conduit.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of making a thermally insulated conduit, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a metal conduit; positioning at least one layer of TIM about a longitudinal axis of the metal conduit, either to an inner or outer surface of the metal conduit; securing a connector to one end of the conduit for operatively coupling the at least one layer of TIM to the metal conduit. Optionally, a second layer of TIM may be positioned spaced apart from the first layer so as to define a gap therebetween. Optionally, the gap may be at least partially filled with a second TIM, an inert gas or a vacuum may be formed therein.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of deploying (which may also be referred to as installing) a string of TICs within a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a downhole tool connection assembly, wherein the connection assembly may be pre-installed with about or within a first-length metal conduit; connecting a second-length metal conduit to the first length metal conduit, wherein the second-length metal conduit is longer than the first-length metal conduit; positioning a TICs about or within the second-length metal conduit, along the longitudinal axis the second-length metal conduit, by sliding the TICs over the second-length metal conduit down to be positioned about the first-length metal conduit; securing the TICs in place to at least a portion of the first-length metal conduit and at least a portion of the second-length metal conduit; advancing the downhole tool connection assembly and the connected conduits into a well; and repeating the steps of connecting a full-length metal conduit to the upper end of an already deployed/installed metal conduit and position a next length of TICs over the connected but uncovered metal conduits and the steps of securing the TICs.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of deploying a string of TICs for conducting fluids within a well. The method comprises the steps of: securing a production conduit to a downhole assembly to provide fluid communication between an inner bore of the production conduit and the fluid outputs of the downhole tool; deploying a first TIC within the production conduit; coupling a second TIC conduit to the first TIC and rotating at least one of the first TIC or the second TIC to threadably engage the two conduits together. Optionally, the method may further include a step of establishing a vacuum or injecting inert gas within the each length of TICs after the step of connecting and securing and prior to advancing the string of conduits into the well.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a TIC comprising: a metal conduit with a treated external surface; a layer of a TIM that is positioned about a longitudinal axis of the inner conduit; and an outer insulation conduit that is adjacent the thermal insulation material, wherein the outer insulation conduit is made of a second thermal insulation material; wherein the thermal insulation material has greater insulation properties than the second thermal insulation material.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC may further comprise a conduit connector positioned at one end thereof for operatively coupling the at least one layer of TIM to the metal conduit. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a conduit connector is positioned at both ends of the TICs. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the conduit connector comprises: a first connector for connecting one layer of TIM to the conduit connector; a second connector for connecting another layer of TIM to the conduit connector; one or more screws for externally connecting the one layer of TIM and the other layer of TIM to the conduit connector. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the conduit connectors may be an o-ring.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure further comprise one or more strip clips positioned about an external surface of an outer layer of TIM or the conduit connector for further securing the operative coupling of the conduit connector, the at least one layer of TIM and the metal conduit together.
Without being bound by any particular theory, the further thermal insulation material within the TICs may have the ability to expand about 70% to about 600% of its unexpanded dimensions and, therefore, the TICs can withstand any thermal expansion and thermal contraction of the metal conduit. The stress caused by thermal expansion of the metal conduit could be a percentage of that observed in conventional vacuum-insulated conduit. Furthermore, with specific welding or double threaded metal pipes the wall thickness of both thermal insulation conduit and the metal conduit can be reduced from the wall thickness of conventional double metal wall vacuum insulation conduit, therefore, saving space in the wellbore.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of deploying a string of TICs within a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of: securing a production conduit to a downhole assembly for establishing fluid communication between an inner bore of the production conduit and the fluid outputs of the downhole tool; deploying a string of intermediate TICs—that includes an internal or external string of metal conduits—within the production conduit and operatively coupling the string of TICs with an exhaust fluid output of the downhole tool. The method further comprises a step of deploying a string of TICs—that also include an internal or external string of metal conduits—within the string of intermediate TICs and operatively coupling the internal string of TICs with a power fluid intake of the downhole pump. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the intermediate string of conduits may be operatively coupled to the power intake of the downhole pump and the internal string of TICs may be operatively coupled to the exhaust fluid output of the downhole tool.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the full-length thermally insulated conduit to threadably engage the two conduits together; advancing thermally-insulated layers of the thermally insulated conduit downhole to cover the first inner conduit; rotating one after another the intermediate conduits including both the metal conduit and the insulation conduit; coupling a second full-length thermally insulated conduit to the first intermediate conduit by an internal retainer mechanism; connecting the thermally-insulated layers to the first inner conduit by the conduit connector; applying external connectors at the location of the conduit connector; and pushing the string of threadably engaged conduits downhole with the internal retaining mechanism.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also be preassembled by operatively coupling the at least first layer of TIM with a given length of metal conduit. This preassembly would save deployment time at remote sites and allow stronger and more durable TIMS to be deployed.
Without being bound by any particular theory, the embodiments of the present disclosure may address some of the known shortcomings of known vacuum-insulated conduits. The embodiments of the present disclosure reduce undesired thermal energy transmission by coupling any thermally conductive materials with TIMs, including over any connection portions. In the event the embodiments of the present disclosure lose vacuum or any inert gas therein, the TIMs including an internal annular gap, or not, the TIMs will continue to provide thermal insulation properties. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure will provide enhanced thermal insulation properties at a much lower cost with much easier manufacturing requirement, as compared to known vacuum-insulated conduits with the strictest welding and quality control requirements.
Without being bound by any particular theory, the embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a substantial increase in thermal insulation properties over the known approaches. For example, when employed two layers of TIMs may provide about 98% thermal insulation, as compared to the bare walls of a metal conduit alone. The use of further highly-efficient TIMs within the annular gap defined by the two layers of TIMs may provide a further 10 times higher efficiency of thermal insulation than the two layers of TIMs alone. As a whole, the TIMs of the present disclosure may provide about 0.2% (or less) of thermal conduction across the walls of the metal conduits that conduct fluids therethrough.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings.
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a TICs, a system that uses the TICs, methods of making TICs and methods of installing such systems.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by reference to
As shown in the middle, zoomed-in oval section of
As shown in
As shown in the upper oval zoomed in sections of
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, such as the non-limiting example depicted in
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gap 602C may be at least partially filled, substantially filled or completely filled by a further or second layer of TIM 602 for preventing transfer of some, substantially most or all thermal energy across the gap 602C. Because the assembly of the TIC 600 defines a fluid tight gap 602C—by the metal conduit 604, the first layer of TIM 601, the sealing element 702, positioned at the flanged end 601J and the sealing elements seals 608 within the overlap assembly, the further second layer of TIM 602 may be made of material that is more fragile than the first layer 601 but with superior thermal insulation properties. For example, the second layer of TIM 602 may made of materials that include but are not limited to: an aerogel, cotton wool, cotton wool insulation, felt insulation, sheep wool, silica gel, styrofoam, urethane foam, wool felt or any combination thereof. The further TIM 602 may be wrapped with aluminum foil or gridding cloth, injected, blown or otherwise positioned within the gap 602C. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further TIM 602 may be a different material than the TIMs that the first layer 601 is made of, or not. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further TIM 602 has a higher thermal insulation rating than the first layer 601. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further thermal TIM 602 is at least twice, five times or ten times better at preventing conduction of thermal energy therethrough as compared to the materials of the first layer 601.
As shown in the upper and lower, oval zoomed in sections of
As shown in
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sealing element 702 may be a donut packing within the conduit connector 701 that is assembled with the sealing element 608 within in the overlap 610 area. The sealing element 701 may be packed off and compressed—for example when two TICs are threadably engaged with the conduit connection 702—to make a fluid tight seal at both the first and second ends of the first layer 601, which may be driven by the flange end 601J at both ends between the two metal conduits 604 as they are threadably connected to the connector 701.
The multiple O-rings could be arranged in the overlap 610 area achieve more reliable seals.
TIC 600 and TIC 650 have many of the same structural features, with one difference being that the TIC 650 does not define the gap 602C and, therefore, TIC 650 does not include the further TIM 602. As such, TIC 600 may have superior thermal insulation properties, as compared to TIC 650.
The TIC 600, the TIC 650 and the TIC 675 have many of the same structural features, with one difference being that the TIC 675 has the at least one layer of TIM 601 positioned on an external surface 604B of the metal conduit 604. As shown in the non-limiting example depicted in the middle oval section of
As shown in the non-limiting example depicted in the oval section of
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer surface 604B of the TIC 600 and the TIC 650 may be treated (by polishing or otherwise) in order to facilitate directly applying the TIM thereupon. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the external surface 604B of the metal conduit 604 may be treated in order to facilitate directly applying the TIM thereupon. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first layer of TIM 601 may be pre-formed into a conduit-shape of a dimension that forms a tight fit with the external surface 604B, whether treated or not. The pre-formed conduit-shape may be constructed in a manner that defines the gap 602C already. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first layer of TIM 601 may be wrapped about the longitudinal axis of the metal conduit 604 to form the first layer and to form the shoulder 601F. When at least the first layer of TIM 601 is positioned upon the external surface 605B, this assembly of the TIC can be further compressed and secured by sealing members 702 and the shoulder 601F when the metal conduit 604 is threadably connected with the conduit connector 701.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the outer housing 301, the threaded connector member 202A and the overshoot connector 206 are made, at least partially, of one or more TIMs. The one or more thermal insulator materials prevent transfer of some, substantially most or all thermal energy between inside the TIC and outside the TIC, or vice versa. Examples of suitable thermal insulator materials include, but are not limited to: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), calcium silicate, aerogels, cotton wool, cotton wool insulation, felt insulation, fiberglass, formed plastic, polystyrene, sheep wool, silica gel, styrofoam, urethane foam, wool felt or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the rigidity of the one or more thermal insulator materials may be reinforced by a resin, glue or other fluid that can be dried or cured to maintain a desired shape and dimension.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a recess 204A is defined by the internal surface of the threaded connector 202A and the overlapped shoulders 202C houses two seals 204 and an o-ring seal 205. The recess 204A is configured to receive a shoulder that is defined by the external surface of the downhole tool 805 for sealingly connecting the connection assembly 200 and the downhole tool 805.
When connected to the first section of the inner conduit 201, an upper section of the inner surface of the outer housing 301 may be spaced from a portion of the external surface of the inner conduit 201 to define a gap 301A therebetween. The gap 301A may be configured to receive an intermediate layer of the TICs, as described further below. The outer housing 301 also defines an access port 307A that communicates with the gap 301A. The access port 307 is releasably closeable by a cap 307, for example by way of a threaded connection, friction fit connection, snap fit connection and the like.
The upper section of the inner surface of the outer housing 301 may also define a gland for housing a seal or o-ring 304 that sealingly engages with the intermediate layer of the TICs. An upper section of the external surface of the outer housing 301 may define one or more glands for housing a seal or o-ring 305 that sealingly engage an outer layer of the TICs.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TIC 400 further comprises an outer layer 401, an intermediate layer 403 and a layer of further TIMs 402. The outer layer 401 is made of one or more TIMs that prevent transfer of some, substantially most or all thermal energy between inside the TIC and outside the TIC or vice versa. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), calcium silicate, cotton wool, cotton wool insulation, felt insulation, fiberglass, formed plastic, polystyrene, sheep wool, silica gel, styrofoam, urethane foam, wool felt and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the rigidity of the one or more thermal insulator materials may be reinforced by a resin, glue or other fluid that can be dried or cured to maintain a desired shape and dimensions. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the materials that the outer layer 401 is made of have one or more of the following properties: a high temperature rating, inert and easily manipulated into desired shapes and dimensions.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer layer 401 is spaced from the internal string of metal conduits (such as first section 201 and further sections 404) to define a gap 402C (see
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TICs may further comprise an intermediate layer 403 that is supported upon the section 201 or 404, as the case may be. For example, the intermediate layer 403 may be a sleeve or wrap that is positioned about and supported by the inner conduit 201, with little to no gap therebetween. The intermediate layer 403 may be made of one or more thermal insulator materials that prevent transfer of some, substantially most or all thermal energy between inside the TIC and outside the TIC, or vice versa. For example, the intermediate layer 403 may be made of the same materials as the outer layer 401, or not. In these embodiments, the external surface of the intermediate layer 403 and the inner surface of the outer layer 401 define the gap 402C. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the intermediate layer 403 is provided in the form of a tube that is connectible to the conduit connector 501 (as described further below) and the outer layer 401. In this arrangement, the layers 401, 403 and the conduit connector 501 define the gap 402 C for receiving and retaining the layer 402 of further thermal insulation material, in conjunction with the ring nut 405.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gap 402C may be at least partially filled, substantially filled or completely filled by a further TIM 402 that prevent transfer of some, substantially most or all thermal energy across the gap 402C. For example, the further TIM 402 may be porous or not. The further TIM 402 may be: aerogel, calcium silicate, cotton wool, cotton wool insulation, felt insulation, fiberglass, formed plastic, polystyrene, sheep wool, silica gel, styrofoam, urethane foam, wool felt or any combinations thereof. The further TIM 402 may be wrapped, injected, blown or otherwise positioned within the gap 402C. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further TIM 402 may be a different material than the materials that the intermediate layer 403 and the outer layer are made of, or not. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further TIM 402 has a higher thermal insulation rating. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the further thermal insulation material 402 is at least twice, five times or ten times better at preventing conduction of thermal energy therethrough as compared to the materials of the layers 401, 403.
In the right hand panel of
As shown in
The connector 501 may define an access port 507A that is in fluid communication with a gap 507B that is defined between the internal surface of the connector 501 and the outer surface of the inner conduit 201 or the intermediate layer 403, as the case may be. The access port 507A is releasably closeably by a cap 507. As shown in
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the distance between the first section 1100 and the fifth section 1500 of the system 1000 can vary from deployment to deployment. As such, the system 1000 can utilize any number of endwise connected TICs to span that distance. Where two TICs are connected to each other by way of mated connections defined by the inner conduit 201 or 404, such as box and pin threaded connectors, by way of the connectors 501 being positioned between the two conduits 400 or both the mated connections and the conduit connectors 501. Generally speaking there are two exceptions to this, the first TICs 400 used in the first section 1100 to operatively couple to the downhole tool 805 is connected at the lower end by the connection assembly 200 as described herein above. The second exception is the last TICs 400 that is used in section 1400 to connect the system 1000 to a surface borne apparatus, such as a wellhead. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the TIC 400 may also be any of TIC 600, 650 or 675 within the system 1000.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first section of the inner conduit 201 and/or the final section 704 are different from the further sections 404 of the internal string of metal conduits, in that the external surface of the sections 201 and 704 are treated (by polishing or otherwise) in order to permit directly wrapping the further thermal insulation material thereupon and there is no intermediate layer employed.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method 2000 of making a thermally insulated conduit (see
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method 3000 of deploying (which may also be referred to as installing) a string of TICs for conducting fluids within a well. The method 3000 comprises the steps of: receiving 3002 a downhole tool connection assembly, wherein the connection assembly may be pre-installed with about a half-length metal conduit (i.e. the half-length conduit is connected to the connection assembly). The half-length metal conduit may be handled and positioned above (or partially within) the well by standard well site and rig equipment, such as power tongs. Next, the method 3000 of deploying includes a step of connecting 3004 a first section of full-length metal conduit (i.e. about twice as long as the half-length metal conduit that is connected with downhole tool connection assembly) to the half-length metal conduit. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the relative lengths of the first metal conduit that is coupled to the connection assembly and the next conduit to which it is connected need not be in a ratio of 1:2. Again, standard well and rig equipment can be used to handle, position and connect (by rotating either or both of the half-length metal conduit and the full-length metal conduit) at the rig floor. The result of this connecting 3004 step is a metal conduit of about 1 and a half lengths of bare metal conduit that are connected to the downhole tool assembly. The deploying method 3000 further includes a step of positioning 3006 a TICs about the full-length metal conduit, along the longitudinal axis the full-length metal conduit, by sliding the TICs over the full-length metal conduit down to be positioned about the half-length metal conduit. The TICs is operatively connectible to the downhole tool connection assembly, for example by way of a threaded connection. Following the positioning 3006 step, the entire half-length metal conduit and half of the full-length metal conduit will be covered by the TICs. The deploying method 3000 further includes a step 3008 of securing the TICs in place, for example by installing clamps where the TICs connects to the downhole tool connection assembly. Now a first section of TICs has been securely anchored to the half-length metal conduit and half of the full-length metal conduit and locked in position. The string of conduits is then advanced into the well to permit adding 3010 a next metal conduit and TICs. The deploying method 3000 then relies upon repeating 3011 steps of connecting a full-length metal conduit to the upper end of an already deployed/installed metal conduit and sliding 3012 a next length of TICs over the connected but uncovered metal conduits and connecting and securing 3014 the TICs in place via the connector and clamps. The steps may be repeated numerous times to deploy a string of metal conduit that is covered by a TICs that reaches a downhole tool, for example a downhole pump, at a desired depth within the well. When the desired depth is reached, the downhole end of the string of conduits can be operatively coupled to the downhole tool. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the desired depth within the well is reached, the top end of the string of conduits will then be operatively connectible with the wellhead at surface, either with a final (or last) TICs, or not. Optionally, a step of establishing a vacuum within the each length of TICs after the step of connecting and securing and prior to advancing the string of conduits into the well.
Without being bound by any particular theory, the further thermal insulation material within the TICs may have the ability to expand about 70% to about 600% it normal dimensions with a strength decrease of only about 10%. As such, the TICs can withstand the expansion and contraction of the internal metal conduit. The stress caused by thermal expansion of the metal conduit could be about less than 1% than of observed in conventional vacuum-insulated conduit. Furthermore, with further welding or double threaded metal pipes, the wall thickness of the TICs and the metal conduit can be reduced from the wall thickness of conventional vacuum-insulated conduits, therefore saving space within the wellbore.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of deploying a string of TICs within a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of: securing a production conduit to a downhole assembly for establishing fluid communication between an inner bore of the production conduit and the fluid outputs of the downhole tool; deploying a string of intermediate TICs—that includes an internal string of metal conduits—within the production conduit and operatively coupling the string of TICs with an exhaust fluid output of the downhole tool. The method further comprises a step of deploying an internal string of TICs—that also include an internal string of metal conduits—within the string of intermediate TICs and operatively coupling the internal string of TICs with a power fluid intake of the downhole pump. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the intermediate string of conduits may be operatively coupled to the power intake of the downhole pump and the internal string of TICs may be operatively coupled to the exhaust fluid output of the downhole tool.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various embodiments of the TIC described herein may further include various connectors and/or sealing elements in order to ensure that the internal-fluid path is defined by a suitably connected string of conduits with the appropriate fluid-tight seals so as to avoid fluid communication between the internal-fluid path and outside the string of conduits.
As the person skilled in the art will also appreciate, while various non-limiting examples are described herein, there are various uses of the TIC described herein. For example, a string of TIC, as described herein, may be used for shallow or above-surface pipeline conduction of fluids in regions where the ambient temperatures can go below the freezing point of water.
As the person skilled in the art will also appreciate, while various non-limiting examples are described herein, the present disclosure contemplates other features of the systems described herein such as pumps that may be used to pressurize one or more fluids for being conducted through a string of TICs, as described herein. The systems described herein also contemplate the use of storage tanks and further conduits for achieving the practical goal of each system. For example, while not described herein in detail, it is understood that system 4000 has the required equipment and infrastructure in order to generate the steam 1506 of the desired temperature and pressure. Additionally, while not described herein in detail, it is understood that the system 7000 further comprises the equipment and infrastructure required to process the produced fluids 7001 conducted to the surface 1502.
Table 1 of a first example provides a series of sample calculations that model the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction that could be realized employing the embodiments employing the embodiments of the present disclosure from a wellbore for transferring heat from a first location to a geothermal energy production facility, as depicted in the non-limiting example of
These first sample calculations are based upon the following factors and assumptions, as shown in Table 2.
Table 3 of a second example provides a series of sample calculations that model the annual GHG reduction that could be realized employing the embodiments of the present disclosure from a wellbore for transferring heat from a first location to a geothermal energy production facility, as depicted in the non-limiting example of
These second sample calculations are based upon the following factors and assumptions, as shown in Table 4.
Without being bound to any particular theory, the first sample calculations indicate a potential annual GHG savings of about 1844 metric tons of GHG for a single deployment, as described. Without being bound to any particular theory, the second sample calculations indicate a potential annual GHG savings of about 3560 metric tons of GHG for a single deployment, as described.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63407116 | Sep 2022 | US |