This disclosure relates to a water separator, and in particular, to a downhole gravitational water separator for subsea well operations.
Growing emphasis on increasing the reservoir recovery factor for subsea well operations provides a stimulus for separation of water from produced hydrocarbons. Additionally, onshore wells very often have to cope with significant water breakthrough (70-80%+ of water in oil (WiO)). Fundamentally, water separation provides significant operational efficiency gains.
Water separation provides for reduction of back pressure on the reservoir by reduction of static hydraulic head (i.e., lower specific gravity of produced fluid in the pipeline, which can be significant in deeper waters and deeper reservoirs) and reduced frictional effects in the subsea pipeline. It may operate at a lower relative flowrate than for the combined oil+effluent volume. The reduction of back pressure on the reservoir and the reduced frictional effects in the subsea pipeline provide an opportunity for increasing total reservoir recovery over field life, by reducing field abandonment pressure, and/or deferring the time at which pressure boosting might be considered necessary, where feasible.
Water separation allows for the reduction in size of export flowline(s) for a given scenario. Reduction in size of export flowline(s) can significantly reduce the total installed cost of the pipeline, particularly on subsea developments where pipeline costs are always a predominant cost factor. Water separation also reduces dependence on chemical injection, which is otherwise required for hydrate mitigation. By eliminating dependence on chemical injection, consumables cost over field life may be reduced.
A need exists for a technique that addresses the emphasis on increasing the reservoir recovery factor for subsea well operations by separation of water from produced hydrocarbons. A new technique in necessary to simplify total system installation and to provide available separation capacity at the earliest point in field life without disruption to production. The following technique may solve one or more of these problems.
A gravity water separation system that may be integrated within a well completion. A diverted flowpath is provided for produced hydrocarbons, external to the completion tubing. As produced hydrocarbons travel through the diverted flowpath, they pass through separation stages wherein gravity separation ensues by migration through predefined flow ports which extend from produced oil “separation chamber(s)” into separated “water chamber(s).”
An operable full bore isolation valve is provided, maintaining access to the wellbore for through-tubing operations over field life, while also providing the means for flow diversion under a “separation enabled” mode. The full bore isolation valve also provides a “separator by-pass” mode for early field production (i.e., prior to water cut) and over field life in the case of flow disruption through the separator for whatever reason.
Referring to
Water separation unit 20 is installed within surface casing 19 downhole, and is connected to production tubing 12. Surface casing 19 extends downward from casing hanger 25. A surface controlled, subsurface safety valve (SCSSSV) 22 is located on the production tubing 12, above the water separation unit 20. SCSSSV 22 is a downhole safety valve that is operated from surface facilities through a control line strapped to the external surface of the production tubing 12. The control system operates in a fail-safe mode, with hydraulic control pressure used to hold open a ball or flapper assembly that will close if the control pressure is lost. This means that when closed, SCSSSV 22 will isolate the reservoir fluids from the surface.
In
In
Referring to
When the flow reaches separation chamber 57, the oil and water mixture again passes over a grate-like floor that has a number of small holes 55 on its surface. As the flow passes over holes 55, the gravitational forces exerted on the fluid mixture causes water within the flow to drop out and to travel through holes 55 and into water chamber 56 below. Once the flow has passed over the holes 55, it continues upward through flow tube 59. Flow tube 59 then passes through water chamber 60 before opening to separation chamber 61. When the flow reaches separation chamber 61, the oil and water mixture again passes over a grate-like floor that has a number of small holes 55 on its surface. As the flow passes over holes 55, the gravitational forces exerted on the fluid mixture causes water within the flow to drop out and to travel through holes 55 and into water chamber 60 below. Once the flow has passed over the holes 55, it continues upward through flow tube 63. Flow tube 63 then passes through water chamber 64 before opening to the final separation chamber 65.
Referring to
Referring to
Although this embodiment of a separation unit contains four separation “stages,” the number of separation “stages,” including accompanying water chambers, depends on the desired oil to water ratio of the flow leaving the separation unit. The length of the separation unit is also dictated by the number of separation “stages” desired.
The gravitational water separator system as comprised by the technique has significant advantages. The gravitational water separator system may be integrated within the well completion, simplifying total system installation (i.e., no separate structure needed as required for a seabed installed system, with attendant installation costs, and reduced topsides costs), and providing available separation capacity at the earliest point in field life without disruption to production.
While the technique has been described in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the technique.
This application claims priority to provisional application 61/047,243, filed Apr. 23, 2008.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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