Patent Grant
12024990
None.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, are produced or obtained from subterranean reservoir formations that may be located onshore or offshore. The development of subterranean operations and the processes involved in removing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation typically involve a number of different steps such as drilling a wellbore at a desired well site, treating the wellbore to optimize production of hydrocarbons, performing the necessary steps to produce the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation, and pumping the hydrocarbons to the surface of the earth.
When performing subterranean operations, pump systems, for example, electric submersible pump (ESP) systems, may be used when reservoir pressure alone is insufficient to produce hydrocarbons from a well or is insufficient to produce the hydrocarbons at a desirable rate from the well. Presence of gas or free gas in a reservoir or fluid of a wellbore and the resulting multiphase flow behavior of the fluid has a detrimental effect on pump performance and pump system cooling. Economic and efficient pump operations may be affected by gas laden fluid. The presence of gas in a pump causes a drop in pressure created within the pump stages, reducing output of the pump. High concentrations of gas within a pump can create a condition commonly referred to as “gas lock”, where gas is so prominent within the stages of the pump, the intended production liquid no longer reaches the surface. Separation of gas from the liquid phase of the fluid before entry into the pump improves pump performance, decreases pump vibration and reduces the operating temperature of the pump. An effective, efficient and reliable pump gas separation system is needed.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
As used herein, orientation terms “upstream,” “downstream,” “up,” and “down” are defined relative to the direction of flow of well fluid in the well casing. “Upstream” is directed counter to the direction of flow of well fluid, towards the source of well fluid (e.g., towards perforations in well casing through which hydrocarbons flow out of a subterranean formation and into the casing). “Downstream” is directed in the direction of flow of well fluid, away from the source of well fluid. “Down” and “downhole” are directed counter to the direction of flow of well fluid, towards the source of well fluid. “Up” and “uphole” are directed in the direction of flow of well fluid, away from the source of well fluid. “Fluidically coupled” means that two or more components have communicating internal passageways through which fluid, if present, can flow. A first component and a second component may be “fluidically coupled” via a third component located between the first component and the second component if the first component has internal passageway(s) that communicates with internal passageway(s) of the third component, and if the same internal passageway(s) of the third component communicates with internal passageway(s) of the second component.
Gas entering an electric submersible pump (ESP) can cause various difficulties for a centrifugal pump. In an extreme case, the ESP may become gas locked and become unable to pump fluid. In less extreme cases, the ESP may experience harmful operating conditions when transiently passing a slug of gas. When in operation, the ESP rotates at a high rate of speed (e.g., about 3600 RPM) and relies on the continuous flow of reservoir liquid to both cool and lubricate its bearing surfaces. When this continuous flow of reservoir liquid is interrupted, even for a brief period of seconds, the bearings of the ESP (e.g., bearings in a centrifugal pump assembly of the ESP) may heat up rapidly and undergo significant wear, shortening the operational life of the ESP, thereby increasing operating costs due to more frequent change-out and/or repair of the ESP. In some operating environments, for example in some horizontal wellbores, gas slugs that persist for at least 10 seconds are repeatedly experienced. Some gas slugs may persist for as much as 30 seconds or more.
To mitigate these effects of gas in an ESP, a gas separator can be placed upstream of a centrifugal pump assembly to separate gas phase fluid from the liquid phase fluid, discharge the gas phase fluid via a gas phase discharge port into the wellbore outside of the gas separator, and discharge the liquid phase fluid via a liquid phase discharge port to an inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly. But in a high flow production regime, the fluid coupling between an outlet of the gas separator and the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly can undesirably throttle and limit the rate of production of hydrocarbons by the ESP, for example due to a narrowed flow path through a neck formed at a fluid coupling between the gas separator and the centrifugal pump assembly. For example, a shoulder may be introduced into the top of the gas separator to provide bolt holes and a neck narrowing may be introduced into the bottom of the centrifugal pump assembly to allow space for tools to screw in bolts to secure the bottom of the centrifugal pump assembly to the top of the gas separator.
Additionally, a spline coupling at the joint between a drive shaft in the gas separator and a drive shaft in the centrifugal pump assembly may further restrict the flow path for liquid phase fluid from the outlet of the gas separator to the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly. The spline coupling may comprise external teeth or grooves on a drive shaft of the gas separator, external teeth or grooves on a drive shaft of the centrifugal pump assembly, and a hub, a spline coupler, or a coupling sleeve having internal teeth that mate with the external teeth or grooves of the two shafts. The outside diameter of the hub or spline coupling protrudes into the flow path (e.g., is greater in diameter than the diameter of either drive shaft) of the fluid coupling between the gas separator and the centrifugal pump assembly. This flow path restriction can reduce or limit the flow of fluid through the centrifugal pump assembly and hence the rate of production of hydrocarbons to the surface.
The present disclosure teaches an integral gas separator and pump assembly that overcomes this limitation by providing a centrifugal pump stage (or a plurality of centrifugal pump stages) having an inlet downstream of the liquid phase discharge of the crossover (e.g., a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator) and an outlet upstream of the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly. In this case, the pump in the integral gas separator and pump assembly can maintain a higher rate of flow across the narrowed throat at the fluid coupling of the integral gas separator and pump assembly with the centrifugal pump assembly because it is forcing the liquid phase fluid across this narrow throat.
In an embodiment, an integral gas separator and pump assembly is disclosed that incorporates a plurality of centrifugal pump stages within the integral gas separator downstream of the crossover that obviates the use of a centrifugal pump assembly downstream of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. In this embodiment, the plurality of centrifugal pump stages within the integral gas separator downstream of the crossover produces the fluid lift (e.g., pump head) needed to lift the reservoir fluid to the surface at the desired flow rate without needing to mechanically couple a centrifugal pump assembly to the integral gas separator, thereby avoiding the narrowed flow path otherwise formed at the coupling of a gas separator and a centrifugal pump assembly. An ESP assembly that incorporates an integral gas separator and pump assembly of this type and that omits a traditional centrifugal pump assembly located downstream of the gas separator may provide higher rates of flow to the surface than the integral gas separator and pump assembly that is fluidically coupled to a downstream centrifugal pump assembly. In an embodiment in which the ESP omits the traditional centrifugal pump assembly downstream of the gas separator, the integral gas separator and pump assembly may comprise between 50 centrifugal pump stages and 300 centrifugal pump stages.
In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly taught herein comprises a housing that comprises a continuous tubing that defines one or more apertures in a wall of the tubing that align with gas phase discharge ports of the crossover. While this single piece (e.g., a single continuous tubing) housing may be slightly weakened by the introduction of the one or more apertures, the housing can still be sufficiently robust to sustain the stresses and rigors of downhole ESP operation. The use of a continuous tubing housing of this kind in making the integral gas separator and pump assembly provides advantages in a simplified procedure of building the integral gas separator and pump assembly. The various internal components of the integral gas separator and pump assembly can be mounted onto a drive shaft and this assembly inserted into the housing. The internal components of the integral gas separator and pump assembly can be stopped at a downhole location within the housing, for example by a first bearing installed into the downhole end of the housing. A second bearing can be installed at an uphole end of the housing and tightened down, pushing the impellers and diffusers of the centrifugal pump stages of the integral gas separator and pump assembly into position.
During the process of tightening the second bearing into the housing, the crossover is shifted downhole within the housing and may tend to rotate with the direction of tightening the second bearing. In an embodiment, one or more grooves are defined by an exterior surface of the crossover, and threaded holes corresponding to these one or more grooves may be provided in the wall of the housing. When the internal components of the integral gas separator and pump assembly are placed within the housing, one or more set screws that pass through the threaded holes in the housing may be threaded in to engage with the grooves defined by the exterior surface of the crossover. As the second bearing is tightened, the crossover shifts down, but the proper alignment between the gas phase discharge ports of the crossover with the apertures defined by the housing are maintained by the set screws engaging with the grooves. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the grooves are provided in the housing, the threaded holes are in the crossover, and the set screws thread into the threaded holes in the crossover and the head of the set screws protrude into and engage with the grooves in the housing, maintaining alignment between the gas phase discharge ports of the crossover with the apertures defined by the housing.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the specific implementation goals, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure.
In one or more embodiments, well site environment 100 comprises a wellbore 104 below a surface 102 in a formation 124. In one or more embodiments, a wellbore 104 may comprise a nonconventional, horizontal or any other type of wellbore. Wellbore 104 may be defined in part by a casing string 106 that may extend from a surface 102 to a selected downhole location. Portions of wellbore 104 that do not comprise the casing string 106 may be referred to as open hole.
In one or more embodiments, various types of hydrocarbons or fluids may be pumped from wellbore 104 to the surface 102 using an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly 150 disposed or positioned downhole, for example, within, partially within, or outside casing 106 of wellbore 104. ESP assembly 150 may comprise a centrifugal pump assembly 108, an electric cable 110, an integral gas separator and pump assembly 112, a seal or equalizer 114, an electric motor 116, and a sensor package 118. In an embodiment, the centrifugal pump assembly 108 may comprise one or more centrifugal pump stages, each centrifugal pump stage comprising an impeller mechanically coupled to a drive shaft of the centrifugal pump assembly and a corresponding diffuser held stationary by and retained within the centrifugal pump assembly (e.g., retained by a housing of the centrifugal pump assembly). In an embodiment, the centrifugal pump assembly 108 may not contain a centrifugal pump but instead may comprise a rod pump, a progressive cavity pump, or any other suitable pump system or combination thereof.
The centrifugal pump assembly 108 may transfer pressure to the fluid 126 or any other type of downhole fluid to pump or lift the fluid from downhole to the surface 102 at a desired or selected pumping rate. Centrifugal pump assembly 108 couples to the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. Integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 couples to the seal or equalizer 114 which couples to the electric motor 116. The electric motor 116 may be coupled to a downhole sensor package 118. In one or more embodiments, an electric cable 110 is coupled to the electric motor 116 and to a controller 120 at the surface 102. The electric cable 110 may provide power to the electric motor 116, transmit one or more control or operation instructions from controller 120 to the electric motor 116, or both.
In one or more embodiments, fluid 126 may be a multi-phase wellbore fluid comprising one or more hydrocarbons. For example, fluid 126 may comprise a gas phase and a liquid phase from a wellbore or reservoir in a formation 124. In one or more embodiments, fluid 126 may enter the wellbore 104, casing 106 or both through one or more perforations 130 in the formation 124 and flow uphole to one or more intake ports of the ESP assembly 150. The centrifugal pump assembly 108 may transfer pressure to the fluid 126 by adding kinetic energy to the fluid 126 via centrifugal force and converting the kinetic energy to potential energy in the form of pressure. In one or more embodiments, centrifugal pump assembly 108 lifts fluid 126 to the surface 102. In some contexts, the fluid 126 may be referred to as reservoir fluid.
Fluid pressure in the wellbore 104 causes fluid 126 to enter the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. Integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 separates a gas phase or component from the liquid phase of fluid 126 before the gas phase enters centrifugal pump assembly 108. In one or more embodiments, electric motor 116 is an electric submersible motor configured or operated to turn one or more components in the integral gas separator and pump assembly 114 and one or more pump stages of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. In an embodiment, the electric motor 116 may be a two pole, three phase squirrel cage induction motor or any other electric motor operable or configurable to provide rotational power.
Seal or equalizer 114 may be a motor protector that serves to equalize pressure and keep motor oil separate from fluid 126. In one or more embodiments, a production tubing section 122 may couple to the centrifugal pump assembly 108 using one or more connectors 128 or may couple directly to the centrifugal pump assembly 108. In one or more embodiments, any one or more production tubing sections 122 may be mechanically coupled together to extend the ESP assembly 150 into the wellbore 104 to a desired or specified location. Any one or more components of fluid 126 may be pumped from centrifugal pump assembly 108 through production tubing 122 to the surface 102 for transfer to a storage tank, a pipeline, transportation vehicle, any other storage, distribution or transportation system and any combination thereof.
The first drive shaft may transmit or communicate rotation of the electric motor 116 to the second drive shaft of the seal 114, from the second drive shaft to the third drive shaft of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112, and from the third drive shaft to the fourth drive shaft of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. The third drive shaft can provide rotational energy and power to one or more fluid movers, turbines, impellers, paddle wheels, centrifuge rotors, or augers of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. The fourth drive shaft can provide rotational energy and power to one or more impellers of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. The electric motor 116 may be mechanically coupled to the seal unit 114 by a first coupling 206. The seal unit 114 may be mechanically coupled to the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 by a second coupling 207. The integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 may be mechanically coupled to the centrifugal pump assembly 108 by a third coupling 209.
In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 comprises a base 203, a cylindrical housing 212, a crossover 250, and a head 255. The base 203 has one or more intake ports 202 which may be disposed or positioned at a distal end of the housing 212. The crossover 250 has one or more discharge ports 204. In one or more embodiments, the one or more intake ports 202 and one or more discharge ports 204 may be disposed or positioned circumferentially about the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 at a downhole or a distal end and at a middle part, respectively, of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. The one or more intake ports 202 allow fluid 126 to enter the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. The one or more discharge ports 204 allow a gas phase or gas component of the fluid 126 to be discharged into an annulus 210 formed between the ESP assembly 150 and the casing 106 or wellbore 104.
In an embodiment, the housing 212 may comprise a lower housing 212A and an upper housing 212B that are separated by the crossover 250. The housings 212A and 212B are cylindrical housings. The housings 212A and 212B may be made of metal. The lower housing 212A at an upstream end may be threadedly coupled to a downstream end of the base 203. The lower housing 212A at an downstream end may be threadingly coupled to an upstream end of the crossover 250, and the upper housing 212B at an upstream end may be threadingly coupled to a downstream end of the crossover 250. The base 203 may be said to be mechanically coupled at a downstream end to an upstream end of the lower housing 212A. The lower housing 212A may be said to be mechanically coupled at a downstream end to an upstream end of the crossover 250. The crossover 250 may be said to be mechanically coupled at a downstream end to an upstream end of the upper housing 212B.
The integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 may be disposed or positioned within, coupled to or otherwise associated with a cylindrical housing 312 of a downhole tool or system. In one or more embodiments, housing 312 may be substantially similar to the housing 212. In an embodiment, the housing 312 may comprise a first housing 312A (e.g., a lower housing or an upstream housing) and a second housing 312B (e.g., an upper housing or a downstream housing). The base 203 at a downstream end may be threadingly coupled to an upstream end of the first housing 312A by threaded coupling 301. In some contexts, the base 203 may be said to be mechanically coupled to the first housing 312A. The first housing 312A at a downstream end may be threadingly coupled to an upstream end of a crossover 350 by threaded coupling 313, and the second housing 312B at an upstream end may be threadingly coupled to a downstream end of the crossover 350 by threaded coupling 317. The second housing 312B at a downstream end may be threadingly coupled to an upstream end of the head 255 by threaded coupling 347. In an embodiment, the threaded couplings 301, 313, 317, 347 provide sealing joints which substantially prevent flow of fluid across these joints.
The integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 may comprise a fluid mover 310, a stationary auger 302 and one or more gas phase discharges 314 and one or more liquid phase discharges 316. The fluid mover 310 may be any type of fluid mover, for example, an auger mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304, a turbine, an impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, or an impeller and a diffuser system (e.g., where the impeller of the system is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304). The one or more intake ports 202 allow intake of fluid 126 from annulus 210 into the fluid mover 310 which communicates or flows the fluid 126 to the stationary auger 302.
In one or more embodiments, the drive shaft 304 may run through shaft 318 or may be the same as shaft 318. The drive shaft 304 may be driven by the electric motor 116. For example, when the electric motor 116 is energized, such as by a command from the controller 120 communicated to the electric motor 116 via electric cable 110, the drive shaft 304 may rotate. The drive shaft 304 extends through the fluid mover 310, through the stationary auger 302, through one or more centrifugal pump stages 405 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 to couple to the drive shaft 376 to drive the centrifugal pump stages of the centrifugal pump assembly 108 coupled to the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. In one or more embodiments, the fluid mover 310 is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304 and is hence turned by the electric motor 116. An impeller 406 of each of one or more centrifugal pump stages 405 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304 and is hence turned by the electric motor 116. In some contexts, the centrifugal pump stages 405 may be referred to as a fluid mover.
In one or more embodiments, the stationary auger 302 is disposed or positioned within a sleeve 330. The fluid mover 310 may couple to the sleeve 330 at a downhole or distal end of the sleeve 330. In one or more embodiments, the stationary auger 302, the sleeve 330 or both are fluidically coupled to the one or more intake ports 202 (e.g., fluidically coupled to the intake ports 202 via the fluid mover 310). For example, the sleeve 330, the stationary auger 302 or both may be coupled to the fluid mover 310 via a support or other device including, but not limited to, the drive shaft 304. Fluid mover 310 communicates or forces fluid 126 received at the one or more intake ports 202 through the sleeve 330, through the stationary auger 302, or through both. In an embodiment, an outside edge of the stationary auger 302 engages sealingly with the sleeve 330, and the flow of fluid 126 through the sleeve 330 is hence confined to the passageway defined by the stationary auger 302. The sleeve 330 may be disposed or positioned within outer housing 312. The sleeve 330 may be secured inside the outer housing 312. In an embodiment, the stationary auger 302 and the sleeve 330 may be built or manufactured as a single component.
In one or more embodiments, the stationary auger 302 comprises one or more helixes or vanes 324. In one or more embodiments, the helixes or vanes 324 may be crescent-shaped. In one or more embodiments, the stationary auger 302 comprises one or more helixes or vanes 324 disposed about a solid core or an open core (for example, a coreless auger or an auger flighting). The stationary auger 302 may cause the fluid 126 to be separated into a liquid phase 308 and gas phase 306 based, at least in part, on rotational flow of the fluid 126. For example, the one or more helixes or vanes 324 may impart rotation to the fluid 126 as the fluid 126 flows through, across or about the one or more helixes or vanes 324. For example, fluid mover 310 forces the fluid 126 at a velocity or flow rate into the sleeve 330 and up or across the one or more helixes or vanes 324 of stationary auger 302.
The rotation of the fluid 126 induced by the stationary auger 302 may be based, at least in part, on the velocity or flow rate of the fluid 126 from the fluid mover 310. For example, the fluid mover 310 may increase the flow rate or velocity of the fluid 126 to increase rotation of the fluid 126 through the stationary auger 302 to create a more efficient and effective separation of the fluid 126 into a plurality of phases, for example, a liquid phase 308 and a gas phase 306. As the fluid 126 flows through the stationary auger 302 it enters a separation chamber 303 and is moving with rotating motion. Centrifugal forces, static friction or both, cause the heavier component of the fluid 126, a liquid phase 308, to circulate along an outer perimeter of the separation chamber while the lighter component of the fluid 126, the gas phase 306, is circulated along an inner perimeter of the separation chamber. In one or more embodiments, fluid 126 may begin to separate into a gas phase 306 and a liquid phase 308 while flowing through stationary auger 302. In one or more embodiments, the liquid phase 308 may comprise residual gas that did not separate into the gas phase 306. However, the embodiments discussed herein reduce this residual gas to protect the pump 108 from gas build-up or gas lock. The separation chamber 303 may be said to comprise an annulus formed between an inside of the housing 312 and an outside of the drive shaft 304.
In one or more embodiments, the separated fluid (for example, liquid phase 308 and gas phase 306) is directed to a crossover 350. For example, the crossover 350 may be disposed or positioned at an uphole or a proximal end of the separation chamber 303 or first housing 312A. In some contexts, the crossover 350 may be referred to as a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator. The crossover 350 may be said to have an inlet that is fluidically coupled to an outlet of the fluid mover 310 (e.g., via fluidically coupled via the stationary auger 302 (or other fluid mover, such as a paddle wheel) and via the separation chamber 303), to have a gas phase discharge port open to the annulus 210 defined between the inside of the wellbore 104 and an outside diameter of the ESP assembly 150, and to have a liquid phase discharge port open to or fluidically coupled to (e.g., via the intermediary of the centrifugal pump stages 405 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112) an inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. For example, the crossover 350 may fluidically couple the separation chamber 303 or otherwise direct one or more components or phases of fluid 126 to the centrifugal pump assembly 108 (e.g., liquid phase fluid) and to the annulus 210 (e.g., gas phase fluid). The crossover 350 may comprise a plurality of channels or define a plurality of channels, for example, a gas phase discharge port 314 (a first pathway) and a liquid phase discharge port 316 (a second pathway). A gas phase 306 of the fluid 126 may be discharged through the gas phase discharge port 314, and a liquid phase 308 of the fluid 126 may be discharged through the liquid phase discharge port 316. In one or more embodiments, gas phase discharge port 314 may correspond to any one or more discharge ports 204 of
It is understood that under some operating conditions, the fluid discharged by the gas phase discharge port 314 may be partially gas phase fluid and partially liquid phase fluid. Under some operating conditions, the fluid discharged by the gas phase discharge port 314 may be mostly or entirely liquid phase fluid, for example when the ESP assembly 150 is receiving fluid 126 that has little gas phase content or no gas phase content. In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 is designed to receive much more fluid 126 into the inlets 202 than is delivered via the fluid phase discharge ports 316 to the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. Said in other words, fluid 126 may flow into the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 than fluid 126 flows out of the liquid phase discharge port 316 to the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. It is understood that under some operating conditions, the fluid discharged by the fluid phase discharge port 316 may be partially gas phase fluid and partially liquid phase fluid.
The head 255 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 may be mechanically coupled to the centrifugal pump assembly 108 by a coupling flange 109 of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. The coupling flange 109 may comprise a plurality of bolt holes 372 that allow bolts to pass through to engage threads in bolt holes 372 in the head 255 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. The coupling flange 109 may comprise a narrowing neck 370 to provide access for tools to tighten bolts into the bolt holes 372. The narrowing neck 370 and the coupler 378 create a narrow flow passage 374 between the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 and the centrifugal pump assembly 108. The flow passage 374 is an annulus formed between an outside of the coupler 378 and an inside of the head 255 and/or an inside of the flange 109. This kind of narrow flow passage 374 presents a flow restriction in conventional gas separators that may undesirably limit fluid flow rates at high production flow rates.
The present disclosure teaches providing one or more centrifugal pump stages 405 in the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 downstream of the crossover 350 and upstream of the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108 to overcome the undesired limiting of fluid flow rates associated with the narrow flow passage 374 in conventional gas separators. In an embodiment, the centrifugal pump stages 405 comprise an impeller 406 and a corresponding diffuser 408. The diffuser 408 may be mechanically coupled to an inside of the housing of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112, for example an inside of a second housing 312B. As illustrated in
The impellers 406A, 406B, and 406C (collectively referred to as impellers 406) are mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304 and receive rotational power from the electric motor 116 via the drive shaft 304. For example, the impellers 406 may have keyways that mate with a keyway in the drive shaft 304, and the impellers 406 may be mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304 by keys inserted into the aligned keyways of the impellers 406 and the drive shaft 304. When the ESP assembly 150 is operating, the impellers 406 rotate while the diffusers 408 remain stationary. The centrifugal pump stages 405 of the integral gas separator and pump 112 provide kinetic energy and pressure to the liquid phase fluid 308 that helps to force the liquid phase fluid 308 through the narrow flow passage 374, thereby overcoming flow rate restrictions. While
The fluid mover 310 may be said to have an inlet that is fluidically coupled to an outlet of the base 203, for example an upstream interior that is open to and fluidically coupled to the base 203 and the inlet ports 202 (e.g., an annulus formed between the drive shaft 304 and an inside of the first housing 312 at the upstream end of the first housing 312). The fluid mover 310 may be said to have an outlet that is fluidically coupled to the stationary auger 302, for example a downstream interior that is open to and fluidically coupled to an upstream end or opening of the stationary auger 302 (or other fluid mover, such as a paddle wheel), with the separation chamber 303, and/or with the sleeve 322 (e.g., an annulus formed between the drive shaft 304 and the interior of the first housing 312). The stationary auger 302, the separation chamber 303, and/or the sleeve 322 may be said to have an inlet that is fluidically coupled to the outlet of the fluid mover 310, for example the openings of the vane 324 or an annulus formed between the drive shaft 304 and the inside of the first housing 312 upstream of the vane 324. The stationary auger 302, the separation chamber 303, and/or the sleeve 322 may be said to have an outlet that is fluidically coupled to an inlet of the crossover 350, for example a downstream interior of the stationary auger 302, of the separation chamber 303, and/or of the sleeve 322 (e.g., an annulus formed between the drive shaft 304 and a downstream end of the first housing 312).
The crossover 350 may be said to have an inlet that is fluidically coupled to the outlet of the stationary auger 302 (or other fluid mover such as a paddle wheel). The inlet of the crossover 350 may be provided as the combination of the upstream end of the gas phase discharge 314 and the upstream end of the liquid phase discharge 316. The inlet of the crossover 350 may be provided by an annulus located upstream of the gas phase discharge 314 and the liquid phase discharge 316 and formed between the drive shaft 304 and an interior surface of a wall of the crossover 350 at an upstream end of the crossover 350. The inlet of the crossover 350 may be provided as a manifold upstream of the gas phase discharge 314 and the liquid phase discharge 316. The crossover 350 may be said to have an outlet that is provided by the liquid phase discharge 316. Alternatively, the crossover 350 may be said to have an outlet that is provided by both the liquid phase discharge 316 and by the gas phase discharge 314. The crossover 350 may be said to have an outlet that is provided by an annulus formed between the drive shaft 304 and an interior surface of a wall of the crossover 350 at a downstream end of the crossover 350 that is fluidically coupled to the centrifugal pump stages 405, for example in the head 255.
The centrifugal pump stages 405 may be said to have an inlet that is fluidically coupled to the liquid phase discharge 316 of the crossover 350, for example an inlet of the first impeller 406A or an annulus defined between the drive shaft 304 and the second housing 312B upstream of the first impeller 406A. The centrifugal pump stages 405 may be said to have an outlet that is fluidically coupled to the flow passage 374, for example an annulus defined between the drive shaft 304 and the second housing 312B downstream of the third diffuser 408C. The inlets may be referred to as fluid inlets in some contexts. The outlets may be referred to as fluid outlets in some contexts. Here the terms inlets and outlets are used to promote concision.
In one or more embodiments, fluid mover 310 may comprise a bottom portion 410, one or more impellers 416A and 416B (collectively referred to as impellers 416) and one or more diffusers 418A and 418B (collectively referred to as diffusers 418). For example, the bottom portion 410 may comprise a fourth centrifugal pump stage 415A comprising a fourth impeller 416A and a fourth diffuser 418A and a fifth centrifugal pump stage 415B comprising a fifth impeller 416B and a fifth diffuser 418B. The diffusers 418 may be mechanically coupled to the housing 312 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112, for example to the first housing 312A. In one or more embodiments, the fluid mover 310 comprises an impeller 416 without a diffuser 418. Bottom portion 410 of fluid mover 310 may comprise one or more intake ports 202 for receiving the fluid 126.
The one or more impellers 416 are mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304 and receive rotational power from the electric motor 116 via the drive shaft 304. For example, the impellers may have keyways that mate with a corresponding keyway in the drive shaft 304 and keys may be inserted into the aligned keyways to mechanically couple the impellers to the drive shaft 304. When the ESP assembly 150 is operating (e.g., the electric motor 166 is turning and the drive shaft 304 is turning), the impellers 416 rotate while the one or more diffusers 418 remain stationary. The one or more impellers 416 and the one or more diffusers 418 emulsify or mix the components of the liquid 126. The one or more impellers 416 and the one or more diffusers 418 cause the fluid 126 to exit the fluid mover 310 at a velocity or flow rate. In one or more embodiments, the drive shaft 304 causes the one or more impellers 416 to spin or rotate to force the fluid 126 through the stationary auger 302 (or other fluid mover such as a paddle wheel) into the separation chamber 303 where the fluid 126 is separated into a gas phase 426 and a liquid phase 428 similar to the discussion of
Turning now to
Turning now to
The processing of block 652 may comprise transporting the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 on a ship, for example in the case of a wellbore 104 located off-shore. The processing of block 652 may comprise transporting other components of the ESP assembly 150 in a like manner to the location of the wellbore 104.
At block 654, the method 650 comprises lowering the integral gas separator and pump assembly partly into a wellbore at the wellbore location, for example using a mast structure and/or drilling rig structure to suspend the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 over and/or within the wellbore 104. In an embodiment, the processing of block 654 may be preceded by mechanically coupling a downstream end of a drive shaft of a seal unit to an upstream end of a drive shaft of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. At block 656, the method 650 comprises, after lowering the integral gas separator and pump assembly partly into the wellbore, coupling an upstream end of a centrifugal pump assembly to a downstream end of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. In an embodiment, the processing of block 656 may comprise placing an outlet of the integral gas separator and pump assembly in alignment so as to be fluidically coupled to an inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly. The processing of block 656 may comprise coupling a downstream end of a drive shaft of the integral gas separator and pump assembly to a upstream end of a drive shaft of the centrifugal pump assembly. For example, the drive shaft 304 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 may be mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 376 of the centrifugal pump assembly 376 by a coupling sleeve 378. The processing of block 656 may comprise bolting the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 and the centrifugal pump assembly 108 together. The processing of block 656 may further comprise coupling the centrifugal pump assembly 108 at its downstream end to the production tubing 122.
At block 658, the method 650 comprises running the integral gas separator and pump assembly and the centrifugal pump assembly into the wellbore. The processing of block 650 may comprise running the whole ESP assembly 150 attached at its downstream end to the production tubing 122 into the wellbore 104. At block 660, the method 650 comprises receiving a reservoir fluid into an inlet of the integral gas separator and pump assembly, wherein the fluid comprises gas phase fluid and liquid phase fluid.
At block 662, the method 650 comprises moving the reservoir fluid downstream within the integral gas separator and pump assembly by a first fluid mover of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. For example, the fluid 126 is moved downstream by the fluid mover 210 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. The first fluid mover may impart energy to the fluid 126, for example kinetic energy and/or pressure. The first fluid mover may comprise the centrifugal pump stages 415. The first fluid mover may comprise an auger mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 304.
In an embodiment, the processing of block 662 may comprise flowing the reservoir fluid 126 through the stationary auger 302 and inducing a rotational motion to the reservoir fluid 126 by the stationary auger 302. The stationary auger 302 may be referred to in some contexts as a fluid mover, for example because the stationary auger 302 is moving the fluid 126 into a rotating motion or a swirling motion. In an embodiment, the processing of block 662 may comprise moving the fluid 126 with a paddle wheel mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, whereby the paddle wheel induces a rotational motion in the reservoir fluid. In an embodiment, the processing of block 662 may comprise flowing the reservoir fluid 126 through the stationary auger 302 to a paddle wheel, and moving the reservoir fluid 126 by a paddle wheel downstream of the stationary auger 302. In an embodiment, the processing of block 662 may comprise moving the reservoir fluid into a separation chamber (e.g., the separation chamber 303) located downstream of the first fluid mover, downstream of the stationary auger, and/or downstream of the paddle wheel. Inside the separation chamber, the rotating reservoir fluid may separate into a gas phase fluid (e.g., gas phase 306) that congregates near the drive shaft and into a liquid phase fluid (e.g., liquid phase 308) that congregates near an outer wall of the separation chamber (e.g., near the inside wall of the first housing 312A).
At block 664, the method 650 comprises receiving the reservoir fluid by a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator of the integral gas separator and pump assembly from the fluid mover. For example, the fluid 126 is received by the crossover 350 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. For example, the gas phase 306 enters the gas phase discharge 314 of the crossover 350, and the liquid phase 308 enters the liquid phase discharge 316. In an embodiment, the method 650 comprises, before the processing of block 664, receiving the reservoir fluid by a third fluid mover of the integral gas separator and pump assembly from the first fluid mover, wherein the third fluid mover is located downstream of the first fluid mover; inducing a rotational motion of the reservoir fluid by the third fluid mover; and moving the reservoir fluid downstream within the integral gas separator and pump assembly by the third fluid mover to a separation chamber of the integral gas separator and pump assembly, wherein the separation chamber is located downstream of the third fluid mover and upstream of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator, wherein the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator receives the reservoir fluid from the first fluid mover via the third fluid mover and via the separation chamber.
At block 666, the method 650 comprises separating at least some of the gas phase fluid from the reservoir fluid by the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. For example, the fluid 126 is partly directed by the crossover 350 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 into the gas phase discharge ports 314, thereby separating at least some of the gas phase fluid from the reservoir fluid (e.g., fluid 126). At block 668, the method 650 comprises venting the at least some of the gas phase fluid by the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator out of the integral gas separator and pump assembly via a gas phase discharge port of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator into an annulus defined between an interior of the wellbore and an exterior of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. For example, the crossover 150 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 vents or exhausts at least some of the gas phase fluid via the gas phase discharge 114 to the annulus 210 defined between an inside of the wellbore 104 and an outside of the ESP assembly 150.
At block 670, the method 650 comprises receiving at least some of the reservoir fluid by a second fluid mover of the integral gas separator and pump assembly located downstream of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator via a liquid phase discharge port of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator. For example, at least some of the reservoir fluid (fluid 126) is received via the liquid phase discharge ports 316 of the crossover 350 by the first centrifugal pump stage 405A of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. It is noted that the passage of the reservoir fluid (fluid 126) from the liquid phase discharge ports 316 to the inlet of the first centrifugal pump stage 405A is unimpeded by a narrowing of a flow passage. Said in other words, because there is no bolted coupling between the crossover 350 and the pump (e.g., the centrifugal pump stages 405) of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112, there is no narrowed neck as there is at the coupling 109 between the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 and the centrifugal pump assembly 108, there is no narrowing of the flow path between the crossover 350 and the pump stages 405 and hence no impeding of the rapid flow of the fluid 126 The flow path between the liquid phase discharge ports 116 of the crossover 350 and the inlet of the pump stages 405 is the annulus defined between the outside diameter of the drive shaft 304 of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 and the inside diameter of the housing 312B of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. Note that this annulus is substantially bigger in cross-sectional area, and hence promotes greater ease of flow of fluid 126, than the flow path between the outlet of the pump stages 405 and the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108 (e.g., the annulus defined between an outside diameter of the coupling sleeve 374 and an inside diameter of the coupling 109 at the bolt holes 372 of the coupling 109). While in an embodiment the second fluid mover may be a centrifugal pump, in other embodiments the second fluid mover may be an auger mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a centrifuge rotor mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a turbine coupled to the drive shaft, or a paddle wheel mechanically coupled to the drive shaft.
At block 672, the method 650 comprises moving the at least some of the reservoir fluid by the second fluid mover. The processing of block 672 may comprise increasing the pressure of the at least some of the reservoir fluid at an outlet of the second fluid mover (e.g., at an outlet of the pump stages 405). The processing of block 672 may comprise increasing the kinetic energy of the at least some of the reservoir fluid at the outlet of the second fluid mover.
At block 674, the method 650 comprises discharging the at least some of the reservoir fluid from the outlet of the second fluid mover to the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly. In an embodiment, the processing of block 674 comprises forcing the at least some of the reservoir fluid (e.g., fluid 126) through the narrow flow passage 374 defined by the annulus between the outside diameter of the coupling 378 and the inside diameter of the coupling flange 109 at the bolt holes 372. In some contexts, the flow passage 374 may be referred to as an annular flow passage. In an embodiment, “forcing” the fluid 126 through the flow passage 374 may comprise boosting the potential energy of the fluid 126, for example by increasing the pressure of the fluid 126 as it exits the outlet of the second fluid mover (e.g., the second fluid mover increases the pressure of the fluid 126). The “forcing” of the fluid 126 through the narrow flow passage by the pump stages 405 can increase the rate of flow of the fluid 126 out of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112 and into the centrifugal pump assembly 108 with reference to the rate of flow that would otherwise occur without the pump stages 405. Additionally, the “forcing” of the fluid 126 may raise the inlet pressure at the input of the centrifugal pump assembly and hence ease its burden in generating head to lift fluid 126 up the production tubing 122 to the surface 102.
At block 676 the method 650 comprises pumping the at least some of the reservoir fluid by the centrifugal pump. At block 678, the method 650 comprises flowing the at least some of the reservoir fluid out a discharge of the centrifugal pump via a production tubing to a surface location. For example, the centrifugal pump assembly 108 flows fluid 126 via production tubing 122 to the surface 102. In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly comprises a drive shaft and the second fluid mover comprises a paddle wheel mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, an impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, an auger mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, or at least one centrifugal pump stage, wherein each centrifugal pump stage comprises an impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft and a diffuser. In another embodiment, however, the integral gas separator and pump assembly may have a different configuration.
Turning now to
Turning now to
In
In
In
In
Turning now to
The first stationary auger 302A comprises a first separation chamber 303A, a first sleeve 322A, and a first one or more helixes or vanes 324A. The first crossover 350A comprises a first set of gas phase discharge ports 314A and a first set of liquid phase discharge ports 316A. The second stationary auger 302B comprises a second separation chamber 303B, a second sleeve 322B, and a second one or more helixes or vanes 324 B. The first set of gas phase discharge ports 314A discharge gas phase fluid 306A into the annulus 210, and the first set of fluid phase discharge ports 316A discharge liquid phase fluid 308A into an inlet of the second fluid mover 310B. The second crossover 350B comprises a second set of gas phase discharge ports 314B and a second set of liquid phase discharge ports 316B. The second set of gas phase discharge ports 314B discharge gas phase fluid 306B into the annulus 210, and the second set of liquid phase discharge ports 316B discharge liquid phase fluid 308B into an inlet of the first centrifugal pump stage 405A.
This tandem gas separator configuration may be useful in a wellbore 104 having a higher concentration of gas phase fluid. Thus, separating the gas phase fluid from the liquid phase fluid twice may result in a suitable concentration of liquid phase fluid being fed to the inlet of the centrifugal pump assembly 108. It is noted that the flow rate of reservoir fluid 126 flowing into the inlet ports 202 of the first fluid mover 310A may be higher than the flow rate of reservoir fluid 126 flowing via the liquid phase discharge ports 316A into the inlet of the second fluid mover 3106, and that the rate of reservoir fluid 126 into the second fluid mover 310B may be higher than the flow rate of reservoir fluid 126 flowing via the liquid phase discharge ports 316B into the inlet of the first centrifugal pump stage 405A. This is because some of the flow of the reservoir fluid 126 is being exhausted out gas phase discharge ports 314A, 314B at each transition, thereby reducing the rate of flow of reservoir fluid 126 to the next component of the integral gas separator and pump assembly 112. It is also noted that the ratio of gas phase fluid to liquid phase fluid in the reservoir fluid 126 as it proceeds through the two crossovers 350 is changed to make the reservoir fluid 126 that is moved on to have a lower ratio of gas phase fluid to liquid phase fluid (more concentration of liquid phase fluid).
Turning now to
Turning now to
In an embodiment, the crossover 850 may be machined out of bar stock. In another embodiment, the crossover 850 may be manufactured by a casting process. The crossover 850 may be referred to in some contexts as a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator. The crossover 850 defines one or more gas phase discharge ports 854 and one or more liquid phase discharge ports 858. The gas phase discharge ports 854 perform similarly to the gas phase discharge ports 314 described with reference to
When the integral gas separator and pump assembly 810 is assembled during manufacturing, the internal components (e.g., one or more fluid movers downhole of the crossover 850, the separation chamber, the crossover 850, and the centrifugal pump stages uphole of the crossover 850) mounted on the drive shaft 852 are slid into the housing 812. The downhole end of the stack of internal components is stopped by a bearing installed into the fluid inlet 802 that receives the downhole end of the drive shaft 852 and stabilizes the drive shaft 852 at its downhole end. The stack of internal components are disposed such that the gas phase discharge ports 854 at least partially align with the apertures 864 defined in the wall of the housing 812, although initially the gas phase discharge ports 854 may be located somewhat uphole of the apertures 864.
In this alignment, the grooves 860 align with one or more threaded holes 870 in the wall of the housing 812. Set screws 872 or other attaching hardware are threaded into the threaded holes 870 to engage with the grooves 860 defined in the outside surface of the crossover 850. The grooves 860 are about as wide as the outside diameter of the set screws 872 but are elongated. An uphole bearing 874 having a bushing 876 for receiving and for stabilizing the uphole end of the drive shaft 852 and defining male threads 878 is threaded into female threads 873 defined in the uphole end of the housing 812. As the uphole bearing 874 is threaded in, the uphole bearing 874 (e.g., the bushing 876 of the uphole bearing 874) compresses the stack of internal components, shifting the crossover 850 downhole. The uphole bearing 874 may be referred to as a spider bearing in some contexts and comprises a plurality of supporting struts 879 or vanes that transfer radial force from the bushing 876 to the outside circumference of the uphole bearing 874 and to the housing 812. These radial forces may be produced by the drive shaft 852 and transferred to the bushing 876. Openings 877 between the struts 879 provide a passage for fluid to flow downstream out of the integral separator and pump assembly 810 and into the pump discharge 890. While
In an embodiment, the grooves 860 are elongated along an axis that is parallel to a centerline of the drive shaft 852. In an embodiment, the grooves 860 are elongated along an axis that is diagonally disposed to the centerline of the drive shaft 852 (e.g., as illustrated in
In an embodiment, a pump discharge 890 defines male threads 892. The pump discharge 890 may be threaded into the female threads 873 defined by the housing 812 after the uphole bearing 874 is fully seated into the housing 812. In one embodiment (e.g., the embodiment associated with the ESP assembly 805 described above with reference to
Turning now to
Turning now to
At block 904, the method 900 comprises lowering the integral gas separator and pump assembly partly into a wellbore at the wellbore location. At block 906, the method 900 comprises after lowering the integral gas separator and pump assembly partly into the wellbore, coupling an upstream end of a production tubing to a pump discharge of the integral gas separator and pump assembly, wherein the pump discharge is located at a downstream end of the integral gas separator and pump assembly.
At block 908, the method 900 comprises running the integral gas separator and pump assembly into the wellbore. At block 910, the method 900 comprises receiving a reservoir fluid into an inlet of the integral gas separator and pump assembly, wherein the reservoir fluid comprises gas phase fluid and liquid phase fluid.
At block 912, the method 900 comprises moving the reservoir fluid downstream within the integral gas separator and pump assembly by a first fluid mover of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. At block 914, the method 900 comprises receiving the reservoir fluid by a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator of the integral gas separator and pump assembly from the first fluid mover. In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly comprises a drive shaft and the second fluid mover comprises a paddle wheel mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, an impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, or an auger mechanically coupled to the drive shaft. In an embodiment, the integral gas separator and pump assembly comprises a drive shaft and the second fluid mover comprises a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, wherein each centrifugal pump stage comprises an impeller mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, and a diffuser.
At block 916, the method 900 comprises separating at least some of the gas phase fluid from the reservoir fluid by the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. At block 918, the method 900 comprises venting the at least some of the gas phase fluid by the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator out of the integral gas separator and pump assembly via a gas phase discharge port of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator into an annulus defined between an interior of the wellbore and an exterior of the integral gas separator and pump assembly. In an embodiment, the integral gas separator comprises a housing made of continuous tubing having an aperture that aligns with the gas phase discharge port of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator, wherein venting at least some of the gas phase fluid by the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator comprises venting at least some of the gas phase fluid out of the housing via the aperture. In an embodiment, the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator defines at least one groove on an outside surface of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator and the housing has at least one threaded hole that is fitted with a set screw that engages with the at least one groove in the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator.
At block 920, the method 900 comprises receiving at least some of the reservoir fluid by a second fluid mover of the integral gas separator and pump assembly located downstream of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator via a liquid phase discharge port of the gas flow path and liquid flow path separator. At block 922, the method 900 comprises pumping the at least some of the reservoir fluid by the second fluid mover. At block 924, the method 900 comprises flowing the at least some of the reservoir fluid out the pump discharge of the integral gas separator and pump assembly via the production tubing to a surface location.
The following are non-limiting, specific embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure:
While embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RI, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=RI+k*(Ru−RI), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.
Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The discussion of a reference herein is not an admission that it is prior art, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.
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