Patent Grant
11965387
This disclosure incorporates by reference for all purposes the following US patents and pending U.S. patent applications: U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,642, entitled “Magnetic Liquid Conditioner,” issued Feb. 16, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,862, entitled “Fluid Conditioning System and Method,” issued Apr. 15, 2008; U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,371, entitled “Fluid Conditioning System and Method,” issued Aug. 11, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 9,039,901, entitled “Magnetic Water Conditioner,” filed May 8, 2008; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/566,658, entitled “Magnetic Metal Extractor From Oil,” filed Dec. 10, 2014.
This disclosure relates to oil and gas production, and more specifically, to positioning tools in a producing well for conditioning oil to inhibit the formation of paraffin or scale.
Several types of fluidized natural resources are extracted from underground formations including, but not limited to, water and hydrocarbons. With the extraction of these resources and the transportation of them (e.g., via pipeline) to a usable location on the surface, an undesirable precipitation of substances can occur within the fluid. For example, calcium carbonate can precipitate to form a scale in water; for another example, paraffin can precipitate in hydrocarbons (namely crude oil). A precipitate may be defined as a substance separating, in solid particles, from a liquid as a result of a chemical or physical change, or as a suspension of small solid particles in a liquid. The term precipitate may also be defined as the act of forming a solid and for the substance that is precipitated out of a solution. Precipitation in a water or oil pipeline, such as in oil well piping, often results in an undesirable deposit buildup on the internal wall of the piping and in storage tanks and other pipeline elements.
The deposit build-up adversely impacts the system. For example, paraffin deposition in crude oil transportation is a major concern in the oil and gas industry. Paraffin deposition could cost the worldwide oil and gas industry billions of dollars each year. This includes a variety of costs, such as, for example, inhibition and remediation costs, reduced or deferred production, well shut-ins, pipeline replacements and/or abandonment, equipment failures, extra horsepower requirements due to clogged systems, and increased manpower needs for various operational concerns. Known methods combine the negative effects of paraffin scraping and chemicals treatment and are often ineffective and cost prohibitive. Each of these processes, however, is not only expensive, but can also require extensive amounts of manpower and production downtime. In the case of chemicals, environmental and safety concerns are introduced due to inherent risks involved with handling the chemicals. Further, chemicals can reduce the capability to remove undesirable water and other substances from crude oil.
This disclosure presents methods and systems for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a well. In some embodiments, one or more magnetic fluid conditioners are attached to a coupling mandrel operable to engage with existing completion components in the well, such as a profile nipple. The profile nipple has a locking profile and a seal area. The coupling mandrel includes a locking mechanism, such as keys or dogs, for setting the mandrel to the profile nipple. The coupling mandrel further includes a packing stack that seals with the profile nipple at the seal area, for directing oil through the mandrel and thus, through the magnetic fluid conditioners. In some embodiments, multiple magnetic fluid conditioners are attached in tandem for more effective conditioning operations. The magnetic fluid conditioners can condition the oil to inhibit paraffin from forming therein.
In another instance, a profile nipple is not necessary for deploying the magnetic fluid conditioners. For example, a mandrel with expandable teeth on the side walls may engage the internal walls of the well's tubing once placed at desired positions (such as anywhere above the completion component). The mandrel may also include an expander for sealing the passage between the outer wall of the mandrel and the inner wall of the tubing to direct oil to flow through the mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioners attached thereto. This embodiment allows for more flexible positioning of the magnetic fluid conditioners, and multiple mandrels may be deployed in the same well.
In a first general aspect, a method for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a tubing of a producing well is described. The tubing has a completion component including a section of tubular wall with an internal surface machined to provide a seal area and a locking profile. The method includes inserting a coupling mandrel into the well. The coupling mandrel is connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner at a distal end of the coupling mandrel. The coupling mandrel is positioned partially within the completion component. The coupling mandrel is locked at the locking profile of the completion component. The coupling mandrel is sealed using the seal area of the completion component. As a result, the fluids are directed to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner.
In some embodiments, locking the coupling mandrel to the locking profile includes expanding a set of locking keys of the coupling mandrel to engage the locking profile of the completion component.
In some other embodiments, positioning the coupling mandrel further includes attaching a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing to a fishing neck of a proximal end of the coupling mandrel.
In yet some other embodiments, sealing the coupling mandrel using the seal area includes placing a packing stack in contact with the seal area, wherein the seal area is honed and polished to receive the packing stack.
In some embodiments, the completion component is a profile nipple placed at a strategic position of the well to allow accurate placement of the magnetic fluid conditioner.
In some other embodiments, directing fluids to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner attached thereto further includes conditioning the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin.
In yet some other embodiments, locking the coupling mandrel to the locking profile includes engaging the locking profile via a spring loaded locking dog on the coupling mandrel when the locking dog travels into the locking profile.
In a second general aspect, a method for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a well includes inserting and positioning a mandrel into a tubing of the well. The mandrel is connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner at a distal end of the mandrel. A number of teeth of the mandrel is expanded to engage internal walls of the tubing when the mandrel is at a desired position in the tubing. The mandrel is sealed and set with respect to the internal walls of the tubing using an expander of the mandrel. Fluids are then directed to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner.
In some embodiments, expanding the number of teeth of the mandrel further includes pulling up a distal portion of the mandrel to displace a plurality of slips surrounding the distal portion as to expand the slips and the plurality of teeth thereon to bite against the internal walls of the tubing.
In some other embodiments, the mandrel is coupled to more than one magnetic fluid conditioner in tandem.
In yet some other embodiments, directing fluids to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner attached thereto further includes conditioning the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin.
In some embodiments, the desired position in the tubing is a position above a profile nipple positioned inside the tubing.
In some other embodiments, lowering the mandrel into the tubing includes attaching a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing onto a fishing neck of the mandrel.
In a third general aspect, a system for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a well includes a tubing installed with at least one completion component at a first location. The completion component includes at least a section of tubular wall with an internal surface machined to provide a seal area and a locking profile. A coupling mandrel is configured to be connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner at a distal end of the coupling mandrel. The coupling mandrel is configured to be locked at the locking profile of the completion component. The coupling mandrel is configured to be sealed against the seal area of the completion component to direct fluids to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner.
In some embodiments, the coupling mandrel includes a set of locking keys expandable to engage the locking profile of the completion component.
In some other embodiments, the coupling mandrel is attached to a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing at a fishing neck of a proximal end of the coupling mandrel.
In yet some other embodiments, the coupling mandrel further includes a packing stack for sealing with the seal area wherein the seal area is honed and polished to receive the packing stack.
In some embodiments, the completion component is a profile nipple installed at the first location of the tubing to allow accurate placement of the magnetic fluid conditioner.
In some other embodiments, the magnetic fluid conditioner is configured to condition the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin.
In yet some other embodiments, the coupling mandrel includes a spring loaded locking dog for engaging the locking profile when the locking dog travels into the locking profile.
In some embodiments, the magnetic fluid conditioner further includes a first end, a second end, and a number of singularly alternating opposing magnetic transitions separated by spacers. The magnetic fluid conditioner is operable to receive the flowing fluid at the first end, to provide a magnetic field to the flowing fluid, and to discharge the flowing fluid at the second end. The magnetic fluid conditioner further includes a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an internal surface area, an external surface area, and an internal volume of the sleeve defined by the boundaries of the first end, the second end and the internal surface area of the sleeve. The magnetic fluid conditioner further includes a cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, an internal surface area, an external surface area, and a hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member defined by the boundaries of the first end, the second end and the internal surface area of the cylindrical member.
The magnetic fluid conditioner further includes a first number of magnets stacked together with the spacers in between in a magnetic attraction orientation to hold the stacked magnets together to form a first stack of magnets; and a second plurality of magnets stacked together with the spacers in between in a magnetic attraction orientation to hold the stacked magnets together to form a second stack of magnets. The first stack of magnets are positioned along a first portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member, and the second stack of magnets are positioned along a second portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member such that a magnetic attraction is cylindrical member such that a magnetic attraction is established between the first stack of magnets and the second stack of magnets through the hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member to apply a magnetic flux density to the hollow internal volume, and to hold the first stack of magnets along the first portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member, and to hold the second stack of magnets along the second portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member, the first stack of magnets and the second stack of magnets are positioned in the internal volume of the sleeve, and the hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member serves as the flow path for flowing fluid to flow from the first end of the cylindrical member to the second end of the cylindrical member.
For a more complete understanding of various embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, appendices, and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, and in which:
In the following detailed description and the attached drawings and appendices, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced, in some instances, different from such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, specific details, and the like, have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure, and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
This disclosure describes methods and systems for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in the well. The methods and systems allow for accurate positioning and setting of the magnetic fluid conditioners such that oil flows through the magnetic fluid conditioners and becomes conditioned via magnetic transitions to inhibit the formation of paraffin and scale. Multiple embodiments are disclosed.
In a first embodiment, an existing completion component is used. A profile nipple placed at strategic positions in the well for receiving tools can be used for receiving the coupling mandrel that carries one or more magnetic fluid conditioners down the well. The coupling mandrel can lock and seal with the profile nipple and directs the oil to flow through the mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner attached thereto.
In a second embodiment, a slip lock mandrel can be set with respect to the tubing and seal to direct oil to flow through the mandrel. In this embodiment, no profile nipple is needed so that the slip lock mandrel may be placed anywhere in the tubing, such as, for example, above the completion component.
During operation, the completion component 205 is first placed at a strategic position into the well 100. The coupling mandrel 200 is then inserted into the well 100, carrying the magnetic fluid conditioner 270 at the distal end. When the coupling mandrel 200 is lowered to the completion component 205, the keys 240 are pushed outward radially to engage the locking profile 245 of the completion component 205. The packing 250 seals the sealed area 255 and therefore directs the fluids in the well to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner 270 and the coupling mandrel 200. Although
Other coupling mandrels may also be used in the place of the coupling mandrel 300. For example, the mandrel may not be limited to the specified components and can further include a fishing neck, a no-go retainer, a shear pin, a no-go ring, one or more sheer dogs, an expander tube, a lock housing, a backup ring, a packing stack, and adapter ring, a packing body, a ratchet assembly, and other components for specific mandrel configurations.
During operation, the slip lock mandrel 505 is lowered into the well, and when it is at the desired depth, the expander 560 is pulled up so that the plurality of slip teeth 520 of force to expand radially to bite into place in the tubing 502. The expander 560 also increased the radial dimension of the element 555 to seal off the tubing 502. Such slip lock mandrel 505 allows for positioning the magnetic fluid conditioners 570 at any location of the tubing 502, above a completion component such as the profile nipple and packer. Similar to previous illustrations, although only one magnetic fluid conditioner 570 is illustrated; two or more can be carried by the slip lock mandrel 505 in tandem.
At 720, a coupling mandrel is inserted into the well. The coupling mandrel carries the magnetic fluid conditioner at its distal end. In some embodiments, two or more magnetic fluid conditioners may be assembled in tandem and carried together with the coupling mandrel. At 730, the coupling mandrel is lowered to reach the completion component. For example, a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing is attached to the proximal end of the coupling mandrel at the fishing neck.
At 740, when the coupling mandrel has reached the completion component, the coupling mandrel is deadlocked at a locking profile of the completion component. For example, the coupling mandrel includes a set of locking keys that can be expanded by pulling an expander upwards, wherein the expanded locking keys engage the locking profile of the completion component. In other instances, locking the coupling mandrel at the locking profile includes spring loading a locking dog on the coupling mandrel for engaging the locking profile when a locking dog travels into the locking profile. The locking dog then inhibits the coupling mandrel from moving upwards in the retrieval direction.
At 750, the coupling mandrel is sealed with respect to the completion component. For example, a packing stack of the coupling mandrel is mated with the sealed area of the completion component, wherein the seal area is honed and polished to receive the packing stack. In some embodiments, the completion component is a profile nipple placed at a strategic position of the well to allow accurate placement of the magnetic fluid conditioner.
At 760 the oil is directed to flow through the coupling mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner after the space between the coupling mandrel and the completion component has been sealed off. The magnetic fluid conditioner includes a plurality of magnetic transitions that condition the oil to inhibit paraffin from forming (further described in
Although the flowcharts 700 illustrate a method for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in the well with a completion component, such as a profile nipple, the completion component is not always necessary. For example, in a different embodiment, a slip lock mandrel may be used to set the magnetic fluid conditioner in the tubing of the well without engaging a completion component. As such, the slick level mandrel is first inserted and lowered into the tubing of the well (e.g., with a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing holding onto the fishing neck of the mandrel), such as illustrated in
The slick level mandrel carries the magnetic fluid conditioner at its distal end. Upon reaching at the desired position of the well, a plurality of teeth of the mandrel is expanded to engage the internal walls of the tubing. The mandrel is then sealed and set with respect to the internal walls of the tubing with an expander of the mandrel. For example, the expander displaces and expands a plurality of teeth and an element, such that the teeth sink and engage with the internal wall surfaces of the tubing to secure the mandrel in place while the element expands to seal off the space between the mandrel and the tubing. The oil is then directed to flow through the mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner attached thereto.
Either the embodiment illustrated in the flow chart 700 or the alternative example without use of a completion component may have one or more mandrels, each carrying one or more magnetic fluid conditioners. One of ordinary skill in the art may adapt and modify the described embodiments to specific operation requirements based on the disclosed methods and systems. Therefore, the above description is not limited to the explicit embodiment presented herein.
Although
The magnetic fluid conditioners provide the capability to expose a fluid, such as oil or water, to multiple pole reversals or magnetic transitions, i.e., fluid flows through magnetic fields set up in opposite or different directions, over a short distance. This may include the fluid flowing through three or more magnetic transitions or magnetic pole reversals of at least about 1700 Gauss over a one foot length of a magnetic fluid conditioner. In another embodiment, the fluid flowing through eleven or more magnetic transitions (also referred to as magnetic pole reversals) with a magnetic flux density in the center of the flow path of at least about 1700 Gauss, as the fluid flows along a foot length of a magnet fluid conditioner. This is believed to greatly enhance the effectiveness of the magnetic fluid conditioner 135.
The stainless steel rectangular tubing 840 generally defines a channel 860, which may be referred to as the flow path or flow region of the rectangular tubing 840, through which fluid will flow. Preferably the stainless steel rectangular tubing 840 is made of an alloy that will not (or minimally) effect the magnetic field generated by the magnet 840 and 832—e.g., stainless steel, but may be made of any of a variety of available materials and shapes, such as circular, triangular, square, etc. shapes. As an example of size, intended for illustrative purposes only, the stainless steel rectangular tubing 840 can be half an inch by one-and-half an inch and the magnets 830 and 832 may be half an inch by half an inch by one inch, with the half an inch by one inch side serving as the “working face” or “working surface” of the magnet, which is the face closest to the side of the rectangular tubing 840.
Turning now to
The working surface of the magnets are oriented such that at least one North and one South pole of the magnets 830 are positioned opposite each other across the flow region of the rectangular tubing 840 to provide a magnetic flux density of at least 1700 Gauss in the center of the flow region. The magnets 830 may be separated from the magnet above and/or below each other using a spacer 890 as shown. The orientation of the poles of each magnet is preferably arranged such that there is a magnetic attraction between the magnets that are stacked above and below each other in the stack of magnets. This adds additional stability to the stack of magnets, even though the spacer 890 in certain embodiments may comprise of a different thickness, number, or material. In an alternative embodiment, a glue or adhesive may be used between the magnet 830 and a spacer 890 to provide additional structural support to the stack of magnets 830.
The magnets 830 are preferably implemented using rare earth magnets, with a magnetic flux (or field) density sufficient to provide a magnetic flux density in the fluid flow path of, for example, at least about 1700 Gauss, but preferably as high as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic flux density in the fluid flow path above ground may be provided at about 3500 to 4000 Gauss. In other embodiments, the magnetic flux density is provided in a range between about 1700 Gauss and 5500 Gauss, and a range between about 2800 Gauss and 3000 Gauss for magnetic fluid conditioner positioned downhole. In some embodiments, a high level of magnetic flux density up to about 6000-7000 Gauss may be achieved. It should be understood that a wide range of magnetic flux density can be specified according to various applications, for example, the magnets 830 may be selected or produced to provide a range of about 100-8000 Gauss.
In one preferred embodiment, the materials used for the magnet is neodymium iron boron, which preferably is provided in a water resistant housing, and may include a nickel plating (such as 115000th of an inch thick coating), or other types of coating as desired. The use of the plurality of magnets 830 helps to maximize the exposure of the fluid flowing through the flow path 860 to numerous magnetic field transitions (which include polarity changes of the magnetic field) generated by the magnets 830.
As an example of the size, intended for illustrative purposes only, the length of the magnetic the fluid conditioner 135 can be 4 to 8 feet long from the first end to the second end. In a preferred embodiment, the number of magnetic field transitions experienced by fluid flowing from the first end to the second end will be a least three magnetic field transitions per foot, and preferably at least eleven magnetic field transitions per foot. In certain embodiments, at least 30 magnetic field transitions per foot may be provided, especially in applications such as downhole oil well applications where space is limited.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/160,390, filed on May 20, 2016, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/164,353, filed May 20, 2015.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 15160390 | May 2016 | US |
| Child | 17477310 | US |
