Patent Application
20250059856
This application claims priority to and benefit of India patent application No. 202311055412, entitled “Techniques for Providing a Carbon Dioxide Liquid Injection System”, filed on Aug. 18, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
CO2 injection for utilization and sequestration has generally been an industry practice for decades. Many projects start in North America for CO2 storage purposes. However, net zero initiatives have driven the need to expand such activity outside of North America. In locations like the Middle East and Asia, a mid to long-term continuous injection pilot may be required for comprehensive well evaluation before moving to a full-field development plan. In a long-term injection pilot well, there are many uncertainties and risks associated with a project. For example, such uncertainties and risk may include health, safety, and environment (HSE), flow-assurance and injectivity capabilities.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for carbon dioxide injection. A carbon dioxide injection manager pumps carbon dioxide into a wellbore with a carbon dioxide pump. The carbon dioxide injection manager measures a carbon dioxide temperature of the carbon dioxide at the wellbore. Based on the carbon dioxide temperature, the carbon dioxide injection manager increases the temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a carbon dioxide injection system. A carbon dioxide pump is configured to pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore. A temperature sensor is located at the wellbore to measure a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore. A heater is located between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore, wherein the heater is configured to maintain the carbon dioxide above a minimum temperature threshold.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a carbon dioxide injection system. The carbon dioxide injection system includes a carbon dioxide pump, a temperature sensor, and a heater. A computing system includes memory having instructions that cause a processor to pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore with the carbon dioxide pump. The instructions further cause the processor to measure, with the temperature sensor, a carbon dioxide temperature of the carbon dioxide at the wellbore. The instructions further cause the processor to, based on the carbon dioxide temperature, increase, with the heater, a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth herein, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example embodiments, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for low-volume carbon dioxide injection into a wellbore. In some situations, carbon dioxide injection may be used for certain activities, such as utilization during operations (such as in enhanced oil recovery (EOR)) and sequestration (e.g., long-term underground storage). But such conventional injection systems may include high-volume injections of carbon dioxide that occur over a short period of time. In some situations, an operator may desire a low-volume carbon dioxide injection system that may operate for extended hours (e.g., up to 24 hours per day) for an extended period of time (e.g., years of continuous operation). Conventional carbon dioxide systems may not reliably inject carbon dioxide at a variable rate over extended periods and/or include sufficient control systems for autonomous operation.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a carbon dioxide injection system may include a low-volume cryogenic pump. The pump may pump supercritical carbon dioxide for injection into a wellbore. In some embodiments, the pump may be connected to various piping, manifolds, valves, connections, and conduits that may be connected to a well head. The carbon dioxide may be injected into the wellbore at the well head. The piping, manifolds, valves, connections, and conduits may have a safe operating temperature. Below this operating temperature, these elements may be damaged, resulting in leaks or pressure loss. For example, elastomeric seals (such as O-rings), moving parts, and other elements may be damaged by contact with the low temperatures of the liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon dioxide injection system may include a heater. The heater may heat the pumped carbon dioxide to above a low-temperature threshold. This may reduce or prevent damage to the elements of the piping, manifolds, valves, connections, and conduits and reservoir formation rock within the well.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection system may monitor the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of the carbon dioxide as it is injected into the wellbore. When the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of the carbon dioxide flow is outside of a threshold range, an injection control system may adjust elements of the carbon dioxide injection. For example, the injection control system may adjust the flow rate of the carbon dioxide and/or the temperature of the carbon dioxide injection. This may maintain the properties of the carbon dioxide flow within pre-determined parameters.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the carbon dioxide injection system may be modular. For example, the carbon dioxide injection system may include standard connections to compressed gas storage tanks and/or surface piping systems. In some systems, the elements of the carbon dioxide injection system, including the pumps, valves, and heater, may be mounted to a mobile platform. For example, the carbon dioxide injection system may be mounted to a skid or a container. In some embodiments, the modular, skid-mounted carbon dioxide injection system may be electrically powered. The electrical power may include connections and voltages that are commonly found at well sites, facilitating easy connection and reliable, long-term operation. In this manner, the carbon dioxide injection system may be easily transported and setup between jobsites.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection system may be configured for long-term carbon dioxide injection. For example, the modular skids may facilitate the connection of multiple skids to the same well head. If a particular pump, heater, or other element is damaged, a backup skid may be utilized to pump carbon dioxide. An alarm may be sent to an operator, and the backup skid may pump carbon dioxide into the wellbore during replacement and/or repair of the failed element. In this manner, the carbon dioxide injection system may facilitate long-term carbon dioxide injection.
The carbon dioxide pump 106 may pump the carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide storage 108 to a wellhead 110. The wellhead 110 may be a structure connected to the wellbore 102 at the surface, such as at the collar 112 of the surface. The wellhead 110 may include pressure control equipment to maintain a pressure seal at casing 114 at the upper portion of the wellbore 102. The wellhead 110 may include various elements related to production and protection of the wellbore, including blowout preventers (BOP), isolation valves, choke equipment, production valves, intervention valves, and so forth.
Carbon dioxide may be injected into the wellbore 102 for various reasons. For example, carbon dioxide may be injected into the wellbore 102 for long term storage (e.g., sequestration). In some examples, carbon dioxide may be injected into the wellbore 102 for production purposes (e.g., enhanced oil recovery (EOR)). Carbon dioxide may infiltrate the formation surrounding the wellbore 102. For example, carbon dioxide may enter pores in the formation and/or enter the interstitial spaces between grains and/or strata in the formation.
In some situations, carbon dioxide infiltration in the formation may be relatively slow. For example, the formation may have a low porosity and/or a low transmissivity of gasses. In some situations, for EOR, a formation may have a particular infiltration rate to maintain a desired rate of production. The carbon dioxide injection system 100 may inject carbon dioxide into the wellbore 102 based on this infiltration rate. For example, the carbon dioxide pump 106 may pump the carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide storage 108 to the wellhead 110 and into the wellbore 102 with a flow rate that equals or approximately equals the infiltration rate.
In some embodiments, the infiltration rate may be based on the enhanced production in an EOR context. In some embodiments, the infiltration rate may be based on how much carbon dioxide may infiltrate the formation without cracking or otherwise physically damaging or altering the formation.
As discussed herein, the pumping rate may be the volumetric flow rate with which the carbon dioxide pump 106 pumps carbon dioxide into the wellbore. In some embodiments, the pumping rate may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.2 m3/hr, 0.3 m3/hr, 0.4 m3/hr, 0.5 m3/hr, 0.6 m3/hr, 0.7 m3/hr, 0.8 m3/hr, 0.9 m3/hr, 1.0 m3/hr, 1.25 m3/hr, 1.5 m3/hr, 1.75 m3/hr, 2.0 m3/hr, 2.5 m3/hr, 3.0 m3/hr, 3.5 m3/hr, 4.0 m3/hr, 4.5 m3/hr, 5.0 m3/hr, 6.0 m3/hr, 7.5 m3/hr, 10.0 m3/hr, or any value therebetween. For example, the pumping rate may be greater than 0.2 m3/hr. In another example, the pumping rate may be less than 10.0 m3/hr. In yet other examples, the pumping rate may be any value in a range between 0.2 m3/hr and 10.0 m3/hr. In some embodiments, it may be critical that the pumping rate is between 0.5 m3/hr and 5.0 m3/hr to match the infiltration rate of the formation without damaging the formation.
In some embodiments, the pumping rate may be less than or equal to the infiltration rate. For example, the carbon dioxide pump 106 may pump carbon dioxide into the wellbore 102 at a rate that is less than or equal to the rate at which the carbon dioxide may infiltrate the wellbore 102.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide pump 106 may have a variable pumping rate. For example, the carbon dioxide pump 106 may include a variable frequency drive or other motor that may facilitate variable pumping rates. In some embodiments, the injection skid 104 may include multiple carbon dioxide pumps 106. For example, the injection skid 104 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more carbon dioxide pumps. The multiple carbon dioxide pumps 106 may be arranged in parallel. The carbon dioxide injection system 100 may operate multiple carbon dioxide pumps 106 in parallel to increase the total pumping rate of the carbon dioxide injection system 100. In some embodiments, the different carbon dioxide pumps 106 on the injection skid 104 may have the same pumping capacity. In some embodiments, the different carbon dioxide pumps 106 on the injection skid 104 may have different pumping capacities.
The injection skid 104 may further include a heater 116. The heater 116 may be located between the carbon dioxide pump 106 and the wellhead 110. The heater 116 may heat the carbon dioxide pumped from the carbon dioxide pump 106. The carbon dioxide injection system 100 may include connection and control elements 118. The connection and control elements 118 may include piping, manifolds, valves, connections, conduits, instrumentation and so forth that may connect carbon dioxide storage 108, the carbon dioxide pump 106, the heater 116, and the other elements of the carbon dioxide injection system 100 to the wellhead 110 and the wellbore 102. Various elements of the connection and control elements 118 may have operating temperatures. When liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide is pumped through the connection and control elements 118, if the carbon dioxide temperature is below the operating temperature, the connection and control elements 118 may be damaged and/or experience reduced operating effectiveness. For example, cold temperatures may cause portions of the connection and control elements 118 to become more brittle, shrink, or crack. This may cause leaks or other failures in the carbon dioxide injection system 100. Furthermore, if the temperature of the carbon dioxide is too low, then the carbon dioxide may solidify dependent upon the process requirement, thereby plugging or otherwise constricting flow of carbon dioxide through the connection and control elements 118 and/or movement of valves and other movable members of the connection and control elements 118. Put another way, the minimum temperature threshold may be based on an equipment operation temperature or process safety requirement, or temperature limits of wellbore elements or components.
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater 116 may increase the temperature of the carbon dioxide flowing through the connection and control elements 118 to above a minimum operating temperature. This may reduce or prevent damage to the connection and control elements 118 based on cold carbon dioxide flowing through the connection and control elements 118. In some embodiments, the heater 116 may maintain the temperature above a formation shock temperature. For example, cold carbon dioxide may cause thermal cracking when it comes into contact with the formation. Maintaining the carbon dioxide above the minimum operating temperature may reduce or prevent thermal shocking of the formation, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of the formation. Put another way, the minimum operating temperature may be a thermal shock temperature that may cause thermal shock in the formation, or a temperature limit of the wellbore.
In some embodiments, the minimum operating temperature may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of −50° C., −40° C., −30° C., −20° C., −15° C., −10° C., −5° C., 0° C., 5° C., 10° C., 15° C., 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., or any value therebetween. For example, the minimum operating temperature may be greater than −50° C. In another example, the minimum operating temperature may be less than 40° C. In yet other examples, the minimum operating temperature may be any value in a range between −50° C. and 40° C. In some embodiments, it may be critical that the minimum operating temperature is between −10° C. and 0° C. to maintain the carbon dioxide in the liquid or supercritical phase and reduce damage to the connection and control elements 118 and formation. This may reduce or prevent the Joules Thomson effect from causing the surface equipment (include piping, manifolds, valves, connections, conduits, instrumentation and so forth) to drop below their minimum design temperature limit.
In some embodiments, the heater 116 may heat the carbon dioxide to a temperature that is less than a high temperature threshold. The high temperature threshold may be selected to maintain the carbon dioxide out of the gas phase. For example, the high temperature threshold may be selected based on the carbon dioxide pressure to prevent the carbon dioxide from evaporating from the liquid phase or exiting the supercritical phase to enter the gas phase or being fine-tuned with the properties of a gas.
Certain portions of the carbon dioxide injection system 100 may be modular. For example, the injection skid 104 may include the carbon dioxide pump 106 and the heater 116 located on a skid 120. The skid 120 may further include the connection and control elements 118 used to connect the carbon dioxide pump 106 to the heater 116 and for operation and maintenance of the carbon dioxide pump 106.
The modular injection skid 104 may include open connections to the carbon dioxide storage 108 and the wellhead 110. The open connections may include connection types that are commonly used in the oil and gas industry. This may allow the operator to easily and quickly connect the injection skid 104 to the carbon dioxide storage 108 and the wellhead 110. In some embodiments, multiple modular injection skids 104 may be connected to the wellhead 110 at the same time. This may facilitate increased pumping rates and/or reliability. For example, multiple modular injection skids 104 may facilitate continuous pumping of carbon dioxide during maintenance and repair of the various parts of the injection skid 104.
In some embodiments, the injection skid 104 may be electrically powered and connectable to the pre-existing electric grid at a wellsite. Typical pumping systems are short term, and utilize generators (e.g., diesel or other fossil-fuel generators) for power. The carbon dioxide injection system 100 of the present disclosure may be connectable to the electric grid for power. This may facilitate autonomous operation of the injection skid 104 without regular monitoring of fuel levels and trips to the wellsite to refuel the carbon dioxide pump 106.
The injection skid 204 may facilitate a variable carbon dioxide flow rate into the wellbore. For example, the carbon dioxide pumps 206 are illustrated as connected in parallel to the carbon dioxide storage 208. Based on the desired flow rate into the wellbore, the carbon dioxide injection system 200 may operate one or both of the carbon dioxide pumps 206. While two carbon dioxide pumps 206 are illustrated in the embodiment shown, it should be understood that the injection skid 204 may include more than two carbon dioxide pumps 206.
The injection skid 204 may include pump valves (collectively 224). When the first carbon dioxide pump 206-1 is operating, a first pump valve 224-1 may open to direct carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide storage 208 to the first carbon dioxide pump 206-1. When the second carbon dioxide pump 206-2 is operating, a second pump valve 224-2 may open to direct carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide storage 208 to the second carbon dioxide pump 206-2. Based on the flow rates of the carbon dioxide pumps 206, which may be the same or different, the first pump valve 224-1 may be open, the second pump valve 224-2 may be open, or both the first pump valve 224-1 and the second pump valve 224-2 may be open.
The data header 222 may measure properties of the carbon dioxide flow into the wellhead 210. For example, the data header 222 may include one or more sensors used to measure the properties of the carbon dioxide flow. The sensors at the data header 222 may include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a volumetric flow rate sensor, any other sensor, and combinations thereof. A carbon dioxide injection manager may adjust the operation of carbon dioxide pumps 206 and/or the heater 216 based on the properties of the carbon dioxide measured at the data header 222.
For example, when the temperature of the carbon dioxide is less than the minimum temperature threshold discussed herein, then the carbon dioxide injection manager may cause the heater 216 to increase the temperature of the carbon dioxide. The injection skid 204 may include a heater bypass valve 226. When the heater 216 is operating, the heater bypass valve 226 may direct the carbon dioxide flow to the heater 216. When the heater 216 is not operating, the heater bypass valve 226 may direct the carbon dioxide to bypass the heater 216. In some embodiments, the heater 216 may have a variable heating capacity. For example, the heater 216 may have different energy levels that may be applied to the carbon dioxide to fine-tune the temperature of the carbon dioxide.
In some examples, when the flow rate of the carbon dioxide is outside of an injection range, the carbon dioxide injection manager may cause the carbon dioxide pumps 206 to adjust the pumping rate. For example, when the flow rate of the carbon dioxide is less than the injection rate, then the carbon dioxide injection manager may increase the operation of the carbon dioxide pumps 206 (e.g., by turning on a pump and/or increasing the pumping rate). When the flow rate of the carbon dioxide is greater than the injection rate, then the carbon dioxide injection manager may decrease the operation of the carbon dioxide pumps 206 (e.g., by turning off a pump and/or decreasing the pumping rate).
In some examples, when the pressure of the carbon dioxide is outside of a pressure range, the carbon dioxide injection manager may adjust one or both of the pumping rate or the temperature of the carbon dioxide. For example, the pressure of the carbon dioxide may be based on the pumping rate, the temperature, the conditions at the formation, and so forth. If the pressure at the formation is too high, then the formation may experience fracturing or other cracking. To reduce the pressure at the formation, the carbon dioxide injection manager may reduce the pumping rate by the carbon dioxide pumps 206 and/or reduce the temperature of the carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection manager may manage the pumping rate to maintain the carbon dioxide pressure within a threshold pressure range. The threshold pressure range may be based on the infiltration properties of the formation.
In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection manager may receive pressure, temperature, and flow rate measurements from downhole in the wellbore. The carbon dioxide injection manager may adjust the flow rate and temperature of the carbon dioxide based on the downhole measurements. Utilizing downhole measurements may improve the accuracy of the adjustments to the flow rate and temperature.
Utilizing multiple injection skids 304 may increase the autonomy and continuous operation of the carbon dioxide injection system 300. For example, during operation, wear and tear on equipment may lead to various elements of the carbon dioxide injection system 300 becoming damaged or in need of maintenance. When an element from one of the injection skids 304 is damaged, the other injection skids 304 may maintain continuous operation until repair or maintenance is completed. In this manner, the modular carbon dioxide injection system 300 may facilitate continuous operation.
In some embodiments, a carbon dioxide injection manager may monitor the status of the equipment of the carbon dioxide injection system 300. For example, the carbon dioxide pumps 306 and/or the heaters 316 may include one or more monitoring sensors that may monitor the operating status of the equipment. In some embodiments, the monitoring sensors may be part of or connected to the data header 322. When the monitoring sensors identify that an element of the carbon dioxide injection system 300 has been damaged or is in need of maintenance, the carbon dioxide injection system may prepare an alarm that may alert the operator of the maintenance. The carbon dioxide injection manager may then cause the carbon dioxide injection system 300 to not use the equipment until repair or maintenance is complete. In this manner, the carbon dioxide injection manager may facilitate continuous operation.
Furthermore, the components of the carbon dioxide injection manager 428 may, for example, be implemented as one or more operating systems, as one or more stand-alone applications, as one or more modules of an application, as one or more plug-ins, as one or more library functions or functions that may be called by other applications, and/or as a cloud-computing model. Thus, the components may be implemented as a stand-alone application, such as a desktop or mobile application. Furthermore, the components may be implemented as one or more web-based applications hosted on a remote server. The components may also be implemented in a suite of mobile device applications or “apps.”
The carbon dioxide injection manager 428 may receive carbon dioxide flow measurements from carbon dioxide sensors 430. As discussed herein, the carbon dioxide sensors 430 may monitor any aspect of the carbon dioxide flow. For example, a temperature sensor 432 may measure the temperature of the carbon dioxide flow. A pressure sensor 434 may measure the pressure of the carbon dioxide flow. A flow rate sensor 436 may measure a flow rate of the carbon dioxide flow.
As discussed herein, the carbon dioxide sensors 430 may be located at any location in the carbon dioxide injection system. For example, the carbon dioxide sensors 430 may be located at the surface at a data header. In some examples, the carbon dioxide sensors 430 may be located downhole, such as at a bottomhole assembly (BHA), or in a production zone. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide sensors 430 may be third-party sensors, and the carbon dioxide injection manager 428 may receive the measurements from the third-party.
A flow rate controller 438 may receive measurements from the carbon dioxide sensors 430. The flow rate controller 438 may determine whether the measurements are within a threshold range. When the measurements from the carbon dioxide sensors 430 are outside of their relevant threshold ranges, the flow rate controller 438 may cause changes to the carbon dioxide injection system. For example, the flow rate controller 438 may instruct a pump manager 440 to adjust operation of one or more pumps and/or a heater manager 442 may cause one or more heaters to increase the temperature of the pumped carbon dioxide.
As a specific, non-limiting example, when the temperature sensor 432 measures a temperature of the carbon dioxide that is less than a minimum temperature threshold, the flow rate controller 438 may instruct the heater manager 442 to increase the temperature of the carbon dioxide flow. When the flow rate sensor 436 measures that the flow rate is greater than a maximum flow rate threshold, the flow rate controller 438 may cause the pump manager 440 to reduce the pumping rate (e.g., by reducing operation of one or more pumps or turning off one or more pumps). When the flow rate sensor 436 measures that the flow rate is less than a minimum flow rate threshold, the flow rate controller 438 may cause the pump manager 440 to increase the pumping rate (e.g., by increasing operation of one or more pumps or turning on one or more pumps).
In some embodiments, an alarm manager 444 may monitor the operating status of the pumps, the heater, or other elements of the carbon dioxide injection system. When the alarm manager 444 determines that one or more elements of the carbon dioxide injection system are damaged, the alarm manager 444 may prepare an alarm to send to an operator. The alarm manager 444 may further instruct the flow rate controller 438, the pump manager 440, and the heater manager 442 to bypass or otherwise not use the element to be repaired. In this manner, the carbon dioxide injection manager 428 may facilitate continuous operation, even while waiting for or performing maintenance on the carbon dioxide injection system.
As mentioned,
A carbon dioxide injection manager may pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore at 501. As discussed herein, the carbon dioxide injection manager may pump carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or a supercritical phase that is tuned to or exhibits the behavior of a liquid. This may facilitate injection or effusion of the carbon dioxide into the formation. The carbon dioxide injection manager may monitor the carbon dioxide temperature at 502. The carbon dioxide injection manager may determine 503 whether the carbon dioxide temperature is above a minimum temperature threshold. If the carbon dioxide temperature is above the minimum temperature threshold, the carbon dioxide injection manager may continue to monitor the carbon dioxide temperature while pumping the carbon dioxide into the wellbore. If the carbon dioxide temperature is below the minimum temperature threshold, the carbon dioxide injection manager may heat the carbon dioxide flow at 504.
As mentioned,
A carbon dioxide injection manager may pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore at 601. As discussed herein, the carbon dioxide injection manager may pump carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or a supercritical phase that is tuned to or exhibits the behavior of a liquid. This may facilitate injection or effusion of the carbon dioxide into the formation. The carbon dioxide injection manager may monitor the carbon dioxide pressure at 602. The carbon dioxide injection manager may determine 603 whether the carbon dioxide pressure is within a pressure threshold range.
If the carbon dioxide pressure is within the pressure threshold range, then the carbon dioxide injection manager 428 may adjust the flow rate of the carbon dioxide at 604. For example, the carbon dioxide injection manager may adjust the operation of one or more pumps in the carbon dioxide injection system to adjust the flow rate. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection manager may increase the flow rate when the pressure is below a low pressure threshold. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection manager may decrease the flow rate when the pressure is above a high pressure threshold. This may help to maintain the flow rate and pressure of the carbon dioxide injected into the wellbore within the desired injection rate.
The computer system 700 includes a processor 701. The processor 701 may be a general-purpose single or multi-chip microprocessor (e.g., an Advanced RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Machine (ARM)), a special purpose microprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)), a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, etc. The processor 701 may be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Although just a single processor 701 is shown in the computer system 700 of
The computer system 700 also includes memory 703 in electronic communication with the processor 701. The memory 703 may be any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. For example, the memory 703 may be embodied as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices in RAM, on-board memory included with the processor, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) memory, registers, and so forth, including combinations thereof.
Instructions 705 and data 707 may be stored in the memory 703. The instructions 705 may be executable by the processor 701 to implement some or all of the functionality disclosed herein. Executing the instructions 705 may involve the use of the data 707 that is stored in the memory 703. Any of the various examples of modules and components described herein may be implemented, partially or wholly, as instructions 705 stored in memory 703 and executed by the processor 701. Any of the various examples of data described herein may be among the data 707 that is stored in memory 703 and used during execution of the instructions 705 by the processor 701.
A computer system 700 may also include one or more communication interfaces 709 for communicating with other electronic devices. The communication interface(s) 709 may be based on wired communication technology, wireless communication technology, or both. Some examples of communication interfaces 709 include a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, a wireless adapter that operates in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless communication protocol, a Bluetooth® wireless communication adapter, and an infrared (IR) communication port.
A computer system 700 may also include one or more input devices 711 and one or more output devices 713. Some examples of input devices 711 include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, remote control device, button, joystick, trackball, touchpad, and lightpen. Some examples of output devices 713 include a speaker and a printer. One specific type of output device that is typically included in a computer system 700 is a display device 715. Display devices 715 used with embodiments disclosed herein may utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma, electroluminescence, or the like. A display controller 717 may also be provided, for converting data 707 stored in the memory 703 into text, graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display device 715.
The various components of the computer system 700 may be coupled together by one or more buses, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus, a status signal bus, a data bus, etc. For the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in
The embodiments of the carbon dioxide injection manager have been primarily described with reference to wellbore drilling operations; the carbon dioxide injection managers described herein may be used in applications other than the drilling of a wellbore. In other embodiments, carbon dioxide injection managers according to the present disclosure may be used outside a wellbore or other downhole environment used for the exploration or production of natural resources. For instance, carbon dioxide injection managers of the present disclosure may be used in a borehole used for placement of utility lines. Accordingly, the terms “wellbore,” “borehole” and the like should not be interpreted to limit tools, systems, assemblies, or methods of the present disclosure to any particular industry, field, or environment.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for carbon dioxide injection includes pumping carbon dioxide into a wellbore with a carbon dioxide pump; measuring a carbon dioxide temperature of the carbon dioxide at the wellbore; and based on the carbon dioxide temperature, increasing a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore. In some embodiments, increasing the temperature of the carbon dioxide includes heating the carbon dioxide to at least a temperature threshold when the carbon dioxide temperature is less than the temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the temperature threshold is based on a thermal shock temperature of a formation of the wellbore. In some embodiments, the temperature threshold is based on an equipment operation temperature of equipment at the wellbore. In some embodiments, increasing the temperature of the carbon dioxide includes heating the carbon dioxide to less than a high temperature threshold to maintain the carbon dioxide in a supercritical phase.
In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a carbon dioxide pressure at the wellbore; and based on the carbon dioxide pressure, adjusting a flow rate of the carbon dioxide based on a flow rate threshold. In some embodiments, measuring the carbon dioxide pressure includes measuring the carbon dioxide pressure downhole in the wellbore. In some embodiments, the flow rate threshold is based on a formation through which the wellbore extends. In some embodiments, adjusting the flow rate includes adjusting the flow rate to maintain the carbon dioxide pressure within a threshold pressure range. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide is pumped in a supercritical phase.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a carbon dioxide injection system includes a carbon dioxide pump that may pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore; a temperature sensor at the wellbore that may measure a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore; and a heater between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore. The heater may maintain the carbon dioxide above a minimum temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide pump has a pumping rate of between 0.5 m3/hr and 5 m3/hr. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide injection system includes piping connecting the carbon dioxide pump to a wellhead at a wellbore. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide pump includes a plurality of carbon dioxide pumps in parallel. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide pump and the heater are mounted on a skid.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a carbon dioxide injection system includes a carbon dioxide pump, a temperature sensor, a heater, and a processor and memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore with the carbon dioxide pump; measure, with the temperature sensor, a carbon dioxide temperature of the carbon dioxide at the wellbore; and based on the carbon dioxide temperature, increase, with the heater, a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore.
In some embodiments, increasing the temperature of the carbon dioxide includes heating the carbon dioxide to at least a temperature threshold when the carbon dioxide temperature is less than the temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the temperature threshold is based on a thermal shock temperature of a formation of the wellbore. In some embodiments, the temperature threshold is based on an equipment operation temperature of equipment at the wellbore. In some embodiments, increasing of the carbon dioxide includes heating the carbon dioxide to less than a high temperature threshold to maintain the carbon dioxide in a supercritical phase.
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable with any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that is within standard manufacturing or process tolerances, or which still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202311055412 | Aug 2023 | IN | national |
