Methods and systems for downhole sensing and communications in gas lift wells
First Claim
1. A sensing and communication system for a gas lift well, the gas lift well including a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing, said sensing and communication system comprising:
- a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through said turbine, wherein said turbine is positioned in a turbine chamber within the gas lift valve, such that the turbine chamber is in flow communication with a first conduit defined in the gas lift valve;
a resonator chamber; and
a flapper for controlling flow communication between the first conduit and said resonator chamber, wherein said resonator chamber generates a tone when said resonator chamber is in flow communication with the first conduit and the injected gas stream flows through the first conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing and communication system for a gas lift well is provided. The gas lift well includes a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing. The sensing and communication system includes a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through the turbine, wherein the turbine is positioned one of i) within an annulus defined between the production tubing and the casing and ii) within the gas lift valve, an alternator coupled to the turbine and configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the turbine, and at least one sensor coupled to the alternator and configured to operate using the generated electrical power.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sensing and communication system for a gas lift well, the gas lift well including a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing, said sensing and communication system comprising:
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a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through said turbine, wherein said turbine is positioned in a turbine chamber within the gas lift valve, such that the turbine chamber is in flow communication with a first conduit defined in the gas lift valve; a resonator chamber; and a flapper for controlling flow communication between the first conduit and said resonator chamber, wherein said resonator chamber generates a tone when said resonator chamber is in flow communication with the first conduit and the injected gas stream flows through the first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A gas lift well comprising:
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a casing; production tubing positioned within said casing; a gas lift valve coupled to said production tubing; and a sensing and communication system comprising; a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through said turbine, wherein said turbine is positioned in a turbine chamber within said gas lift valve, wherein the turbine chamber is in flow communication with a first conduit defined in said gas lift valve; a resonator chamber; and a flapper for controlling flow communication between the first conduit and said resonator chamber, wherein said resonator chamber generates a tone when said resonator chamber is in flow communication with the first conduit and the injected gas stream flows through the first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of assembling a sensing and communication system for a gas lift well that includes a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing, said method comprising:
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positioning a turbine in a turbine chamber within the gas lift valve, the turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through the turbine, wherein the turbine chamber is in flow communication with a first conduit defined in the gas lift valve; coupling a resonator chamber in flow communication with the first conduit; and coupling a flapper between the first conduit and the resonator chamber, the flapper for controlling flow communication between the first conduit and the resonator chamber, where the resonator chamber generates a tone when the resonator chamber is in flow communication with the first conduit and the injected gas stream flows through the first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification