Closed loop multiphase underbalanced drilling process

• US 20040007131A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Saponja, Jeffrey Charles, Chitty, Gregory H., Hosie, David Graham
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/253
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/063 by separating components
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/085 Underbalanced techniques, i.e. where borehole fluid pressure is below formation pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/14 using liquids and gases, e.g. foams
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/35 specially adapted for separating solids down-hole drilling fluid separation systems E21B21/002; separating solids from drilling fluids E21B21/065

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.

Claims

1. A system for handling fluids returning from a well, the well having an inlet and an outlet, comprising:

a separator having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the separator is in selective fluid communication a source of the return fluids; and

at least one multiphase pump in selective fluid communication with the separator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises at least one cylinder having a respective plunger.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the respective plungers in the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a wet gas is separated from the fluids.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the wet gas comprises more than one phase.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator is a four phase separator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a first multiphase pump is connected to the outlet of the separator.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a second multiphase pump is disposed between the inlet of the separator and the outlet of the well.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the wet gas is delivered to the first multiphase pump.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the wet gas is delivered from the first multiphase pump to the well inlet.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the wet gas is delivered from the first multiphase pump to an export line.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the separator is in selective fluid communication with the inlet of the well.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one multiphase pump is disposed between the inlet of the separator and the outlet of the well.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the return fluids comprise a wet gas.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the wet gas is recycled to the well inlet.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises at least one cylinder having a respective plunger.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the respective plungers in the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the well is in an underbalanced state.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises at least one cylinder having a respective plunger.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein a wet gas is separated from the fluids.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the separator is a four phase separator.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the wet gas is delivered from the first multiphase pump to the well inlet.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the wet gas is delivered from the first multiphase pump to an export line.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one multiphase pump is disposed between the inlet of the separator and the outlet of the well.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises at least one cylinder having a respective plunger.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the respective plungers in the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

14. The system of claim 14, wherein a portion of the return fluid is recycled to the well inlet.

15. The system of claim 15, wherein the recycled portion comprises a wet gas.

16. The system of claim 16, wherein the wet gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof.

34. A method of handling fluids returning from a well, comprising:

introducing the fluids into a separator; and

introducing at least a portion of the fluids into at least one multiphase pump.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising separating a wet gas from the fluids.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising recycling the wet gas.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the wet gas comprises one or more phases.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising delivering the wet gas to an export line.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises at least one cylinder having a respective plunger.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the respective plungers in the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one multiphase pump comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder move in alternating cycles.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the well is undergoing underbalanced operations.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein the well is undergoing drilling operations.

45. The method of claim 34, wherein the well is undergoing well testing.