WELL CHEMICAL TREATMENT UTILIZING PLUNGER LIFT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH CHEMICALLY IMPROVED PLUNGER SEAL

• US 20070039739A1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Original Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Inventors: Wilson, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 7,451,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/369
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/02 Dump bailers, i.e. containers for depositing substances, e.g. cement or acids
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/068 having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells cementing-heads E21B33/05
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/06 using chemical means for preventing or limiting , e.g. eliminating, the deposition of paraffins or like substances
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/121 Lifting well fluids monitoring of down-hole pump systems E21B47/008
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/25 Methods for stimulating production by vibrating earth formations E21B43/003

Abstract

An apparatus incorporating a chemical seal and method for removing fluids from a well is disclosed. The chemical seal is created by a foaming agent which, when in the presence of gas and fluids present in the well, and when agitated by the apparatus, creates foam between the apparatus and the walls of the well in which it operates. The foam improves the seal between the apparatus and the inner wall of the well, improving the efficiency of the apparatus in lifting fluids from the well. Furthermore, the chemical seal improves the distribution of treatment chemicals within the well as it reduces liquid flowback. Automatic recharging or reapplication of the foaming agent and/or treatment chemicals to the apparatus can be accomplished with a chemical application assembly associated with the well.

Claims

1. A plunger with a chemical seal for use in a well comprising:

a plunger;

an interface section on said plunger;

one or more mechanical cleaning apparatus mounted to said interface section; and

a foaming agent.

2. The plunger of claim 1 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said mechanical cleaning apparatus.

3. The plunger of claim 1 further comprising a chemical dispenser, wherein said dispenser defines one or more receptacles for receiving treatment chemical.

4. The plunger of claim 1 wherein said mechanical cleaning apparatus is selected from the group consisting of brushes, pads, ridges, and coiled members.

5. The plunger of claim 4 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said mechanical cleaning apparatus such that, when said plunger is in operation, said mechanical cleaning apparatus agitates said foaming agent such that said foaming agent creates foam and a chemical seal.

6. A method for removing fluid from a well comprising the steps of:

applying a foaming agent to a plunger;

releasing said plunger into said well such that it is able to travel through said well;

causing pressure in said well to increase such that said pressure is sufficient to lift said plunger and said fluid to the surface of said well.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a surfactant to said plunger.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of applying a lubricant to said plunger.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said foaming agent is a lubricant or surfactant.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a treatment chemical to said plunger.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said plunger includes a receptacle, the step of applying a treatment chemical to said plunger further including the step of applying said treatment chemical to said receptacle.

12. In the method of claim 10, wherein said well includes a chemical applicator, the additional step of applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said chemical applicator is comprised of:

a manifold which receives said plunger;

a plunger catcher connected to said manifold;

one or more applicators connected to said manifold, said one or more applicators having open ends positioned to apply at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger; and

one or more delivery conduits connected to said one or more applicators;

the further step of applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of catching said plunger with said plunger catcher at least once as said plunger travels within said well and applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator at least once when said plunger is caught.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying a surfactant to said plunger.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying a lubricant to said plunger.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said foaming agent is a lubricant or surfactant.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of applying a treatment chemical to said plunger.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said plunger includes a receptacle, the step of applying a treatment chemical to said plunger further including the step of applying said treatment chemical to said receptacle.

21. In the method of claim 18, wherein said well includes a chemical applicator, the additional step of applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said chemical applicator is comprised of:

a manifold which receives said plunger;

a plunger catcher connected to said manifold;

one or more applicators connected to said manifold, said one or more applicators having open ends positioned to apply at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger; and

one or more delivery conduits connected to said one or more applicators;

the step of applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of catching said plunger with said plunger catcher at least once as said plunger travels within said well and applying at least one of said treatment chemical and said foaming agent to said plunger through said chemical applicator at least once when said plunger is caught.

15. A method for removing fluid from a well comprising the steps of:

releasing a plunger into a well;

creating foam and a chemical seal around said plunger such that as said plunger, said foam and said chemical seal rise to the top of said well said fluid is removed from said well.

24. An apparatus for increasing oil and gas recovery in a well comprising:

a plunger,

an interface section; and

a foaming agent.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising foam and a chemical seal.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said interface section.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a chemical dispenser, wherein said dispenser defines one or more receptacles for receiving treatment chemical.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said interface section includes mechanical cleaning apparatus and said mechanical cleaning apparatus is selected from the group consisting of brushes, pads, groves, and coiled members.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said mechanical cleaning apparatus such that, when said apparatus is in operation, said mechanical cleaning apparatus agitates said foaming agent such that said foaming agent creates foam and a chemical seal.

30. An apparatus for delivering chemicals down a wellbore which includes a stop comprising:

a plunger;

an interface section on said body;

a chemical dispenser;

a foaming agent; and

a chemical seal.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said chemical dispenser is dimensioned so as to be able to pass through said stop.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising one or more mechanical cleaning apparatus mounted to said interface section.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said mechanical cleaning apparatus.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said chemical dispenser defines one or more receptacles for receiving treatment chemical.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said interface section includes mechanical cleaning apparatus and said mechanical cleaning apparatus is selected from the group consisting of brushes, pads, groves, and coiled members.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said foaming agent is applied to said mechanical cleaning apparatus such that, when said apparatus is in operation, said mechanical cleaning apparatus agitates said foaming agent such that said foaming agent creates said foam and said chemical seal.