Self-regulating lift fluid injection tool and method for use of same
First Claim
1. A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool comprising:
- a housing positioned within a mandrel that is substantially concentrically disposed within a production tubing forming a first annulus therebetween, the production tubing disposed within a well casing forming a second annulus therebetween;
a control valve operably disposed within the housing for controlling the rate of injection of a lift fluid received from the second annulus into formation fluids being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus;
a sensor monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing and providing a signal indicative thereof;
an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor for generating a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor; and
an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package for adjusting the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid therethrough in response to the control. signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool (100) adapted for placement within production tubing (30). The tool (100) has a control valve (126) that controls the rate of injection of a lift fluid (102) into the formation fluids (104) being produced through the production tubing (30). A sensor (140) monitors the flow rate of the formation fluids (104) through the production tubing (30). The sensor (140) generates a signal indicative the flow rate of the formation fluids (104) which is sent to an electronics package (142). The electronics package (142) generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor (140) that is received by an actuator (176). The actuator (176) adjusts the position of the control valve (126) to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid (102) therethrough in response to the control signal, thereby optimizing the flow rate of the formation fluids (104).
38 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool comprising:
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a housing positioned within a mandrel that is substantially concentrically disposed within a production tubing forming a first annulus therebetween, the production tubing disposed within a well casing forming a second annulus therebetween;
a control valve operably disposed within the housing for controlling the rate of injection of a lift fluid received from the second annulus into formation fluids being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus;
a sensor monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing and providing a signal indicative thereof;
an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor for generating a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor; and
an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package for adjusting the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid therethrough in response to the control. signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool comprising:
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a housing positioned within a mandrel that is substantially concentrically disposed within a production tubing forming a first annulus therebetween, the production tubing disposed within a well casing forming a second annulus therebetween;
a control valve operably disposed within the housing for controlling the rate of injection of a lift fluid received from the second annulus into formation fluids being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus;
a sensor monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing and providing a signal indicative thereof;
an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor for generating a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor;
a transmitter communicably coupled to the electronics package for transmitting information from the tool to a remote location;
a receiver communicably coupled to the electronics package for receiving signals from a remote location; and
an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package for adjusting the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid therethrough in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A self-regulating method for controlling the injection of a lift fluid into formation fluids passing through production tubing comprising:
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disposing a lift fluid injection tool within a mandrel substantially concentrically positioned within the production tubing forming a first annulus therebetween, the production tubing positioned within a well casing forming a second annulus therebetween;
monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing with a downhole sensor; and
adjusting the position of a control valve in response to the flow rate of the formation fluids, thereby controlling the injection of a lift fluid received from the second annulus into the formation fluids being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification