Self-regulating lift fluid injection tool and method for use of same
First Claim
1. A self-regulating injection tool comprising:
- 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 mandrel that controls the rate of injection of a first fluid received from the second annulus into a second fluid being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus;
a sensor that monitors the flow rate of the second fluid through the production tubing and provides a signal indicative thereof;
an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor that generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor; and
an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package that adjusts the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the first fluid therethrough in response to the control signal.
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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).
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A self-regulating injection tool comprising:
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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 mandrel that controls the rate of injection of a first fluid received from the second annulus into a second fluid being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus;
a sensor that monitors the flow rate of the second fluid through the production tubing and provides a signal indicative thereof;
an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor that generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor; and
an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package that adjusts the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the first 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 method for controlling the injection of a first fluid into a second fluid passing through production tubing comprising:
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disposing a 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 second fluid through the production tubing with a downhole sensor; and
adjusting the position of a control valve in response to the flow rate of the second fluid, thereby controlling the injection of the first fluid received from the second annulus into the second fluid being produced through the production tubing and the first annulus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification