Thermal fluid stimulation unit

• US 7,740,708 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana W. Lofton
• Original Assignee: Dana Wayne Lofton, Thurman Eddie Jr. Lofton
• Inventors: Lofton, Dana Wayne, Lofton, Thurman Eddie Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heckert; Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/726,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20070289618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 166/52, 166/57, 166/66, 166/90.1, 166/250.1, 166/303, 166/311, 166/312, 166/305.1, 507/200, 134/22.1
• US Class Current: 134/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/08 Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/08 cleaning in situ of down-hole filters, screens, e.g. casing perforations, or gravel packs E21B37/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A reservoir cleaning, treating and/or stimulation system allows the operator to control the speed and pressure of delivery of the treating fluid into the reservoir and remove or dissolve sediment particles settled in the reservoir or the reservoir formation. The system uses a thermal heater capable of heating the treating fluid from ambient temperature to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. A charge pump mounted on an intake side of the heater forces the treating fluid through the heater, while the treating fluid passes through the tubing of the heater. The heated treating fluid is channeled to a discharge pump on an outlet side of the heater, where the treating fluid is pressurized to a value sufficient to overcome the pressure existing within the reservoir and cause displacement or dissolution of the sediment in the reservoir. A flow meter mounted between the heater and the charge pump regulates the volume of the treating fluid being admitted into the heater. A plurality of sensors and gauges strategically mounted within the system ensure safe operation of the system in the field. The system is mounted on a portable skid that can be delivered to the field and removed upon completion of the cleaning, treating and/or reservoir stimulation operation.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating a wellbore reservoir having a pre-determined downhole pressure using an open-loop system, the method comprising the steps:

providing a surface-mounted assembly comprising a heater device, a charge pump connected to an intake side of the heater device, a fluid flow volume controller configured to regulate a volume of fluid admitted into the heater, a discharge pump connected to an outlet side of the heater device, a discharge flow controller and a discharge pressure controller operationally connected to the discharge pump;

providing a source of treating fluid;

heating the treating fluid to a predetermined temperature;

forcing the treating fluid through the heater device to thereby heat the treating fluid to a pre-determined temperature suitable for cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir, while regulating, by the fluid flow volume controller, a volume of the treating fluid admitted into the heater device based on anticipated volume of the treating fluid required for cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir;

connecting said discharge pump to an inlet side of the reservoir being cleaned, treated and/or stimulated;

activating the discharge pump to increase the pressure of the treating fluid to a degree sufficient to overcome the downhole pressure, while delivering the treating fluid into the wellbore;

controlling the volume and pressure of the treating fluid exiting the discharge pump, through the discharge flow controller device and the discharge pressure controller device, to thereby regulate the amount of treating fluid delivered under pressure into the wellbore to overcome pressure existing in a tubing downhole; and

channeling the heated treating fluid from the discharge pump into the reservoir under pressure, thereby cleaning, treating, and/or stimulating the reservoir.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of generating compressed air, forcing the compressed air through a fuel nozzle of said heater device and creating an atomized fuel/air mixture for heating said treating fluid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a wellbore.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a pipeline.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heated treating fluid is injected into a storage container containing wellbore-generated material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the treating fluid is heated to a pre-determined temperature of between ambient and about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of generating compressed air comprises providing an air compressor connected to an air blower and an air compressor pump.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of sensors for detecting out-of-range conditions within the heater device and external equipment tied to the heater device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said plurality of sensors comprise a high/low air pressure sensor, a flame sensor, a stack temperature sensor, a low blower pressure sensor, and a heater high/low pressure sensor.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of providing a plurality of gauges and operationally connecting the plurality of gauges to said sensors so as to provide visual information of conditions detected by each of said high/low air pressure sensor, flame sensor, stack temperature sensor, low blower pressure sensor, and said heater high/low pressure sensor.