Objective
Due to increasing contents of water and sand in the formation fluid as well as increasing hole depths, elevated temperature, pressures, and corrosion attacks, but also due to a potentially high viscosity of the production fluids, downhole pumps have to meet growing requirements in the oil field.
It is the aim of this project to develop a new kind of production system for economic recovery of oil reservoirs which, in the past, could only be developed under difficulties or not at all. The central part of the downhole system is formed by the combination of a Moineau pump and a Moineau motor. The feed of the power fluid and the removal of the formation fluid are achieved by means of proper tubings. A surface unit is required for preparing the formation and organizing the overall flushing system.
Work on the project has commenced in January 1987. A preliminary evaluation of the literature, patent, and market situation will be available by the middle of the year.
At first the state of the art in downhole production pump technology will be established by performing a comprehensive PATENT AND LITERATURE research.
In the course of a SYSTEM STUDY a list of requirements will be fixed which contains the definition of parameters such as depth, production rate, diameter of production well, motor flow rate, viscosity, and sand content of the production fluid. A design method for the development of the complete system has to be established.
Included in the system study will also be a demarcation with respect to existing technologies and the indication of overlapping areas.
The realization of the SURFACE UNIT includes, among others, the selection of appropriate power fluids for high and low rates, the selection and design of measuring and control systems for the surface part of the complete system, and the design of devices for separating formation fluid and power fluid, including appropriate devices for filtering the power fluid before being presseddownhole.
Power fluid DRIVE STRINGS for supplying the downhole motor-pump-system have to be selected while considering the goal of having the lowest possible pressure losses. Special emphasis has to be placed on the design of power fluid strings for inclined boreholes. Finally, appropriate production strings have to be located and evaluated for inclined as well as straight boreholes.
MOTOR-PUMP-COMBINATIONS have to be laid out and manufactured. This includes the development of materials for rotors and stators, especially considering the reduction of wear in the hostile environment. Axial bearings with high abrasion resistance have to be laid out. the presently available downhole motor test stand to be adapted to the needs of laboratory testing with the motor-pump-combination.
The packer which is required for the completion of the production string has to be selected and adapted to the special conditions of the planned system.
After successful performing of laboratory testing, theprototype system will be FIELD-TESTED for their use in cooperation with oil production industry.
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DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
29221 CELLE
Germany