DOWNHOLE FLUID INJECTION DISPERSION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention described herein is directed to a downhole fluid injection dispersion device. This invention may be employed to radially disperse fluid injected downhole in a well bore. This invention comprises a body comprising an inlet port and at least two radial outlet ports.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application is a divisional application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/261247 filed on Oct. 30, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein is directed to a downhole fluid injection dispersion device. This invention may be employed to radially disperse fluid injected downhole in a well bore. This invention comprises a body comprising an inlet port and at least two radial outlet ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In hydrocarbon production chemicals are introduced into a well through a capillary tube for mitigating problems, such as scaling, corrosion, or the deposition of organic products. Chemicals are also introduced in this manner to treat well fluids, reduce viscosity, and/or demulsify.

In prior art downhole chemical injection methods using a single capillary tube, the injected chemicals are not widely dispersed in the radial dimension, resulting in limited mixing of the chemicals and well fluids. This limited mixing can result in chemicals channeling on one side of an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) located downhole. Such channeling leaves a side or portion of the ESP untreated. Additionally, capillary tubes used with prior art downhole chemical injection devices have been subject to plugging, resulting in a lack of chemical dispersion downhole to protect the ESP.

Another prior art chemical injection method involves injecting chemicals from the well surface into the well annulus. This method involves the chemicals flowing downward as a countercurrent to the gases that are liberated at the pump separator. In this method, the chemicals flow downhole to mix with production fluids and enter the intake or suction of the ESP. Once the mixture of production fluids and chemicals reach the ESP intake, they are discharged from the ESP, rather than flowing down past the ESP motor. Thus, components below the ESP intake, such as the motor, do not receive the intended treatment benefit of the injected chemicals. Downhole motors are especially susceptible to corrosion due to their high operating temperatures.

One or more embodiments of the invention described herein provide improved dispersion of fluids injected downhole and protection of the capillary tube against plugging, for various forms of oil production systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a nozzle for use with various embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. In a first preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a body 10 comprising a first body region 12, a second body region 14 opposite the first body region, an outer longitudinal surface 16 positioned between the first and second body regions and comprising an indented surface region 20 between the first and second body regions, a first ledge 22, and an inlet port 24 in the first ledge; and at least two radial outlet ports 26 mounted on opposite sides of the first body region

This first embodiment further comprises a first mechanical coupling 34 connected to the first body region, and a second mechanical coupling 36 connected to the second body region. In a preferred embodiment the second mechanical coupling comprises female pipe threads. In a preferred embodiment the first mechanical coupling comprises male pipe threads.

This first embodiment farther comprises an internal flow path 38 in fluid communication with the inlet port, said internal flow path comprising a first segment 40 extending longitudinally through the body, and at least two radial segments 42, each of which is in fluid communication with one of the radial outlet ports. In a preferred embodiment radial segments extend in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the first segment.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the first embodiment plus a nozzle 27 connected to each radial outlet port.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the first embodiment plus a check valve 46 installed in the inlet port and positioned to allow fluid flow into the inlet port and body, and to prevent fluid flow out of the inlet port and body.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. In a second preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a body 10 comprising a first outer surface 11 comprising an inlet port 24, a second outer surface 13 opposite the first outer surface, an outer longitudinal surface 16 between the first outer surface and second outer surface, an inner longitudinal surface 18 between the first outer surface and second outer surface defining a central longitudinal channel, at least two radial outlet ports 26 mounted on opposite sides of the outer longitudinal surface, each of said outlet ports being in fluid communication with the inlet port.

This second embodiment further comprises a first tubing member 33 extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a first direction and a second tubing member 35 extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the second embodiment plus a check valve 46 installed in the inlet port and positioned to allow fluid flow into the inlet port and body, and to prevent fluid flow out of the inlet port and body.

In another preferred embodiment, the body comprises at least four radial outlet ports 26, each of which is mounted on a different quadrant of the inner longitudinal surface and is in fluid communication with the inlet port.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the second embodiment plus a nozzle 27 connected to each radial outlet port.

A third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. In a third preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a body 10 comprising a first outer surface 11 comprising an inlet port 24, a second outer surface 13 opposite the first outer surface, an outer longitudinal surface 16 between the first outer surface and second outer surface; an inner longitudinal surface 18 between the first outer surface and second outer surface defining a central longitudinal channel, and at least two radial outlet ports 26 mounted on opposite sides of the inner longitudinal surface, each of said outlet ports being in fluid communication with the inlet port.

This third embodiment further comprises a first tubing member 33 extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a first direction and a second tubing member 35 extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the third embodiment plus a check valve 46 installed in the inlet port and positioned to allow fluid flow into the inlet port and body, and to prevent fluid flow out of the inlet port and body.

In another preferred embodiment, the body comprises at least four radial outlet ports 26, each of which is mounted on a different quadrant of the inner longitudinal surface and is in fluid communication with the inlet port.

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the third embodiment plus a nozzle 27 connected to each radial outlet port.

In a fourth preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a body 10 comprising a first outer surface 11 comprising an inlet port 24, a second outer surface 13 opposite the first outer surface, a longitudinal surface 16 between the first outer surface and second outer surface,

The fourth preferred embodiment further comprises at least two radial outlet ports 26 mounted on opposite sides of the longitudinal surface, each of said outlet ports being in fluid communication with the inlet port

Another preferred embodiment comprises the limitations of the fourth embodiment plus a nozzle 27 connected to each radial outlet port.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A downhole fluid injection dispersion device, comprising:

a. a body comprising: a first outer surface comprising an inlet port, ii. a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, iii. an outer longitudinal surface between the first outer surface and second outer surface; iv. an inner longitudinal surface between the first outer surface and second outer surface defining a central longitudinal channel; and v. at least two radial outlet ports mounted on opposite sides of the inner longitudinal surface, each of said outlet ports being in fluid communication with the inlet port;

b. a first tubing member extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a first direction; and

c. a second tubing member extending out of the central longitudinal channel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a check valve installed in the inlet port and positioned to allow fluid flow into the inlet port and body and to prevent fluid flow out of the inlet port and body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least four radial outlet ports, each of which is mounted on a different quadrant of the inner longitudinal surface and is in fluid communication with the inlet port.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle connected to each radial outlet port.