SYSTEM FOR CATCHING AND PUMPING PRODUCED WATER AND OIL

Abstract

The present invention comprises a fluid collection system comprising a catch pan, pump, self-contained tank, and means to attach the components together and transport the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/034,006 filed Aug. 6, 2014, titled “Environmental package that catches and pumps produced water/oil storage tank” and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to well servicing devices and systems, and particularly to devices and systems used in servicing petroleum and gas producing wells.

BACKGROUND ART

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying figures.

In the oil industry, water is produced as a byproduct along the oil and gas. Oil and gas reservoirs often contain water in the same zone as the oil and gas. Oftentimes, this causes large volumes of water to be produced along with oil wells, and smaller amounts of water to be produced with gas wells.

A technique known as waterflooding is often used in oil wells to achieve maximum recovery. Waterflooding consists of injecting water into the reservoirs to help force the oil to the production wells.

While this allows for more oil to reach the production wells, the injected water eventually reaches the production well.

Water that comes out of the production wells, whether it be injected water or already in the well prior to drilling, is known as produced water. Historically, produced water was disposed of in large evaporative ponds whereby the water would simply evaporate. However, due to environmental and social concerns, this method has become increasingly unacceptable.

The physical and chemical properties of produced water vary greatly depending on various factors, including, the geographic location of the field, the geological formation from which it comes, and the type of hydrocarbon product being produced. The properties of produced water can even vary throughout the lifetime of a single reservoir. The major constituents of produced water are: salt, oil and grease, inorganic and organic chemicals, and naturally occurring radioactive material. Due to these constituents, most produced water requires at least some treatment before being used. Because of this, the produced water must be transferred to some sort of holding tank during the oil or gas production from a well. Collected fluid, in this context, comprises produced water, oil, and anything else that comes out of the wellhead.

Prior art for the collection of produced water exist in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,861 entitled “Wellhead fluid collection system” discloses a fluid collection pan connected in-line with a wellhead conduit. US20040182567A1 entitled “Wellhead leak containment and blowout deflection apparatus” discloses a containment apparatus for containing fluids from a wellhead. The apparatus then stores these fluids for re-use or disposal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,108 entitled “Fluid spill catching, containing, collection and recovery system for wellheads” discloses a system for catching, containing, and collecting fluids spilled from a wellhead and for recovering the fluids by transporting the spilled fluids to the wellhead production flow line.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,506 entitled “Spill collection system for wellheads” discloses a system for collecting and storing spills from an oil rig. U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,244 entitled “Apparatus and method for containing fluids around a wellhead” discloses a portable apparatus and method for catching and storing fluids from a wellhead.

The prior art apparatuses and methods suffer from various drawbacks, specifically, such apparatuses and methods generally: obstruct the area around the wellhead; are cumbersome to install; leak; are expensive; include small storage; and have various issues with the pumping means.

The present invention seeks to overcome these deficiencies associated with prior art wellhead systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a fluid collection system comprising a catch pan, pump, self-contained tank, and means to attach the components together and transport the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective views of the catch pan of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective views of the catch pan of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the catch pan of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the present invention in a trailered configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein. The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail.

The figures illustrating embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures.

The same numbers are used in all the drawing figures to relate to the same elements. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment, second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention.

For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the apparatus of the present invention, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures. The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of fluid collection system 100. Fluid collection system 100 a catch pan 101 having an upwardly open fluid reservoir 110. Catch pan 101 is adapted to be connected in-line with the wellhead 109 or blowout preventer, which is not shown. One or more drains is positioned at the bottom of catch pan 101 for accommodating withdrawal of collected fluid therefrom. Pump 103 is fluidly connected to catch pan 101 or wellhead 109. Arrow 104 indicates the flow of collected fluid from the catch pan 101 or wellhead 109 to pump 103 through valve 113. The collected fluid then flows in the direction of arrow 106 whereby the collected fluid reaches intersection 118 and it can be sent in direction of arrow 108 via valve 115 to the self-contained tank 102, onsite storage tanks, or frac tanks, or back down wellhead 109 via valve 114. A minimum amount of spill-back comprised of fluid pumped from the self-contained tank 102 in the direction of 105 through valve 116 and back into the self-contained tank 102 in the direction of 106 and 108. Catch pan 101 bolts atop wellhead 109 or a blowout preventer that comprises high-pressure valves that seal the high-pressure drill lines and relieve pressure when necessary to prevent a blowout. Tool hole 111 is large enough to send tools and/or equipment through catch pan 101.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective views of catch pan 101 of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective views of catch pan 101 of the present invention. Wellhead extension conduit 117 comprises wellhead extension conduit through bore 203 that allows for connection to wellhead 109. Tool hole 111 and tool hole bore through 201 is large enough to send tools and/or equipment through catch pan 101. Drainage conduit 112 and drainage conduit through bore 202 allow for collected fluid to drain out of catch pan 101. Wellhead extension conduit 117 is connected to catch pan 101. Tool hole bore through 201 is a tool hole used for preparation of down hole tools. Wellhead extension conduit 117 is fitted with industry standard connective flanges for interfacing with wellhead 109 or blowout preventer.

FIG. 3 illustrates an overhead view of catch pan 101 of the present invention. Wellhead extension conduit 117 and wellhead extension conduit through bore 203 and drainage conduit 112 and drainage conduit through bore 202 allow collected fluid to flow in and out of catch pan 101. Wellhead extension conduit 117 and wellhead extension conduit through bore 204 are centered in catch pan 101.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the present invention in a mounted on carrying vehicle 400. Carrying vehicle 400 consists of a platform-style trailer that is used to transport the fluid collection system 100 between well sites.

Crane 401 is used to lift catch pan 101 off of carrying vehicle 400 and put in place on wellhead 109. Pump 103 and self-contained tank 102 are mounted upon carrying vehicle 400 to pump and receive, respectively, collected fluid from drainage conduit line 402.

An improvement of the present invention is that it is portable and relatively inexpensive. An additional improvement of the present invention is that it is easy to install. The present invention also allows for any number of storage tanks to be used, thus increasing production.

Another additional improvement of the present invention is the use of the use of spill-back which maintains prime on the pump when and if the fluid from the well ceases to flow or intermittently blow gas and fluid. Previous systems would have pumping issues when vapor locked or loss of prime occurred.

Another additional improvement of the present invention is the valves and piping configuration installed make it easy to offload the self-contained tank 102 to a frac tank or storage tank flowing in the direction of arrow 107 while not stopping work on the well. Previous systems would have to shut down work if self-contained tanks were full. This system is capable of sending fluid collected in the self-contained storage tank 102 back down the well; which saves on disposal or transfer fees.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.

Claims

1. A fluid collection system comprising:

catch pan;

pump;

self-contained tank; and

means to attach the components together and transport the system.