ANNULAR FLOW JET PUMP FOR SOLID LIQUID GAS MEDIA

Abstract

A fluid jet pump assembly is provided having a pump body for receiving a plurality of fluids to be pumped. The assembly includes a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body having a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet. The venturi subassembly is in fluid communication with an outlet from the pump body. The assembly includes an injection nozzle having a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defines a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path. The injection nozzle includes a second injector port subassembly with one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port for directing the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates generally to jet pumps and, more specifically, to nozzle assemblies for jet pumps of the type used in wells such as oil wells.

Generally, a traditional jet pump used in oil wells is configured to provide a single jet at a center of a venturi throat opening. The jet pump generally includes a concentrically arranged suction chamber, nozzle, venturi, and deflector. The suction chamber is formed about the nozzle and a venturi inlet at the venturi throat opening, and is connected to a formation fluid source so that when a power fluid is forced to flow through the nozzle and into the venturi, the resulting stream of fluid entrains the formation fluid located within the suction chamber, so that mixed fluid flow occurs into the throat of the venturi. The single jet injects the clean power fluid at high velocity down the center of the venturi throat opening causing reduced pressure by the increased flow velocity and thereby draws the surrounding well fluid to be pumped into the pump. Since the clean power fluid is directed down the middle of the jet pump, the well fluid to be pumped is drawn in along the walls of the venturi. This leads to poor performance when pumping well fluids that contain abrasive particles due to rapid abrasive wear of walls of the venturi.

There is therefore a desire for a system and method for providing a layer of protective fluid covering on the surfaces of the venturi, thereby allowing fluids with abrasive particles to be pumped with reduced wear and increased life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an example of the technology, a fluid jet pump assembly is provided. The fluid jet pump assembly includes a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body including a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet. The venturi subassembly is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from the pump body. The assembly also includes an injection nozzle disposed within the pump body. The injection nozzle includes a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path. Further, the injection nozzle also includes the second injector port subassembly having one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port, wherein the one or more openings are configured to direct the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

In accordance with an example of the technology, a system for pumping fluids includes multiple fluid jet pumps. Each of the fluid jet pumps includes a pump body having a longitudinal passage for receiving a plurality of fluids to be pumped and a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body including a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet. The venturi subassembly is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from said pump body. The injection nozzle disposed within the pump body includes a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path. The injection nozzle also includes a second injector port subassembly with one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port. The one or more openings are configured to direct the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

In accordance with an example of the technology, a method of isolating a well fluid from a fluid-containing reservoir is provided. The method includes pumping a flow of well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path through a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of an injector nozzle. The method also includes pumping a flow of power fluid through a second injector port subassembly comprising one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port causing the flow of power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path. Further, the method includes controlling the flow of power fluid through one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly by independently controlling one or more injection jets in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present technology will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly accordance with an example of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 13 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 17 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 17 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a portion of a cross-sectional view of a pump body of a fluid jet pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view A-A of the injection nozzle as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view an injection nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view an injection nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method 100 of pumping fluid by fluid jet pumps in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present technology, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters are not exclusive of other parameters of the disclosed examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 10 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with an example of the present invention. The fluid jet pump assembly 10 is located in a weirs tubing string 12 within a lower portion of a well bore 16 and supported from a well head 14 located aboveground. The jet pump assembly 10 also includes a packer 18 that provides a seal within a well annulus 20 between the tubing string 12 and interior of the well bore 16. A jet pump 11 is located above the packer 18 and includes a pump body cavity subassembly 21 which removably mounts a pump body 22 so the jet pump 11 can be installed and removed without withdrawing the tubing string 12 from the well bore 16. High pressure power fluid is pumped down through tubing string 12 into a jet pump nozzle subassembly 24. Well fluid passes upward through a passage in the lower end of pump body cavity subassembly 21 and is displaced by fluid flow through the jet pump nozzle subassembly 24 into a venturi subassembly 26 whereupon it continues upward into well annulus 20 and is withdrawn through well head 14 as production fluid at ground level.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 13 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention. In this embodiment, the high pressure power fluid is pumped down through the well annulus 20 into an inlet 15 of the pump body 22 of the jet pump nozzle subassembly 24. Well fluid passes upward through the passage in the lower end of pump body cavity subassembly 21 and is displaced by fluid flow through the jet pump nozzle subassembly 24 into the venturi subassembly 26 whereupon it continues upward into the tubing string 12 and is withdrawn through well head 14 as production fluid at ground level. The jet pump nozzle subassembly 24 enables flow of fluids within the venturi subassembly 26 such that power fluid is annulus surrounding the flow of well fluid.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 17 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention. In this embodiment, the well's tubing string of the fluid well jet pump assembly 17 includes concentric tubes having an inner tube 19 and an outer tube 23. The high pressure power fluid is pumped down through the annulus between the concentric tubes 19, 23 into an inlet 25 of the pump body 22 of the jet pump nozzle subassembly 24. Well fluid passes upward through the passage in the lower end of pump body cavity subassembly 21 and is displaced by fluid flow through the pump body 22 into the venturi subassembly 26 whereupon it continues upward within the inner tube 19 and is withdrawn through well head 14 as production fluid at ground level. The jet pump nozzle subassembly 24 enables flow of fluids within the venturi subassembly 26 such that power fluid is annulus surrounding the flow of well fluid.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fluid well jet pump assembly 17 in a producing well such as an oil well in accordance with another example of the present invention. In this embodiment, the well's tubing string of the fluid well jet pump assembly 17 also includes concentric tubes having the inner tube 19 and an outer tube 23. The high pressure power fluid is pumped down through the inner tube 19 into an inlet of the pump body 22 of the jet pump nozzle subassembly 24. Well fluid passes upward through the passage in the lower end of pump body cavity subassembly 21 and is displaced by fluid flow through the pump body 22 into the venturi subassembly 26 whereupon it continues upward through the annulus between the concentric tubes 19, 23. The well fluid is further withdrawn through well head 14 as production fluid at ground level.

FIG. 5 is a portion of a cross-sectional view of the pump body 22 of the fluid jet pump 11 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the pump body 22 includes a longitudinal passage 30 for receiving multiple fluids such as power fluid 32 and the well fluid 34 that are required to be pumped to the well head (shown as 14 in FIG. 1) located above ground. The pump body 22 also includes a venturi subassembly 26 that includes a venturi throat section 38 placed in a pump fluid flow path 40 for receiving the power fluid 32 and the well fluid 34 at a venturi inlet 36. The venturi subassembly 26 is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from the pump body 22.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, an injection nozzle 40 is disposed within the pump body 22 and includes a first injector port 42 located at a center of a longitudinal axis X of the injector nozzle 40 and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid 34 through a center region of a pump fluid flow path 35 of the pump body 22. The first injector port 42 includes a first conduit substantially cylindrically shaped and located about the longitudinal axis X for directing the well fluid 34 towards the well head 14. The injection nozzle 40 includes a second injector port subassembly 44 having one or more openings 46 arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port 42. The one or more openings 46 are in fluid communication with one or more conduits or injection flow paths that concentrically aligned with the first conduit carrying the well fluid 34. The one or more openings 46 are configured to direct the power fluid 32 towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path 35 in the venturi throat section 38. This causes formation of boundary layer of power fluid 32 at walls of the venturi throat section 38 which reduces collision of solid particles present in well fluid 34 with walls of the venturi throat section 38 of the pump body 22. Advantageously this leads to increased life of the venturi subassembly 26 (shown in FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, the one or more openings 46 that are operably in fluid communication with corresponding one or more injection flow paths are configured to be controlled independently. In another embodiment, the one or more openings 46 of the second injector port subassembly 44 are communicatively coupled to multiple toroidal flow paths configured to swirl the flow of power fluid 34 such that the flow of power fluid comprises at least an axial flow component and a circumferential flow component. Further, the injection nozzle 40 is configured to be operable at a low inlet suction pressure at the venture inlet 36 due to reduced drag on the well fluid 34. Advantageously, this leads to increase production of well fluids 34.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view A-A of the injection nozzle 40 as shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the injection nozzle 40 is disposed within the tubing string 12 (shown in FIG. 1), which tubing string 12 is located further in the well annulus 20 of the well bore 16 (as shown in FIG. 1). In this non limiting example, the injection nozzle 40 includes the first injector port defining a flow path for injecting the well fluid 42 (shown in FIG. 5) through a center region of a pump fluid flow path 35 of the venturi throat section 38 (shown in FIG. 5) of the pump body 22. The injection nozzle 40 includes one annular channel opening 50 configured to inject the power fluid 32 into the venturi inlet 36 (as shown in FIG. 5) such that the power fluid 32 flows towards periphery of the venturi throat section 38 (shown in FIG. 5). This causes formation of boundary layer of power fluid 32 at walls of the venturi throat section 38 which reduces collision of solid particles present in well fluid 34 with walls of the venturi throat section 38 of the pump body 22. Advantageously this leads to increased life of the venturi subassembly 26 (shown in FIG. 1). Further in another embodiment, the injection nozzle 40 includes multiple channel openings that are concentric to each other and configured to inject the power fluid 32 into the venturi inlet 36 (as shown in FIG. 5) such that the power fluid 32 flows towards periphery of the venturi throat section 38 (shown in FIG. 5).

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view an injection nozzle 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the injection nozzle 60 includes a second injector port subassembly 62 having multiple channel openings 64 at least partially surrounding an annular region and concentrically aligned with the first injection port 42. As shown in this embodiment, there are two channel openings 64 configured to inject the power fluid 32 into the venturi inlet 36 (as shown in FIG. 5) such that the power fluid 32 flows towards periphery of the venturi throat section 38 (shown in FIG. 5). Further, each of the multiple channel openings 64 may be operated independently to control the injections of power fluids 32 into the venture inlet 36 (shown in FIG. 5).

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view of an injection nozzle 70 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the injection nozzle 70 includes a second injector port subassembly 72 having multiple discrete openings 74 arranged about a first circumference and concentrically aligned with the first injection port 42. As shown in this embodiment, the multiple discrete openings 74 are configured to inject the power fluid 32 into the venturi inlet 36 (as shown in FIG. 5) such that the power fluid 32 flows towards periphery of the venturi throat section 38 (shown in FIG. 5). Further, each of the multiple discrete openings 74 may be operated independently to control the injections of power fluids 32 into the venture inlet 36 (shown in FIG. 5). Further, in one embodiment, the multiple discrete openings 74 may be communicatively coupled to a plurality of toroidal flow paths configured to swirl a flow of power fluid 32 such that the flow of power fluid 32 comprises at least an axial flow component and a circumferential flow component.

In one embodiment, a system for pumping fluids includes multiple fluid jet pumps 11 (as shown in FIG. 1) arranged in a production tubing string in a well bore. Each of the fluid jet pumps is configured to be individually operated by multiple pressure range sensitive devices. The multiple pressure range sensitive devices include injection pressure-operated (IPO) valves. Also, each of the fluid jet pumps 11 includes a pump body having a longitudinal passage for receiving multiple fluids to be pumped and a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body including a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet. The venturi subassembly is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from said pump body. The injection nozzle disposed within the pump body includes a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path. The injection nozzle also includes a second injector port subassembly with one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port. The one or more openings are configured to direct the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method 100 of pumping fluid by fluid jet pumps in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 102, the method includes pumping a flow of well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path through a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of an injector nozzle. At step 104, the method also includes pumping a flow of power fluid through a second injector port subassembly comprising one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port causing the flow of power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path. Further, at step 106, the method includes controlling the flow of power fluid through one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly by independently controlling one or more injection jets in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly. Also, in one embodiment, the method includes swirling a flow of power fluid through the one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly via to a plurality of toroidal flow paths such that the flow of power fluid comprises at least an axial flow component and a circumferential flow component. Furthermore, the method may include operating the first injector port and the second injector port subassembly at a low inlet suction pressure for reducing drag on the well fluid.

Advantageously, the present invention is directed towards reducing erosion from solid particulate that may be entrained in the pumped fluid. Further, this may result in improved operability and durability of the venture subassembly of the fluid jet pumps used in oil and gas wells. Thus, the present technology allows efficient pumping of multiphase fluids including solids, liquids and gases in production of unconventional oil and gas wells.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different examples. Similarly, the various methods and features described, as well as other known equivalents for each such methods and feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with principles of this disclosure. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or improves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

While only certain features of the technology have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the claimed inventions.

Claims

1. A fluid jet pump assembly comprising:

a pump body having a longitudinal passage for receiving a plurality of fluids to be pumped;

a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body including a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet, wherein the venturi subassembly is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from the pump body; and

an injection nozzle disposed within the pump body comprising a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path; and a second injector port subassembly comprising one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port, wherein the one or more openings are configured to direct the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

2. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the first injector port comprises: a first conduit substantially cylindrically shaped and located about the longitudinal axis for directing the well fluid.

3. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings comprise one or more channels carrying the power fluid.

4. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 3, wherein the one or more channels comprises: one or more conduits at least partially surrounding and concentrically aligned with said first conduit.

5. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the second injector port assembly comprise a plurality of discrete openings arranged about the first circumference for injecting the power fluid.

6. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings are in fluid communication with corresponding one or more injection flow paths configured to be controlled independently.

7. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly are communicatively coupled to a plurality of toroidal flow paths configured to swirl a flow of power fluid such that the flow of power fluid comprises at least an axial flow component and a circumferential flow component.

8. The fluid jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the injection nozzle is configured to be operable at a low inlet suction pressure due to reduced drag on the well fluid.

9. A system for pumping fluids comprising:

a tubing string comprising a plurality of concentric tubes located within a wellbore for carrying fluids,

a plurality of fluid jet pumps, wherein each of the fluid jet pumps comprises: a pump body having a longitudinal passage for receiving a plurality of fluids to be pumped; a venturi subassembly mounted within the pump body including a venturi throat section placed in a pump fluid flow path for receiving a power fluid and a well fluid at a venturi inlet, wherein the venturi subassembly is operably connected in fluid communication with an outlet from said pump body; and an injection nozzle disposed within the pump body comprising a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of the injector nozzle and defining a flow path for directing the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path; and a second injector port subassembly comprising one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port, wherein the one or more openings are configured to direct the power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the each of the plurality of jet pumps is configured to be individually operated by a plurality of pressure range sensitive devices.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of pressure range sensitive devices comprises injection pressure-operated (IPO) valves.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first injector port comprises: a first conduit substantially cylindrically shaped and located about the longitudinal axis for directing the well fluid.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more openings comprise one or more channels located in an annulus region around the first injector port carrying the power fluid.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of concentric tubes comprises an inner tube and an outer tube forming an annulus region therebetween.

15. The system of claim 15, wherein the power fluid is pumped down through the inner tube such that the well fluid is forced upward through the annulus region between the outer tube and the inner tube.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the power fluid is pumped down through the annulus region between the outer tube and the inner tube and the well fluid is forced upward through the inner tube.

17. A method of isolating a well fluid from a fluid-containing reservoir, the method comprising:

pumping a flow of the well fluid through a center region of the pump fluid flow path through a first injector port located at a center of a longitudinal axis of an injector nozzle;

pumping a flow of power fluid through a second injector port subassembly comprising one or more openings arranged about a first circumference of the first injector port causing the flow of power fluid towards periphery of the pump fluid flow path; and

controlling the flow of power fluid through one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly by independently controlling one or more injection jets in fluid communication with the one or more openings of the second injector port subassembly.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising swirling a flow of power fluid through the one or more openings of the second injector port assembly via to a plurality of toroidal flow paths such that the flow of power fluid comprises at least an axial flow component and a circumferential flow component.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising operating the first injector port and the second injector port subassembly at a low inlet suction pressure for reducing drag on the well fluid.