Wells – Processes – Cyclic injection then production of a single well
Patent
1995-07-24
1997-02-11
Schoeppel, Roger J.
Wells
Processes
Cyclic injection then production of a single well
166370, 166 53, E21B 4300
Patent
active
056011440
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the recovery of fluids from a plurality of wells, and in particular but not limited to the recovery of contaminants such as hydrocarbons from above or below the ground water.
When a subterranean reservoir of fluid lies close to the surface, it is possible to recover the fluid from a small region by sunking a shallow well and simply drawing the fluid out through the well via a tube attached to a suction pump. A typical situation in which these circumstances arise is when an area of land is contaminated by an immiscible fluid such as a hydrocarbon which is lying above the ground water or below the ground water above an impermeable layer. Where the amount of contaminant is relatively small, it is feasible to sink a number of small diameter wells each equipped with pumping equipment over the area in which the fluid needs to be recovered. However, it is not economically viable to duplicate the pumping equipment for a large number of wells, and in situations where it is possible or desirable to pump the fluid from each well over only short periods a system can be envisaged whereby a single pumping apparatus is used which distributes its pumping action amongst the wells on a time basis. It can be desirable to pump at each individual well for only short periods interposed by long periods of inactivity because the seepage of ground water and contaminants into the well is often a slow process and a short period of pumping will remove all the accumulated fluid.
In such a system, it is necessary to provide a means for switching the action of the pump amongst the wells. One solution might be to install a solenoid valve in the tube leading from each well, to connect all the tubes to a common vacuum source and to operate the solenoid valves sequentially by a timing mechanism. There are two disadvantages inherent in this solution. First, where there are a large number of wells, the cost associated with each individual solenoid valve becomes prohibitive. Second, solenoid valves can be dangerous in circumstances where the contaminant to pumped is volatile and inflammable, due to the possibility of electrical sparks.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for distributing the pumping time amongst a number of wells which is economical and safe.
Therefore in accordance with a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for recovering fluid from a plurality of remote wells, the apparatus including communication with at least one of the remote wells; or more at a time; relative to each other so that in use the suction pump may be connected for sequential pumping periods to different said groups of one or more orifices, thereby allowing the removal of fluid from the plurality of remote wells by the suction pump.
By providing an automatic mechanical means of distributing the pumping time, costs can be kept to a minimum and the system is safer with flammable fluids than a solenoid system.
Preferably, the orifices are arranged in a regular pattern, and may be arranged linearly such that the connecting means moves linearly to connect to the different groups.
Further preferably, the orifices may be ports in a surface.
Still preferably, the connecting means may be a carriage which is movable above orifices.
Further optional features of the apparatus are defined in the accompanying claims.
In accordance with a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a system for recovering fluid from a plurality of wells, comprising apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, and including a plurality of hoses or pipes providing the fluid communication between the orifices and the or pipe at one end being connected to or inserted into one of the wells and being arranged with a high point between the well and the apparatus, such that in use fluid from one pumping period can rest under the influence of gravity between the high point and the apparatus, whereby the fluid is substantially prevented from running back into the well when the suction pump is not p
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I. Muravyov et al, pp. 296-299 and 334-335, "Development and Exploitation of Oil and Gas Fields", Peace Publishers, Moscow (Translation from the Russian).
Geo & Hydro International Pty. Ltd.
Schoeppel Roger J.
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