Method for monitoring gas lift wells using minimal concentration tracer materials
US10030508B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M3/202
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Evaluating annulus-tubing communication points in a production well having an annulus between a production string and a surrounding string(s) of casing. Determining a composition of production fluids produced from the well, and injecting one or more tracer materials into the annulus of the well under pressure as part of a lift gas. Each of the one or more tracer materials defines a material that is not native to the production fluids, and each has a different rate of diffusivity in the lift gas. The tracer materials are detected upon being produced at the surface. A mass spectrometer or other analyzer capable of detecting tracer materials at concentrations of less than 1,000 ppm is used. Determining injection points of the one or more tracer materials, and determining whether each of the injection points represents a gas lift valve along the production tubing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.