# US 11,028,676 B2 · Continuous chamber capillary control system, method, and apparatus

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- Number: US 11,028,676 B2
- Document ID: US11028676B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/080,496
- Filed: 2017-02-28
- Published: 2019-02-28
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-29
- Assignees: XDI Holdings, LLC
- Applicants: XDI Holdings, LLC
- Inventors: James C. Juranitch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028676B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/2406: {Steam assisted gravity drainage [SAGD]}
- E21B 41/00: Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B 43/2408: {SAGD in combination with other methods}
- C09K 8/592: Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection
- E21B 47/07: Temperature
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

## Abstract

A system for enhanced oil and gas recovery. The system can comprise a boiler. The system can further comprise at least two capillaries in fluid communication with the boiler. The at least two capillaries can be disposed in an injector pipe and each one of the capillaries can include a flow control device for controlling an injection of steam in at least one of a chamber and a well for enhanced oil and gas recovery.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for enhanced oil and gas recovery, comprising:
a boiler; and
at least two capillaries in fluid communication with the boiler, wherein the at least two capillaries are disposed in an injector pipe and each one of the capillaries includes a flow control device for controlling an injection of steam in at least one of a chamber and a well for enhanced oil and gas recovery, wherein a flow of the steam is controlled using interpolation related to a control feedback versus a flow of the steam scheduled between capillaries to obtain continuous varying control across at least one of the chamber and the well.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature feedbacks, wherein the plurality of temperature feedbacks are thermocouples in communication with each one of the control valves, wherein the control valves control a flow of the steam based on a signal received from a respective one of the plurality of temperature feedbacks.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature feedbacks, wherein:
the temperature feedbacks are continuous over a length of the chamber; and
the temperature feedbacks include a fiber optic feedback system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two capillaries are encased in insulation in the injector pipe to improve efficiency.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, further comprising individual flow meters in fluid communication with each one of the capillaries, wherein a signal received from each one of the individual flow meters is used in control of steam through each one of the capillaries.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, further comprising:
an outlet disposed between the at least two capillaries and the boiler, the at least two capillaries and the boiler in fluid communication with the outlet; and
a cumulative flow meter in fluid communication with the outlet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein a distal end of each one of the capillaries is disposed in and injects its steam in a perforated pipe.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the flow control device includes at least one of a control valve and an orifice.

### Claim 9

A system for enhanced oil and gas recovery, comprising:
a boiler; and
at least two capillaries in fluid communication with the boiler, wherein:
the at least two capillaries are disposed in an injector pipe and each one of the capillaries includes a flow control device that is a control valve, and
the control valve provides for an automatic control of steam through each capillary in at least one of a chamber and a well for enhanced oil and gas recovery, wherein a flow of the steam is controlled using interpolation related to a temperature control feedback versus a flow of the steam scheduled between capillaries to obtain continuous varying control across at least one of the chamber and the well.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, where a distal end of each one of the capillaries is disposed in and injects its steam in a wire wrap pipe.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein a statistically based program continuously maps and populates continuous and discontinuous control tables for controlling a flow of the steam while a real time control system is also active for controlling a flow of the steam.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising a producer conduit configured to carry fluid from the chamber to a surface, wherein a sub-cool between the steam injected from each one of the capillaries into the chamber and a fluid traveling through the producer conduit is less than 10 degrees Celsius in a steam assisted gravity drain (SAGD) application.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, further comprising a producer conduit configured to carry fluid from the chamber to a surface, wherein a sub-cool between the steam injected from each one of the capillaries into the chamber and a fluid traveling through the producer conduit is less than 5 degrees Celsius in a steam assisted gravity drain (SAGD) application.
