Production nozzle for solvent-assisted recovery
AssigneeRGL Reservoir Management Inc.
InventorDa Zhu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nozzle for mitigating against solvent flashing in a solvent-assisted hydrocarbon extraction process comprises a fluid passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the fluid passage comprises a converging region, a throat, and a diverging region, and wherein at least the converging region is provided with a gradually reducing internal diameter. Preferably, the angle of convergence of the converging region is equal to or less than about 5 degrees.
Claims5
An inflow control nozzle for maintaining solvent in liquid form during production of hydrocarbons into a pipe, the pipe having at least one port along its length, the nozzle being adapted to be located on the exterior of the pipe and adjacent one of the at least one port, the nozzle comprising:
- a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid conveying passage therebetween, the passage having a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the inlet to the outlet;
- wherein, the passage comprises:
- a converging region for receiving fluids from the inlet, the converging region comprising a gradually reducing cross-sectional area along the axis;
- the converging region terminating at a throat defining a region of minimal cross-sectional area along the axis;
- and,
- a diverging region, for conveying fluids from the throat to the outlet, the diverging region comprising a gradually increasing cross-sectional area along the axis.
An apparatus for maintaining solvent in liquid form during production of hydrocarbons into a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a pipe segment having at least one port along its length;
- at least one inflow control nozzle located on the exterior of the pipe and adjacent one of the at least one port;
- and, a means for locating the nozzle on the pipe adjacent the port;
- wherein the nozzle comprises:
- a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid conveying passage therebetween, the passage having a longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the inlet to the outlet;
- wherein, the passage comprises:
- a converging region for receiving fluids from the inlet, the converging region comprising a gradually reducing cross-sectional area along the axis;
- the converging region terminating at a throat defining a region of minimal cross-sectional area along the axis;
- and,
- a diverging region, for conveying fluids from the throat to the outlet, the diverging region comprising a gradually increasing cross-sectional area along the axis.
A method of producing fluids from a subterranean reservoir while limiting the flashing of at least one solvent present in the reservoir, the method comprising:
- a) providing a nozzle adjacent a port on a section of production tubing for use in producing hydrocarbons from the reservoir, the nozzle having an inlet for receiving fluids from the reservoir and an outlet for conveying the fluids into the production tubing, the nozzle further having a passageway with a converging region having a gradually reducing cross-sectional area for receiving fluids from the inlet, a throat defining a region of minimal cross-sectional area, and a diverging region of gradually increasing cross-sectional area for providing fluids to the outlet;
- b) flowing the fluids through the converging region, through the throat, and through the diverging region without flashing the at least solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.