Flow management systems and related methods for oil and gas applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022010908-A1
Application number	US-202016923772-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 8, 2020
Priority date	Jul 8, 2020
Publication date	Jan 13, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flow management system includes an expandable device configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A flow management system, comprising:
an expandable device configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration; an electric actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device; and a control module configured to control the electric actuator to:
flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, and
terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

2 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device comprises an electrosensitive device.

3 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device comprises a piezoelectric element that is configured to expand to the expanded configuration in response to an internal charge generated by the current.

4 . The flow management system of claim 3 , wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to contract to the collapsed configuration upon termination of the flow of the current.

5 . The flow management system of claim 3 , wherein the expandable device comprises a piezoceramic material.

6 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device comprises a corrosion-resistant material.

7 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable device is an elongate structure.

8 . The flow management system of claim 7 , wherein the expandable device is configured to extend radially inward with respect to the conduit to compact the flow blockage.

9 . The flow management system of claim 8 , wherein the expandable device is configured to contract radially outward with respect to the conduit to expose the channel.

10 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the electric actuator is disposed at a surface above a formation in which the conduit is disposed.

11 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the electric actuator is disposed at a seabed in which the conduit is disposed.

12 . The flow management system of claim 1 , wherein the electric actuator is disposed in an autonomous vehicle or is fixedly installed to a generator.

13 . The flow management system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation line that extends from the electric actuator to an electrical connector at the expandable device.

14 . The flow management system of claim 12 , wherein the actuation line comprises an electrical cable.

15 . The flow management system of claim 1 , further comprising a flow rate sensor for determining a flow rate of fluid flowing within the conduit.

16 . The flow management system of claim 15 , wherein the controller is operable to control the electric actuator based on data acquired by the flow rate sensor.

17 . The flow management system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of straps for securing the expandable device to the conduit.

18 . The flow management system of claim 17 , wherein each strap of the plurality of straps is adjustable in diameter.

19 . The flow management system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of straps is distributed along an entire length of the expandable device.

20 . The flow management system of claim 17 , further comprising a protective cover arranged along an outer side of the expandable device.

Assignees

• Saudi Arabian Oil Co

Inventors

• Shariff Maher Maqbool
• Makogon Taras Yurievich

Classifications

• B08B9/027

  Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages · CPC title

• G05D7/0629

  characterised by the type of regulator means · CPC title

• F16L55/24

  Preventing accumulation of dirt or other matter in pipes, e.g. by traps, by strainers · CPC title

• F16L55/00

  Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) · CPC title

• E21B47/09

  Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells {, e.g. the position of an extending arm}; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes · CPC title