SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING DOWNHOLE GAS-LIFT TRACERS

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SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING DOWNHOLE GAS-LIFT TRACERS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18296299 titled 'SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING DOWNHOLE GAS-LIFT TRACERS

The patent application describes a well system that includes a unique tracer at each gas-lift valve to detect the lift gas mingled with production fluid circulating within the production tubing.

Gas-lift valves arranged on the production tubing receive lift gas from the annulus and discharge it into the interior of the tubing.
Unique tracers provided at each gas-lift valve are released into the tubing as the lift gas circulates through the valves.
A tracer detection system at the surface location detects the unique tracer mixed with the lift gas and production fluid.
The system allows for the monitoring and tracking of the lift gas flow within the well system.
The unique tracers help in identifying the source and distribution of the lift gas within the production tubing.

Potential Applications: - Oil and gas production monitoring - Well performance optimization - Gas-lift valve efficiency analysis

Problems Solved: - Difficulty in tracking lift gas flow within the production tubing - Lack of real-time monitoring of gas-lift valve performance

Benefits: - Improved well system efficiency - Enhanced production monitoring capabilities - Early detection of gas-lift valve issues

Commercial Applications: Gas-lift valve manufacturers, oil and gas production companies, well monitoring service providers

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the unique tracer at each gas-lift valve improve the monitoring of lift gas flow within the production tubing? 2. What are the potential challenges in implementing this tracer detection system in different well systems?

Original Abstract Submitted

A well system includes a wellbore extending from a surface location, production tubing arranged within the wellbore and thereby defining an annulus between the production tubing and an inner wall of the wellbore, a plurality of gas-lift valves arranged on the production tubing and operable to receive a lift gas from the annulus and discharge the lift gas into an interior of the production tubing, a unique tracer provided at each gas-lift valve and releasable into the interior of the production tubing as the lift gas circulates through a corresponding one of the plurality of gas-lift valves, and a tracer detection system arranged at the surface location and operable to detect the unique tracer comingled with the lift gas and a production fluid circulating within the production tubing.