 |
 |
| The
MxL Induction Heating System heats the near well bore at the
production zone thus decreasing oil viscosity to improve oil
mobility both in the zone and at the pump suction. The inductive
method of heating transfers the energy directly from the tool
to the well casing which, since it is in direct contact with
the reservoir rock, transfers the heat efficiently at the lowest
possible annulus temperature. Since the tool surface does not
have to be at a high temperature there is no tendency for the
tool to scale, overheat and burnout. One of these tools has
been in almost constant use since 1997 and others have been
in service for more than two years. They have been re-deployed
from well to well, and used as a data gathering system to define
production from multi zones and from different levels within
a zone. |
|
 |
| The
MxL system is a retrofit system suitable for vertical, deviated
or horizontal completions wherein one or more inductors are
attached to the bottom of the production tubing in order to
heat the production zone. |
|
| Electrical
power is applied to an Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) cable
strapped to the side of the production tubing utilizing a regular
ESP power feed through and appropriate tubing hanger at the
wellhead. The system utilizes the production casing as an inductively
heated element to conduct heat and electrical energy into the
production zone. |
|
| The
Power Conditioning Unit (PCU), computer and power controls are
set up so that power to the three inductor sections can be varied
to heat the casing through electromagnetic induction in a selective
and controllable manner. |
|
 |
 |
 |
| A
MxL Tool Installation |
The
PCU |
PCU
Power Controls |
|
|
| The
MxL tool's inductors are configured to use 50 to 180 Hz three
phase modified output waves from the PCU. Resistance measurements
are used to indicate temperature at each inductor section and
the PCU shuts down periodically to obtain readings that are
indicative of the average inductor section temperature. Additional
"signature" readings are also included to measure specific location
temperatures and bottom hole pressure and return that information
on the supply cables. These signature readings are retained
in the logged data for periodic evaluation of the system and
if proven to be reliable may be selected as control inputs. |
|
| The
PCU has data logging and controls to set power limits based
on the greater of either downhole temperature or maximum KVA,
for each of three sections, and to retain operating information
for later evaluation. System control interlocks are included
to provide high current trip, pump trip, low flow trip and provide
an operator controlled output contact to signal if the PCU has
tripped off. |
|
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