Method and system for purging coil tubing using onsite gas

Abstract

A coil tubing purging system is disclosed having coil tubing; an on-site source of a gaseous hydrocarbon fluid, said gaseous source being coupled to a first end of the coil tubing for injecting the gaseous fluid into the coil tubing for purging; and a sink coupled to a second end of the coil tubing for receiving fluid discharged therefrom.

1 . A method for purging a coil tubing comprising:
 sourcing an on-site gaseous source of hydrocarbon fluid;   fluidly coupling a first end of an on-site coil tubing to the on-site source of the on-site fluid;   fluidly coupling a second end of the coil tubing to a sink;   enabling a flow path for the on-site fluid to flow from the gaseous source through the coil tubing and into the sink; and   injecting the on-site fluid from the gaseous source along the flow path through the coil tubing into the sink for purging the coil tubing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the coupling of the first end of the on-site coil tubing to the on-site source of gaseous fluid comprises establishing a connection to one or more on-site wellheads, one or more on-site subterranean formations of the gaseous fluid, an on-site pipeline, or an on-site natural gas plant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the coupling of the first end of the on-site coil tubing to the on-site source of gaseous fluid comprises establishing a connection to an on-site container of the gaseous hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said gaseous fluid is natural gas, liquefied natural gas, coal bed methane, shale gas, propane or synthesis gas. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling of the second end of the coil tubing to the sink comprises establishing a connection between the second end of the coil tubing and a wellbore or a vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling of the second end of the coil tubing to the sink comprises establishing a connection between the second end of the coil tubing and a combustor for burning the received gaseous fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said coupling of the first end of the coil tubing to a gaseous source comprises coupling the gaseous source to a gaseous fluid handling equipment, and coupling the gaseous fluid handling equipment to the first end of the coil tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said coupling a first end of the coil tubing to a gaseous source comprises establishing a connection:
 between the gaseous source and an on-site gaseous fluid treatment device for removing corrosive components from the gaseous fluid, and 
 between the gaseous fluid treatment device and the first end of the coil tubing. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said coupling a first end of the coil tubing to a gaseous source comprises establishing a connection:
 between the gaseous source and an on-site compressor, and 
 between the compressor and the first end of the coil tubing. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling a second end of the coil tubing to a sink comprises establishing a connection:
 between the second end of the coil tubing and a blowout preventer at an on-site wellhead, and 
 between the blowout preventer and the sink. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method for purging a coil tubing comprising:
 coupling a first end of the coil tubing to a gaseous source, said gaseous source supplying a gaseous fluid from an on-site downhole environment or a production facility;   coupling a second end of the coil tubing to a sink;   enabling a flow path for the gaseous fluid to flow from the gaseous source through the coil tubing into the sink; and   injecting the gaseous fluid from the gaseous source along the flow path through the coil tubing into the sink for purging the coil tubing.   
     
     
         12 . A coil tubing purging system comprising:
 a coil tubing;   an on-site gaseous source of a gaseous hydrocarbon fluid, said gaseous source being coupled to a first end of the coil tubing for injecting the gaseous fluid into the coil tubing for purging; and   a sink coupled to a second end of the coil tubing for receiving purged fluid discharged therefrom.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said gaseous source is a container containing the gaseous hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said sink is a wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said sink is a vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said sink is a combustor for burning the received gaseous hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising gaseous fluid handling equipment, said gaseous source being coupled to the coil tubing via the gaseous fluid handling equipment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said gaseous fluid handling equipment is a gaseous fluid treatment device for removing corrosive components from the gaseous fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said gaseous fluid handling equipment is a compressor located between the gaseous source and the coil tubing. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said gaseous source is an on-site pipeline transporting the gaseous hydrocarbon fluid and the sink is an on-site wellbore. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said coil tubing is coupled to the sink via a blowout preventer at an on-site wellhead. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein
 the first end of the coil tubing is connected to a wellbore side of a first flow tee at an on-site wellhead; 
 the wellhead has a wellhead valve isolating the first flow tee from a second flow tee; and 
 the second flow tee is connected to the sink. 
 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said gaseous fluid is natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or propane. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said gaseous source is one or more wellbores supplying the gaseous hydrocarbon fluid.