System and method for hydrate production

Abstract

A system for hydrate production is configured to separate a water component from a multi-phase gas and water mixture present in a wellbore, the system being configured such that said separation occurs within the wellbore. The system comprises a first flow line disposed in the wellbore and arranged such that an inlet of the first flow line is disposed in and receives the water component, so as to separate the water component from said multi-phase gas and water mixture. A control system is configured to receive an output signal indicative of the water level from a sensor arrangement of the system and control a flow control device based on the water level so as to control the flow of the water component through the first flow line.

1 . A system for hydrate production, wherein the system is configured to separate a water component from a multi-phase gas and water mixture present in a wellbore, the system being configured such that said separation occurs within the wellbore, wherein the system comprises:
 a first flow line disposed in the wellbore, the flow line arranged such that an inlet of the first flow line is disposed in and receives the water component of said multi-phase gas and water mixture, so as to separate the water component from said multi-phase gas and water mixture;   a flow control device provided on or operatively associated with the first flow line;   a sensor arrangement comprising one or more sensors configured to detect a water level of said water component in the wellbore and output an output signal indicative of said water level; and,   a control system configured to receive the output signal indicative of said water level from the sensor arrangement and control the flow control device based on said water level so as to control the flow of the water component through the first flow line.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  , wherein the flow control device comprises or takes the form of a variable flow control device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device comprises or takes the form of a choke. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a pump coupled to or operatively associated with the first flow line, wherein the pump is configured to draw the water component of the multi-phase gas and water mixture present in the wellbore through the first flow line. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the pump comprises or takes the form of one of:
 a single-phase pump; or,   a multi-phase pump.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the control system is configured to control the pump. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a second flow line disposed in the wellbore, the second flow line arranged such that an inlet of the second flow line is disposed in and receives the gas component of said multi-phase gas and water mixture. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , comprising a flow control device provided on or operatively associated with the second flow line. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flow control device comprises or takes the form of a variable flow control device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flow control device comprises or takes the form of a choke. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement further comprises at least one of:
 one or more erosion sensors; one or more flow sensors;   one or more position sensors of the flow control device provided on or operatively associated with the first flow line; and,   one or more pressure and/or temperature sensors.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises a control module, wherein the control module is configured to:
 process sensor data received from the at least one of the sensors of the sensor arrangement; and at least one of:
 output one or more command signals to a position controller and/or actuation mechanism of the flow control device provided on or operatively associated with the first flow line, so as to control the position of said flow control device; and/or, 
 output one or more command signals to a position controller and/or actuation mechanism of at least one isolation valve provided on or operatively associated with the first flow line, so as to control the position of said isolation valve. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises, is coupled to or communicates with a master control station or module. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the master control station or module is configured to:
 process information from at least one topside system or module; and,   output one or more command signals to a controller of the pump.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises, is coupled to or communicates with a pump control system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises or takes the form of a system for natural gas hydrate production, wherein the system is configured to separate a water component from a multi-phase natural gas and water mixture present in a wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises or takes the form of a system for methane hydrate production, wherein the system is configured to separate a water component from a multi-phase methane gas and water mixture present in a wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . A well system comprising the system for hydrate production according to  claims 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The well system of  claim 18 , comprising a plurality of wellbores. 
     
     
         20 . Use of the system for hydrate production according to any one of  claims 1  or a well system having the system for hydrate production to separate a water component from a multi-phase gas and water mixture present in a wellbore, the system being configured such that said separation occurs within the wellbore.