Well Test Burner System and Method

Abstract

Methods and systems of burning waste effluent include controlling flow of waste effluent to burner nozzles using flow control elements. The flow control elements are biased toward closed positions using biasing forces, wherein reduced biasing forces are applied to selected flow control elements so that waste effluent flow first reaches the burner nozzles associated with the flow control elements receiving reduced biasing forces. The selected burner nozzles may be located nearer a pilot to more reliably induce combustion and reduce fallout.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]Hydrocarbons are widely used as a primary source of energy, and have a significant impact on the world economy. Consequently, the discovery and efficient production of hydrocarbon resources is increasingly important. As relatively accessible hydrocarbon deposits are depleted, hydrocarbon prospecting and production has expanded to new regions that may be more difficult to reach and / or may pose new technological challenges. During typical operations, a borehole is drilled into the earth, whether on land or below the sea, to reach a reservoir containing hydrocarbons. Such hydrocarbons are typically in the form of oil, gas, or mixtures thereof which may then be brought to the surface through the borehole.[0002]Well testing is often performed to help evaluate the possible production value of a reservoir. During well testing, a test well is drilled to produce a test flow of fluid from the reservoir. During the test flow, key parameters such as fluid press...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes systems and methods for burning fluids with a high hydrocarbon content, such as those generated during well testing or oil spill cleanup. The systems use flow control elements to control the flow of waste effluent to the burner nozzles. These elements are biased closed by a force and have reduced biasing forces applied to them during startup and shutdown. This helps ensure reliable combustion and minimizes the amount of unburned waste effluent.

Problems solved by technology

As relatively accessible hydrocarbon deposits are depleted, hydrocarbon prospecting and production has expanded to new regions that may be more difficult to reach and / or may pose new technological challenges.

The costs associated with performing the testing operations may be significant, however, and therefore testing operations should be performed as efficiently and economically as possible.

Fluids produced from the test well are generally considered to be waste and therefore are typically disposed of by burning, which raises environmental and safety concerns.

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