BACKGROUND

[0001] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0002] Wells are often used to access resources below the surface of the earth. For instance, oil, natural gas, and water are often extracted via a well. Some wells are used to inject materials below the surface of the earth, e.g., to sequester carbon dioxide, to store natural gas for later use, or to inject steam or other substances near an oil well to enhance recovery. Due to the value of these subsurface resources, wells are often drilled at great expense, and great care is typically taken to extend their useful life.

[0003] Chemical-injection management systems are often used to maintain a well and/or enhance well output. For example, chemical-injection management systems may inject chemicals to extend the life of a well or increase the rate at which resources are extracted from a well. Typically, these materials are injected into the well in a controlled manner over a period of time by the chemical- injection management system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein: [0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary resource extraction system;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a Christmas tree with a fluid injection system;

[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle and a fluid injection system;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a fluid injection system; and

[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of a fluid injection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0010] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0011] The present disclosure is generally directed toward a fluid injection system, such as a chemical injection metering valve (CIMV) system, which includes a flow meter system, an adjustable valve, and a non-return valve in a single module. The module is capable of insertion and removal from a sub-sea mineral extraction system with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which facilitates and reduces costs for repairing, inspecting, or replacing fluid injection systems. In operation, the fluid injection system enables measurement and control of fluids used in mineral extraction operations. For example, the fluid injection system may measure and control fluids used to increase resource extraction or to increase the operating life of a well.

[0012] Certain exemplary embodiments of the fluid injection system include a flow meter system that uses ultrasonic transducers to measure fluid flow rates. A controller uses the measurements from the flow meter system to control the flow rates (i.e., reduce or increase the flow rates) through the fluid injection system with an adjustable valve. In other embodiments, the fluid injection system may also include a pressure transducer system capable of measuring fluid pressure. The combination of the ultrasonic flow meter system and the pressure transducer system enables redundant measurement or backup measurement of fluid flow rates through the fluid injection system. In certain embodiments, the controller may use sensors that provide positional feedback to control the adjustable valve's position. For example, some embodiments may include a position sensor and/or a shaft rotation sensor that provides the controller positional information about the adjustable valve. The inclusion of the shaft rotation sensor and the position sensor enables redundant position information and/or backup position information to the controller for controlling the adjustable valve.

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary sub-sea resource extraction system 10. In particular, the sub-sea resource extraction system 10 may be used to extract oil, natural gas, and other related resources from a well 12, located on a sub-sea floor 14, to an extraction point 16 at a surface location 18. The extraction point 16 may be an on-shore processing facility, an offshore rig, or any other extraction point. The sub-sea resource extraction system 10 may also be used to inject fluids, such as water, gas, chemicals, and so forth, into the well 12 through an underwater fluid injection system 20 (e.g., a chemical-injection system, such as a (CIMV system) on a Christmas tree 22. For example, the removable fluid injection system 20 may accurately inject corrosion-inhibiting materials, foam- inhibiting materials, wax-inhibiting materials, and/or antifreeze to extend the life of a well or increase the resource extraction rate from the well 12. These materials may be injected into the well 12 in a controlled manner over a period of time by the fluid injection system 20. The working fluids may be supplied to the sub-sea equipment using flexible jumper or umbilical lines 24. The flexible jumper or umbilical lines 24 may include reinforced polymer and small diameter steel supply lines, which are interstitially spaced into a larger reinforced polymer liner.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the Christmas tree 22 with the fluid injection system 20. The tree 22 couples to the well 12 and may include a variety of valves, fittings, and controls for extracting resources out of the well 12. As illustrated, the Christmas tree 22 includes the receptacle 40 that removably receives (e.g., removably locks) the fluid injection system 20. The receptacle 40 enables fluid and electrical communication between the Christmas tree 22 and the fluid injection system 20. As will be discussed in detail below, when attached, the fluid injection system 20 measures and controls fluid flow into the well 12. For example, the fluid injection system 20 may inject water, gas, corrosion-inhibiting materials, foam-inhibiting materials, wax-inhibiting materials, and/or antifreeze to extend the life of a well or increase a mineral extraction rate out of the well. Again, these materials may be injected into the well in a controlled manner over a period of time by the fluid injection system 20.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the receptacle 40 capable of receiving the fluid injection system 20. The receptacle 40 includes a guide funnel 50 with a sloped annular surface 52 (e.g., a conical surface) that channels and aligns the fluid injection system 20 during connection to the Christmas tree 22. Specifically, the guide funnel 50 gradually changes in diameter from a first annular end 54 with a diameter 56 to a second annular end 58 with a diameter 60. The differences in diameters 56 and 60 define the angle or slope of the sloped surface 52. As illustrated, the guide funnel 50 couples to a receptacle housing 62 (e.g., an annular receptacle housing) with bolts 64. When coupled, the sloped surface 52, of the guide funnel 50, aligns and channels the fluid injection system 20 axially into the receptacle housing 62. In some embodiments, the guide funnel 50 may couple to the Christmas tree 22. For example, the second end 58 of the guide funnel 50 may include an annular flange 66 with apertures 68. The flange 66 may receive bolts through the apertures 68 that couple the guide funnel 50 to the Christmas tree 22.

[0016] Coupled to the guide funnel 50 is the receptacle housing 62. The receptacle housing 62 receives and secures the fluid injection system 20 between a first axial end 70 and a second axial end 72. As illustrated, the first end 70 couples to the guide funnel 50, while the second end 72 couples to a receptacle body 74. In order to couple to the receptacle body 74, the second end 72 of the receptacle housing 62 couples to an annular connection flange 76 on the receptacle body 74. More specifically, the second end 72 of the receptacle housing 62 includes an annular arrangement of apertures 78 that corresponds to an annular arrangement of apertures 80 on the connection flange 76. The apertures 78 and 80 enable bolts 82 to couple the receptacle housing 62 to the connection flange 76. When coupled, a first end 84 of the receptacle body 74 projects into cavity 85 of the receptacle housing 62 for connection to the fluid injection system 20. As illustrated, the first end 84 of the receptacle body 74 includes a fluid inlet 86 (e.g., chemical inlet), a fluid exit 88 (e.g., chemical outlet), and a guide pin receptacle 89. The fluid inlet 86 and the fluid exit 88 fluidly couple to corresponding flanged connections 90 and 92 on a second end 94 of the receptacle body 74. The flanged connections 90 and 92 fluidly couple the receptacle 40 to the Christmas tree 22, enabling the fluid injection system 20 to control fluid injection (e.g., chemical injection) from the extraction point 16 into the well 12. Furthermore, receptacle 40 may provide power and control signals to the fluid injection system 20 through the electrical connector 96. The electrical connector 96 in-turn receives power and control signals by coupling to the Christmas tree 22 with one or more cables through the aperture 98 in the receptacle housing 62.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid injection system 20 is a module 99 capable of insertion into and removal from the receptacle 40 with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The ability to remove and insert the fluid injection system 20 with an ROV facilitates replacement or repair without the use of a running tool and the associated costs. As illustrated, the fluid injection system 20 includes an over-pull handle 100 and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) torque bucket 102 for coupling and removal of the fluid injection system 20. The ROV bucket 102 couples to a lockdown mechanism 104 that secures the fluid injection system 20 within the receptacle housing 62. More specifically, the lockdown mechanism 104 secures the fluid injection system 20 with radially movable dogs 106 that engage a groove 108 in the receptacle housing 62. The dogs 106 are capable of extending radially into and retracting radially away from the groove 108 enabling the fluid injection system 20 to be removed/coupled to the receptacle 40. In operation, an ROV activates or deactivates the lockdown mechanism 104 by engaging a nut within the ROV bucket 102.

[0018] Coupled to the lockdown mechanism 104 is a housing 109, such as a cylindrical or annular housing. As illustrated, the lockdown mechanism 104 couples to the housing 109 with bolts 1 10. The housing 109 may contain multiple components that measure and control fluid flow through the fluid injection system 20, and fluidly couple the fluid injection system 20 to the receptacle 40. To facilitate alignment and coupling, the fluid injection system 20 includes a guide skirt 1 12 (e.g., an annular guide skirt). The guide skirt 1 12 couples to the housing 109 with bolts 1 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide skirt 1 12 includes an axial slot 1 16 that aligns with and engages a guide key 1 18 on the receptacle body 74. More specifically, as the fluid injection system 20 moves in axial direction 120, the guide skirt 1 12 enables the fluid injection system 20 to rotate and align as the slot 1 16 engages the guide key 1 18, thereby circumferentially aligning the fluid and electrical connections (e.g., 86, 88, and 96). In some embodiments, the slot 1 16 may include an axial slot portion 122 and a converging slot portion 124. In operation, the converging slot portion 124 assists in circumferentially aligning the guide key 1 18 with the axial slot portion 122. Accordingly, as the housing 109 moves axially in direction 120 the slot 1 16 enables circumferential alignment of the housing 109 with the receptacle body 74. The circumferential alignment of the fluid injection system 20 with the receptacle 40 enables fluid and electrical coupling between the receptacle body 74 and the fluid injection system 20.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fluid injection system 20. As illustrated, the fluid injection system 20 includes an electrical connector 140, a fluid inlet coupler 142, a fluid outlet coupler 144, and an axial guide pin 146. As explained above, the engagement of the slot 1 16 with the guide key 1 18 circumferentially aligns (e.g., rotationally about the axis of) the fluid injection system 20 with the receptacle body 74. In some embodiments, the fluid injection system 20 may also include the guide pin 146 that couples to the guide pin receptacle 89 to facilitate radial or lateral alignment of electrical connector 140, fluid coupler 142, and fluid coupler 144. The radial alignment enables the electrical connector 96 to electrically couple to the electrical connector 140 removably in the axial direction, and the fluid couplers 142 and 144 to couple to the fluid inlet 86 and fluid outlet 88 removably in the axial direction. The removable connection between the electrical connector 96 and 140 enables the fluid injection system 20 to receive power and electrical signals to control and power components within the fluid injection system 20 to control and measure fluid flow. In some embodiments, the fluid injection system 20 may communicate with and receive instructions from an external mineral extraction system controller located on the Christmas tree 22 or at an extraction point 16. Moreover, the removable axial connection between fluid inlet coupler 142 and the fluid inlet 86 of the receptacle body 74; and the fluid outlet coupler 144 and the fluid outlet 88 of the receptacle body 74 enables fluid (e.g., one or more chemicals) to flow between the Christmas tree 22 and the fluid injection system 20.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the fluid injection system 20 that may include a flow meter system 160, an adjustable valve 162, and a non-return valve 164 within a single removable module 166. As explained above, the fluid injection system 20 is capable of insertion and removal with an ROV, thereby reducing costs and the difficulty associated with using a running tool. In operation, the fluid injection system 20 measures and controls the flow of a fluid 168 (e.g., water, gas, chemicals) into the sub-sea resource extraction system 10. These fluids may assist in the extraction of the mineral resource or increase the operating life of the well 12. After fluidly coupling the module 166 to a Christmas tree 22 or other mineral extraction equipment, the fluid 168 enters the fluid injection system 20 through the fluid inlet coupler 142. As illustrated, the fluid inlet coupler 142 may include a non-return valve 164 (e.g., a one-way valve, a check valve, etc.) that enables fluid flow into the fluid injection system 20, but blocks the reverse flow of fluid out of the fluid injection system 20.

[0021] After passing through the fluid inlet coupler 142 (e.g., a male plug, snap fit connector, etc.), the fluid 168 enters the flow meter system 160. In the flow meter system 160 (e.g., a primary flow meter system), one or more ultrasonic transducers 170 measure the fluid flow into the fluid injection system 20. The ultrasonic transducers 170 measure flow speeds by rapidly sending and receiving ultrasonic waves that travel through the fluid 168. A controller 172 (i.e., a fluid injection system controller) couples to the flow meter system 160 and collects the transmission and reception times by the ultrasonic transducers 170. The controller 172 then calculates how the ultrasonic waves change through the fluid 168, enabling the controller 172 to calculate changes in the fluid flow. For example, the controller 172 may include a processor 174 and memory 176, which the controller 172 uses to determine a volumetric flow rate, a mass flow rate, a volume, or a mass based on a signal from the flow meter system 160. The controller 172 may also regulate or control one or more of these parameters based on the signal from the flow meter 160 by signaling the valve actuator 178 to adjust the adjustable valve 162. To this end, the controller 172 may include software and/or circuitry configured to execute a control routine. In some embodiments, the control routine and/or data based on a signal from the flow meter 160 may be stored in memory 176 or another computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the controller 172 (i.e., a fluid injection system controller) may communicate with and receive instructions from a mineral extraction system controller located on the Christmas tree or at an extraction point 16.

[0022] In some embodiments, the fluid injection system 20 may also include a pressure transducer system 180 (e.g., a secondary flow meter system) that enables redundant or backup flow rate measurements. The pressure transducer system 180 includes a first pressure transducer 182 and a secondary pressure transducer 184 to measure fluid pressures at different locations in the fluid injection system 20. As illustrated, the first pressure transducer 182 enables pressure measurements of the fluid 168 before the fluid passes through the adjustable valve 162, while the second pressure transducer 184 measures pressure after the fluid 168 passes through the adjustable valve 162. The controller 172 compares the pressures sensed by the pressure transducers 182 and 184 using known values about the fluid and valve position to calculate the fluid flow rate through the fluid injection system 20. Depending on the embodiment, the fluid injection system 20 may use the flow rate system 160 and the pressure transducer system 180 simultaneously or separately to measure the flow rate of fluid 168.

[0023] As explained above, the controller 172 regulates or controls fluid flow based signals from the flow meter system 160 and/or the pressure transducer system 180. In operation, the controller 172 uses the signals to exercise feedback control over fluid flow through the adjustable valve 162 with the valve actuator 178. For example, the controller 172 may transmit a control signal 142 to the valve actuator 178. The content of the control signal 142 may be determined by, or based on, a comparison between a flow parameter (e.g., a volumetric flow rate, a mass flow rate, a volume, or a mass) measured by the flow meter system 160 or the pressure transducer system 180 and a desired flow parameter value. For instance, if the controller 172 determines that the flow rate through the fluid injection system 20 is less than a desired flow rate, the controller 172 may signal the valve actuator 178 to open adjustable valve 162 some distance. In response, a motor 186 may drive a gearbox 188, and the gearbox 188 may transmit rotational movement from the motor 186 into linear or rotational movement of the adjustable valve 162. As a result, in some embodiments, the flow rate through the adjustable valve 162 may increase as the adjustable valve 162 opens. Alternatively, if the controller 172 determines that the flow rate (or other flow parameter) through the fluid injection system 20 is greater than a desired flow rate (or other flow parameter), the controller 172 may signal the valve actuator 178 to close the adjustable valve 162 some distance, thereby decreasing the flow rate. In other words, the controller 172 may signal the valve actuator 178 to open or close the adjustable valve 162 some distance based on a flow parameter sensed by the flow meter 160 or the pressure transducer system 180.

[0024] The controller 172 may monitor and control the position of the adjustable valve 162 with signals received from a position sensor 190 and/or a shaft rotation sensor 192. As illustrated, the position sensor 190 couples to the adjustable valve 162 and the shaft rotation sensor 192 couples to the actuator 178. In this arrangement, the position sensor 190 provides positional feedback to the controller 172 based on actual movement of the adjustable valve 162. In contrast, the shaft rotation sensor 192 provides indirect positional feedback of the adjustable valve 162 by sensing positional change of the actuator 178. In other words, the shaft rotation sensor 192 provides signals to the controller 172 indicating movement of the actuator 178, which the controller 172 then uses to determine movement of the adjustable valve 162. The combination of the position sensor 190 and the shaft rotation sensor 192 provides the controller 172 redundant positional information or backup positional information of the adjustable valve 162, enabling the controller 172 to control fluid flow through fluid injection system 20. After passing through the adjustable valve 162, the fluid 168 exits the fluid injection system 20 through a fluid outlet coupler 144 (e.g., a male plug, snap fit connector, etc.) for use by the sub-sea resource extraction system 10. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet coupler 144 includes a non-return valve 164 (e.g., a one-way valve, a check valve, etc.) that blocks the reverse flow of the fluid 168 into the fluid injection system 20.

[0025] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined following appended claims.