Systems and methods for independent control and operations of tubing and annulus at the wellhead for steam injection
A method for utilizing steam for enhanced subterranean production may include operating multiple flow control valves of a wellhead assembly at a wellbore into a configuration so that a flow path is opened, where a first end of the flow path is configured to be coupled to a steam injection system, and where a second end of the flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation. The method may also include maintaining the configuration of the flow control valves for a time period, where the flow control valves and associated piping are configured to operate under a pressure, a temperature, and a flow rate present with injecting the steam for the time period, and where the flow control valves and associated piping are further configured to operate under a pressure, a temperature, and a flow rate present with producing a production fluid.
1 . A method for utilizing steam for enhanced subterranean production, the method comprising:
operating a plurality of flow control valves of a wellhead assembly at a wellbore into a first configuration so that a first flow path of a plurality of flow paths is opened, wherein the first flow path comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first flow path is configured to be coupled to a steam injection system, and wherein the second end of the first flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation;
maintaining the first configuration of the plurality of flow control valves for a first time period, wherein the plurality of flow control valves and associated piping are configured to operate under a steam pressure, a steam temperature, and a steam flow rate present with injecting the steam for the first time period, and wherein the plurality of flow control valves and associated piping are further configured to operate under a production fluid pressure, a production fluid temperature, and a production fluid flow rate present with producing production fluid;
operating, after the first time period, the plurality of flow control valves of the wellhead assembly at the wellbore into a second configuration so that a second flow path is opened, wherein the second flow path comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore, and wherein the second end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to a production system; and
maintaining the second configuration of the plurality of flow control valves for a second time period, wherein at least one of the plurality of flow control valves is part of the first flow path during the first time period and the second flow path during the second time period.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is through an annulus between a tubing string and production casing.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is through a cavity within a tubing string.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is through a cavity within a tubing string and through an annulus between the tubing string and production casing.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
operating, after the second time period, the plurality of flow control valves of the wellhead assembly at the wellbore into the first configuration so that the first flow path is reopened; and
maintaining the first configuration of the plurality of flow control valves for a third time period.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is through an annulus between a tubing string and production casing.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is through a cavity within a tubing string.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is through a cavity within a tubing string and through an annulus between the tubing string and production casing.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is closed during the first time period.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is closed during the second time period.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first configuration of the plurality of flow control valves further opens a second flow path, wherein the second flow path comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore, and wherein the second end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to a production system.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the wellbore comprises a plurality of lateral portions having fluidic communication there between.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first flow path is through an annulus between a tubing string and production casing, wherein the second flow path is through a cavity within the tubing string, and wherein the tubing string extends into one of the plurality of lateral portions.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first flow path is through a cavity within a tubing string, wherein the second flow path is through an annulus between the tubing string and production casing, and wherein the tubing string extends into one of the plurality of lateral portions.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the flow path and the second flow path are independent of each other.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the steam is configured to combine with a heavy oil in the subterranean formation.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path includes a flow control valve of the plurality of flow control valves that is used with an additional flow path through which the production fluid is produced.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flow control valves comprises a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, a third flow control valve, a fourth flow control valve, a fifth flow control valve, a sixth flow control valve, and a seventh flow control valve.
19 . A method for utilizing steam for enhanced subterranean production, the method comprising:
operating a plurality of flow control valves of a wellhead assembly at a wellbore into a first configuration so that a first flow path of a plurality of flow paths is opened, wherein the first flow path comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first flow path is configured to be coupled to a steam injection system, and wherein the second end of the first flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation; and
maintaining the first configuration of the plurality of flow control valves for a first time period, wherein the plurality of flow control valves and associated piping are configured to operate under a steam pressure, a steam temperature, and a steam flow rate present with injecting the steam for the first time period, wherein the plurality of flow control valves and associated piping are further configured to operate under a production fluid pressure, a production fluid temperature, and a production fluid flow rate present with producing production fluid, wherein the first configuration of the plurality of flow control valves further opens a second flow path, wherein the second flow path comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to the wellbore, and wherein the second end of the second flow path is configured to be coupled to a production system.