Well-based potential energy conversion systems and methods featuring well-external sensing
Potential energy conversion systems include a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, in which the line is coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass. A fluid fills at least a portion of the non-producing well, and a volume of the fluid is sufficient to immerse or fully immerse the movable mass when the movable mass is raised to an uppermost position in the non-producing well. A storage tank is configured to receive fluid displaced from the non-producing well as the movable mass is lowered from a higher location to a lower location in the non-producing well and to return the fluid to the non-producing well as the movable mass is raised from the lower location.
1 . A potential energy conversion system comprising:
a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, the line being coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass;
a fluid filling at least a portion of the non-producing well, a volume of the fluid being sufficient to immerse the movable mass when the movable mass is raised to an uppermost position in the non-producing well; and
a storage tank configured to receive fluid displaced from the non-producing well as the movable mass is lowered from a higher location to a lower location in the non-producing well and to return the fluid into the non-producing well as the movable mass is raised from the lower location in the non-producing well.
2 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one sensor;
wherein the at least one sensor is operable to provide information about a condition in the non-producing well, an operational status of the potential energy conversion system, or any combination thereof.
3 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor is operable to measure one or more fluid properties, gas properties, mechanical properties, or any combination thereof within the non-producing well.
4 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one sensor is located within at least one of the non-producing well, a wellhead sealing a surface opening of the non-producing well, the storage tank, a conduit leading from the non-producing well to the storage tank, upon a sheave pulley system located at a surface opening of the non-producing well, a surface location proximate to the non-producing well, or any combination thereof.
5 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the line extends through a sheave pulley system located at a surface opening of the non-producing well.
6 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the non-producing well has an upper section, a lower section, and a plug isolating the upper section from the lower section, the movable mass being located in the upper section of the non-producing well.
7 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is an aqueous fluid comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a biocide, an anti-corrosion chemical, a scale inhibitor, a friction reducer, a rheology modifier, and any combination thereof.
8 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the motor operates as the generator as the movable mass is lowered and the motor turns in reverse.
9 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wellhead sealing a surface opening of the non-producing well;
wherein the storage tank is connected to the wellhead and the wellhead is configured to receive the fluid as the fluid is displaced from the non-producing well.
10 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the movable mass is fully immersed in the fluid and/or the wellbore is completely filled with the fluid.
11 . A method for retrofitting a well, comprising:
providing the potential energy conversion system of claim 1 ;
installing the potential energy conversion system into an interval of the non-producing well; and
capping the non-producing well after installing the potential energy conversion system therein.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the non-producing well has an upper section, a lower section, and a plug isolating the upper section from the lower section;
wherein the movable mass is located within the upper section and is movable therein.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
installing the plug in the non-producing well prior to installing the potential energy conversion system.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
introducing the fluid into the non-producing well.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the potential energy conversion system further comprises at least one sensor;
wherein the at least one sensor is operable to provide information about a condition in the non-producing well, an operational status of the potential energy conversion system, or any combination thereof.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is operable to measure one or more fluid properties, gas properties, mechanical properties, or any combination thereof within the non-producing well, the method further comprising:
measuring at least one of the one or more fluid properties, gas properties, mechanical properties, or any combination thereof with the at least one sensor.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the fluid is an aqueous fluid comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a biocide, an anti-corrosion chemical, a scale inhibitor, a friction reducer, a rheology modifier, and any combination thereof.
18 . A method comprising:
providing the potential energy conversion system of claim 1 ; and
storing potential energy by raising the movable mass, or releasing potential energy and converting the potential energy to electricity by lowering the movable mass;
wherein the storage tank receives fluid displaced from the non-producing well as the movable mass is lowered and returns the fluid into the non-producing well as the movable mass is raised.
19 . A potential energy conversion system comprising:
a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, the line being coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass;
a fluid filling at least a portion of the non-producing well, a volume of the fluid being sufficient to immerse the movable mass when the movable mass is raised to an uppermost position in the non-producing well;
a storage tank connected to the wellhead and configured to receive a portion of the fluid from the non-producing well as the movable mass is lowered in the non-producing well;
a wellhead sealing a surface opening of the non-producing well;
wherein the line transits the wellhead and is coupled to a sheave pulley system located at a surface opening of the non-producing well; and
at least one sensor;
wherein the at least one sensor is operable to provide information about a condition in the non-producing well, an operational status of the potential energy conversion system, or any combination thereof; and
wherein the at least one sensor is located within the wellhead, upon the sheave pulley system, at a surface location proximate to the non-producing well, or any combination thereof.
20 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 19 , wherein the at least one sensor is operable to measure one or more fluid properties, gas properties, mechanical properties, or any combination thereof within the non-producing well.
21 . The potential energy conversion system of claim 19 , wherein the non-producing well has an upper section, a lower section, and a plug isolating the upper section from the lower section, the movable mass being located in the upper section of the non-producing well.