Method and apparatus for artificial lift using well fluid electrolysis

摘要

An artificial lift device is useful for inducing artificial gas lift in a well bore fluid present in a horizontal well bore system using electrically conductive aqueous solution. The artificial lift device includes an ion exchange membrane, an electrode pair having an anode and a cathode separated by the ion exchange membrane, a sensor operable to detect the presence of solution and a power relay operable to selectively permit the electrode pair to receive electrical power. The artificial lift device is operable to form hydrogen product gas bubbles from hydrogen product gas. A method for providing artificial gas lift using the artificial lift device includes forming a horizontal well bore system having a well boot, introducing the artificial lift device into the well bore system, introducing electrical power to the electrode pair, and operating the device to introduce hydrogen product gas bubbles into the horizontal well bore system.

主权项

1. An artificial lift device useful for inducing artificial gas lift in a well bore fluid present in a horizontal well bore system using an electrically conductive aqueous solution, the artificial lift device comprising:
an ion exchange membrane; an electrode pair having an anode and a cathode, where the anode and cathode are separated by the ion exchange membrane and are operable to induce electrolysis in the electrically conductive aqueous solution using electrical power such that a halogen product gas and a hydrogen product gas form; a sensor operable to detect the presence of the electrically conductive aqueous solution and to transmit an associated signal in response to the detected electrically conductive aqueous solution; and a power relay operable to selectively permit the electrode pair to receive electrical power;where the artificial lift device is operable to receive electrical power from the power source, to form hydrogen product gas bubbles from hydrogen product gas and to introduce hydrogen product gas bubbles into an exterior fluid.