Fluid migration shut-off

Abstract

A downhole assembly, including a line operatively arranged to carry a first fluid, and a trap arranged in fluid communication with the line, the trap operatively arranged to enable the first fluid to flow in a first direction, while capturing a second fluid in a compartment, thereby preventing migration of the second fluid through the line in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

1 . A downhole assembly, comprising:
 a line operatively arranged to carry a first fluid;   a trap arranged in fluid communication with the line, the trap operatively arranged to enable the first fluid to flow in a first direction, while capturing a second fluid in a compartment, thereby preventing migration of the second fluid through the line in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a first density of the first fluid is greater than a second density of the second fluid, and the second fluid rises atop the first fluid into the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first fluid is a liquid and the second fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising, with respect to the first direction, an inlet into the trap and an outlet out from the trap, the second fluid entering the trap via the outlet, the compartment operatively arranged to seclude the inlet from the second fluid trapped in the compartment while permitting the first fluid to flow between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the trap includes a membrane permeable by the second fluid for isolating the compartment from the first fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a compartment outlet connected to the compartment for releasing the second fluid from the compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid is natural gas. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a catch fluidly connected to the line, the catch operatively arranged to capture debris while enabling the first fluid to flow therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the catch includes a containment area for holding the debris. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a baffle, a wall, a funnel, a screen, a cyclone, or combinations including at least one of the foregoing for directing the debris into the containment area or the second fluid into the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the trap and the catch are integrated into a single unit having a combined inlet and a combined outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the catch includes a check valve for preventing back flow of the first fluid or migration of the second fluid up the line. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the catch is located upstream of the trap with respect to the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the trap includes a first inlet and the catch includes a second inlet and the first inlet is positioned higher than the second inlet for creating a vertical separation between the first and second inlets. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a downhole system, comprising:
 injecting a first fluid through a line in a first direction; and   capturing a second fluid in a compartment connected in fluid communication with the line, the second fluid traveling through the line in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a first density of the first fluid is greater than a second density of the second fluid and the second fluid rises atop the first fluid into the compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising pumping the second fluid out of the compartment via an outlet connected to the compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the outlet is separated from the first fluid via a membrane, the second fluid permeable through the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising capturing debris traveling down the line in a debris catch, the debris catch in fluid communication with the line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the debris catch is arranged at a vertically lower position than the compartment and located upstream of the compartment with respect to the first direction of flow.