Flareless well intervention

Abstract

In an embodiment, a flareless well intervention method may involve cleaning a wellbore by introducing a working fluid into a wellbore, receiving the working fluid commingled with produced formation fluid, separating produced gas from the commingled fluid, and compressing at least a portion of the produced gas.

1 . A method of cleaning a wellbore through a formation comprising formation fluid, the method comprising:
 after the wellbore has been drilled to a desired depth, inserting a working string into the wellbore, such that an annulus is formed between an outer surface of the working string and an inner surface of the wellbore;   selecting a working fluid formulated to promote the removal of solids from the wellbore;   pumping the working fluid through the working string and into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to cause the working fluid to flow through the length of the working string and back to the surface through the annulus;   receiving from the annulus a commingled annular return comprising solids from the wellbore, the returned working fluid, and produced formation fluid;   separating a produced gas from the commingled annular return; and   compressing at least a portion of the produced gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 analysing the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 disposing of at least a portion of the produced gas via flare in response to analysing the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 cleaning at least a portion of the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 separating at least a portion of the produced gas by molecular structure. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 storing at least a portion of the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 transporting at least a portion of the produced gas via pipeline. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 offering to sell at least a portion of the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing at least a portion of the produced gas to a gas-powered device. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is introduced into the wellbore prior to a wellbore completion process. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is introduced into the wellbore after a wellbore completion process. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the working fluid into the wellbore further comprises introducing the working fluid in a manner to cause an underbalanced condition in the wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is formulated to have a specific gravity such that the step of introducing the working fluid into the wellbore results in an underbalanced condition in the wellbore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the working fluid is introduced at a working fluid pressure lower than a formation fluid pressure of the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . A method of cleaning a wellbore through a formation comprising formation fluid, the method comprising:
 after the wellbore has been drilled to a desired depth, inserting a working string into the wellbore, such that an annulus is formed between an outer surface of the working string and an inner surface of the wellbore;   selecting a working fluid formulated to promote the removal of solids from the wellbore and to cause an underbalanced condition in the wellbore;   pumping the working fluid through the working string and into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to cause the working fluid to flow through the length of the working string and back to the surface through the annulus;   receiving from the annulus a commingled annular return comprising solids fluid from the wellbore, the returned working fluid, and produced formation fluid;   separating a produced gas from the commingled annular return;   compressing at least a portion of the produced gas; and   storing at least a portion of the produced gas or transporting at least a portion of the produced gas via pipeline.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 analysing at least a portion of the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 disposing of at least a portion of the produced gas via flare in response to analysing the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 cleaning at least a portion of the produced gas. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 separating at least a portion of the produced gas by molecular structure. 
 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)