# US 10,502,031 B2 · Method and apparatus for producing gas from a formation containing both gas and water > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,031 B2 - Document ID: US10502031B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/700,214 - Filed: 2017-09-11 - Published: 2018-03-15 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-11 - Applicants: Charles W. Winters - Inventors: Charles W. Winters - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502031B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/086: {Screens with preformed openings, e.g. slotted liners (comprising porous materials E21B43/082)} - E21B 43/13: {specially adapted to dewatering of wells of gas producing reservoirs, e.g. methane producing coal beds} - E21B 43/38: in the well - E21B 43/084: {Screens comprising woven materials, e.g. mesh or cloth} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A downhole filter tool is placed in a wellbore for separating gas from a solution containing both gas and water in a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation. The filter tool includes a filter bag inserted inside a perforated inner tube that is surrounded by a casing. The filter bag comprises a layer of hydrophobic material that allows gas to be separated from the water. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for separating gas from a solution containing gas and water in a well, comprising: a filter bag having an open end allowing the solution to be received under hydrostatic pressure into the interior of the filter bag, the filter bag including a filtering material configured to separate the gas from the water; a tube sleeved over the bag, the tube having an open end into which the filter bag may be received, and plurality of perforations therein configured to allow the gas to escape from the tube; and at least one flange, wherein the filter bag includes a substantially rigid mouth seated against the at least one flange. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter bag includes: a supporting inner layer allowing the gas to pass therethrough, and an outer layer of the filtering material adhered to the supporting inner layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the supporting inner layer is one of: felt, and polyester. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the filtering material is polytetrafluoroethylene. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bag substantially lines and conforms to interior walls of the tube. ### Claim 6 Apparatus for separating gas from a solution containing gas and water in a well, comprising: a filter bag having an open end allowing the solution to be received under hydrostatic pressure into the interior of the filter bag, the filter bag including a filtering material configured to separate the gas from the water; a tube sleeved over the bag, the tube having an open end into which the filter bag may be received, and plurality of perforations therein configured to allow the gas to escape from the tube; and an outer casing configured to be coupled with a gas pipe for removing a gas from the well, the outer casing surrounding and being spaced radially outward from the tube to define an outer chamber in which gas passing through the filter bag is accumulated for delivery to the gas pipe. ### Claim 7 A wellbore tool, comprising: a perforated intake tube configured to receive a solution containing gas and water within a well; a perforated inner tube attached to the perforated intake tube for receiving the solution from the intake tube, the perforated inner tube defining an inner chamber; a filter bag lining the inner chamber within the perforated inner tube, the filter bag including filtering material for separating the gas from the water; and a casing surrounding the perforated inner tube and defining an outer chamber in which the gas separated by the filter bag is received, wherein each of the perforated intake tube, the perforated inner tube, and the casing includes a flange, and the flanges are stacked and fastened together. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, further comprising: a pipe coupler attached to the casing and coupled with the outer chamber, the pipe coupler being configured to be coupled with a gas pipe for removing gas from the wellbore tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, wherein: the filter bag includes an open end provided with a substantially rigid mouth, and the rigid mouth is seated against one of the flanges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, wherein: the perforated intake tube includes a closed top end having perforations therein, and the casing includes a closed top spaced above the closed top end of the perforated intake tube and provided with perforations therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, wherein the filter bag includes: a supporting inner layer allowing the gas to pass therethrough, and an outer layer of the filtering material adhered to the supporting inner layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The wellbore tool of claim 11, wherein the supporting inner layer is one of: felt, and polyester. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, wherein the filtering material is polytetrafluoroethylene. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The wellbore tool of claim 7, wherein the perforated inner tube and the casing are cylindrical in shape and concentric with each other. ### Claim 15 A wellbore tool, comprising: a perforated intake tube configured to receive a solution containing gas and water within a well; a perforated inner tube attached to the perforated intake tube for receiving the solution from the intake tube, the perforated inner tube defining an inner chamber; a filter bag lining the inner chamber within the perforated inner tube, the filter bag including filtering material for separating the gas from the water, the filter bag being configured to be held against the inner tube by hydrostatic pressure and removable from the inner tube through the perforated intake tube; and a casing surrounding the perforated inner tube and defining an outer chamber in which the gas separated by the filter bag is received. ### Claim 16 A wellbore tool, comprising: a perforated intake tube configured to receive a solution containing gas and water within a well; a perforated inner tube attached to the perforated intake tube for receiving the solution from the intake tube, the perforated inner tube defining an inner chamber and having an annular flange; a filter bag lining the inner chamber within the perforated inner tube, the filter bag including filtering material for separating the gas from the water; and a casing surrounding the perforated inner tube and defining an outer chamber in which the gas separated by the filter bag is received, the casing including an annular flange, wherein the annular flange of the perforated inner tube and the annular flange of the casing are secured together.