Gas lift using a gas/oil mixer
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Lembcke, Mike Juenke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of producing hydrocarbon includes introducing the hydrocarbons into a tubular for transport to a surface and introducing a gas into the tubular, wherein the gas is introduced as miniature bubbles for mixing with the hydrocarbon. The method also includes mixing the bubbles with the hydrocarbons, thereby reducing a hydrostatic pressure in the tubular and flowing the hydrocarbons toward the surface. In one embodiment, the gas is introduced at one or more gas lift entry points along the tubular.
Claims30
A method of producing hydrocarbons, comprising:
- introducing the hydrocarbons into a tubular for transport to a surface;
- injecting a gas around the outer diameter of the tubular;
- introducing the gas into the inner diameter of the tubular, wherein the gas is introduced as miniature bubbles for mixing with the hydrocarbon;
- mixing the bubbles with the hydrocarbons, thereby reducing a hydrostatic pressure in the tubular;
- and
- flowing the hydrocarbons toward the surface.
A method of producing hydrocarbon, comprising:
- flowing hydrocarbon through a tubular for transport to a surface;
- introducing gas into an annular space around the outer diameter of the tubular;
- generating miniature bubbles in a mixer located in the wall of the tubular for mixing with the hydrocarbon;
- increasing a pressure differential between an exterior of the tubular and the interior of the tubular;
- and
- moving the hydrocarbon toward the surface.
27-29. (canceled)
An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons comprising:
- a tubular for use in a wellbore;
- a mixing device for generating miniature bubbles, the mixing device in fluid communication with an annulus between the outer diameter of the tubular and the inner diameter of the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.