Artificial lift method for low pressure sagd wells
AssigneeGE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.
InventorStephen Sakamoto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pumping system includes a hydraulic motor assembly configured to drive a production pump. The hydraulic motor assembly includes a master pump located on the surface and an electric motor configured to controllably power the master pump. When moved by the electric motor, the master pump discharges a working fluid under pressure. The pressurized working fluid is transferred to a hydraulic turbine located in the wellbore. The hydraulic turbine converts the pressure of the working fluid into torque, which is transferred through a driveline to a production pump. The production pump pressurizes production fluids, which are carried under pressure to the surface.
Claims18
A pumping system that includes components located on the surface and components located in the wellbore, the pumping system comprising:
- a hydraulic motor assembly;
- wherein the hydraulic motor assembly comprises:
- a motor located on the surface;
- a master pump connected to the electric motor, wherein the master pump discharges a working fluid under pressure;
- and
- a hydraulic turbine located in the wellbore and driven by the pressurized working fluid discharged from the master pump;
- a production pump positioned within the wellbore;
- and
- a driveline that connects the hydraulic turbine to the production pump.
A pumping system configured to transfer production fluids from a subterranean wellbore to surface facilities, the pumping system comprising:
- a production pump, wherein the production pump comprises:
- an intake that receives the production fluids;
- and
- a discharge;
- production tubing connected to the discharge of the production pump;
- and
- a hydraulic motor assembly configured to drive the production pump, wherein the hydraulic motor assembly does not include an electric motor located within the wellbore.
A method for moving production fluids from a subterranean wellbore to surface facilities, the method comprising the steps of:
- pressurizing a working fluid with a master pump;
- transferring the pressurized working fluid to a hydraulic turbine positioned in the wellbore;
- generating torque by passing the pressurized working fluid through the hydraulic turbine;
- transferring the torque from the hydraulic turbine to a production pump;
- drawing the production fluids into the production pump through a production pump intake;
- and
- discharging the production fluids from the production pump through production tubing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.