Method and apparatus for extracting heavy oil
OwnerO. Duane Gaither, JR.inventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for extracting and producing heavy crude oil from subterranean oil fields is provided. The method utilizes a specially designed mixing mandrel to facilitate the combination and mixing of a high API gravity diluent with heavy crude oil from a subterranean oil reservoir, such that the resulting heavy oil mixture can be efficiently pumped to the surface.
Claims16
A well for use to extract oil from a subterranean oil field, the well comprising:
- a wellhead;
- a production tube extending from the wellhead, the production tube having a bottom end defining a fluid entry point open to the subterranean oil field;
- a mixing mandrel at least partially positioned within the production tube to form an annular space therebetween, wherein the annular space includes a spiral mixing spline positioned therein, wherein the annular space includes a radially extending baffle positioned therein, wherein the spiral mixing spline and the radially extending baffle extends radially outwardly from the mixing mandrel, and wherein the mixing mandrel is positioned downstream of the fluid entry point;
- an injector port configured to inject diluent into the first tubing string, wherein the injector port is downstream of the fluid entry port;
- and
- a pump configured to pump both the diluent and the oil to the well head, wherein the pump includes an inlet positioned downstream of the mixing mandrel.
A mixing mandrel for use in a well having a production tube having a bottom end defining a fluid entry port open to a subterannean oil field, an injector port configured to inject diluent into the production tube, and a pump having an inlet, the mixing mandrel comprising:
- a body at least partially positionable within the production tube to form an annular space therebetween, wherein the body is positionable downstream of the fluid entry point, upstream of the pump inlet, and downstream of the injector port;
- a spiral mixing spline extending radially outwardly from the body;
- and
- a radially extending baffle extending radially outwardly from the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.