Method and apparatus for establishing multi-stage gas separation upstream of a submersible pump

Abstract

A method for constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly for downhole use upstream of a hydrocarbon producing submersible pump system is disclosed which has steps for forming a first-stage gas separator from a first conventional single-stage gas separator, connecting a coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator at its downstream end, forming a second-stage gas separator from a second conventional single-stage gas separator by removing all lower flanges upstream of its fluid inlet, connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly, and establishing a flow path from the first-stage liquid outlet to the second-stage inlet through the coupling assembly. A coupling assembly for joining first and second single-stage gas separators into a multiple-stage gas separator is also disclosed in which the coupling assembly has means for attaching to the downstream end of a first-stage gas separator, and a coupling housing defining a flow path between the liquid outlet of the first-stage gas separator and the fluid inlet of the second-stage gas separator. In an alternate embodiment, an adaptor is disclosed for inclusion into the coupling assembly which provides flow paths and a bushing for the second-stage gas separator formed from an alternate commercially available single-stage gas separator configuration.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.