Downholde gas/oil separation systems for wells

In a well operable to produce both gas and oil into a wellbore space from at least one zone of interest of an earth formation wherein said well includes a tubing string extending therewithin, and means forming a gas flow passage in communication with the interior of said tubing string, the improvement characterized by:

• a tubing extending into said wellbore beyond the distal end of said tubing string, said tubing extending into a column of liquid in said wellbore space beyond said distal end of said tubing string and means delimiting a space within said tubing string in communication with said wellbore space and with said gas flow passage for conducting gas between said wellbore space and said gas flow passage whereby liquid separated from gas in said wellbore space may flow through the interior of said tubing and said tubing string to the surface and gas may flow from said wellbore space through said space between said tubing and said tubing string and said gas flow passage to the surface;
• a first seal between said tubing and said tubing string and connected to said tubing;
• a second seal in said tubing string between said first seal and said gas flow passage;
• a third seal comprising said means delimiting said space;
• and
• a gas flow control valve interposed between said first seal and said second seal for conducting gas to said gas flow passage and operable to close to prevent flow of gas.

In a well operable to produce both gas and oil into a wellbore space from at least one zone of interest of an earth formation wherein said well includes a tubing string extending therewithin and means forming a gas flow passage in communication with the interior of said tubing string, the improvement characterized by:

• a tubing extending into said wellbore beyond the distal end of said tubing string, said tubing extending into a column of liquid in said wellbore space beyond said distal end of said tubing string and means delimiting a space within said tubing string in communication with said wellbore space and with said gas flow passage for conducting gas between said wellbore space and said gas flow passage whereby liquid separated from gas in said wellbore space may flow through the interior of said tubing and said tubing string to the surface and gas may flow from said wellbore space through said space between said tubing and said tubing string and said gas flow passage to the surface;
• and
• a body interposed in said tubing between said gas flow passage and the distal end of said tubing string, said body including means forming a fluid tight seal in said tubing string between the distal end of said tubing string and said gas flow passage, said body including liquid flow passage means extending therethrough for communicating liquid between said tubing and said tubing string, means forming a gas flow path in said body for conducting gas from said space to said gas flow passage and a valve interposed in said body for effecting shut-off of gas flow from said wellbore space.