US 6,234,770 B1Granted

Reservoir fluids production apparatus and method

AssigneeAlberta Research Council

InventorsRodney K. Ridley, Mario DeRocco

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Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for moving reservoir fluids from an underground reservoir using a wellbore extending from the surface to an end beneath the surface, wherein the wellbore communicates with the reservoir such that reservoir fluids enter the wellbore and separate into a liquid phase and a gas phase at a gas pressure. The apparatus includes a first pump, for containing within the wellbore in communication with the liquid, for pumping the liquid phase. The apparatus further includes a pump drive, for containing within the wellbore, operably connected to the first pump for driving the first pump. The pump drive is powered using the gas pressure of the gas phase in the wellbore. An intake communicates with the gas phase in the wellbore and directs the gas phase to the pump drive in order to power the pump drive, while an exhaust directs the gas phase from the pump drive. Further, the invention is a method for moving reservoir fluids from an underground reservoir using a wellbore. The method includes the steps of intaking the gas phase from the wellbore into the pump drive, powering the pump drive using the gas pressure of the gas phase in the wellbore, pumping the liquid phase from the wellbore by the first pump and exhausting the gas phase from the pump drive.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for moving reservoir fluids from an underground reservoir using a wellbore having an inner wall and extending from the surface to an end beneath the surface, wherein the wellbore communicates with the reservoir such that the reservoir fluids enter the wellbore and separate into a liquid phase and a gas phase at a gas pressure, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first pump for pumping the liquid phase, wherein the first pump is containable within the wellbore in communication with the liquid phase;
(b) a pump drive operably connected to the first pump, for driving the first pump, wherein the pump drive is containable within the wellbore and wherein the pump drive is powered using the gas pressure of the gas phase in the wellbore and wherein the pump drive is comprised of a turbine having a rotary drive shaft extending longitudinally therethrough which is powered using the gas pressure of the gas phase in the wellbore, the rotary drive shaft being operably connected to the first pump such that rotation of the drive shaft drives the first pump in order to pump the liquid phase;
(c) an intake for communicating with the gas phase in the wellbore and for directing the gas phase to the pump drive in order to power the pump drive;
(d) an exhaust for directing the gas phase from the pump drive;
and
(e) means, associated with the wellbore, for controlling the release of the gas phase within the wellbore so that the gas phase is available to power the pump drive.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/158,668Filed 22 Sep 1998 · continuation in part
Priority: 22 Mar 1996
Granted: 22 May 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F04B 7/0225
The distribution member forming both the inlet and discharge distributor for one single pumping chamber: and having a slidable movement
E21B 43/121
Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells: lifting well fluids
E21B 43/38
Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well: in the well
F04B 9/125
Having only one pumping chamber: reciprocating movement of the pumping member being obtained by a double-acting elastic-fluid motor