Downhole rotary water separation system
AssigneeWood Group ESP, Inc.
InventorsYasser Khan Bangash, Michael R. Berry, Stephen E. Conner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole rotary water separation system for the separation and transfer of different density fluids in downhole applications using a pump, a motor, a rotary separator and a shaft-incorporated packer, as necessary, with a minimum of conduits and tubes. Torque can be transferred between all moving components as well as the packer such that the motor and pump can be disposed above or below the separator.
Claims21
A downhole rotary water separation system for use in a wellbore extending through a hydrocarbon producing zone defining a first flow channel and a water injection zone defining a second flow channel in the same wellbore, the system comprising:
- a tubing conduit disposed in the wellbore and in fluid communication with the hydrocarbon producing zone and the water injection zone, the tubing located between the first flow channel and the second flow channel;
- a packer disposed in the wellbore and connected to the wellbore and the tubing such that the packer separates the first flow channel from the second flow channel;
- a rotary separator separating a produced hydrocarbon and water mixture from the hydrocarbon producing zone into a hydrocarbon-rich stream and a water-rich stream, the rotary separator having an inlet coupled to the first flow channel and an outlet coupled to the second flow channel, the rotary separator comprising:
- a housing containing a separator shaft supported in the housing by a bearing that allows fluid to pass, the housing having a lower end with an inlet, and an upper end with a hydrocarbon discharge outlet;
- a plurality of vanes attached to the separator shaft and configured to rotate with the separator shaft in the housing, the vanes mounted at an angle relative to the separator shaft;
- a water discharge port located in the housing near the hydrocarbon discharge outlet end of the housing and sized to allow desired water flow to pass therethrough;
- an injection pump connected to the housing of the rotary separator in fluid communication with the rotary separator for pressurizing the water-rich stream for injection;
- and
- an electric submersible motor connected to the injection pump and to the rotary separator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.