Gas separator with automatic level control

Well equipment for an oil well comprising:

• a separator;
• with automatic level control to separate the gaseous phase from a two-phase liquid and gas mixture, said separator being capable of being provided at the bottom of a well provided with means for lifting liquid by pumping, said separator including
• a settling vessel having a fluid entrance part in the upper portion of its side surface and which is moveable in the vertical direction;
• a packer positioned above the settling vessel;
• and
• a valve arranged to control the passage of gas from the lower side of said packer to the upper side, said valve being connected to said settling vessel such that vertical movement of said settling vessel actuates said valve;
• a production column through which liquid is extracted;
• and
• a gas outlet pipe in said packer, said gas outlet pipe being connected to said valve;
• wherein said settling vessel surrounds at least part of said production column and said production column is arranged to pump any liquid contained in said settling vessel.

A method of separating liquid and gas from a two- phase mixture, said method comprising:

• supporting a settling vessel on a body of fluid;
• allowing said two phase fluid to enter said settling vessel at its top so as to produce a cascade of fluid, thereby separating the liquid and gas phases;
• collecting said separated liquid in said settling vessel;
• regulating the flow of separated gas using a variable valve;
• pumping said separated liquid from said settling vessel;
• opening and closing off said valve in accordance with the vertical position of said settling vessel;
• and further comprising:
• supporting said settling vessel with an elastic medium.

A separator with automatic level control to separate the gaseous phase from a two-phase liquid and gas mixture, said separator being capable of being provided at the bottom of a well provided with means for lifting liquid by pumping, said separator comprising:

• a settling vessel having a fluid entrance part in the upper portion of its side surface and which is moveable in the vertical direction;
• a packer positioned above the settling vessel;
• and
• a valve arranged to control the passage of gas from the lower side of said packer to the upper side, said valve being connected to said settling vessel such that vertical movement of said settling vessel actuates said valve;
• wherein said packer has a hole for the passage of a production column and a hole for the passage of a gas outlet pipe.

A separator with automatic level control to separate the gaseous phase from a two-phase liquid and gas mixture, said separator being capable of being provided at the bottom of a well provided with means for lifting liquid by pumping, said separator comprising:

• a settling vessel having a fluid entrance part in the upper portion of its side surface and which is moveable in the vertical direction;
• a packer positioned above the settling vessel;
• and
• a valve arranged to control the passage of gas from the lower side of said packer to the upper side, said valve being connected to said settling vessel such that vertical movement of said settling vessel actuates said valve;
• wherein the separator is arranged so that upward movement of said settling vessel opens said valve and downward movement of said settling vessel closes off said valve.

A separator with automatic level control to separate the gaseous phase from a two-phase liquid and gas mixture, said separator being capable of being provided at the bottom of a well provided with means for lifting liquid by pumping, said separator comprising:

• a settling vessel having a fluid entrance part in the upper portion of its side surface and which is moveable in the vertical direction;
• a packer positioned above the settling vessel;
• and
• a valve arranged to control the passage of gas from the lower side of said packer to the upper side, said valve being connected to said settling vessel such that vertical movement of said settling vessel actuates said valve;
• wherein said fluid entrance part comprises a series of holes in said settling vessel.