Back to results
US 7,546,870 B1Granted
Method and system for removing liquid from a gas well
AssigneeBP Corporation North America Inc.
InventorBryan D. Dotson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for the removal of produced liquid from a gas well extending from an earth surface through a subterranean gas-bearing formation using a thermodynamic cycle.
Claims18
A method for removing a produced liquid from a gas well extending from an earth surface through a subterranean gas-bearing formation, the method comprising:
- a) powering a subterranean pump positioned in the gas well below a produced liquid level with a power fluid liquid, which is a vapor at a formation temperature at the depth of the subterranean pump and a liquid at the earth surface temperature;
- b) supplying the power fluid liquid to the subterranean pump through a pipe extending upwardly from the subterranean pump to the earth surface, the power fluid liquid being pressurized to a pressure greater than the pressure in the gas well at the depth of the subterranean pump;
- c) pumping the produced liquid from the gas well with the subterranean pump;
- d) recovering power fluid liquid discharged from the subterranean pump;
- e) vaporizing the recovered power fluid liquid in the gas well to produce the power fluid vapor;
- f) recovering the power fluid vapor to the earth surface;
- and,
- g) condensing the power fluid vapor to produce the power fluid liquid for return to the pipe extending upwardly from the subterranean pump.
5 more elements
A system for removing a produced liquid from a gas well extending from an earth surface through a subterranean gas-bearing formation, the system comprising:
- a) a pump positioned below a first produced liquid level in the gas well;
- b) a produced liquid outlet line from the pump in fluid communication with a produced liquid inlet into the pump and the earth surface and adapted to pass the produced liquid from the pump to the earth surface;
- c) a power fluid liquid line in fluid communication with a power fluid liquid inlet into the pump and a source of a power fluid liquid, the source being above the power fluid liquid inlet a sufficient distance to hydrostatically pressurize the power fluid liquid to power the pump;
- d) a heat exchanger in the well having a power fluid vapor outlet and in fluid communication with a power fluid liquid outlet from the pump to at least partially vaporize the power fluid liquid, the power fluid liquid being volatile and a vapor at a well temperature at the pump level to produce a power fluid vapor by vaporizing the power fluid liquid;
- and,
- e) a power fluid vapor line in fluid communication with a heat exchanger power fluid vapor outlet and a heat exchanger/condenser positioned on the earth surface to cool the power fluid vapor to produce the power fluid liquid for passage to the source of the power fluid liquid.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.