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US 8,789,609 B2Granted
Submersible hydraulic artificial lift systems and methods of operating same
OwnerDavid Randolph Smith, Mark Christopher Venturainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods for extracting fluids from oil and gas wells. More specifically, it is directed toward methods and apparatuses to power and control down hole hydraulic devices using subterranean centrifugal pumps. This invention represents a vast improvement over current hydraulic artificial lift systems. This invention provides for safe, efficient, and increased fluid recovery of oil and gas reserves from subterranean reservoirs in all types of wells, including deviated and horizontal wells.
Claims22
A submersible hydraulic lift system, comprising:
- a first submersible pump assembly, wherein at least a portion of said first submersible pump assembly is located below the surface;
- a first submersible hydraulic engine component connected to a first submersible hydraulic transducer component, wherein at least a portion of said first submersible hydraulic engine is located below the surface, said first submersible hydraulic transducer component having a hydraulic fluid connection with one or more fluids of a subterranean reservoir;
- and
- a first fluid path, said first fluid path hydraulically connecting said first submersible pump assembly with said first submersible engine component;
- wherein said first submersible pump assembly is configured to hydraulically drive said first submersible hydraulic engine component by transferring power liquid from said first submersible pump assembly to said first submersible hydraulic engine component through said first fluid path,
- wherein said first submersible pump assembly comprises:
- a submersible electrical motor component;
- a submersible pump component;
- and
- a pump intake component,
- wherein said submersible pump intake component is connected to said electrical motor component and said submersible pump component, and
- wherein said submersible electrical motor component is connected to said submersible pump component where reciprocation of said submersible electrical motor component results in rotation of said submersible pump component.
9 more elements
A method for operating a submersible hydraulic engine comprising the steps of:
- operating a first submersible pump assembly, wherein at least a portion of said first submersible pump assembly is located below the surface;
- hydraulically driving a first submersible hydraulic engine component by said operation of said first submersible pump assembly, wherein at least a portion of said first submersible hydraulic engine is located below the surface in a well hydraulically connected to a subterranean reservoir,
- wherein said step of hydraulically driving comprises transferring a power fluid by said first submersible pump assembly from said first submersible pump assembly to said first submersible hydraulic engine component through a first fluid path, said first fluid path hydraulically connecting said first submersible pump assembly with said first submersible engine component;
- and
- driving a first submersible hydraulic transducer component connected to said first submersible hydraulic engine component by said hydraulically driving step, said first submersible hydraulic transducer component having a hydraulic fluid connection with one or more fluids of a subterranean reservoir;
- discharging said power fluid into a return fluid path, said return fluid path hydraulically connecting an output of said first fluid transducer component with an input of said first submersible pump assembly;
- extracting said one or more reservoir fluids by said first submersible fluid transducer;
- and
- discharging said one or more reservoir fluids by said first submersible fluid transducer into said return fluid path, wherein said power fluid mixes with said one or more reservoir fluids to create a fluid mixture and wherein at least a portion of said power fluid comprises a portion of said fluid mixture.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.