Method and apparatus for steam injection in subterranean wells
US4648455A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1986 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/162
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatus for injecting high-temperature steam at a selected mass flow rate into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations of a subterranean well comprises a plurality of choke devices connected in series relationship in a tubing string extending to the well surface. Each choke device is positioned immediately above or adjacent to a production formation and defines a flow diversion device which extracts a predetermined portion of steam flow from the main steam flow, moving downwardly through the tubing string and directs such diverted steam portion into the inlet chamber of a Venturi passage. The steam is accelerated by the Venturi passage to its critical mass flow rate and is discharged into the production formation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Venturi passage is connected in series with a fluid mixing apparatus which effects an intimate mixture of vapor and water components of the steam. A Venturi passage may also be incorporated in the steam supply line connected between the source of steam and the tubing string of the particular well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.