Method and equipment for obtaining energy from oil wells

US5117908A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• KSB Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventor

• Heinrich Hofmann · Schweinfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 1990
• Grant date: Jun 2, 1992
• Expiry date: Sep 28, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B43/34
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Pressurized petroleum flows from a well into a turbine. The petroleum undergoes a pressure reduction in the turbine and then enters a separation chamber where it is separated into liquid and gaseous phases. The liquid phase is sent to a pump which serves to transfer the liquid phase to a station remote from the well. Similarly, the gaseous phase is directed to a compressor which functions to transfer the gaseous phase to a station remote from the well. The pump and the compressor are coupled to the turbine which uses the energy liberated by the petroleum during pressure reduction to drive the pump and the compressor.