Patent · US Expired

Method for improving productivity of a well

US5443120A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
8References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 1994
Grant dateAug 22, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B41/0057
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method for improving the productivity of a well by separating and disposing of at least a portion of the water which is produced from a subterranean producing formation. The water is allowed to separate from the produced fluids under the influence of gravity while in the wellbore. The separated water is then disposed without removing it from the wellbore by flowing it into a subterranean disposal formation which has a pressure less than that of said producing formation. Preferably, the well is completed with an inclined wellbore which significantly aids in the gravity separation of the water from the produced fluids (e.g. hydrocarbons).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.