Patent · US Expired

Fluid separation and reinjection systems

US6068053A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
37References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1997
Grant dateMay 30, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/40
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of producing a stream of hydrocarbons and water from a wellbore and separating the stream into a hydrocarbon-rich stream and a water-rich stream that can be reinjected into the wellbore from which it was produced. The method involves producing a production stream from production tubing in the wellbore to a separator located at least partially above the wellbore, separating the production stream into a water-rich stream and an oil-rich stream, reinjecting the water-rich stream into the wellbore from which it was produced; and maintaining separation of the water-rich stream from the production stream.

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