Method and apparatus for downhole oil/water separation during oil well pumping operations
US6173768A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04B2205/15
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The improved method and apparatus for down-hole oil/water separation during oil well pumping operations includes a conventional sucker rod pump disposed within a tubing string which may be disposed within the casing of a wellbore. The sucker rod pump may be releasably attached to a sucker rod at one end. A side intake valve may be disposed within the tubing string at a position down-hole from the sucker rod pump. A check valve may be located at an elevation above the injection perforations. The sucker rod may also be attached to a pumping jack at the surface of the wellbore. Production piping with an automatic control valve and a back pressure regulator may extend from the tubing string at the surface of the wellbore. A piping loop with a check valve disposed therein may also extend from the production piping terminating on opposite sides of the automatic control valve. In one embodiment, an accumulator may be coupled to the production piping between the back pressure regulator and the piping loop.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.