Downhole gas/water separation and re-injection
US6691781B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04D25/0686
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
It is common in oil extraction operations to reinject produced gas andor water back into hydrocarbon bearing formations in order to maintain formation pressure. Conventional production facilities normally flow all formation fluids to the surface and subsequently reinject the required fluids back into the formation, which can be extremely inefficient due to the high power input required to overcome the large pressure differential between the surface and formation level.A production fluid handling method and apparatus for separating downhole at least gaseous and liquid components (16, 18, 20) of fluid produced from a hydrocarbon bearing formation (12), and reinjecting at least a portion of the gaseous and liquid components (16, 18, 20), as required, back into the formation (12). Re-injection also occurs downhole.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.