Wellbore completion design to naturally separate water and solids from oil and gas
US7370701B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/38
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A wellbore completion design is provided, which creates a convective flow action that separates water and sand from hydrocarbons during production of the hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A deviated section of the wellbore creates the desired effect. The wellbore completion design may include a secondary bore, which intersects the deviated section of the wellbore at an acute angle, to accumulate the separated water and sand. An injection pump disposed in the toe section of the secondary bore can also be employed to pump the water back into the water containing portion of the subterranean formation. If solids are present in more than trace amounts, the toe section of the secondary bore may be formed at an acute angle to the remaining portion of the secondary bore to prevent blockage of the pump. Alternatively, a tertiary bore may be provided, so that the solids can accumulate in the secondary bore and the water can flow into the tertiary bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.