US3638731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple producing intervals to suppress coning
Assignee: BP America Production Co
•
Filing: 1970-08-17
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
•
Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract In wells subject to water and/or gas coning, hydrocarbons and undesired fluids are produced into the well in commingled form from separate spaced intervals. The well is produced at such a rate that an equal pressure drop - and therefore the same pressure profile for a given distance away from the well - occurs at all producing levels. This permits the oil-producing level to be rate independent provided undesired fluids from the other producing level(s) are produced in the proportion required.
Inventors
- 👤 Vance J Driscoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a method for the production of a hydrocarbon fluid from an underground formation, the latter being penetrated by a well, said hydrocarbon fluid being in contact with at least one undesirable fluid in said formation, said at least one undesirable fluid tending to form a cone and be produced with said hydrocarbon fluid when said well is placed on production, the improvement comprising: producing into said well at least at the critical rate said hydrocarbon fluid and said at least one undesirable fluid separately from spaced producing intervals in said formation, commingling the resulting produced fluids in said well, and withdrawing said fluids from said well in a commingled Condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a method for the production of a hydrocarbon fluid from an underground formation, the latter being penetrated by a well, said hydrocarbon fluid being in contact with at least one undesirable fluid in said formation, said at least one undesirable fluid tending to form a cone and be produced with said hydrocarbon fluid when said well is placed on production, the improvement comprising: producing into said well at least at the critical rate said hydrocarbon fluid and said at least one undesirable fluid separately from spaced producing intervals in said formation, commingling the resulting produced fluids in said well, and withdrawing said fluids from said well in a commingled Condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said formation is penetrated by a cased well and said hydrocarbon and at least one undesirable fluid are produced into said well through spaced perforated intervals in said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 wherein three spaced perforated intervals are employed, hydrocarbon fluid being produced from the intermediate of said perforated intervals and gas and water being produced into said well, respectively, from the upper and lowermost of said intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one undesirable fluid is returned to said formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a fluid impermeable barrier extending radially from said well is placed between said producing intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which said well is produced in excess of the critical rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the lower producing interval is located at a level between the current oil-water contact and the original oil-water contact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 wherein a single production tubing is employed and the fluid entry point thereof is essentially at the level of the current field wide oil-water contact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is a gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the undesirable fluid is gas and the hydrocarbon fluid is a liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |