US3735815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing multiple zone oil and gas wells
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-19
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-07-19
Abstract
Abstract Two or more oil and gas zones are produced by allowing production from at least one zone to drain down to a common chamber where production from the zones is comingled and lifted to the earth''s surface. A separate gas bent is provided for each zone to the earth''s surface.
Inventors
- 👤 N F Oklahoma City Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/14; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
In multiple zone well production apparatus comprising: a well casing passing through upper and lower producing zones in a well bore, said casing having upper and lower openings through which production from said upper and lower zones can flow, respectively, into the well casing; barrier means in said casing between said upper and lower openings, said barrier means having a plurality of longitudinal passages and having means in one of said passages for securing a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to said barrier means; chamber means below said barrier means, said chamber means communicating with said lower zone; tubular means connected to said barrier means and said chamber means, said tubular means communicating with said one passage for conducting fluid in the lower zone to said first tubular string; a second tubular string below said barrier, said second tubular string connecting another of said passages to said chamber for conducting fluid from said upper zone to said chamber; means for lifting fluid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; a third said passage in said barrier means; and a third tubular string communicating with said third passage aNd extending to the top of the well bore for conducting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
In multiple zone well production apparatus comprising: a well casing passing through upper and lower producing zones in a well bore, said casing having upper and lower openings through which production from said upper and lower zones can flow, respectively, into the well casing; barrier means in said casing between said upper and lower openings, said barrier means having a plurality of longitudinal passages and having means in one of said passages for securing a first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore to said barrier means; chamber means below said barrier means, said chamber means communicating with said lower zone; tubular means connected to said barrier means and said chamber means, said tubular means communicating with said one passage for conducting fluid in the lower zone to said first tubular string; a second tubular string below said barrier, said second tubular string connecting another of said passages to said chamber for conducting fluid from said upper zone to said chamber; means for lifting fluid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; a third said passage in said barrier means; and a third tubular string communicating with said third passage aNd extending to the top of the well bore for conducting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
229 words
In multiple zone well production apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing passing through upper and lower producing zones in a well bore, the casing having upper and lower openings through which production from the upper and lower zones can flow, respectively, into the well casing, the apparatus comprising: barrier means in the casing between the upper and lower openings; said barrier means having a first longitudinal passage with means for securing a first tubular string to said barrier means, said first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; chamber means below said barrier means, and chamber means communicating with said lower zone; tubular means connected to said first longitudinal passage in said barrier means and said chamber means for conducting fluid in the lower zone to said first tubular string; a second longitudinal passage in said barrier; a second tubular string below said barrier, said second tubular string connecting said second passage to said chamber means for conducting fluid from said upper zone to said chamber means; means for lifting fluid from said chamber means to the top of the well bore; a third said passage in said barrier means; and a third tubular string communicating with said third passage and extending to the top of the well bore for conducting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
229 words
In multiple zone well production apparatus adapted to be set in a well casing passing through upper and lower producing zones in a well bore, the casing having upper and lower openings through which production from the upper and lower zones can flow, respectively, into the well casing, the apparatus comprising: barrier means in the casing between the upper and lower openings; said barrier means having a first longitudinal passage with means for securing a first tubular string to said barrier means, said first tubular string extending to the top of the well bore; chamber means below said barrier means, and chamber means communicating with said lower zone; tubular means connected to said first longitudinal passage in said barrier means and said chamber means for conducting fluid in the lower zone to said first tubular string; a second longitudinal passage in said barrier; a second tubular string below said barrier, said second tubular string connecting said second passage to said chamber means for conducting fluid from said upper zone to said chamber means; means for lifting fluid from said chamber means to the top of the well bore; a third said passage in said barrier means; and a third tubular string communicating with said third passage and extending to the top of the well bore for conducting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said chamber means is located at least as low as the lower zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said chamber means is located below the lower zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for lifting fluid comprises a plunger pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for lifting fluid comprises gas lift means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones with barrier means in the well bore between the zones comprising the steps of: passing liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located below the barrier means; passing liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones with barrier means in the well bore between the zones comprising the steps of: passing liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located below the barrier means; passing liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting gas from the lower zone to the top of the well bore.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones comprising the steps of: draining liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located at least as low as the lower zone; draining liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting lower zone gas to the top of the well bore through a tubular member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones comprising the steps of: draining liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located at least as low as the lower zone; draining liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting lower zone gas to the top of the well bore through a tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the additional step of measuring the volume of gas produced from the lower zone.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones comprising the steps of: draining liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located at least as low as the lower zone; draining liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting the upper zone gas to the top of the well bore.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of producing liquid from a well bore passing through two producing zones comprising the steps of: draining liquid from the upper zone into a chamber located at least as low as the lower zone; draining liquid from the lower zone into said chamber; lifting liquid from said chamber to the top of the well bore; and venting the upper zone gas to the top of the well bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said step of venting the upper zone gas comprises venting the upper zone gas to the top of the well bore through the casing annulus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 comprising the additional step of measuring the volume of gas produced from the upper zone.
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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) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |