Patent US3887008A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3887008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Downhole gas compression technique
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-21
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-03-21
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a gas compressor of the jet type positioned downhole in a gas producing well. The inlet of the compressor is exposed to formation fluids comprising natural gas and a liquid, usually water. High pressure natural gas is continuously delivered to a power fluid inlet of the jet compressor. A mixture of the power gas and produced formation fluids are continuously delivered from the high pressure compressor outlet through a production string to the surface at a pressure and volume sufficient to keep the production string unloaded of liquids.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L Canfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/124; E21B43/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A method of continuously producing natural gas for a period of time at the surface from a well providing a first fluid passage affording communication between the surface and an underground formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid through the first passage to the surface and a second fluid passage extending from a source of natural gas at a second pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure toward the formation, the method comprising the contemporaneous steps of 1. continuously delivering natural gas from the source through the second passage to a power fluid nozzle inlet of a gas jet compressor located adjacent the formation and accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in a suction chamber downstream of the nozzle; 2. continuously withdrawing natural gas and liquid from the formation and directing the same into the low pressure suction chamber of the gas jet compressor; 3. sequentially deaccelerating the gas through a supersonic diffuser and then through a subsonic diffuser for raising the pressure thereof, the subsonic diffuser comprising a high pressure outlet side of the compressor in communication with the first passage; 4. continuously withdrawing a mixture of the gases of steps (1) and (2) and the liquid of step (2) from the subsonic diffuser at a pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the power fluid inlet pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets; 5. continuously passing the mixture upwardly through the first passage to the surface; 6. continuously removing liquid from the mixture at the surface; and 7. continuously delivering at least part of the gas to sales.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
291 words
A method of continuously producing natural gas for a period of time at the surface from a well providing a first fluid passage affording communication between the surface and an underground formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid through the first passage to the surface and a second fluid passage extending from a source of natural gas at a second pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure toward the formation, the method comprising the contemporaneous steps of 1. continuously delivering natural gas from the source through the second passage to a power fluid nozzle inlet of a gas jet compressor located adjacent the formation and accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in a suction chamber downstream of the nozzle; 2. continuously withdrawing natural gas and liquid from the formation and directing the same into the low pressure suction chamber of the gas jet compressor; 3. sequentially deaccelerating the gas through a supersonic diffuser and then through a subsonic diffuser for raising the pressure thereof, the subsonic diffuser comprising a high pressure outlet side of the compressor in communication with the first passage; 4. continuously withdrawing a mixture of the gases of steps (1) and (2) and the liquid of step (2) from the subsonic diffuser at a pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the power fluid inlet pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets; 5. continuously passing the mixture upwardly through the first passage to the surface; 6. continuously removing liquid from the mixture at the surface; and 7. continuously delivering at least part of the gas to sales.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of continuously producing natural gas for a period of time at the surface from a well providing a first fluid passage affording communication between the surface and an underground formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid through the first passage to the surface and a second fluid passage extending from a source of natural gas at a second pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure toward the formation, the method comprising the contemporaneous steps of
Claim 4
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of continuously producing natural gas for a period of time at the surface from a well providing a first fluid passage affording communication between the surface and an underground formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid through the first passage to the surface and a second fluid passage extending from a source of natural gas at a second pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure toward the formation, the method comprising the contemporaneous steps of
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
continuously delivering natural gas from the source through the second passage to a power fluid nozzle inlet of a gas jet compressor located adjacent the formation and accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in a suction chamber downstream of the nozzle;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
continuously delivering natural gas from the source through the second passage to a power fluid nozzle inlet of a gas jet compressor located adjacent the formation and accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in a suction chamber downstream of the nozzle;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuously withdrawing natural gas and liquid from the formation and directing the same into the low pressure suction chamber of the gas jet compressor;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuously withdrawing natural gas and liquid from the formation and directing the same into the low pressure suction chamber of the gas jet compressor;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of continuously compressing, at the surface, at least part of the gas resulting from step (6) to the second pressure and thereby providing the source of step (1).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the compressing step comprises compressing substantially all of the gas resulting from step (6) to the second pressure and step (7) comprises delivering only part of the compressed gas to sales.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
sequentially deaccelerating the gas through a supersonic diffuser and then through a subsonic diffuser for raising the pressure thereof, the subsonic diffuser comprising a high pressure outlet side of the compressor in communication with the first passage;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
sequentially deaccelerating the gas through a supersonic diffuser and then through a subsonic diffuser for raising the pressure thereof, the subsonic diffuser comprising a high pressure outlet side of the compressor in communication with the first passage;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
continuously withdrawing a mixture of the gases of steps (1) and (2) and the liquid of step (2) from the subsonic diffuser at a pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the power fluid inlet pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
continuously withdrawing a mixture of the gases of steps (1) and (2) and the liquid of step (2) from the subsonic diffuser at a pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the power fluid inlet pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
219 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the well comprises a second jet compressor in the first fluid passage downstream of the first mentioned gas jet compressor and having a power fluid inlet nozzle for accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in a suction chamber downstream of the nozzle, a low pressure inlet to the suction chamber in communication with the high pressure outlet of the first gas jet compressor, and a diffuser comprising a supersonic diffuser section and a subsonic diffuser section, and further comprising the steps of a. directing the mixture of step (4) into the low pressure inlet of the second gas jet compressor; b. continuously delivering natural gas at a third pressure greater than the intermediate pressure into the power fluid inlet nozzle of the second gas jet compressor and accelerating the power gas to a supersonic velocity in the suction chamber; c. sequentially de-accelerating the gas through the supersonic diffuser section and then through the subsonic diffuser section; d. continuously delivering the mixture of the gases of steps (1), (2) and (b) and the liquid of step (2) from the second gas jet compressor at a fourth pressure between the third pressure and the intermediate pressure at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets in the first passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source of natural gas is a separate gas bearing formation and step (1) comprises continuouSly delivering produced gas from the separate formation to the power fluid inlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
continuously passing the mixture upwardly through the first passage to the surface;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
continuously passing the mixture upwardly through the first passage to the surface;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
continuously removing liquid from the mixture at the surface; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
continuously removing liquid from the mixture at the surface; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the separate formation is completed through a separate well, the second passage extends from the surface and step (1) comprises passing natural gas down the second passage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the separate formation is completed through the same well as the underground formation and the second fluid passage comprises a wholly subterranean passage extending from the separate formation to the power fluid nozzle inlet, the step of delivering produced gas from the separate formation to the power fluid nozzle inlet comprises delivering only part of the produced gas thereto and further comprising the step of continuously passing the remainder of the produced gas from the separate formation upwardly through a third fluid passage to the surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
continuously delivering at least part of the gas to sales.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
continuously delivering at least part of the gas to sales.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
267 words
Apparatus for producing natural gas from a formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid to the surface, the apparatus comprising: conduit means extending from the surface to a location adjacent the formation providing a fluid passage therebetween; a jet compressor, carried by the conduit means adjacent the lower end thereof, including a power gas nozzle having a subsonic convergent inlet section and a divergent supersonic outlet section, a housing in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and providing a low pressure inlet in communication with the formation, and a diffuser including a supersonic convergent inlet section in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and the housing, and a subsonic divergent outlet section in communication with the fluid passage; a source of natural gas at a first pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure and means placing the source in communication with the power gas nozzle inlet for reducing the pressure in the housing and for discharging a mixture of natural gas and liquid through the diffuser outlet at a second pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the first pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets in the mixture; a flow line connected at the surface to the conduit means for receiving the mixture therefrom; a free water knockout in the flow line for removing the liquid; and a meter run in the flow line downstream of the free water knockout for measuring gas flowing therethrough.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
267 words
Apparatus for producing natural gas from a formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid to the surface, the apparatus comprising: conduit means extending from the surface to a location adjacent the formation providing a fluid passage therebetween; a jet compressor, carried by the conduit means adjacent the lower end thereof, including a power gas nozzle having a subsonic convergent inlet section and a divergent supersonic outlet section, a housing in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and providing a low pressure inlet in communication with the formation, and a diffuser including a supersonic convergent inlet section in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and the housing, and a subsonic divergent outlet section in communication with the fluid passage; a source of natural gas at a first pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure and means placing the source in communication with the power gas nozzle inlet for reducing the pressure in the housing and for discharging a mixture of natural gas and liquid through the diffuser outlet at a second pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the first pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets in the mixture; a flow line connected at the surface to the conduit means for receiving the mixture therefrom; a free water knockout in the flow line for removing the liquid; and a meter run in the flow line downstream of the free water knockout for measuring gas flowing therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
267 words
Apparatus for producing natural gas from a formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid to the surface, the apparatus comprising: conduit means extending from the surface to a location adjacent the formation providing a fluid passage therebetween; a jet compressor, carried by the conduit means adjacent the lower end thereof, including a power gas nozzle having a subsonic convergent inlet section and a divergent supersonic outlet section, a housing in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and providing a low pressure inlet in communication with the formation, and a diffuser including a supersonic convergent inlet section in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and the housing, and a subsonic divergent outlet section in communication with the fluid passage; a source of natural gas at a first pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure and means placing the source in communication with the power gas nozzle inlet for reducing the pressure in the housing and for discharging a mixture of natural gas and liquid through the diffuser outlet at a second pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the first pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets in the mixture; a flow line connected at the surface to the conduit means for receiving the mixture therefrom; a free water knockout in the flow line for removing the liquid; and a meter run in the flow line downstream of the free water knockout for measuring gas flowing therethrough.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
267 words
Apparatus for producing natural gas from a formation which produces both natural gas and a liquid wherein the formation flowing pressure and/or the produced gas volume are insufficient to continuously flow the gas and liquid to the surface, the apparatus comprising: conduit means extending from the surface to a location adjacent the formation providing a fluid passage therebetween; a jet compressor, carried by the conduit means adjacent the lower end thereof, including a power gas nozzle having a subsonic convergent inlet section and a divergent supersonic outlet section, a housing in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and providing a low pressure inlet in communication with the formation, and a diffuser including a supersonic convergent inlet section in communication with the divergent nozzle outlet section and the housing, and a subsonic divergent outlet section in communication with the fluid passage; a source of natural gas at a first pressure greater than the formation flowing pressure and means placing the source in communication with the power gas nozzle inlet for reducing the pressure in the housing and for discharging a mixture of natural gas and liquid through the diffuser outlet at a second pressure intermediate the formation flowing pressure and the first pressure and at a volume sufficient to overcome the effect of gravity on liquid droplets in the mixture; a flow line connected at the surface to the conduit means for receiving the mixture therefrom; a free water knockout in the flow line for removing the liquid; and a meter run in the flow line downstream of the free water knockout for measuring gas flowing therethrough.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the source comprises a compressor in the flow line and the placing means comprises a conduit leading from the compressor to the convergent inlet section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a casing string surrounding the conduit means, the conduit comprising the annulus between the casing string and the conduit means and a flow line in communication between the compressor and the annulus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the source is a high pressure gas naturally occurring in an earth formation separate from the first mentioned formation.
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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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |