US3915225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from wells which make water
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-08-11
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1991-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A chamber having openings in the lower end thereof to allow entry of a hydrocarbon-water mixture is provided with upper and lower electronic sensing devices for detecting a hydrocarbonwater interface, both sensing devices being above the openings in the lower end of the chamber. As a hydrocarbon-water mixture enters the chamber, the hydrocarbon will rise and form a layer in the top of the chamber and gradually force the hydrocarbon-water interface downwardly. When the water level drops below the lower sensing device, a pump will be actuated and withdraw the hydrocarbon from the upper end of the chamber until the water level moves up to the higher sensing device, at which time pumping will cease and the chamber will be allowed to fill with hydrocarbon again.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Swink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:31
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/32; E21B43/12; E21B47/00; E21B47/04; F; F04; F04B; F04B49/00; F04B49/02; F04B49/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM WELLS MAKING BOTH HYDROCARBONS AND WATER, SUCH APPARATUS BEING ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF THE PRODUCTION TUBING AND WITHIN THE CASING, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A CHAMBER HAVING ONE OR MORE OPENINGS IN A LOWER PORTION THEREOF THE PERMIT FLUIDS TO FLOW INTO SAID CHAMBER AND MEANS IN THE UPPER END THEREOF TO PLACE THE INTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBER IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PRODUCTION TUBING WHEREBY FLUIDS MAY BE WITHDWAWN FROM SAID CHAMBER INTO SAID PRODUCTION TUBING IN RESPONSE TO THE HEREAFTER DEFINED FIRST AND SECOND SENSING DEVICES, (B) A FIRST SENSING DEVICE EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER CAPABLE OF DETECTING A HYDROCARBONWATER INTERFACE AT A FIRST PREDETERMINED LEVEL IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CHAMBER WHICH IS BELOW SAID MEANS IN THE UPPER END THEREOF WHERE FLUIDS MAY BE WITHDRAWN, (C) A SECOND SENSING DEVICE EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER CAPABLE OF DETECTING A HYDROCARBON-WATER INTERFACE AT A SECOND PREDETERMINED LEVEL IN SAID CHAMBER, SAID SECOND PREDETERMINED LEVEL BEING BELOW SAID FIRST PREDETERMINED LEVEL BUT ABOVE THE SAID OPENINGS IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CHAMBER.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM WELLS MAKING BOTH HYDROCARBONS AND WATER, SUCH APPARATUS BEING ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF THE PRODUCTION TUBING AND WITHIN THE CASING, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A CHAMBER HAVING ONE OR MORE OPENINGS IN A LOWER PORTION THEREOF THE PERMIT FLUIDS TO FLOW INTO SAID CHAMBER AND MEANS IN THE UPPER END THEREOF TO PLACE THE INTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBER IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PRODUCTION TUBING WHEREBY FLUIDS MAY BE WITHDWAWN FROM SAID CHAMBER INTO SAID PRODUCTION TUBING IN RESPONSE TO THE HEREAFTER DEFINED FIRST AND SECOND SENSING DEVICES, (B) A FIRST SENSING DEVICE EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER CAPABLE OF DETECTING A HYDROCARBONWATER INTERFACE AT A FIRST PREDETERMINED LEVEL IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CHAMBER WHICH IS BELOW SAID MEANS IN THE UPPER END THEREOF WHERE FLUIDS MAY BE WITHDRAWN, (C) A SECOND SENSING DEVICE EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER CAPABLE OF DETECTING A HYDROCARBON-WATER INTERFACE AT A SECOND PREDETERMINED LEVEL IN SAID CHAMBER, SAID SECOND PREDETERMINED LEVEL BEING BELOW SAID FIRST PREDETERMINED LEVEL BUT ABOVE THE SAID OPENINGS IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CHAMBER.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber contains a plurality of openings in a lower portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein both said first sensing device and said second sensing device are rod-like elements the lower ends of which are capable of sensing an oil-water interface, both said first device and said second device being suspended from the upper end of said chamber, said second device being longer than said first device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second sensing device is surrounded by a sheath of electrically nonconductive material said sheath being of a size such that there is a space between said sheath and said second sensing device, said sheath having at least one opening therein at a point above said second predetermined level, and at least one opening therein at a point below said second predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means in the upper end of said chamber whereby fluids may be withdrawn includes valve means responsive to said first and second sensing devices, said valve means being for controlling the flow of fluids from said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensing device and said second sensing device are electronic and send electrical signals in response to the detection of the hydrocarbon-water interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means in the upper end of said chamber whereby fluids may be withdrawn includes valve means to control the flow of fluids from said chamber, said valve means being located in a sealed compartment above said chamber and being responsive to said first and second sensing devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second sensing device is protected by a sheath of electrically non-conductive material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |