US4369839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Casing vacuum system
Assignee: F & P PRODUCTION Co Inc PO BOX 215 TRENT TX 79561 A CORP OF TX
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Filing: 1981-08-17
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2001-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A casing vacuum system which applies a controlled vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to maintain the gas pressure in the well within a certain range and thereby improve the recovery of petroleum from the well. A preferred embodiment of the casing vacuum system utilizes a vacuum pump (10) driven by a motor (18) to provide a vacuum. A water accumulator (14) protects the vacuum pump from water damage. A condensate accumulator (16) collects the gas drawn from the well and condenses a portion of it into liquid hydrocarbons. A mercury vacuum switch (30) maintains the gas pressure in the well within the optimum range for recovery of petroleum by stopping the vacuum pump when the pressure is near the lower end of the optimum range and starting the vacuum when the pressure is near the higher end of the optimum range.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronnie D. Freeman
- 👤 Elton R. Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:03
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) vacuum pump means having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; (b) a water accumulator means connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum pump means for preventing water and/or water vapor from entering the suction inlet of the vacuum pump means; (c) a condensate accumulator means connected to the pressure oulet of the vacuum pump means for collecting gas which the vacuum means draws from the space within the casing of the oil well, condensing a portion of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons and collecting the liquid hydrocarbons; and an automatic pressure control means for maintaining the gas pressure in the casing of an oil well within a predetermined range by stopping the vacuum when the pressure is near the lower limit of the predetermined range and reapplying the vacuum when the pressure is near the upper limit of the predetermined range.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) vacuum pump means having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; (b) a water accumulator means connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum pump means for preventing water and/or water vapor from entering the suction inlet of the vacuum pump means; (c) a condensate accumulator means connected to the pressure oulet of the vacuum pump means for collecting gas which the vacuum means draws from the space within the casing of the oil well, condensing a portion of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons and collecting the liquid hydrocarbons; and an automatic pressure control means for maintaining the gas pressure in the casing of an oil well within a predetermined range by stopping the vacuum when the pressure is near the lower limit of the predetermined range and reapplying the vacuum when the pressure is near the upper limit of the predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automatic pressure control includes a mercury vaccum switch.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) a vacuum pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; (b) a motor for driving the vacuum pump; (c) a water accumulator connected between the suction inlet of the vacuum pump and the space within the casing of the oil well casing for preventing water and/or water vapor from entering the vacuum pump; (d) a condensate accumulator connected to the pressure outlet of the vacuum pump for collecting gas which the vacuum pump draws from the space within the casing of the oil well, condensating a portion of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons and collecting the liquid hydrocarbons; and (e) an automatic pressure control for maintaining the gas pressures in the casing of the oil well within a predetermined range by stopping the vacuum pump when the pressure is near the lower limit of the predetermined range and starting the vacuum pump when the pressure is near the upper limit of the predetermined range.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) a vacuum pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; (b) a motor for driving the vacuum pump; (c) a water accumulator connected between the suction inlet of the vacuum pump and the space within the casing of the oil well casing for preventing water and/or water vapor from entering the vacuum pump; (d) a condensate accumulator connected to the pressure outlet of the vacuum pump for collecting gas which the vacuum pump draws from the space within the casing of the oil well, condensating a portion of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons and collecting the liquid hydrocarbons; and (e) an automatic pressure control for maintaining the gas pressures in the casing of the oil well within a predetermined range by stopping the vacuum pump when the pressure is near the lower limit of the predetermined range and starting the vacuum pump when the pressure is near the upper limit of the predetermined range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the automatic pressure control includes a mercury vacuum switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a vacuum inlet valve positioned between the water accumulator and the space within the casing of the oil well for regulating the application of the vacuum to the space within the casing of the oil well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an S-shaped tubular line mounted on the top of the condensate accumulator for aiding condensation of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons by cooling the gas.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a vacuum pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet mounted on the frame; (c) a motor mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the vacuum pump; (d) a water accumulator tank connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum pump and mounted on the frame; (e) a mercury vacuum switch mounted on the water accumulator; (f) a bleed valve located in one end of the water accumulator for the removal of water accumulated therein; (g) a vacuum inlet valve positioned between the water accumulator and the space within the casing of the oil well for regulating the application of the vacuum to the space within the casing of the oil well; (h) a condensate accumulator connected to the pressure outlet of the compressor and mounted on the frame; (i) a high pressure gas outlet valve mounted in one end of the condensate accumulator for removal of the gas collected therein; (j) a second bleed valve mounted in one end of the condensate accumulator for removal of the liquid hydrocarbons collected therein; (k) an S-shaped tubular line connected to both the condensate accumulator and the pressure outlet of the vacuum pump and mounted on the condensate accumulator for further cooling of the gas to promote condensation of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons; and (l) a pressure relief valve connected to the S-shaped tubular line for preventing excessive pressure build-up in the condensate accumulator.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus for applying a vacuum to the space within the casing of an oil well in order to improve the recovery of petroleum from the well, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a vacuum pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet mounted on the frame; (c) a motor mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the vacuum pump; (d) a water accumulator tank connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum pump and mounted on the frame; (e) a mercury vacuum switch mounted on the water accumulator; (f) a bleed valve located in one end of the water accumulator for the removal of water accumulated therein; (g) a vacuum inlet valve positioned between the water accumulator and the space within the casing of the oil well for regulating the application of the vacuum to the space within the casing of the oil well; (h) a condensate accumulator connected to the pressure outlet of the compressor and mounted on the frame; (i) a high pressure gas outlet valve mounted in one end of the condensate accumulator for removal of the gas collected therein; (j) a second bleed valve mounted in one end of the condensate accumulator for removal of the liquid hydrocarbons collected therein; (k) an S-shaped tubular line connected to both the condensate accumulator and the pressure outlet of the vacuum pump and mounted on the condensate accumulator for further cooling of the gas to promote condensation of the gas into liquid hydrocarbons; and (l) a pressure relief valve connected to the S-shaped tubular line for preventing excessive pressure build-up in the condensate accumulator.
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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) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |