Patent US4509599A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4509599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gas well liquid removal system and process
Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
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Filing: 1982-10-01
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Granted: 1985-04-09
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Expires: 2002-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A split-stream method and apparatus for preventing the accumulation of liquids, such as water or oil, in subterranean gas wells having low shut-in bottom hole pressures is provided. A compressor whose capacity can be less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower for full wellhead depletion, is used to remove a two-phase liquid-gas mixture through a secondary fluid transmission conduit. Production of dry gas in larger quantities through a primary production conduit is then possible since liquids cannot accumulate to kill the well. An optional mechanism for initiating production in very low pressure wells and a means of preventing the buildup of paraffin is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 David V. Chenoweth
- 👤 David M. McStravick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/13; E21B36/00; E21B36/005; E21B36/04; E21B43/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means for lowering the pressure in the first fluid transmission conduit at the surface, said compression means communicating with the surface gathering system at a horsepower sufficient to transport a two-phase gas-liquid medium from the formation through the first fluid transmission conduit to the gathering system at a flow rate less than the prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the second fluid transmission conduit whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of the flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means for lowering the pressure in the first fluid transmission conduit at the surface, said compression means communicating with the surface gathering system at a horsepower sufficient to transport a two-phase gas-liquid medium from the formation through the first fluid transmission conduit to the gathering system at a flow rate less than the prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the second fluid transmission conduit whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of the flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the compression means is located at the surface between the first fluid transmission conduit and the surface gathering system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of the first fluid transmission conduit is less than the cross-sectional annular area of the second fluid transmission conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 or 3 wherein the means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits comprises a tubular string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the two-phase flow rate through the first fluid transmission conduit is less than the flow rate of gas through the second conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein the theoretical compression horsepower is sufficient to transport gases through the first fluid transmission conduit to the gathering system at a rate less than one-fourth of the rate of gas transported through the second fluid transmission conduit to the gathering system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the output pressure of said compression means is equal to the pressure in said gathering system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
226 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate from the producing formation to the surface, communicating with the second fluid transmission conduit, the compression means output pressure being equal to the gathering line pressure, and the compression means input pressure being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the second fluid transmission conduit at flow rates less than said prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the secondary fluid transmission conduit whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
226 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate from the producing formation to the surface, communicating with the second fluid transmission conduit, the compression means output pressure being equal to the gathering line pressure, and the compression means input pressure being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the second fluid transmission conduit at flow rates less than said prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the secondary fluid transmission conduit whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The split-stream assembly of claim 8 wherein said second fluid transmission conduit comprises a tubular string and said first fluid transmission conduit comprises the annulus between the tubular string and the outer casing in the well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The split-stream assembly of claim 8 wherein the cross-sectional area of the secondary fluid transmission conduit is less than the cross-sectional area of the primary fluid transmission conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein the two-phase rate through the second fluid transmission conduit is less than the flow rate through the first fluid transmission conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The split-stream assembly of claim 11 wherein the cross-sectional area of the secondary fluid transmission conduit is less than the cross-sectional area of the primary fluid transmission conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein the two-phase flow rate through the first fluid transmission conduit is less than the flow rate of gas through the second conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
243 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate from the producing formation to the surface, communicating with the second fluid transmission conduit, the compression means output pressure being equal to the gathering line pressure, and the compression means input pressure being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the second fluid transmission conduit at flow rates less than said prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the second fluid, the pressure in the first fluid transmission conduit at the interconnection being equal to the gathering line pressure; whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of the flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
243 words
A split-stream assembly for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to the surface, comprising: means for defining separate first and second fluid transmission conduits in said well, extending from the surface of the well to the producing formation, each fluid transmission conduit communicating with the producing formation; compression means, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate from the producing formation to the surface, communicating with the second fluid transmission conduit, the compression means output pressure being equal to the gathering line pressure, and the compression means input pressure being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the second fluid transmission conduit at flow rates less than said prescribed flow rate; and an interconnection at the surface of the well establishing gathering system communication with the second fluid, the pressure in the first fluid transmission conduit at the interconnection being equal to the gathering line pressure; whereby a two-phase gas-liquid medium is produced through the first fluid transmission conduit and gas alone is produced through the second fluid transmission conduit, the sum of the flow rates in the first and second fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The split-stream assembly of claim 14 wherein said secondary fluid transmission conduit comprises a tubular string and said primary fluid transmission conduit comprises the annulus between the tubular string and the outer casing in the well.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a tubing string between the surface and the producing formation within a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well, the primary fluid transmission conduit communicating directly with the gathering line; and installing a compressor at the surface, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate to the gathering line at the prescribed pressure in the gathering line, the input pressure of the compressor being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the tubing string at a flow rate less than said prescribed flow rate, and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit; the sum of the flow rate in the tubing string and the primary fluid transmission conduit being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a tubing string between the surface and the producing formation within a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well, the primary fluid transmission conduit communicating directly with the gathering line; and installing a compressor at the surface, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate to the gathering line at the prescribed pressure in the gathering line, the input pressure of the compressor being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the tubing string at a flow rate less than said prescribed flow rate, and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit; the sum of the flow rate in the tubing string and the primary fluid transmission conduit being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a tubing string between the surface and the producing formation within a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well, the primary fluid transmission conduit communicating directly with the gathering line; and installing a compressor, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate to the gathering line at the prescribed pressure, between the tubing string and the gathering line, the output pressure of the compressor being equal to the prescribed pressure in the gathering line, the input pressure of the compressor being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the tubing string at a flow rate substantially less than said prescribed flow rate, and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit at a flow rate greater than the flow rate through the secondary conduit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a tubing string between the surface and the producing formation within a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well, the primary fluid transmission conduit communicating directly with the gathering line; and installing a compressor, having a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport fluids at the prescribed flow rate to the gathering line at the prescribed pressure, between the tubing string and the gathering line, the output pressure of the compressor being equal to the prescribed pressure in the gathering line, the input pressure of the compressor being sufficient to permit two-phase liquid-gas transport through the tubing string at a flow rate substantially less than said prescribed flow rate, and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit at a flow rate greater than the flow rate through the secondary conduit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, comprising: providing a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well communicating between the producing formation and the gathering line and a secondary fluid transmission conduit extending between the producing formation and the surface of the well; applying compression to the secondary fluid transmission conduit, at the surface of the well, at a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport well fluids at a prescribed flow rate through the secondary fluid transmission conduit from the producing formation to the gathering line, the compression output pressure being equal to the pressure in the gathering line; the compression input pressure being insufficient for two-phase liquid-gas transport through the secondary fluid transmission conduit at the prescribed flow rate; and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit at a flow rate greater than the flow rate through the secondary conduit; the sum of the flow rates in the primary and secondary fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for transporting gas at a prescribed flow rate to a surface gathering system from a subterranean producing formation yielding gases and liquids and having, in the presence of accumulating liquids at the producing formation, a bottom hole pressure insufficient to independently transport gas from the producing formation to a gathering line having a prescribed pressure, comprising: providing a primary fluid transmission conduit in the well communicating between the producing formation and the gathering line and a secondary fluid transmission conduit extending between the producing formation and the surface of the well; applying compression to the secondary fluid transmission conduit, at the surface of the well, at a theoretical adiabatic horsepower less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower necessary to transport well fluids at a prescribed flow rate through the secondary fluid transmission conduit from the producing formation to the gathering line, the compression output pressure being equal to the pressure in the gathering line; the compression input pressure being insufficient for two-phase liquid-gas transport through the secondary fluid transmission conduit at the prescribed flow rate; and producing gas through the primary fluid transmission conduit at a flow rate greater than the flow rate through the secondary conduit; the sum of the flow rates in the primary and secondary fluid transmission conduits being equal to the prescribed flow rate.
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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) | 1988-04-08 | 1988-10-08 | 1989-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-08 | 1992-10-08 | 1993-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-08 | 1996-10-08 | 1997-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |