US4648455A — Method and apparatus for steam injection in subte…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

A method of injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well having a tubing string traversing the production formation comprising the steps of: supplying a steam flow to the surface end of the tubing string; diverting the downwardly flowing steam into two radially separated flow components above and adjacent to the production formation; directing one of said flow components into the inlet end of a Venturi passage, the outlet end of the Venturi passage being in communication with the production formation; and accelerating the flow rate of said one flow component by said Venturi passage to its critical mass flow rate.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 109 words

A method of injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well having a tubing string traversing the production formation comprising the steps of: supplying a steam flow to the surface end of the tubing string; diverting the downwardly flowing steam into two radially separated flow components above and adjacent to the production formation; directing one of said flow components into the inlet end of a Venturi passage, the outlet end of the Venturi passage being in communication with the production formation; and accelerating the flow rate of said one flow component by said Venturi passage to its critical mass flow rate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the radially outer steam flow component is directed to a Venturi flow passage disposed on the exterior of the tubing string.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each radially outer steam flow component is directed to a respective Venturi flow passage disposed on the exterior of tubing string and each radially inner steam flow component continues down the tubing string to the next production formation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 4 wherein the radially inner steam flow component is directed through a Venturi flow passage disposed interiorly of the tubing string and then directed to the production formation by radial pipes traversing the wall of the tubing string

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of homogeneously mixing the vapor and water components of the steam flow prior to effecting the separation of the steam flow into radially spaced components.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations traversed by a single steam carrying tubing string, comprising the steps of: supplying a steam flow to the surface end of the tubing string; diverting the downwardly flowing steam into two radially separated flow components above and adjacent to each of the production formations; directing one of each said two flow components into the inlet end of a Venturi passage, the outlet end of the Venturi passage being in communication with a respective production formation; and accelerating the flow rate of each said one flow component by said respective Venturi passage to its critical mass flow rate; and directing the other of each said flow components downwardly through the tubing string to the next lower production formation.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations traversed by a single steam carrying tubing string, comprising the steps of: supplying a steam flow to the surface end of the tubing string; diverting the downwardly flowing steam into two radially separated flow components above and adjacent to each of the production formations; directing one of each said two flow components into the inlet end of a Venturi passage, the outlet end of the Venturi passage being in communication with a respective production formation; and accelerating the flow rate of each said one flow component by said respective Venturi passage to its critical mass flow rate; and directing the other of each said flow components downwardly through the tubing string to the next lower production formation.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1 or 6 further comprising the step of supplying the steam at a selected mass flow rate to the surface end of the tubing string by passing the supplied steam through a Venturi passage.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 6 wherein each radially inner steam flow component is directed to a respective Venturi flow passage disposed interiorly of the tubing string and then directed to the respective production formation by radial pipes traversing the wall of the tubing string, whereby the radially outer steam flow component continues down the tubing string to the next production formation.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of homogeneously mixing the vapor and water components of the steam flow prior to effecting each separation of the steam flow into radially spaced components.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 82 words

Apparatus for injecting steam into a production formation of a subterranean well at a selected mass flow rate comprising a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; fluid diverting means in said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component to the critical mass flow rate and directing the accelerated component to the production formation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 82 words

Apparatus for injecting steam into a production formation of a subterranean well at a selected mass flow rate comprising a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; fluid diverting means in said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component to the critical mass flow rate and directing the accelerated component to the production formation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations through a single tubing string traversing said formations comprising: a plurality of tubular housings connected in series relationship to the tubing string and respectively positioned adjacent said production formations; fluid diverting means in each said tubular housing adjacent each production formation for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component to its critical mass flow rate and directing the accelerated component to the respective production formation, whereby said other flow component flows downwardly to the next lower tubular housing.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations through a single tubing string traversing said formations comprising: a plurality of tubular housings connected in series relationship to the tubing string and respectively positioned adjacent said production formations; fluid diverting means in each said tubular housing adjacent each production formation for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component to its critical mass flow rate and directing the accelerated component to the respective production formation, whereby said other flow component flows downwardly to the next lower tubular housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 10 or 11 wherein said Venturi passage is disposed exteriorly of said tubular housing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 40 words

The apparatus of claim 10 or 11 wherein said Venturi passage is disposed in the interior of said tubular housing, and conduit means for directing the steam discharge from said Venturi passage outwardly through the wall of said tubular housing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well from a tubing string extending to the surface comprising: a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; means in said tubular housing for diverting a portion of the steam flow down the tubing string to the outer peripheral wall of said tubular housing; said outer peripheral wall having a port opening therethrough; a secondary housing secured to the said exterior of tubular housing adjacent said port opening, said secondary housing defining an inlet chamber communicating with said port opening; and a downwardly directed Venturi passageway to discharge a portion of the high-velocity steam flow into an adjacent production formation.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well from a tubing string extending to the surface comprising: a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; means in said tubular housing for diverting a portion of the steam flow down the tubing string to the outer peripheral wall of said tubular housing; said outer peripheral wall having a port opening therethrough; a secondary housing secured to the said exterior of tubular housing adjacent said port opening, said secondary housing defining an inlet chamber communicating with said port opening; and a downwardly directed Venturi passageway to discharge a portion of the high-velocity steam flow into an adjacent production formation.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claims 10, 11, or 14 wherein each said Venturi passage is proportioned to accelerate the steam to critical mass flow rate to deliver steam to the adjacent production formation at a selected mass flow rate.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claims 10, 11, or 14 further comprising stationary fluid mixing means disposed in the upper portion of said tubular housing above said fluid diverting means for producing a homogeneous mixture of steam vapor and liquid.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said secondary housing comprises a first member welded to the exterior of said housing and defining said inlet chamber, and a second tubular member defining said Venturi passageway; and means for threadably securing said second tubular member to the bottom of said first member.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 71 words

The apparatus of claims 10, 11, or 14 further comprising fluid mixing means disposed in said tubular housing above each said fluid diverting means for producing a homogeneous mixture of steam vapor and liquid, and wherein said diverting means is secured to said fluid mixing means; and means on said fluid mixing means engagable by wireline to permit removal and replacement of said fluid mixing means and said fluid diverting means.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claims 10, 11, or 14 wherein said fluid diverting means comprises a tube snugly inserted in the bore of said hollow housing, said tube having a plurality of peripherally spaced side wall cutouts deformed inwardly relative to the bore of said tube.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to a production formation; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow fate; a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; fluid diverting means in said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component and directing the accelerated component to the production formation.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to a production formation; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow fate; a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string adjacent the production formation; fluid diverting means in said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component and directing the accelerated component to the production formation.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 147 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to said production formations; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow rate; a plurality of tubular housings connected in series relationship to the tubing string and respectively positioned adjacent said production formations; fluid diverting means in each said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component and directing the accelerated component to the respective production formation, whereby said other flow component flows downwardly to the next lower tubular housing.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 147 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at selected mass flow rates into a plurality of vertically spaced production formations of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to said production formations; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow rate; a plurality of tubular housings connected in series relationship to the tubing string and respectively positioned adjacent said production formations; fluid diverting means in each said tubular housing for dividing the steam flow into two radially separated components; and means including a Venturi passage for accelerating the flow rate of one said flow component and directing the accelerated component to the respective production formation, whereby said other flow component flows downwardly to the next lower tubular housing.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 158 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to a production formation; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow rate; a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string; means in said tubular housing for diverting a portion of the steam flow down the tubing string to the outer peripheral wall of said tubular housing; said outer peripheral having a port opening therethrough; a secondary housing secured to the exterior of said tubular housing adjacent said port opening, said secondary housing defining an inlet chamber communicating with said port opening and a downwardly directed Venturi passageway to discharge a portion of the steam flow into an adjacent production formation.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 158 words

Apparatus for injecting steam at a selected mass flow rate into a production formation of a subterranean well comprising: a wellhead connected to a tubing string extending into the well to a production formation; a source of high-pressure steam; a conduit connecting said source to said wellhead; means in said conduit defining a Venturi passage for the steam to accelerate same to its critical mass flow rate; a tubular housing connectable in series relationship to the tubing string; means in said tubular housing for diverting a portion of the steam flow down the tubing string to the outer peripheral wall of said tubular housing; said outer peripheral having a port opening therethrough; a secondary housing secured to the exterior of said tubular housing adjacent said port opening, said secondary housing defining an inlet chamber communicating with said port opening and a downwardly directed Venturi passageway to discharge a portion of the steam flow into an adjacent production formation.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claims 20, 21, or 22 wherein each said Venturi passage is proportioned to deliver steam to the adjacent production formation at a selected mass flow rate.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claims 20, 21, or 22 further comprising stationary fluid mixing means disposed in the upper portion of each said tubular housing above said fluid diverting means for producing a homogeneous mixture of steam vapor and liquid.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-03-09	1990-09-08	1991-03-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-03-09	1994-09-08	1995-03-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-03-09	1998-09-08	1999-03-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for steam injection in subterranean wells

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag