US4901413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for establishing multi-stage gas separation upstream of a submersible pump
Assignee: Shell Western E and P Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-22
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly for downhole use upstream of a hydrocarbon producing submersible pump system is disclosed which has steps for forming a first-stage gas separator from a first conventional single-stage gas separator, connecting a coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator at its downstream end, forming a second-stage gas separator from a second conventional single-stage gas separator by removing all lower flanges upstream of its fluid inlet, connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly, and establishing a flow path from the first-stage liquid outlet to the second-stage inlet through the coupling assembly. A coupling assembly for joining first and second single-stage gas separators into a multiple-stage gas separator is also disclosed in which the coupling assembly has means for attaching to the downstream end of a first-stage gas separator, and a coupling housing defining a flow path between the liquid outlet of the first-stage gas separator and the fluid inlet of the second-stage gas separator. In an alternate embodiment, an adaptor is disclosed for inclusion into the coupling assembly which provides flow paths and a bushing for the second-stage gas separator formed from an alternate commercially available single-stage gas separator configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Cotherman
- 👤 Keith F. Way
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/38; F; F04; F04D; F04D9/00; F04D9/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49428; Y10T29/49716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for constructing a multiple-stage separator assembly for downhole use upstream of a submersible pump system deployed for production from a high gas-to-liquid ratio reservoir, said method comprising: forming a first-stage gas separator from a first conventional single-stage gas separator; connecting a coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator at a downstream end thereof at a position to receive an initially processed liquid component from a first-stage liquid outlet; forming a second-stage gas separator from a second conventional single-stage gas separator having at least one exteriorally, radially protruding lower flange by removing each said which is upstream of a fluid inlet of the second conventional single-stage gas separator; connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly; and establishing a flow path from the first-stage liquid outlet to the second-stage inlet through the coupling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for constructing a multiple-stage separator assembly for downhole use upstream of a submersible pump system deployed for production from a high gas-to-liquid ratio reservoir, said method comprising: forming a first-stage gas separator from a first conventional single-stage gas separator; connecting a coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator at a downstream end thereof at a position to receive an initially processed liquid component from a first-stage liquid outlet; forming a second-stage gas separator from a second conventional single-stage gas separator having at least one exteriorally, radially protruding lower flange by removing each said which is upstream of a fluid inlet of the second conventional single-stage gas separator; connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly; and establishing a flow path from the first-stage liquid outlet to the second-stage inlet through the coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein removing the lower flanges in forming the second-stage gas separator comprises cutting off a lower portion of a second-stage housing through a reduced diameter neck below the fluid inlet of the second conventional single-stage gas separator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein forming the second-stage gas separator further comprises cutting threads on the exterior circumference of the second-stage housing downstream of the fluid inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A method of constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein removing all exteriorally, radially protruding lower flanges in forming the second-stage gas separator comprises breaking out a threaded connection of the lower portion of the second-stage housing, including a lower bushing and a fluid inlet as well as the lower flanges; and wherein connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly further comprises replacing the lower bushing by mounting a bushing into a central cavity surrounded by a plurality of axial flow paths within an adaptor and joining the adaptor into the coupling assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method of constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein connecting a coupling assembly to the downstream end of the first-stage gas separator further comprises: aligning and engaging one or more keys on the bottom of the coupling with corresponding receptacles on the top of the first-stage gas separator; and bolting the coupling assembly to the first-stage gas separator with bolts passing through the bottom of the coupling assembly and into threaded engagement in the top of the first-stage gas separator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of constructing a multiple-stage gas separator assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein connecting the upstream end of the second-stage gas separator to the coupling assembly comprises securing in threaded engagement an internal circumferential thread of the coupling assembly with an external circumferential thread on the second-stage gas separator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
A coupling assembly for joining two gas separators into a multiple-stage gas separator assembly having a first and a second-stage gas separator, said first and second-stage gas separators each being of a type having a fluid inlet at an upstream end, a liquid outlet at a downstream end, and a gas outlet through the housing, said coupling assembly comprising: means for attaching to the downstream end of a first-stage gas separator; means for attaching to the upstream of second-stage gas separator; and a coupling housing defining a flow path between the liquid outlet of the first-stage gas separator and the fluid inlet of the second-stage gas separator; a coupling member; and an adaptor, comprising: an adaptor housing having externally circumferentially threaded region on both its upstream and downstream ends; a plurality of axial passages within the adaptor housing; an axially disposed central shaft cavity surrounded by the axial passageway; and a shaft receiving bushing seated within the central shaft cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
A coupling assembly for joining two gas separators into a multiple-stage gas separator assembly having a first and a second-stage gas separator, said first and second-stage gas separators each being of a type having a fluid inlet at an upstream end, a liquid outlet at a downstream end, and a gas outlet through the housing, said coupling assembly comprising: means for attaching to the downstream end of a first-stage gas separator; means for attaching to the upstream of second-stage gas separator; and a coupling housing defining a flow path between the liquid outlet of the first-stage gas separator and the fluid inlet of the second-stage gas separator; a coupling member; and an adaptor, comprising: an adaptor housing having externally circumferentially threaded region on both its upstream and downstream ends; a plurality of axial passages within the adaptor housing; an axially disposed central shaft cavity surrounded by the axial passageway; and a shaft receiving bushing seated within the central shaft cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A coupling assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the adaptor further comprises a circumferential ring between the threaded regions on the upstream and downstream ends of the adaptor, said ring providing an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder which engage the second-stage gas separator and the coupling member, respectively.
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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) | 1993-02-19 | 1993-08-21 | 1994-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-19 | 1997-08-21 | 1998-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-19 | 2001-08-21 | 2002-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |