US5860476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for separating a well stream
Assignee: Anil AS
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Filing: 1994-09-30
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2014-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Hydrocarbons are recovered from a sub-surface reservoir whereby a production flow is subjected to a separation process in the well hole. Gas and liquid are separated from each other using a cyclone separator, and condensate/oil is separated from water at high pressure in a subsequent cyclone separation. Membranes are used to separate unwanted gases, includeing H 2 S, CO 2 and H 2 O, using membranes under high pressure in the well hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Tore Kjos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:56
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/38; E21B43/385; B; B01; B01D; B01D45/00; B01D45/12; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; E21B43/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for recovering hydrocarbons in a subsurface reservoir comprising: providing a production flow in a wellbore, locating a first and second cyclone separator in series in said wellbore, locating a membrane assembly in said wellbore, said first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, said second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow communication with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator and having a condensate/oil phase outlet and a liquid phase outlet, said gas outlet of said first cyclone separator being in flow communication with an inlet side of said membrane assembly; allowing the production flow to flow into the inlet of said first cyclone separator and separating said production flow therein in a gas flow and a liquid flow; allowing said liquid flow to flow out through said liquid outlet and into the inlet of said second cyclone separator; separating the liquid flow into a condensate-oil phase and a water phase in said second cyclone separator; allowing the gas flow to enter the inlet side of said membrane assembly and separating unwanted gases from said gas flow in the membrane assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for recovering hydrocarbons in a subsurface reservoir comprising: providing a production flow in a wellbore, locating a first and second cyclone separator in series in said wellbore, locating a membrane assembly in said wellbore, said first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, said second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow communication with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator and having a condensate/oil phase outlet and a liquid phase outlet, said gas outlet of said first cyclone separator being in flow communication with an inlet side of said membrane assembly; allowing the production flow to flow into the inlet of said first cyclone separator and separating said production flow therein in a gas flow and a liquid flow; allowing said liquid flow to flow out through said liquid outlet and into the inlet of said second cyclone separator; separating the liquid flow into a condensate-oil phase and a water phase in said second cyclone separator; allowing the gas flow to enter the inlet side of said membrane assembly and separating unwanted gases from said gas flow in the membrane assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the unwanted gases are selected from the group consisting of H 2 S, CO 2 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the separated unwanted gases are reinjected into a waste zone or into a reinjection zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the separated unwanted gases are dissolved in a liquid and then are reinjected into a waste zone or into a reinjection zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the separated unwanted gases are dissolved in seawater and then are reinjected into a waste zone or into a reinjection zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and wherein said first and said second cyclone separators and said membrane assembly are incorporated in a string adapted for insertion into a wellbore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and wherein said first and said second cyclone separators and said membrane assembly are incorporated in a string adapted for insertion into a wellbore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and wherein said first and second cyclone separators and said membrane assembly are incorporated in a string adapted for insertion into a riser extending to a floating platform from a wellbore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and wherein said first and second cyclone separators and said membrane assembly are incorporated in a string adapted for insertion into a riser extending to a floating platform from a wellbore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and said apparatus is provided in the form of a string in a dummy well, and a casing is deposited as a well element on the seabed and as part of a seabed installation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir comprising: a first cyclone separator having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet; a second cyclone separator having an inlet in flow connection with said liquid outlet of said first cyclone separator, an outlet for a lighter liquid phase and an outlet for a heavier liquid phase; a membrane assembly having an inlet side, said gas outlet being in flow connection with said inlet side of said membrane assembly, wherein said membrane is adapted to separated gases; and said apparatus is provided in the form of a string in a dummy well, and a casing is deposited as a well element on the seabed and as part of a seabed installation.
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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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |