Patent US4507303A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5996690A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5996690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for controlling and monitoring a downhole oil/water separator
Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1997-09-26
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A computerized (e.g. intelligent) downhole oil/water separation system. A hydrocyclone separator is used downhole to separate oil from water. Downhole sensors monitor parameters associated with the oil/water separation and provide signals representing the parameters to a controller. The controller controls operation of the system by generating control signals and providing the control signals to one or more control devices. The oil/water separation is optimized and well profitability is enhanced.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher K. Shaw
- 👤 Michael H. Johnson
- 👤 Wallace W. F. Leung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:15
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04C; B04C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes an inlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said inlet conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes an inlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said inlet conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a pump for providing the production fluid to an inlet of said separator, said control device comprising a motor for driving said pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator includes a first outlet conduit and said control device comprises a first control valve positioned in said first outlet conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator includes a first outlet conduit and said control device comprises a pump coupled to said first outlet conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator includes a second outlet conduit and said control device comprises a second control valve positioned in said second outlet conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor positioned at said inlet conduit monitors flow rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor positioned at said inlet conduit monitors pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor positioned at said inlet conduit monitors temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor positioned at said inlet conduit monitors water percentage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor monitors pump intake pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator is a hydrocyclone separator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separator includes an inlet conduit and said control device comprises an inlet control valve positioned in said inlet conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes a first outlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said first outlet conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes a first outlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said first outlet conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said sensor positioned at said first outlet monitors pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said sensor positioned at said first outlet monitors water and oil percentage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said sensor positioned at said first outlet monitors temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes a second outlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said second outlet conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein said separator includes a second outlet conduit and said sensor monitors parameters at said second outlet conduit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said sensor positioned at said second outlet monitors pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said sensor positioned at said second outlet monitors water and oil percentage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said sensor positioned at said second outlet monitors flow rate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said sensor positioned at said second outlet monitors a concentration of solid particles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
167 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein: said separator has an inlet conduit, a first outlet conduit and a second outlet conduit; said at least one sensor includes a sensor for monitoring inlet pressure at said inlet conduit, a sensor for monitoring pressure at said first outlet conduit and a sensor for monitoring pressure at said second outlet conduit, said controller determining a separator pressure differential ratio based on the pressure at said inlet conduit, the pressure at said first outlet conduit and the pressure at said second outlet conduit and generating said controlling signal based on the separator pressure differential ratio.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
167 words
A downhole system for separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a production fluid, the system comprising: a separator for separating the first liquid from the second liquid; at least one sensor for monitoring parameters associated with said separator and producing a sensing signal; a controller for receiving said sensing signal and generating a controlling signal; and a control device responsive to said controlling signal for controlling the separator wherein: said separator has an inlet conduit, a first outlet conduit and a second outlet conduit; said at least one sensor includes a sensor for monitoring inlet pressure at said inlet conduit, a sensor for monitoring pressure at said first outlet conduit and a sensor for monitoring pressure at said second outlet conduit, said controller determining a separator pressure differential ratio based on the pressure at said inlet conduit, the pressure at said first outlet conduit and the pressure at said second outlet conduit and generating said controlling signal based on the separator pressure differential ratio.
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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) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |