US6189613B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Downhole oil/water separation system with solids separation
Assignee: CFER TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-24
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2019-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A downhole oil/water separation apparatus and process which separates solids from total production fluid prior to oil/water separation is disclosed. Production fluid is passed to a downhole solid/liquid cyclone which separates the fluid into a solids enriched stream and an oil/water stream. The oil is then commingled with the solids enriched stream and brought to surface. The water is reinjected downhole. The method effectively removes solids from the disposal fluid and thus avoids injectivity impairment caused by solids plugging.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryan C. Chachula
- 👤 Sandeep C. Solanki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:37
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/38; E21B43/385; E21B43/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for separating downhole oil well production fluid from a production zone of a subterranean formation, wherein said fluid contains oil, water and solids comprising: (a) delivering the production fluid to a liquid/solid cyclone; (b) separating the production fluid in the liquid/solid cyclone into a solids enriched stream at the cyclone underflow and a oil and water enriched stream at the cyclone overflow; (c) delivering the oil and water enriched stream to a liquid/liquid cyclone; and (d) separating the oil and water enriched stream in the liquid/liquid cyclone into an oil enriched stream at the cyclone overflow and a water enriched stream at the cyclone underflow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for separating downhole oil well production fluid from a production zone of a subterranean formation, wherein said fluid contains oil, water and solids comprising: (a) delivering the production fluid to a liquid/solid cyclone; (b) separating the production fluid in the liquid/solid cyclone into a solids enriched stream at the cyclone underflow and a oil and water enriched stream at the cyclone overflow; (c) delivering the oil and water enriched stream to a liquid/liquid cyclone; and (d) separating the oil and water enriched stream in the liquid/liquid cyclone into an oil enriched stream at the cyclone overflow and a water enriched stream at the cyclone underflow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the enriched water stream is reinjected into a downhole disposal site located either above or below the production zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oil enriched stream is delivered to surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solids enriched stream is delivered to surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oil enriched stream and the solids enriched stream are mixed downhole and said mixture is delivered to surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a pressure reducing means reduces the pressure of the solid enriched stream to approximately equal to the pressure of the oil enriched stream prior to mixing said streams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pressure reducing means is an orifice gallery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the oil enriched stream and the solid enriched stream are mixed by abet pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the oil enriched stream and t he solid enriched stream are mixed by a progressing cavity pump.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for separating downhole oil well production fluid from a production zone of a subterranean formation, wherein said fluid contains oil, water and solids comprising: (a) delivering the production fluid to a liquid/solid separator; (b) separating the production fluid in the liquid/solid separator into a solids enriched stream and an oil and water enriched stream; (c) delivering the oil and water enriched stream to a liquid/liquid cyclone separator; and (d) separating the oil and water enriched stream in the liquid/liquid cyclone separator into an oil enriched stream at the cyclone overflow and a water enriched stream at the cyclone underflow.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for separating downhole oil well production fluid from a production zone of a subterranean formation, wherein said fluid contains oil, water and solids comprising: (a) delivering the production fluid to a liquid/solid separator; (b) separating the production fluid in the liquid/solid separator into a solids enriched stream and an oil and water enriched stream; (c) delivering the oil and water enriched stream to a liquid/liquid cyclone separator; and (d) separating the oil and water enriched stream in the liquid/liquid cyclone separator into an oil enriched stream at the cyclone overflow and a water enriched stream at the cyclone underflow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the liquid/solid separator is a swirl inducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid/solid separator is a static auger.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for separating oil well production fluid containing oil, water and solids downhole comprising: (a) at least one liquid/solid cyclone adapted to receive the production fluid and separate it into a solid enriched stream at an underflow outlet of said cyclone and an oil and water enriched stream at the overflow outlet of said cyclone; (b) at least one liquid/liquid cyclone adapted to receive the oil and water enriched stream as overflow from the liquid/solid cyclone and separate said stream into an oil enriched stream at an overflow outlet of said cyclone and a water enriched stream at an underflow outlet of said outlet; (c) a mixing means to mix the oil enriched stream with the solids enriched stream and produce an oil/solids stream; (d) a first duct means to transport the oil enriched stream from the underflow outlet of the liquid/liquid cyclone the mixing means; (e) a second duct means to transport the solid enriched stream to the mixing means; and (f) a third duct means to transport the oil/solids stream to surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for separating oil well production fluid containing oil, water and solids downhole comprising: (a) at least one liquid/solid cyclone adapted to receive the production fluid and separate it into a solid enriched stream at an underflow outlet of said cyclone and an oil and water enriched stream at the overflow outlet of said cyclone; (b) at least one liquid/liquid cyclone adapted to receive the oil and water enriched stream as overflow from the liquid/solid cyclone and separate said stream into an oil enriched stream at an overflow outlet of said cyclone and a water enriched stream at an underflow outlet of said outlet; (c) a mixing means to mix the oil enriched stream with the solids enriched stream and produce an oil/solids stream; (d) a first duct means to transport the oil enriched stream from the underflow outlet of the liquid/liquid cyclone the mixing means; (e) a second duct means to transport the solid enriched stream to the mixing means; and (f) a third duct means to transport the oil/solids stream to surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a solids accumulator provided is connected to the first duct means and the second means to receive solids draining from said duct means.
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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) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |