US6336504B1 — Downhole separation and injection of produced wat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising the steps of: (a) separating downhole, at a position elevated with respect to a downhole injection formation, the production fluid into a predominately water component and a predominately hydrocarbon component; and (b) delivering the predominately water component to the downhole injection formation, wherein; (c) the separating step is conducted at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit the predominately water component of step (b) to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; wherein delivery of the production fluid to the elevated position is promoted by injecting gas into the fluid.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising the steps of: (a) separating downhole, at a position elevated with respect to a downhole injection formation, the production fluid into a predominately water component and a predominately hydrocarbon component; and (b) delivering the predominately water component to the downhole injection formation, wherein; (c) the separating step is conducted at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit the predominately water component of step (b) to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; wherein delivery of the production fluid to the elevated position is promoted by injecting gas into the fluid.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the percentage of water in the production fluid is at least 20%.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the production fluid contains gas, further comprising the step of: (d) separating gas from the production fluid, and wherein: optionally, step (d) precedes step (a), and/or further comprising the step of delivering gas separated from the production fluid to the surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of transporting the mostly hydrocarbon component to the surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein gas lift is used to transport the mostly hydrocarbon component to the surface.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: (e) combining gas produced in step (d) and the predominately hydrocarbon component produced in step (a); and (f) delivering the combined mixture obtained in step (e) to the surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein a mixing device is used to combine gas produced in step (d) and the predominately hydrocarbon component produced in step (a).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the production fluid is delivered to the elevated position of step (a) by way of a conduit extending from the production formation to the elevated position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein there is an annular space in the well, and the production fluid is delivered to the elevated position of step (a) through the annular space.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the injected gas is delivered downhole through a gas-lift string extending from the head of the well to a suitable downhole location.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 178 words

A method for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting gas into the production fluid so as to lift the production fluid to a position in the wellbore that is elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) separating downhole, at the elevated position, gas from the production fluid; (c) separating downhole, at the elevated position, the production fluid into a predominately water component and a predominately hydrocarbon component; (d) delivering the predominately water component to the downhole injection formation, wherein; (e) the separating steps are conducted at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit the predominately water component of step (c) to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; (f) transporting gas separated from the production fluid to the surface; and (g) transporting the mostly hydrocarbon component of the production fluid to the surface.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 178 words

A method for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising the steps of: (a) injecting gas into the production fluid so as to lift the production fluid to a position in the wellbore that is elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) separating downhole, at the elevated position, gas from the production fluid; (c) separating downhole, at the elevated position, the production fluid into a predominately water component and a predominately hydrocarbon component; (d) delivering the predominately water component to the downhole injection formation, wherein; (e) the separating steps are conducted at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit the predominately water component of step (c) to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; (f) transporting gas separated from the production fluid to the surface; and (g) transporting the mostly hydrocarbon component of the production fluid to the surface.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 156 words

A system for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the system comprising: (a) an oil-water separator located downhole at a position elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) a first passage extending between the production formation and an inlet of the separator to provide fluid communication therebetween; and (c) a second passage, isolated from the first passage, extending between a water outlet of the separator and the downhole injection formation to provide fluid communication therebetween; wherein: (d) the separator is located at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit fluid emerging from the water outlet to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; and (e) means for injecting gas into the production fluid for delivery thereof to the separator.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 156 words

A system for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production fluid comprising at least some oil and at least some water from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the system comprising: (a) an oil-water separator located downhole at a position elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) a first passage extending between the production formation and an inlet of the separator to provide fluid communication therebetween; and (c) a second passage, isolated from the first passage, extending between a water outlet of the separator and the downhole injection formation to provide fluid communication therebetween; wherein: (d) the separator is located at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit fluid emerging from the water outlet to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; and (e) means for injecting gas into the production fluid for delivery thereof to the separator.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 75 words

The system as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a gas-liquid separator located at an elevation at least as high as the oil-water separator and located inline for receiving production fluid, the gas-liquid separator having a gas-liquid inlet in fluid communication with the first passage, for receiving production fluid therethrough, and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the first passage, to permit flow of liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the oil-water separator.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 12 or 13 , further comprising a third passage extending between an oil outlet of the oil-water separator and a head of the well.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system as recited in claim 14 , further comprising means for injecting gas into the third passage to promote flow of fluid from the oil outlet of the oil-water separator to the head of the well.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the means for injecting gas into the third passage comprises a conduit providing fluid communication between a gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator and the third passage.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the oil-water separator comprises at least one cyclone.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the oil-water separator comprises at least one cyclone.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the means for injecting gas into the production fluid comprises a conduit extending between a head of the well and a suitable location downhole.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises a cyclone.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises an auger.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 165 words

A method of completing a well for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production comprising at least some oil and at least some water fluid from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising: (a) installing an oil-water separator downhole at a position elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) providing a first passage extending between the production formation and an inlet of the separator to provide fluid communication therebetween; and (c) providing a second passage, isolated from the first passage, extending between a water outlet of the separator and the injection formation of the well to provide fluid communication therebetween; wherein: (d) the separator is located at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit fluid emerging from the water outlet to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; and (e) means for injecting gas into the production fluid for delivery thereof to the oil separator.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 165 words

A method of completing a well for the downhole separation and injection of a predominately water component of a production comprising at least some oil and at least some water fluid from a production formation of a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising: (a) installing an oil-water separator downhole at a position elevated with respect to an injection formation; (b) providing a first passage extending between the production formation and an inlet of the separator to provide fluid communication therebetween; and (c) providing a second passage, isolated from the first passage, extending between a water outlet of the separator and the injection formation of the well to provide fluid communication therebetween; wherein: (d) the separator is located at a sufficiently elevated location with respect to the injection formation to permit fluid emerging from the water outlet to be delivered to the downhole injection formation under the force of gravity; and (e) means for injecting gas into the production fluid for delivery thereof to the oil separator.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 79 words

The method as recited in claim 22 , further providing a gas-liquid separator located at an elevation at least as high as the oil-water separator and located inline for receiving production fluid from the production formation, the gas-liquid separator having a gas-liquid inlet in fluid communication with the first passage, for receiving production fluid therethrough, and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the first passage, to permit flow of liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the oil-water separator.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as recited in claim 22 , further providing a third passage extending between an oil outlet of the oil-water separator and a head of the well.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method as recited in claim 24 , further providing means for injecting gas into the third passage to promote flow of fluid from the oil outlet of the oil-water separator to the head of the well.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method as recited in claim 25 , wherein providing the means for injecting gas into the third passage comprises installing a conduit for fluid communication between a gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator and the third passage.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein providing the oil-water separator comprises installing at least one cyclone.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein providing the means for injecting gas into the production fluid comprises installing a conduit which extends between a head of the well and a suitable location downhole.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein providing the gas-liquid separator comprises installing a cyclone.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein providing the gas-liquid separator comprises installing an auger.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-01-07	2005-07-09	2006-01-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-01-07	2009-07-09	2010-01-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-01-07	2013-07-09	2014-01-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Downhole separation and injection of produced water in naturally flowing or gas-lifted hydrocarbon wells

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