Method and apparatus for downhole hydro-carbon separation
First Claim
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1. A system for producing a hydrocarbon-rich stream from a well and for disposing a water-rich stream into a disposal zone, comprising:
- a) tubing extending in a wellbore, the wellbore penetrating at least partially a hydrocarbon production zone and the disposal zone;
b) a packer disposed in the wellbore;
c) an assembly coupled to the tubing, comprising;
i) a fluid operated motor having an intake and an exhaust;
ii) a pump coupled to the motor;
iii) a separator having a hydrocarbon-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the tubing and a water-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the disposal zone,the motor exhaust being in fluid communication with at least one of the streams of the separator.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for separation of liquids of different densities in production fluid streams from underground wells. Methods and apparatus are also provided for separation of gas, oil and water in production fluids, transportation of the separated fluids to the surface, as well as reinjection of separated water from the production fluids into other formations. Other aspects include new separation arrangements which include gas or liquid driven motors, designs for multi-stage hydrocyclone separators and use of beam or rod pumps.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for producing a hydrocarbon-rich stream from a well and for disposing a water-rich stream into a disposal zone, comprising:
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a) tubing extending in a wellbore, the wellbore penetrating at least partially a hydrocarbon production zone and the disposal zone; b) a packer disposed in the wellbore; c) an assembly coupled to the tubing, comprising; i) a fluid operated motor having an intake and an exhaust; ii) a pump coupled to the motor; iii) a separator having a hydrocarbon-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the tubing and a water-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the disposal zone, the motor exhaust being in fluid communication with at least one of the streams of the separator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18)
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15. A system for producing a hydrocarbon-rich stream from a well and for disposing a water-rich stream into a formation, comprising:
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a) tubing extending in a wellbore, the wellbore penetrating at least partially a hydrocarbon production zone and a disposal zone; b) a packer disposed in the wellbore; c) an assembly coupled to the tubing, comprising; i) a fluid operated motor having an intake and an exhaust, the exhaust comprising ports on the motor, the ports being in fluid communication with the wellbore; ii) a pump coupled to the motor; iii) a separator having a hydrocarbon-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the tubing and a water-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the disposal zone. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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19. An assembly for producing a hydrocarbon-rich stream from a well in cooperation with tubing extending in a wellbore and for disposing a water-rich stream into a disposal zone, the wellbore penetrating at least partially a hydrocarbon producing zone and the disposal zone, comprising:
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a) a fluid operated motor having an intake and an exhaust; b) a pump coupled to the motor; c) a separator having an inlet in fluid communication with the pump and a hydrocarbon-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the tubing and a water-rich stream outlet in fluid communication with the disposal zone, the motor exhaust being in fluid communication with at least one of the outlets of the separator. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of producing a hydrocarbon-rich stream from a well and for disposing a water-rich stream into a disposal zone, comprising:
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a) powering a motor coupled to a pump with a fluid; b) separating production fluid into a hydrocarbon-rich stream and a water-rich stream; c) disposing the water-rich stream into a disposal zone; and d) injecting exhaust fluid from the motor into at least one of the streams. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification