Downhole apparatus and method
DCFirst Claim
1. A downhole apparatus comprising:
- a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and comprising an upper opening and a lower opening;
a first flow path between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body;
a second flow path between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body;
a flow diverter arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path; and
a device in the second flow path for filtering or collecting solid particles from the second flow path,wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are in fluid communication with one another;
and wherein fluid flowing in the first flow path in an upward direction causes fluid flow in the second flow path which carries filtered or collected solid particles away from the device.
5 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A downhole apparatus comprising a body (12) configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First (28a) and second (28b) flow paths are provided between the upper opening (22) and the lower opening (24) in the body, and a flow diverter (34) is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device (31) in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a down-hole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.
22 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A downhole apparatus comprising:
-
a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and comprising an upper opening and a lower opening; a first flow path between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body; a second flow path between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body; a flow diverter arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path; and a device in the second flow path for filtering or collecting solid particles from the second flow path, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are in fluid communication with one another; and wherein fluid flowing in the first flow path in an upward direction causes fluid flow in the second flow path which carries filtered or collected solid particles away from the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of operating a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising:
-
providing a production tubular, a downhole pump in the production tubular, and a body coupled to a production tubular above the downhole pump and comprising an upper opening and a lower opening; in a production phase, operating the downhole pump to cause fluid to flow in a first flow path upward through the body; ceasing operation of the pump; directing downward flow of fluid and/or entrained solids to a second flow path in the body; filtering or collecting solid particles in the second flow path; and carrying filtered or collected solid particles out of the upper opening of the body by operating the downhole pump. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
-
Specification