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Centre for Engineering Research Inc.

Centre for Frontier Engineering Research Institute

Bruce R Peachey

A method for downhole separation of oil and water within a production fluid downhole in an oil well, includes providing a cyclone separator connected to the outlet of a downhole pump or two or more cyclone separators mounted within a housing and connected to the outlet of a downhole pump. One outlet of the separator or housing is connected to a conduit for transporting the lower density stream to the surface and the second outlet of the separator or housing is connected to a conduit for transporting the higher density stream to an underground formation. The pre-separator downhole pump is preferably selected to maintain dissolved gases in solution while production fluids are within the pump and separators and prevent gas breakout from occurring.

Method for borehole separation of oil and water in an oil well

A method of downhole cyclone oil/water separation is described. Firstly, place a cyclone separator downhole in an oil well producing a mixed stream of oil, water and gas. The cyclone separator includes a separation chamber wherein liquids of differing densities are separated, at least one mixed liquids inlet through which liquids pass into the separation chamber, a first outlet for liquids of a first density range to pass from the separation chamber and a second outlet for liquids of a second density range to pass from the separation chamber. Secondly, connect the first outlet to a recovery conduit extending to surface. Thirdly, connect the second outlet to a disposal conduit extending to a selected disposal site. Fourthly, connect the mixed liquids inlet to pumping means and pump a mixed stream of oil, water and gas into the separation chamber of the cyclone separator. The mixed stream is separated in the separation chamber into a recovery stream of oil with a reduced water content which flows out of the first outlet and along the recovery conduit to the surface and a disposal stream of mainly water which flows out of the second outlet and along the disposal conduit to the selected disposal site. The described method is particularly for oil wells in which the fluids being separated contain gas.

Multiple cyclone apparatus for downhole cyclone oil/water separation

A method for reducing the amount of formation water in oil recovered from an oil well. Firstly, place a cyclone separator downhole in a producing oil well. The cyclone separator includes a separation chamber wherein liquids of differing densities are separated, a mixed liquids inlet through which liquids pass into the separation chamber, a first outlet for liquids of a first density to pass from the separation chamber, and a second outlet for liquids of a second density to pass from the separation chamber. Secondly, connect the first outlet to a recovery conduit extending to surface whereby a stream of mainly oil is separated in the separation chamber from the oil/water stream flowing through the mixed liquids inlet. The stream of mainly oil flowing out the first outlet and along the recovery conduit to surface. Thirdly, connect the second outlet to a disposal conduit extending to a selected disposal site whereby a stream of mainly water is separated in the separation chamber from the oil/water stream passing through the mixed liquids inlet. The stream of mainly water flowing out the second outlet and along the disposal conduit to a selected disposal site.

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Edmonton, Canada

Bruce R Peachey