Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Jason Y Wang

Michael C Romer

Andrey A Troshko

Scott R Buechler

Federico G Gallo

Carl J Dyck

Christian S Mayer

Matthew R Blandford

Systems and a method for efficient downhole separation of gas and liquids. An exemplary system provides a downhole gas separator for an artificial lift system. The downhole gas separator includes a separation section. The separation section includes a number of openings over an extended length, and wherein a size of each of the openings, a number openings, or both, is increased as a distance from a production tubing is increased.

Downhole gas separator

A method of reducing erosional peak velocity includes arranging a sand control screen assembly in an open hole section of a wellbore, the sand control screen assembly including a base pipe defining a plurality of flow ports, a sand screen arranged about the base pipe, and a wellbore isolation device deployed within an annulus defined between the sand control screen assembly and an inner wall of the wellbore. A fluid from a surrounding subterranean formation is circulated within the annulus, and the fluid within the annulus is diverted through the sand screen and into the base pipe upon approaching the wellbore isolation device. A peak velocity of the fluid flowing through the sand screen is reduced with a peak flux reducing assembly arranged axially adjacent the wellbore isolation device.

Reducing erosional peak velocity of fluid flow through sand screens

Systems and a method for efficient downhole separation of gas and liquids while providing well access are provided. An exemplary system provides a downhole gas separator for an artificial lift system. The downhole gas separator includes an outer casing joined to production tubing at one end and comprising a fitting for a plug at an opposite end from the production line. The outer casing comprises openings through the outer casing. A dip tube extends through the interior of the outer casing, wherein the dip tube is fluidically coupled to the production tubing at one end, and is open to the outer casing at an opposite end, wherein the opposite end is proximate to the fitting for the plug. The plug is disposed in the fitting, and comprises a retrieval bar configured to allow the plug to be pulled through the production tubing to the surface.

Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Downhole gas separators and methods of separating a gas from a liquid within a hydrocarbon well

Artificial lift apparatus, systems, and methods for use in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, including a downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. Included is a downhole gas separator positioned in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, further including a flow-regulating device configured to restrict fluid flow through the gas outlet during at least a portion of each intake stroke of a reciprocating pump and to permit the fluid flow during at least a portion of each exhaust stroke of the reciprocating pump.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Jason Y Wang