The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 18, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1997
Clifford Wayne Hunter, Houston, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus and method of separating hydrocarbons from water and other well fluids produced from a reservoir. A controlled permeability filter selectively permits the flow of gas, oil and other hydrocarbons while restricting water flow through the filter. The permeability of certain gases or liquids through the filter can be controlled by adjusting the pressure differential across the filter. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure differential can be selected by adjusting the filter location within a fluid column within the wellbore. In other embodiments of the invention, multiple filters can be positioned in the wellbore, and the permeability of a filter can be adjusted to control the passage of hydrocarbons therethrough.