(19)
(11) EP 0 984 134 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
31.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/05

(43) Date of publication A2:
08.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/10

(21) Application number: 99306497.1

(22) Date of filing: 17.08.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E21B 43/38, E21B 43/12
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 18.08.1998 US 96923 P
05.10.1998 US 103226 P

(71) Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Dallas, Texas 75381-9052 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Watson, Brock W.
    Carrollton, Texas 75006 (US)

(74) Representative: Wain, Christopher Paul et al
A.A. Thornton & Co. 235 High Holborn
London WC1V 7LE
London WC1V 7LE (GB)

   


(54) Method and apparatus for down-hole oil/water separation during oilwell pumping operations


(57) A method and apparatus for down-hole oil/water separation during oil well pumping operations includes a conventional sucker rod pump disposed within a tubing string (42) which may be disposed within the casing (34) of a wellbore (32). The sucker rod pump (52) may be releasably attached to a sucker rod (98) at one end. A side intake valve (54) may be disposed within the tubing string (42) at a position down-hole from the sucker rod pump (52). A check valve may be located at an elevation above the injection perforations. The sucker rod (52) may also be attached to a pumping jack at the surface of the wellbore (32). Production piping (106) with an automatic control valve (112) and a back pressure regulator (114) may extend from the tubing string (42) at the surface of the wellbore (32). A piping loop (108) with a check valve (110) disposed therein may also extend from the production piping (106) terminating on opposite sides of the automatic control valve (112). An accumulator (116) may be coupled to the production piping (106) between the back pressure regulator (114) and the piping loop (108).






Search report