Downhole diverter gas separator

摘要

An oil and gas well downhole gas separator defines an outer annulus between the well casing and a separator tube having a lower end fluid inlet, and an inner annulus with a fluid conduit disposed inside. An inlet fitting and an outlet manifold route the fluids, liquids, and gases through a gravity separation sequence. A liquid outlet at the upper end is coupled to a downhole pump. A draw tube is coupled to the inlet fitting at the lower end. The draw tube also supports a casing flow diverter that slideably engages the well-bore casing so as to resist the movement of well fluids thereby while allowing the separator to move along a longitudinal axis of the well-bore casing, facilitating insertion into and removal from the well casing, and allowing for well tubing stretch during operation.

主权项

1. A gravity fluid separator apparatus for insertion into a casing containing a fluid blend including a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, comprising:
an elongated separator tube with a lower end and an upper end, and having a liquid inlet opening formed through a side wall thereof, which is located adjacent to said lower end, and wherein said elongated separator tube defines an outer annulus when inserted into the casing; a fluid conduit disposed within said elongated separator tube, with a length substantially coextensive therewith, and which defines an inner annulus therebetween; an inlet fitting sealably disposed at said lower end of said elongated separator tube, and fluidly coupled to said fluid conduit; an outlet manifold sealably disposed at said upper end of said elongated separator tube, and having a fluid passage that fluidly couples said fluid conduit to said outer annulus through a fluid outlet that is aligned along said side wall, and said outlet manifold further having a liquid passage fluidly coupling said inner annulus to a liquid outlet directed upwardly at said upper end; a draw tube coupled to said inlet fitting, and which extends downwardly to a fluid blend inlet end; a casing flow diverter disposed on the exterior of said draw tube, and slideable along the exterior thereof, and proportioned to slideably engage the casing, thereby resisting the movement of the fluid blend thereby while allowing said draw tube to move along a longitudinal axis of the casing, and wherein a pressure differential between said liquid outlet and said fluid blend inlet induces fluid flow, which urges the fluid blend into said fluid blend inlet, to pass through said inlet fitting and upwardly through said fluid conduit, and through said fluid passage and into said outer annulus through said fluid outlet, and wherein gravity induces most of the gaseous portion within said outer annulus to rise, while said differential pressure induces the liquid portion to travel downwardly through said outer annulus and enter said inner annulus through said liquid inlet opening, and to further flow upwardly through said inner annulus, passing through said liquid passage and upwardly out of said liquid outlet.