DOWNHOLE GAS SEPARATION METHOD AND SYSTEM

摘要

A method of separating a multi-component fluid in a wellbore uses at least o ne fluid separation membrane (21) having a feed side and a permeate side that i s incorporated in the wellbore. A flowing stream (16) of the multi-component fluid obtained from a subterranean zone (11) being in fluid communication wi th the wellbore is passed across the feed side of the membrane (21) at a first pressure. A retentate stream (18) depleted in at least one component compare d to the multi-component fluid is withdrawn from the feed side of the membrane (21) and passed to the earth's surface. A permeate stream (17), at a second pressure is withdrawn from the permeate side, in which the permeate stream (17) is enriched in at least one component compared with the multi-component fluid. The second pressure is controlled to maintain the second pressure bel ow the first pressure.