摘要 |
This invention provides a method to efficiently remove liquids-hydrocarbons or water-from a natural producing formation so as to reduce the resistance to gas inflow to the wellbore from the formation. The system will also serve as an efficient mechanism for producing hydrocarbon liquids by operating at a higher wellbore and near-wellbore formation pressure to maintain such liquids in a state of increased mobility due to the retained gas in solution. The system used is a downhole device containing a float-operated valve, said float being sensitive to fluid filling its interior such that it falls with liquid fill, opening a valve to the production tubing string liquids are allowed into the production tubing, while gas is produced up the tubing-casing annulus. A unique combination of artificial lift is incorporated in the tubing string, basically a plunger lift operated by one or more gas lift valves that open when a prescribed column of liquid is sensed above the valve. A venturi-type nozzle above the gas lift valve acts to disperse the gas bubbles to create a more efficient fluid slug to lift the plunger to surface.
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