Apparatus and method for downhole fluid separation

摘要

A well (1) extending from the earth's surface (2) to an underground production formation (4) containing hydrocarbon oil and water, which well (1) above the production formation (4) is provided with a separation chamber (6) in which a static oil/water separator (10) is arranged comprising an inlet (12) to receive well fluid from an inlet well section (13) below the separation chamber (6), an outlet (15) for an oil-enriched component opening into the well section (16) above the separation chamber (6) and an outlet (18) for a water-enriched component opening into a discharge well section (19) below the separation chamber, wherein the height of the separation chamber (6) is larger than the thickness of the dispersion band that is formed under normal operation conditions.