METHOD OF DOWNHOLE SEPARATION OF NATURAL GAS FROM BRINE WITH INJECTION OF SPENT BRINE INTO A DISPOSAL FORMATION

摘要

A method for downhole separation of natural gas from brine with injection of spent brine into a disposal formation. Firstly, select a free flowing gas well having a suitable disposal formation. Secondly, separate the gas well into a disposal zone, a production zone and a separation zone. The disposal zone has a pressure sensitive valve set to open within a preset threshold pressure range. The separation zone is in fluid communication with the pressure sensitive valve. Thirdly, position a gas/water separator in the separation zone. Fluids flowing up a production conduit pass through the gas/water separator thereby separating the gas from the brine. The spent brine accumulates in the separation zone with the pressure sensitive valve intermittently opening to inject spent brine into the disposal zone when the weight of the accumulated column of spent brine reaches the threshold pressure range.