High viscosity fluid pumping equipment esp. for horizontal oil prod. - includes system for injecting fluidiser from surface, pref. at near inlet openings

摘要

(A) high viscosity fluid pumping equipment includes a pump (3), connected to the lower end of a tubing (2) at a well bottom, and a fluid inlet device (10), having a closed bottom end (12) and a top end with fluid inlet openings, (24) the pumps intake being effected at the bottom end of the inlet device. Pumping equipment includes a system for injection of a fluidiser from the surface pref. at a point near the inlet openings (24). Inket device (10) comprises an annular conduit, connecting the inlet openings (24) to having one or more fluidiser injection tubes (26) connected to the surface by an injection conduit (13). Fluidiser is a liq. which dilutes or emulsifies the high viscosity fluid and may be a low viscosity light mineral oil (e.g. kerosine) or water contg. emulsifying additives. ADVANTAGE - Fludisier injection avoids the need for a valve system to prevent dry running of the pump, can reduce pressure losses upstream or downstream of the pump and can promote dissolution of any gas not separated at the inlet openings of the inlet device.