Downhole separation of fluids in oil wells

摘要

Method for separating and extracting components having different densities from an effluent produced within a wellbore comprises (a) introducing the effluent into a casing string placed within the wellbore; (b) drawing-up the effluent by suction to feed a separator placed within the casing string; (c) maintaining the effluent under pressure within the separator; (d) allowing the components to separate-out under the action of gravity within the separator; (e) initiating extraction of the components when one of the componennt components reaches a predetermined level within the separator; (f) reinjecting the higher-density component into a reinjection zone; and (g) upwardly displacing the lower-density component to recovery means located at the ground surface of the well.