Bernoulli Assisted Hydrocarbon Lift System and Method to Prohibit Water-Coning

Abstract

The disclosed hydrocarbon lift system and method prohibits water-coning in production of oil from a subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface. The system comprises a well bore with a first and a second section. The first section has perforations which draw a first fluid into and up the well bore based on a negative pump pressure applied thereto. The second section has perforations which draw a second fluid into the well bore based on a differential pressure between the pump pressure and a lower induced pressure therein. The system also comprises a venturi structure fixtured into the well bore. The venturi structure has flaring ends connected by a constricting throat defining perforations therein. The constricting throat perforations draw the second fluid through the second section perforations into the venturi throat in response to the lower induced pressure in the second section created by an increased first fluid velocity there through.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 13 / 706,150 entitled Buoyant Ball Assisted Hydrocarbon Lift System and Method filed for Rod D. Smith, et al. on Dec. 5, 2012 which itself is a continuation-in-part of earlier filed U.S. Non-Provisional Utility application Ser. No. 13 / 568,471, filed Aug. 7, 2012 for Rod D. Smith et al. entitled Buoyant Ball Assisted Hydrocarbon Lift System and Method for Rod D. Smith et al. which claims the benefit of the priority date of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 659,394, filed Jun. 13, 2012 for Rod D. Smith, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]A phenomenon known as water coning may affect the oil producing capacity of a well to the point the well is no longer profitable. In many oil fields, the oil producing formation is found in a contiguous relationship to a su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for lifting oil from a subterranean reservoir to the surface using a hydrocarbon lift system. The system includes a well bore with two sections, perforations, and a venturi structure with perforations. It also includes buoyant balls that are entrained in a fluid and create a pressure difference to lift the fluid and balls to the surface. The technical effects of the patent is the prevention of water-coning and the improvement of petroleum production through the use of buoyant balls and a hydrostatic pressure difference.

Problems solved by technology

A phenomenon known as water coning may affect the oil producing capacity of a well to the point the well is no longer profitable.

During production, however, a pressure drop is formed near the well, causing both oil and water to flow radially toward the well bore.

A result of water coning in a producing well is a rise in the water to oil production ratios, a consequent lowering of oil production and an increase in the cost of lifting the oil, and additional expense incurred in separating the water from the oil, and increase in water to oil ratio, aka cut and therefore and expense of excess water disposal.

Eventually, a point in the production history is reached when production of oil from the well is no longer economical.

Many methods and systems have been proposed to address water coning but are either prohibitively expensive or not very effective.

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