Method for boosting hydrocarbon production

Abstract

An apparatus and method that uses the local raw water injection equipment to use the minimally processed seawater as the hydraulic power fluid for the downhole turbine/pump arrangement. In one embodiment, the raw water provides the hydraulic power to the downhole equipment via the production well annulus in an open loop arrangement. The raw water is co-mingled with the production fluids. In another embodiment, the raw water provides the hydraulic power to the downhole equipment via the production well annulus in a closed loop arrangement. The raw water is not co-mingled with the production fluids. In another embodiment, the raw water provides hydraulic power to the downhole equipment via the production well annulus in an open loop downhole arrangement. The raw water discharged from the turbine is conveyed to a suitable formation for injection via a dual completion well.

What is claimed as invention is:  
     
         1 . A method for boosting production of hydrocarbons from a well in an oil bearing formation, comprising the steps of: 
 a. placing a hydraulic submersible pump in the well;    b. driving the hydraulic pump with locally generated and processed sea water; and    c. directing the water exhaust from the hydraulic pump into a common line with the produced hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         2 . A method for boosting production of hydrocarbons from a well in an oil bearing formation, comprising the steps of: 
 a. placing a hydraulic submersible pump in the well;    b. driving the hydraulic pump with locally generated and processed sea water; and    c. directing the water exhaust from the hydraulic pump into a separate line from the hydrocarbons for reuse.    
     
     
         3 . A method for boosting production of hydrocarbons from a well in an oil bearing formation, comprising the steps of: 
 a. placing a hydraulic submersible pump in the well;    b. driving the hydraulic pump with locally generated and processed water;    c. directing the water exhaust from the hydraulic pump into a separate line from the produced hydrocarbons; and    d. injecting the water exhaust from the hydraulic pump into the oil bearing formation.