Downhole jet pump

Abstract

A downhole jet pump wherein pressurized gas from an outside portion of a string of tubing is directed through a nozzle having a venturi which causes fluids to be sucked from an outside portion of the string of tubing and ejected through an inside portion of the sting of tubing.

1 . A downhole jet pump comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated openings disposed circumferentially about a central jet nozzle, said plurality of openings communicable to an outside portion of at least one piece of an inner tubing string;    a chamber providing a passageway from said plurality of elongated openings to an inlet of said central jet, said central jet comprising an outlet communicable to an inside of said inner tubing string.    
   
   
       2 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  further comprising a venturi disposed near said outlet of said central jet.  
   
   
       3 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  further comprising an outer tubing string, said outer tubing string disposed between an inner tubing string and a well casing.  
   
   
       4 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 2  wherein said venturi comprises an inlet in fluid communication with an outside of said inner tubing.  
   
   
       5 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 2  wherein said venturi comprises an inlet in fluid communication with an area between an outer tubing string and well casing.  
   
   
       6 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of elongated openings are communicable to a backside of a well.  
   
   
       7 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  further comprising a diffuser having an opening which is disposed between said central jet outlet and said inside of said inner tubing string.  
   
   
       8 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 7  wherein said diffuser opening comprises a substantially conical shape.  
   
   
       9 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 4  wherein pressurized gas flows from an outside of said inner tubing string, through said venturi, wherein said venturi causes an area of reduced pressure to be created which in turn draws liquids and/or gasses from an outside of said inner tubing string to an inside of said inner tubing string.  
   
   
       10 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 5  wherein said pressurized gas flows between an outside of said inner tubing string and an inside of said outer tubing string, through said venturi, wherein said venturi causes an area of reduced pressure to be created which in turn draws liquids and/or gasses from an outside of said outer tubing string to an inside of said inner tubing string.  
   
   
       11 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein said jet pump is comprised of a plurality of subparts which connect to form said jet pump.  
   
   
       12 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 11  further comprising one or more pins and pin openings for enabling proper alignment of said subparts.  
   
   
       13 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein pressurized gas is provided by a natural formation.  
   
   
       14 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 3  wherein pressurized gas is provided by injecting a pressurized gas between an area between an outer diameter of said inner tubing string and an inner diameter of said outer tubing string.  
   
   
       15 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein said inner tubing string comprises a length of at least 100 feet.  
   
   
       16 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein said inner tubing string comprises a length of at least 250 feet.  
   
   
       17 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 1  wherein said tubing string comprises a length of at least 500 feet.  
   
   
       18 . A method for removing fluid from a well comprising the steps of: 
 providing a string of casing tubing having at least one opening which is communicable to a hydrocarbon producing formation;    providing an second string of tubing disposed within the casing tubing;    positioning a jet pump on a terminal portion of the second string of tubing; and    allowing a pressurized gas to travel between the casing tubing and the second string of tubing and through the jet pump wherein venturi action causes fluid to be sucked from outside the second string of tubing and ejected through an inner portion of the second string of tubing.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the method is used to remove fluid buildup from a natural gas producing well.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein at least one of the openings comprises at least one perforation in the casing.  
   
   
       21 . A method for removing fluid from a well comprising the steps of: 
 providing a string of casing tubing having at least one opening which is communicable to a hydrocarbon producing formation;    providing an outer tubing string disposed within an inside diameter of the casing tubing;    providing an inner tubing string disposed within an inside diameter of the outer tubing string;    positioning a jet pump on a terminal portion of an element selected from the inner tubing string, the outer tubing string and combinations thereof; and    allowing a pressurized gas to travel between an outside diameter of the inner tubing string and an inner diameter of the outer tubing string, through the jet pump wherein venturi action causes fluid to be drawn from an area outside of the outer string of tubing and ejected through an inner portion of the inner string of tubing.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the method is used to remove fluid buildup from a natural gas producing well.  
   
   
       23 . A down hole jet pump comprising: 
 a substantially conically-shaped diffuser opening;    a venturi disposed such that an outflow of said venturi is communicably coupled to an inlet of said diffuser opening;    an annulus for the transport of a pressurized gas to said venturi, said annulus comprising at least one central axis disposed substantially parallel with a central axis of said diffuser opening; and    a liquids inlet disposed at or near a terminal portion of said jet pump which is opposite that of an outlet of said diffuser opening.    
   
   
       24 . The downhole jet pump of  claim 23  wherein said diffuser opening outlet is communicably coupled to at least one piece of tubing.  
   
   
       25 . The downhole pump of  claim 23  wherein said liquids inlet is communicably coupled to a backside of a well.  
   
   
       26 . The downhole pump of  claim 23  wherein said well comprises a hydrocarbon-producing well.  
   
   
       27 . The downhole pump of  claim 23  wherein said annulus is communicable to an area between an inner tubing string and an outer tubing string.