Venturi siphon atomization liquid lift apparatus and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for increasing the production of a hydrocarbon well by removal of accumulated formation fluid from the bottom of the well. The apparatus includes a body positionable down hole and a sealing assembly, with a converging-diverging nozzle installed axially within a through bore extending through the body at a position below the sealing assembly. A fluid lift passage extends from the accumulated formation fluid through the body and into the throat of the nozzle. The entrance into the throat of the nozzle includes inwardly tapered shoulder portion position below the opening of the fluid lift passage into the throat. The apparatus creates a low-pressure zone within and lifts the accumulated formation fluid into the throat where it is atomized by a high velocity flowing production gas. The atomized fluid is carried to the surface of the well by the production gas where it is then separated from the gas. The method includes the installation of an apparatus within the well.

1 . An apparatus for increasing hydrocarbon production from a well, the apparatus comprising:
 a body being of dimension permitting said body to be lowered into a well casing, said body having a top section, a lower section and an outer wall;   said body having an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a bottom side surface to a top side surface;   said axial bore defining a converging-diverging nozzle having a throat section intermediate to and fluidically coupling the converging and diverging sections of said nozzle;   a sealing element positionable between said outer wall of said body and the inner of the wall casing sealing divides the well casing into a top side region and a bottom side region;   said body having at least one aperture extending therethrough at a position below said sealing element connecting together said bottom side region to said throat section;   said nozzle having a tapered shoulder extending inwardly into said throat section and reducing the cross sectional area of said throat section in a direction from said bottom side surface to said top side surface; and   a tube having a first end connected to said at least one aperture and a second end extendable into a column of formation fluid within said bottom side region.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tapered shoulder gradually reduces the cross section of said throat section in a direction from said bottom side surface to said top side surface. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the top of said tapered should is flush with the bottom edge of the opening of said at least one aperture into said throat section. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said top of said tapered should is planer and is normal to the annular wall of said throat section. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing element is attached to said body at said top section. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stop collar positioned between said outer wall and the inner wall of the well casing to affixed said body to the well casing.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture extends through said body from said bottom side surface. 
   
   
       8 . A method for increasing hydrocarbon production from a well having accumulated formation fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning an apparatus down hole and forming a seal with the well to divide the well into a top side region and a bottom side region causing all produced hydrocarbons to flow through said apparatus from said bottom side region to said top side region;   increasing the velocity of produced hydrocarbons flowing within said apparatus;   creating a low pressure zone within said apparatus by said increased velocity of produced hydrocarbon;   delivering formation fluid from said bottom side region to said low pressure zone within said apparatus;   atomizing said formation fluid within said apparatus within said low pressure zone into small droplets by said increased velocity of produced hydrocarbon; and   lifting said small droplets upwardly to the surface of the well by said produced hydrocarbons.