Method and apparatus for downhole artificial lift system protection

Abstract

A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and/or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube. In certain other embodiments, the apparatus may be retrievable from the surface thereby permitting recharge or replenishment of the chemical in the apparatus on an as-needed basis. The filtration apparatus may incorporate a bypass valve that allows fluid to by-pass the filter as sand or other particulate matter fills up or blocks the filter.

1 . A method of removing a downhole apparatus for the chemical treatment of well production fluids comprising:
 separating an artificial lift system from a sheer sub; and,   hoisting a chemical treatment apparatus forming at least a part of the artificial lift system to the surface.   
   
   
       2 . A sand control system for the downhole filtering of well production fluids comprising:
 a screen;   a pressure relief valve that opens in response to a pre-selected differential pressure across the screen and that when open diverts at least a portion of the flow of well production fluids from passing through the screen.   
   
   
       3 . A sand control system as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a remote signal responsive to the opening of the valve. 
   
   
       4 . A sand control system as recited in  claim 2  wherein the pressure relief valve is selected from the group consisting of ball valves, spring-loaded valves, poppet valves; shear assemblies and rupture discs.