Gas-Driven Pumping Device and a Method for Downhole Pumping of a Liquid in a Well

Abstract

A gas-driven pumping device and a method for downhole pumping of a liquid from at least one liquid source in a well and onto at least one receiving region for the liquid. The pumping device comprises a pressure manipulation chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion, wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is connected in a flow-communicating manner to a liquid supply channel; a liquid discharge channel; a gas supply channel; and a gas discharge channel. By alternately lowering and increasing the gas pressure (P chamber ), liquid is pumped from the liquid source and onwards to the receiving region via the pressure manipulation chamber.

1 . A gas-driven pumping device for pumping a liquid from at least one liquid source in a well and onto at least one receiving region for the liquid, the liquid source having a pressure (P source ) and the receiving region having a pressure (P receiving ), in which the pumping device is located in the well, wherein the pumping device comprises at least one pressure manipulation chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the well and including a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion; and
 wherein said pressure manipulation chamber is connected in a flow-communicating manner to the following channels:   at least one liquid supply channel connecting the pressure manipulation chamber to said liquid source, the liquid supply channel including at least one first check valve for allowing liquid flow only to the pressure manipulation chamber;   at least one liquid discharge channel connecting the lower chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber to said liquid receiving region, the liquid discharge channel including at least one second check valve for allowing liquid flow only from the pressure manipulation chamber;   at least one gas supply channel connecting the pressure manipulation chamber to at least one gas source containing a pressurized manipulation gas, the gas supply channel including at least one first control valve structured for selective introduction of manipulation gas into the pressure manipulation chamber, and also for regulation of the pressure (P chamber ) of the gas therein; and   at least one gas discharge channel leading out of the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber, the gas discharge channel including at least one second control valve structured for selective discharge of manipulation gas from the pressure manipulation chamber, and also for regulation of the pressure (P chamber ) of the gas therein;   whereby the pumping device is structured so as to be able to direct manipulation gas out of the pressure manipulation chamber and also lower the gas pressure (P chamber ) therein to a lower pressure (P lower ) at which a resulting pressure difference (P source -P lower ) will drive the liquid from the liquid source and into the pressure manipulation chamber via the liquid supply channel;   whereby the pumping device also is structured so as to then be able to direct manipulation gas into the pressure manipulation chamber and increase the gas pressure (P chamber ) therein to an upper pressure (P upper ) at which a resulting pressure difference (P upper -P receiving ) will drive the liquid from the pressure manipulation chamber and onwards to the receiving region via said liquid discharge channel; and   whereby the pumping device is structured so as to be able to alternately lower and increase the gas pressure (P chamber ) in the pressure manipulation chamber, the course of which represents one operating cycle, thereby being able to pump liquid from the liquid source and onwards to the receiving region via the pressure manipulation chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid supply channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to at least one water production formation connected to the well, the water production formation thus constituting said liquid source; and
 wherein said liquid discharge channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to the surface of the well, the surface thus constituting the receiving region for water emanating from the water production formation.   
     
     
         3 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid supply channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to at least one oil production formation connected to the well, the oil production formation thus constituting said liquid source; and
 wherein said liquid discharge channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to the surface of the well, the surface thus constituting the receiving region for oil emanating from the oil production formation.   
     
     
         4 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 2 , wherein said gas discharge channel comprises at least one gas bleed channel filled with manipulation gas for selective discharge of lift gas into said liquid discharge channel, whereby a gas pressure gradient will be present in the gas bleed channel, whereas a liquid pressure gradient will be present in the liquid discharge channel;
 wherein the gas-filled gas bleed channel connects the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber in a flow-communicating manner to a shallower depth level in the liquid discharge channel where the liquid has a liquid pressure (P shallower ); and   wherein said shallower depth level is selected at a depth where the liquid pressure (P shallower ), via the gas pressure gradient in the gas bleed channel, will result in said lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber, insofar as the lower gas pressure (P lower ) will be substantially smaller than a corresponding liquid pressure at the same level in the liquid discharge channel;   whereby the difference between the densities of the manipulation gas and the liquid flow is utilized to provide the lower gas pressure (P lower )  1  in the pressure manipulation chamber; and   whereby the pumping device is structured so as to be able to selectively direct manipulation gas into the liquid discharge channel as lift gas for the liquid.   
     
     
         5 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein said gas source is comprised of at least one of the following gas sources:
 a gas source at the surface; and   a gas source in a subsurface formation.   
     
     
         6 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid supply channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to a water-containing liquid in at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator located in the well, the separator constituting said liquid source;
 wherein said separator is connected in a flow-communicating manner to a hydrocarbon- and water-containing production flow emanating from at least one production formation connected to the well;   wherein the separator is structured so as to be able to at least separate said production flow into said water-containing liquid and into a hydrocarbon-containing liquid;   wherein the hydrocarbon-containing liquid in the separator is connected in a flow-communicating manner to at least one production channel for production of the hydrocarbon-containing liquid; and   wherein said liquid discharge channel is connected in a flow-communicating manner to at least one disposal formation connected to the well, the disposal formation constituting said receiving region for separated, water-containing liquid emanating from the separator.   
     
     
         7 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein said gas discharge channel comprises at least one gas bleed channel filled with manipulation gas for selective discharge of lift gas into said production channel, whereby a gas pressure gradient will be present in the gas bleed channel, whereas a liquid pressure gradient will be present in the production channel;
 wherein the gas-filled gas bleed channel connects the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber in a flow-communicating manner to a shallower depth level in the production channel where the hydrocarbon-containing liquid has a liquid pressure (P shallower ); and   wherein said shallower depth level is selected at a depth where the liquid pressure (P shallower ), via the gas pressure gradient in the gas bleed channel, will result in said lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber, insofar as the lower gas pressure (P lower ) will be substantially smaller than a corresponding liquid pressure at the same level in the production channel;   whereby the difference between the densities of the manipulation gas and the hydrocarbon-containing liquid is utilized to provide the lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber; and   whereby the pumping device is structured so as to be able to selectively direct manipulation gas into the production channel as lift gas for the hydrocarbon-containing liquid.   
     
     
         8 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein said gas source is comprised of at least one of the following gas sources:
 a gas source at the surface;   a gas source in a subsurface formation; and   a gas source in the form of gas separated from the hydrocarbon- and water-containing production flow emanating from said production formation.   
     
     
         9 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator comprises at least one cyclone separator. 
     
     
         10 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator comprises at least one gravity separator. 
     
     
         11 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 10 , wherein the gravity separator is comprised of a horizontal gravity separator located in a horizontal portion of the well. 
     
     
         12 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is located at a distance from the at least one separator. 
     
     
         13 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one disposal formation is situated shallower than the production formation. 
     
     
         14 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one disposal formation is situated deeper than the production formation. 
     
     
         15 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one disposal formation comprises at least one disposal layer in the production formation. 
     
     
         16 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is located in a pipe in the well. 
     
     
         17 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is located on the outside of a pipe in the well. 
     
     
         18 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is located in an annulus in the well. 
     
     
         19 . The gas-driven pumping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping device comprises at least two pressure manipulation chambers structured for cooperative pumping of liquid from said liquid source and onwards to said receiving region; and
 wherein said pressure manipulation chambers are arranged with a phase-lagged operating cycle relative to each other, whereby a smoother induction and pumping of liquid is achieved.   
     
     
         20 . A method of pumping a liquid from at least one liquid source in a well and onto at least one receiving region for the liquid, the liquid source having a pressure (P source ) and the receiving region having a pressure (P receiving ), wherein the method comprises:
 locating at least one gas-driven pumping device in the well, wherein the pumping device comprises at least one pressure manipulation chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the well and including a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion, and wherein said pressure manipulation chamber is connected in a flow-communicating manner to the following channels:   at least one liquid supply channel connecting the pressure manipulation chamber to said liquid source, the liquid supply channel including at least one first check valve for allowing liquid flow only to the pressure manipulation chamber;   at least one liquid discharge channel connecting the lower chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber to said liquid receiving region, the liquid discharge channel including at least one second check valve for allowing liquid flow only from the pressure manipulation chamber;   at least one gas supply channel connecting the pressure manipulation chamber to at least one gas source containing a pressurized manipulation gas, the gas supply channel including at least one first control valve structured for selective introduction of manipulation gas into the pressure manipulation chamber, and also for regulation of the pressure (P chamber ) of the gas therein; and   at least one gas discharge channel leading out of the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber, the gas discharge channel including at least one second control valve structured for selective discharge of manipulation gas from the pressure manipulation chamber, and also for regulation of the pressure (P chamber ) of the gas therein; and   
       wherein the method further comprises the following steps:
 (A) directing manipulation gas out of the pressure manipulation chamber and also lowering the gas pressure (P chamber ) therein to a lower pressure (P lower ) at which a resulting pressure difference (P source -P lower ) drives the liquid from the liquid source and into the pressure manipulation chamber via the liquid supply channel; 
 (B) filling the liquid up to an upper liquid level in the pressure manipulation chamber; 
 (C) directing manipulation gas into the pressure manipulation chamber and increasing the gas pressure (P chamber ) therein to an upper pressure (P upper ) at which a resulting pressure difference (P upper -P receiving ) drives the liquid from the pressure manipulation chamber and onwards to the receiving region via said liquid discharge channel; 
 (D) driving the liquid down to a lower liquid level in the pressure manipulation chamber; and 
 (E) repeating steps (A)-(D), the course of which represents one operating cycle, thereby maintaining the pumping of liquid from the liquid source and onwards to the receiving region via the pressure manipulation chamber. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the method also comprises:
 connecting said liquid supply channel in a flow-communicating manner to at least one water production formation connected to the well, the water production formation thus constituting said liquid source; and   connecting said liquid discharge channel in a flow-communicating manner to the surface of the well, the surface thus constituting the receiving region for water emanating from the water production formation.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the method also comprises:
 connecting said liquid supply channel in a flow-communicating manner to at least one oil production formation connected to the well, the oil production formation thus constituting said liquid source; and   connecting said liquid discharge channel in a flow-communicating manner to the surface of the well, the surface thus constituting the receiving region for oil emanating from the oil production formation.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the method also comprises:
 using a gas discharge channel comprising at least one gas bleed channel and filling it with manipulation gas for selective discharge of lift gas into said liquid discharge channel, whereby a gas pressure gradient is present in the gas bleed channel, whereas a liquid pressure gradient is present in the liquid discharge channel;   by means of said gas bleed channel, connecting the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber in a flow-communicating manner to a shallower depth level in the liquid discharge channel where the liquid has a liquid pressure (P shallower ); and   selecting said shallower depth level at a depth where the liquid pressure (P shallower ), via the gas pressure gradient in the gas bleed channel, results in said lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber, insofar as the lower gas pressure (P lower ) is substantially smaller than a corresponding liquid pressure at the same level in the liquid discharge channel;   whereby the difference between the densities of the manipulation gas and the liquid is utilized to provide the lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber; and   whereby the pumping device is structured to selectively direct manipulation gas into the liquid discharge channel as lift gas for the liquid.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said gas source is comprised of at least one of the following gas sources:
 a gas source at the surface; and   a gas source in a subsurface formation.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the method also comprises:
 connecting said liquid supply channel in a flow-communicating manner to a water-containing liquid in at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator located in the well, the separator constituting said liquid source;   wherein said separator is connected in a flow-communicating manner to a hydrocarbon- and water-containing production flow emanating from at least one production formation connected to the well; and   wherein the separator is structured so as to be able to at least separate said production flow into said water-containing liquid and into a hydrocarbon-containing liquid;   connecting the hydrocarbon-containing liquid in the separator in a flow-communicating manner to at least one production channel for production of the hydrocarbon-containing liquid; and   connecting said liquid discharge channel in a flow-communicating manner to at least one disposal formation connected to the well, the disposal formation constituting said receiving region for separated, water-containing liquid emanating from the separator.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method also comprises:
 using a gas discharge channel comprising at least one gas bleed channel and filling it with manipulation gas for selective discharge of lift gas into said production channel, whereby a gas pressure gradient is present in the gas bleed channel, whereas a liquid pressure gradient is present in the production channel;   by means of said gas bleed channel, connecting the upper chamber portion of the pressure manipulation chamber in a flow-communicating manner to a shallower depth level in the production channel where the hydrocarbon-containing liquid has a liquid pressure (P shallower ); and   selecting said shallower depth level at a depth where the liquid pressure (P shallower ), via the gas pressure gradient in the gas bleed channel, results in said lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber, insofar as the lower gas pressure (P lower ) is substantially smaller than a corresponding liquid pressure at the same level in the production channel;   whereby the difference between the densities of the manipulation gas and the hydrocarbon-containing liquid is utilized to provide the lower gas pressure (P lower ) in the pressure manipulation chamber; and   whereby the pumping device is structured to selectively direct manipulation gas into the production channel as lift gas for the hydrocarbon-containing liquid.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said gas source is comprised of at least one of the following gas sources:
 a gas source at the surface;   a gas source in a subsurface formation; and   a gas source in the form of gas separated from the hydrocarbon- and water-containing production flow emanating from said production formation.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator comprises at least one cyclone separator. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-water-separator comprises at least one gravity separator. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising the step of locating the gravity separator, which is comprised of a horizontal gravity separator, in a horizontal portion of the well. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising the step of locating the pressure manipulation chamber at a distance from the at least one separator. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one disposal formation is situated shallower than the production formation. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one disposal formation is situated deeper than the production formation. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one disposal formation comprises at least one disposal layer in the production formation. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of locating the pressure manipulation chamber in a pipe in the well. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of locating the pressure manipulation chamber on the outside of a pipe in the well. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of locating the pressure manipulation chamber in an annulus in the well. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 locating at least two of said pumping devices in the well, wherein each pumping device includes at least one pressure manipulation chamber;   structuring the pumping devices for cooperative pumping of liquid from said liquid source and onwards to said receiving region; and   arranging the pumping devices with a phase-lagged operating cycle relative to each other, whereby a smoother induction and pumping of liquid is achieved.   
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising the step of connecting at least two pumping devices in parallel. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising the step of connecting at least two pumping devices in series.