System and methods for removing fluids from a subterranean well

Abstract

The invention includes systems and methods for removing fluids from a subterranean well. An example embodiment includes a system having a well casing surrounding at least one inner tubing string, where the inner tubing string has a distal section and a proximal section, a first fluid removal means within the distal section of the inner tubing string, and a second fluid removal means within the proximal section of the inner tubing string.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for removing fluids from a subterranean well having at least one inner tubing string, where the inner tubing string has a distal section and a proximal section, and where at least one of a well casing and an outer tubing string surrounds the inner tubing string thereby forming an annulus therebetween, the system comprising:
 a first fluid removal means within the distal section of the inner tubing string;   a second fluid removal means within the proximal section of the inner tubing string; and   a crossover device adapted to re-route a first fluid from the annulus proximate the proximal section into the inner tubing string and to re-route a second fluid from the annulus proximate the distal section into the inner tubing string.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power supply to power at least one of the first fluid removal means and second fluid removal means. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one power supply comprises at least one of an electrical power supply, a gas power supply, a compressed gas power supply, and a hydraulic power supply. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the compressed gas power supply supplies compressed gas to the second fluid removal means via capillary tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second fluid removal means comprises a bladder adapted to be squeezed by the supplied compressed gas. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second fluid removal means comprises a piston adapted to be driven by the supplied compressed gas. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second fluid removal means comprises a jet pump adapted to use the supplied compressed gas to directly move fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tubing string comprises multiple tubing sections. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal section of the inner tubing string comprises a high tensile strength material. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the high tensile strength material is steel. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the distal section of the inner tubing string comprises a flexible, light-weight material. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the distal section of the inner tubing string comprises a multi-layered tube. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the multiple tubing sections are connected by at least one mechanical connector. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical connector connects energy conductors across a connection interface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crossover device is disposed at a location in the subterranean well to advantageously re-route at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid based on at least one of fluid density, paraffin build-up, well pressure, surface pressure, temperature, and volume to be removed from the subterranean well. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises an injected gas and the second fluid comprises an unwanted liquid. 
     
     
         17 . A system for removing fluids from a subterranean well having at least one inner tubing string, where the inner tubing string has a distal section and a proximal section, and where at least one of a well casing and an outer tubing string surrounds the inner tubing string thereby forming an annulus therebetween, the system comprising:
 a first fluid removal means within the distal section of the inner tubing string;   a second fluid removal means within the proximal section of the inner tubing string; and   a crossover device adapted to re-route a first fluid from the inner tubing string into the annulus proximate the distal section and to re-route a second fluid from the inner tubing string into the annulus proximate the proximal section.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first fluid comprises an injected gas and the second fluid comprises an unwanted liquid.