Gas separator

Abstract

A reservoir fluid conducting system for use within a wellbore is disclosed. The system includes a flow diverter fluidly coupled to downhole disposed conductor and a pump fluidly coupled to the flow diverter. The flow diverter includes a flow diverter body that defines a reservoir fluid receiving space and a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space separated and fluidly isolated from the reservoir fluid receiving space. In use, reservoir fluid is received within the reservoir fluid receiving space and conducted uphole to a reservoir fluid separation space via the flow diverter where, within the reservoir fluid separation space, a gas-depleted reservoir fluid is obtained and collects within the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space. The pump is disposed in fluid communication with the gas-depleted reservoir fluid separation space such that the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is pressurized by the pump and conducted to the surface via a gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor.

1 .- 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A reservoir fluid conducting system disposed within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation and is lined with a wellbore string, wherein the system comprises:
 a downhole-disposed conductor for receiving the reservoir fluid from a downhole wellbore space;   a flow diverter fluidly coupled to the downhole disposed conductor, the flow diverter including a flow diverter body extending between an open lower end and an open upper end and defining an open interior space therebetween;   a pump fluidly coupled to the flow diverter body; and   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor fluidly coupled to the pump for conducting gas-depleted reservoir fluid, that has been pressurized by the pump, to the surface;   wherein:   the downhole-disposed conductor, the pump, the flow diverter body, and the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor are co-operatively configured such that the flow diverter body defines:   a reservoir fluid receiving space disposed within the open interior space of the flow diverter body for receiving reservoir fluid discharged from the downhole disposed conductor;   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space disposed within the open interior space of the flow diverter body uphole of the reservoir fluid receiving space; and   a sealed interface fluidly isolating the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space from the reservoir fluid receiving space; and   while the downhole-disposed conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space that has been received within the downhole wellbore space from the subterranean formation:   the reservoir fluid is conducted uphole to a reservoir fluid separation space via the flow diverter where, within the reservoir fluid separation space, a gas-depleted reservoir fluid is separated from the reservoir fluid, in response to at least buoyancy forces, such that the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is obtained;   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid obtained within the reservoir fluid separation space is received by the flow diverter body and conducted to the pump via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space; and   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is pressurized by the pump and conducted to the surface via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor.   
     
     
         66 . The system as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein:
 an intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage is disposed between the flow diverter body and the wellbore string; and   the downhole-disposed conductor, the intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage, and the reservoir fluid separation space are co-operatively configured such that, while the downhole-disposed conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space that has been received within the downhole wellbore space from the subterranean formation:   the reservoir fluid that is received by the downhole-disposed conductor and conducted uphole to the reservoir fluid separation space, is conducted uphole via the intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage.   
     
     
         67 . The system as claimed in  claim 65 , further comprising:
 a pump-seating body is disposed within the open upper end of the flow diverter body, the pump-seating body configured for receiving and releasably-connecting with the pump.   
     
     
         68 . The system as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein the pump-seating body includes a pump-seating nipple for effecting the releasable connection between the pump and the pump-seating body. 
     
     
         69 . The system as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein: the flow diverter body defines a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver; and
 the flow diverter body is suspended from the pump-seating body such that a gas-depleted reservoir fluid conducing passage is disposed between the pump-seating body and the flow diverter body extending between and fluidly interconnecting the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver and the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space for conducting the gas-depleted reservoir fluid obtained within the reservoir fluid separation space to the gas-depleted reservoir fluid space.   
     
     
         70 . The system as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein:
 the suspension of the flow diverter body from the pump-seating body is effected by a hanger assembly, wherein the hanger assembly is configured such that interference with the conducting of the gas-depleted reservoir fluid from the reservoir fluid separation space to the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid conducting passage is prevented, or substantially prevented.   
     
     
         71 . The system as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein:
 the pump-seating body defines a pump-intake conducting passage for conducting the gas-depleted reservoir fluid to the pump.   
     
     
         72 . The system as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein:
 the flow diverter body defines:   a reservoir fluid discharge opening at the open lower end of the flow diverter body; and   a reservoir fluid conducting passage disposed between the downhole disposed conductor and the flow diverter body for conducting reservoir fluid from the reservoir fluid receiving space to the reservoir fluid discharge opening.   
     
     
         73 . The system as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein:
 the downhole disposed conductor includes a discharge end disposed within the open lower end of the flow diverter body such that there is an absence of support between the downhole disposed conductor and the flow diverter body.   
     
     
         74 . The system as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein:
 the downhole disposed conductor and the flow diverter body are cooperatively configured such that the discharge end is disposed within the reservoir fluid-receiving space and is spaced apart from the sealed interface.   
     
     
         75 . The system as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein:
 the pump-seating body includes a gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet disposed uphole of the sealed interface in fluid communication with the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space such that the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is communicated to the pump-intake conducting passage from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet.   
     
     
         76 . The system as claimed in  claim 75 , wherein:
 the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet is disposed at a distal end of the pump-seating body; and   the pump-seating body and the flow diverter body are cooperatively configured such that the distal end of the pump-seating body disposed within the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space uphole and spaced apart from the sealed interface.   
     
     
         77 . The system as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein:
 the pump-seating body includes:   a reservoir fluid receiver configured for releasably coupling with the downhole disposed conductor;   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet;   a reservoir fluid outlet disposed downhole of the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet; and   a sealed interface disposed intermediate the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet and the reservoir fluid outlet such that the reservoir fluid outlet is fluidly isolated from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet;   wherein the pump-seating body, the flow diverter body and the downhole disposed conductor are cooperatively configured such that, while the downhole disposed conductor is releasably coupled to the pump-seating body via the reservoir fluid receiver:   the reservoir fluid outlet is disposed downhole of the sealed interface of the flow diverter body in fluid communication with the reservoir fluid receiving space; and   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet is disposed uphole of the sealed interface of the flow diverter body in fluid communication with the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space;   such that, while the downhole-disposed conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space that has been received within the downhole wellbore space from the subterranean formation:   the reservoir fluid that is received by the downhole-disposed conductor is communicated to the reservoir fluid receiving space via the reservoir fluid outlet; and   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid that is obtained within the reservoir fluid separation space and received within the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space is communicated to the pump-intake conducting passage via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid inlet.   
     
     
         78 . The system as claimed in  claim 66 , further comprising:
 a supporting member for supporting the flow diverter body relative to the wellbore string.   
     
     
         79 . The system as claimed in  claim 78 , wherein:
 the supporting member is configured such that interference to the conduction of reservoir fluid received within the reservoir fluid receiving space to the reservoir fluid separation space via the intermediate reservoir fluid conducting passage is prevented or substantially prevented.   
     
     
         80 . The system as claimed in  claim 65 , further comprising:
 a liquid-depleted gas flow conducting passage for conducting a liquid-depleted gas flow, separated from the reservoir fluid within the reservoir fluid separation space, to the surface.   
     
     
         81 . A reservoir fluid conducting system disposed within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation and is lined with a wellbore string that includes a wellbore string-defined flow diverter counterpart, wherein the system comprises:
 a downhole-disposed conductor for receiving the reservoir fluid from a downhole wellbore space; and   a production assembly, suspended within the wellbore, including:   an assembly-defined flow diverter counterpart;   a pump; and   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor for conducting gas-depleted reservoir fluid, that has been pressurized by the pump, to the surface;   wherein:   the assembly-defined flow diverter counterpart includes a flow diverter body, the flow diverter body extending between an open lower end and an open upper end and defining an open interior space therebetween; and   the wellbore string-defined flow diverter counterpart and the assembly-defined flow diverter counterpart are co-operatively configured to define a flow diverter;   wherein:   the pump is releasably connected to the flow diverter; and   the flow diverter body defines a reservoir fluid receiving space disposed within the open interior space of the flow diverter body for receiving reservoir fluid discharged from the downhole disposed conductor, and a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space disposed within the open interior space of the flow diverter body uphole of the reservoir fluid receiving space, the reservoir fluid receiving space and the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space being cooperatively configured such that the reservoir fluid receiving space is fluidly isolated from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space; and   the downhole-disposed conductor, the flow diverter body, the pump, and the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor are co-operatively configured such that, while the downhole-disposed conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space that has been received within the downhole wellbore space from the subterranean formation:   the reservoir fluid is received within the reservoir fluid receiving space and conducted uphole to a reservoir fluid separation space via the flow diverter;   within the reservoir fluid separation space, a gas-depleted reservoir fluid is separated from the reservoir fluid, in response to at least buoyancy forces, such that the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is obtained;   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid obtained within the reservoir fluid separation space is received within the flow diverter body and conducted to the pump via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space; and   the gas-depleted reservoir fluid is pressurized by the pump and conducted to the surface via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor.   
     
     
         82 . The system as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein:
 the flow diverter body includes a shroud;   the wellbore string-defined flow diverter counterpart and the shroud are co-operatively configured such that an intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage is disposed between the shroud and the wellbore string-defined flow diverter counterpart;   the shroud includes a gas-depleted reservoir fluid conductor for conducting the received gas-depleted reservoir fluid to the pump; and   the downhole-disposed conductor, the intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage, and the reservoir fluid separation space are co-operatively configured such that, while the downhole-disposed conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space that has been received within the downhole wellbore space from the subterranean formation, and is supplying the received reservoir fluid to an uphole wellbore space:   the reservoir fluid, that is discharged into the uphole wellbore space by the downhole-disposed conductor and conducted uphole to the reservoir fluid separation space, is conducted uphole via the intermediate reservoir fluid-conducting passage.   
     
     
         83 . A reservoir fluid production assembly for disposition within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation and is lined with a wellbore string, wherein the reservoir fluid production assembly comprises:
 an assembly-defined flow diverter counterpart;   a pump; and   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor fluidly coupled to the pump for conducting gas-depleted reservoir fluid, that has been pressurized by the pump, to the surface;   wherein the assembly-defined flow diverter counterpart includes:   a pump-seating body for receiving and releasably-connecting with the pump; and   a flow diverter body extending between an open upper end and an open lower end, the flow diverter body defining:   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver disposed at the open upper end of the flow diverter body for receiving gas-depleted reservoir fluid obtained within a reservoir fluid separation space;   a gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space for receiving gas-depleted reservoir fluid from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver;   a reservoir fluid receiving space disposed downhole from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space for receiving reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation, the reservoir fluid receiving space being fluidly isolated from the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space; and   a reservoir fluid discharge opening disposed at the open lower end of the flow diverter body; and   a first supporting member for suspending the flow diverter body from the pump seating body;   wherein the pump-seating body, the flow diverter body, the pump, the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor and the supporting member are co-operatively configured such that:   the pump-seating body is disposed within the open upper end of the flow diverter body such that the pump-intake conducting passage is fluidly coupled to the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space for conducting gas-depleted reservoir fluid to the pump for displacement uphole via the gas-depleted reservoir fluid-producing conductor; and   the flow diverter body is suspended from the pump-seating body by the supporting member such that a gas-depleted reservoir fluid conducting passage is disposed between the pump-intake conducting passage and the flow diverter body for conducting gas-depleted reservoir fluid received within the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiver to the gas-depleted reservoir fluid receiving space.   
     
     
         84 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 83 , wherein:
 the wellbore includes a downhole disposed conductor configured for receiving reservoir fluid from a downhole wellbore space and conducting the reservoir fluid received from the downhole wellbore space to an uphole wellbore space, the downhole disposed fluid conductor having a discharge end for discharging the reservoir fluid received from the downhole wellbore space to the uphole wellbore space; and   disposition of the reservoir fluid production assembly within the wellbore is such that:   the discharge end of the downhole disposed fluid conductor is disposed within the open lower end of the flow diverter body such that, while the downhole disposed fluid conductor is receiving reservoir fluid from the downhole wellbore space, reservoir fluid is discharged from the downhole disposed fluid conductor into the reservoir fluid receiving space, the downhole disposed fluid conductor remaining free from connection to the flow diverter body.