Leveling system for flow diverter and separator for downhole separation in a multilateral well

Abstract

In some implementations an apparatus may include a first tubular configured for use in a downhole oil-water separation (DOWS) system and for placement in a segment of a well. The apparatus also may include first and second support members configured to hold the first tubular at a preferred inclination in the well, wherein the first support member is configured to hold a first end of the first tubular at the preferred inclination inside a second tubular, and the second support member is configured to hold a second end of the first tubular at the preferred inclination inside the second tubular.

1 . A downhole oil-water separation (DOWS) system configured to be disposed downhole in a well, the DOWS system comprising:
 a tubular configured to be placed in the well and to convey reservoir fluid in the DOWS; and   a leveler configured to move the tubular from a first inclination to a second inclination.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leveler further includes:
 an actuator configured to move the tubular from the first inclination to the second inclination.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the leveler further includes:
 a hydraulic pump configured to drive the actuator.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator includes an electrical motor configured to receive power from a conductor assembly that provides power to an electrical submersible pump (ESP). 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further including:
 one or more sensors configured to indicate levelness of the tubular; 
 a controller configured to activate the leveler based on an indication of levelness of the tubular. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further including:
 a fluid separator configured for placement in or adjacent to the leveled tubular and configured to separate the reservoir fluid into production fluid and nonproduction fluid. 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first tubular configured for use in a downhole oil-water separation (DOWS) system and for placement in a segment of a well;   first and second support members configured to hold the first tubular at a preferred inclination in the well, wherein
 the first support member is configured to hold a first end of the first tubular at the preferred inclination inside a second tubular, and 
 the second support member is configured to hold a second end of the first tubular at the preferred inclination inside the second tubular. 
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the first tubular is closer to an upper inner surface of the second tubular than to a lower inner surface of the second tubular. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the first tubular is closer to a lower inner surface of the second tubular than to an upper inner surface of the second tubular. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first end is held at a first distance from a bottom surface of the second tubular and the second end at a second distance from the bottom surface of the second tubular. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second support members include material configured to compress in response to force and expand in absence of force. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second support members are configured to adjust levelness of the first tubular by up to 10 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a component may include one or more devices such as a thread, a seal or other apparati at its upper end (left end) and/or lower end (right end) to hydraulically seal and/or mechanically attach it to another tubular or device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the leveler may include an actuator that may articulate such that as the actuator articulates, the leveler may be in a nonlevel position. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus includes a hydraulic pump configured to drive the actuator along its range of motion and wherein the leveler has sensors and uses a controller. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 positioning a tubular in a downhole oil-water separation (DOWS) system in a well, wherein the tubular is configured to convey production fluid in the DOWS system; and   improving, using a leveling device, an inclination of the tubular.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the leveling device includes:
 an actuator configured to increase levelness of the tubular by moving the tubular from a nonlevel position to another inclined/level position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the leveling device further includes:
 a hydraulic pump configured to drive the actuator.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator includes an electrical motor, the method further comprising:
 receiving power from a conductor that provides power to an electrical submersible pump of the DOWS system; and   operating the electrical motor to drive the actuator to increase the levelness of the tubular.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the improving occurs automatically based on one or input from one more sensors configured to indicate levelness of the tubular, and operations of a controller configured to activate the leveler based on an indication of levelness of the tubular. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  further including:
 removing a portion of a casing in the well. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the leveling device includes a positionable tubular configured to contact a casing.