GB441684A - Method and apparatus for operating flowing oil wells - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0441684/III/1> <PICT:0441684/III/2> <PICT:0441684/III/3> <PICT:0441684/III/4> To increase the production of oil from oil wells, the oil is agitated within the eduction tube to release more gas than is normally released by pressure reduction on the oil flowing into the well; at least part of the released gas may be separated and collected under pressure and then returned to the depleted upper part of the oil sand. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, oil passes from the oil sands through a gas trap 74 and rises through pipe 79 through one or more gas separating and collecting stages each comprising a series of bells 56 with apertured upper ends and centrifuging elements between the bells comprising vaned wheels 63 rotated by the flowing oil; the oil is agitated in passing through the apertures in the bells while passage through the vaned wheels 63 causes collection of gas in the central lighter column of oil, the heavier outer column of oil passing round the bells to the outlet pipe 28. At the end of each separating and collecting stage, the central column of oil enters a chamber 51 in which the gas separates and, as its pressure increases, passes through a nonreturn valve 41 to the oil sands. In Fig. 7, the gas collection chamber 110 is annular, the gas passing through ports 101 past valves 102 and through slots 108 to the oil sand; oil flows out through tubing 112 to which it passes downwardly through semi-cylindrical channels 116 and ports 115. With this form of apparatus, agitating means may be employed comprising alternate fixed sleeves 145, Fig. 12, with inclined vanes and intermediate rotatable members 150 with oppositely inclined vanes. In Fig. 10, after each centrifuging stage, a heavier outer column of fluid passes round an upper bell 121 through ports 127 to the next rotor 63, a lighter central column passing through the bell and through ports 125 to points nearer the centre of the rotor.