WO1995030090A1 - An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust - Google Patents

An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995030090A1
WO1995030090A1 PCT/NL1995/000157 NL9500157W WO9530090A1 WO 1995030090 A1 WO1995030090 A1 WO 1995030090A1 NL 9500157 W NL9500157 W NL 9500157W WO 9530090 A1 WO9530090 A1 WO 9530090A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
screw member
earth
screw
installation
counter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL1995/000157
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Engelbert Josephus Van Den Boogaard
Hendrik Geert Cornelis Berkhoff
Original Assignee
Houttuin B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Houttuin B.V. filed Critical Houttuin B.V.
Priority to EP95916853A priority Critical patent/EP0757758B1/en
Priority to DE69505653T priority patent/DE69505653T2/en
Priority to AU23199/95A priority patent/AU2319995A/en
Publication of WO1995030090A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995030090A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C13/00—Adaptations of machines or pumps for special use, e.g. for extremely high pressures
    • F04C13/008—Pumps for submersible use, i.e. down-hole pumping

Definitions

  • Liquids from the earth's crust such as petroleum are usually pumped up either with a suction pump (for in ⁇ stance a so-called nodding donkey) or with a pump lowered into a drilled hole and having a screw-like member.
  • a suction pump for in ⁇ stance a so-called nodding donkey
  • a pump for this purpose usually comprises a screw member (rotor) of metal which is rotatably drivable relative to a statically arranged member (stator) of rubber or plas ⁇ tic-like material.
  • EP-A- 0168366 is an apparatus for pumping up oil wherein both the pump and the drive means are immersed in the oil or other liquids.
  • maintenance of the drive means has to be carried out, the whole apparatus must be raised from the bore hole to above the ground surface, which is time-consuming and whereby oil extraction must be interrupted.
  • This apparatus further makes use of balancing collars, whereby the bearing construction will be subject to wear due to sand or dirt occurring in the liquid, while this bearing construction is also complicated and play can easily occur therein.
  • the drive means are disposed close to the earth's surface and the driving movement is transmitted to the lowered screw pump via transmission means, mainte ⁇ nance of the drive means can be performed easily and large standstill losses can be avoided.
  • the screw member and/or the counter-screw member are preferably provided with slide bearings, wherein lubrica- tion can take place by the liquid for pumping up. This also prevents the screw member and/or the counter-screw member from lying against the housing of the pump, so that wear is limited to a minimum. It is anticipated that the lifespan of a screw pump according to the present invention will amount to a minimum of 10,000 hours before maintenance thereon has to be carried out.
  • Two or more screw pumps are preferably lowered into the earth in series. If in this preferred embodiment both screw pumps are designed to produce a pumping pressure of 30 bar, in total 60 bar, it may occur that due to small differences in dimensioning of each of the screw pumps one of the two screw pumps produces in the first instance a pressure greater than 30 bar. After a time the pressure build-up by this first screw pump will decrease slightly due to a certain degree of wear, wherein this decrease is however compensated by the second screw pump, so that the total required 60 bar is maintained.
  • the present invention further provides a method for pumping liquids from the earth's crust, wherein one or more screw pumps, each comprising a screw member and a counter-screw member, is lowered into a hole drilled in the earth's surface, wherein the first screw member is driven close to or above the earth's surface and the counter-screw member is driven by the screw member and wherein the liquid is pumped up between the screw member and the second screw member.
  • one or more screw pumps each comprising a screw member and a counter-screw member
  • fig. 1 shows a sectional view under the earth's surface of a first preferred embodiment of an installa ⁇ tion according to the present invention for performing the method according to the present invention
  • fig- 2 shows a side view along line II-II of the installation of fig. 1
  • fig. 3 is a sectional view above the lower screw pump of a second preferred embodiment of the installation according to the present invention
  • fig. 4 shows a view in cross section of detail IV of fig. 1
  • fig. 5 shows a view in cross section of detail V of fig. 1
  • fig. 6 is a view along line VI-VI in fig. 5.
  • a first preferred embodiment of an installation 1 according to the present invention contains drive means 8 disposed on the ground S and provided with a connecting flange 2 for connection to a drain pipe 3 for the pumped-up oil.
  • Driven by drive means 8 is a tube, rod or shaft 4 which transmits the drive power to a depth of for instance 1000 or 2000 metres in the ground to an assembly of two screw pumps 5 and 6.
  • Each of the screw pumps, for instance screw pump 6, comprises a driven screw member 7 and a counter-screw member 9 which is driven by the associated screw member.
  • Screw member 7 and counter-screw member 9 are mutually adapted such that the liquid is transported between the helical grooves and helical ridges, while the counter- screw member follows precisely the movement of the screw member.
  • the screw member and the counter-screw member are preferably manufactured from hardened stainless steel which can withstand temperatures of 300°C and is little subject to wear. It can further be seen, particularly in fig. 1, 2 and 6, that the drive rod 4 and the screw pumps 5 and 6 can be received in a closed housing which has for instance a largest diameter d of about 15 cm so that the installation can be applied in a bore hole with such a dimension which may or may not be provided with a cement- ed casing.
  • a pressure of about 30-40 Bar can be produced by the above described screw pump shown in the figures, so that the petroleum can be pumped from a considerable depth, for instance 1000-3000 metres.
  • screw pumps When a number of screw pumps are placed in series in the manner shown it is possible to work at still greater depth.
  • the screw members and counter-screw members are preferably provided in each case with axial and radial bearing elements 30, 31, respectively 32, 33, 34 and 35 (fig. 5) of ceramic material which are lubricated by the petroleum for pumping up.
  • Fig. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of an installation for performing the method according to the present invention, wherein a first pump 10 is lowered to great depth while a second screw pump 11 is situated clo.se to the surface at ground level S. If maintenance has to be carried out on this second screw pump 11 the drive rod 4' does not have to be withdrawn completely from the bore hole.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Details And Applications Of Rotary Liquid Pumps (AREA)
  • Rotary Pumps (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

Installation for pumping up liquids from the earth's crust, comprising: a screw pump lowered into the earth which is provided with a first screw member and a counter-screw member, drive means arranged on or close to the earth's surface for driving the screw member which in turn drives the counter-screw member; and transmission means for transmitting the drive produced by the drive means, which transmission means extend from the drive means on or close to the earth's surface to the lowered screw pump.

Description

AN INSTALLATION AND A METHOD FOR PUMPING UP FLUID FROM THE EARTH'S CRUST
Liquids from the earth's crust such as petroleum are usually pumped up either with a suction pump (for in¬ stance a so-called nodding donkey) or with a pump lowered into a drilled hole and having a screw-like member. Such a pump for this purpose usually comprises a screw member (rotor) of metal which is rotatably drivable relative to a statically arranged member (stator) of rubber or plas¬ tic-like material.
In particular oil fields a viscous petroleum type which may also be hot, for instance in the order of 150- 300°C, can cause a high degree of wear, particularly of the rubber or plastic-like stator. Since such a lowered pumping means can be situated at considerable depth, for example up to 1000-2000 m into the earth's crust, mainte- nance of such pumps is laborious, time-consuming and therefore costly due to standstill losses in petroleum production.
Known from the European patent application EP-A- 0168366 is an apparatus for pumping up oil wherein both the pump and the drive means are immersed in the oil or other liquids. When in this known apparatus maintenance of the drive means has to be carried out, the whole apparatus must be raised from the bore hole to above the ground surface, which is time-consuming and whereby oil extraction must be interrupted. This apparatus further makes use of balancing collars, whereby the bearing construction will be subject to wear due to sand or dirt occurring in the liquid, while this bearing construction is also complicated and play can easily occur therein. Further known from the German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A-3718863 is a screw pump for use in an automobile which, if only because of the dimensions, is not suitable for pumping up oil or other liquids from the earth's crust. The present invention provides an installation for pumping up liquids from the earth's crust, comprising:
- a screw pump lowered into the earth which is provided with a first screw member and a counter-screw member;
- drive means arranged on or close to the earth's surface for driving the screw member which in turn drives the counter-screw member; and
- transmission means for transmitting the drive produced by the drive means, which transmission means extend from the drive means on or close to the earth's surface to the lowered screw pump.
Because the drive means are disposed close to the earth's surface and the driving movement is transmitted to the lowered screw pump via transmission means, mainte¬ nance of the drive means can be performed easily and large standstill losses can be avoided.
The screw member and/or the counter-screw member are preferably provided with slide bearings, wherein lubrica- tion can take place by the liquid for pumping up. This also prevents the screw member and/or the counter-screw member from lying against the housing of the pump, so that wear is limited to a minimum. It is anticipated that the lifespan of a screw pump according to the present invention will amount to a minimum of 10,000 hours before maintenance thereon has to be carried out.
Two or more screw pumps are preferably lowered into the earth in series. If in this preferred embodiment both screw pumps are designed to produce a pumping pressure of 30 bar, in total 60 bar, it may occur that due to small differences in dimensioning of each of the screw pumps one of the two screw pumps produces in the first instance a pressure greater than 30 bar. After a time the pressure build-up by this first screw pump will decrease slightly due to a certain degree of wear, wherein this decrease is however compensated by the second screw pump, so that the total required 60 bar is maintained.
The present invention further provides a method for pumping liquids from the earth's crust, wherein one or more screw pumps, each comprising a screw member and a counter-screw member, is lowered into a hole drilled in the earth's surface, wherein the first screw member is driven close to or above the earth's surface and the counter-screw member is driven by the screw member and wherein the liquid is pumped up between the screw member and the second screw member.
Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows a sectional view under the earth's surface of a first preferred embodiment of an installa¬ tion according to the present invention for performing the method according to the present invention; fig- 2 shows a side view along line II-II of the installation of fig. 1; fig. 3 is a sectional view above the lower screw pump of a second preferred embodiment of the installation according to the present invention; fig. 4 shows a view in cross section of detail IV of fig. 1; fig. 5 shows a view in cross section of detail V of fig. 1; and fig. 6 is a view along line VI-VI in fig. 5. A first preferred embodiment of an installation 1 according to the present invention (fig. 1, 2, 5 and 6) contains drive means 8 disposed on the ground S and provided with a connecting flange 2 for connection to a drain pipe 3 for the pumped-up oil. Driven by drive means 8 is a tube, rod or shaft 4 which transmits the drive power to a depth of for instance 1000 or 2000 metres in the ground to an assembly of two screw pumps 5 and 6. Each of the screw pumps, for instance screw pump 6, comprises a driven screw member 7 and a counter-screw member 9 which is driven by the associated screw member. Screw member 7 and counter-screw member 9 are mutually adapted such that the liquid is transported between the helical grooves and helical ridges, while the counter- screw member follows precisely the movement of the screw member. The screw member and the counter-screw member are preferably manufactured from hardened stainless steel which can withstand temperatures of 300°C and is little subject to wear. It can further be seen, particularly in fig. 1, 2 and 6, that the drive rod 4 and the screw pumps 5 and 6 can be received in a closed housing which has for instance a largest diameter d of about 15 cm so that the installation can be applied in a bore hole with such a dimension which may or may not be provided with a cement- ed casing.
At a length in the order of magnitude of 1 metre a pressure of about 30-40 Bar can be produced by the above described screw pump shown in the figures, so that the petroleum can be pumped from a considerable depth, for instance 1000-3000 metres. When a number of screw pumps are placed in series in the manner shown it is possible to work at still greater depth.
The screw members and counter-screw members are preferably provided in each case with axial and radial bearing elements 30, 31, respectively 32, 33, 34 and 35 (fig. 5) of ceramic material which are lubricated by the petroleum for pumping up.
Fig. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of an installation for performing the method according to the present invention, wherein a first pump 10 is lowered to great depth while a second screw pump 11 is situated clo.se to the surface at ground level S. If maintenance has to be carried out on this second screw pump 11 the drive rod 4' does not have to be withdrawn completely from the bore hole.
The rights applied for are not limited by the above described preferred embodiments, but are defined in the first instance by the following claims. It is recommended that two or more screw pumps are lowered along the bore hole in interspaced manner, wherein the upper screw pump is situated at a minimum of for instance 300 metres below ground level and no pressures higher than 30 bar will occur in the installation.

Claims

1. Installation for pumping up liquids from the earth's crust, comprising:
- a screw pump lowered into the earth which is provided with a first screw member and a counter-screw member;
- drive means arranged on or close to the earth's surface for driving the screw member which in turn drives the counter-screw member,* and
- transmission means for transmitting the drive produced by the drive means, which transmission means extend from the drive means on or close to the earth's surface to the lowered screw pump.
2. Installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission means comprise one or more shafts.
3. Installation as claimed in claim 1 or 2, provided with one or more slide bearings for bearing mounting of the first screw member and/or the counter-screw member.
4. Installation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slide bearings comprise one or more axial ceramic bear- ings.
5. Installation as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the slide bearings comprise one or more radial ceramic bearings.
6. Installation as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first screw member and/or the second counter-screw member are manufactured from a heat-resis¬ tant and hard material.
7. Installation as claimed in claim 6, wherein the material is hardened stainless steel.
8. Installation as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein two or more screw pumps are placed in series under the earth's surface.
9. Method for pumping liquids from the earth's crust, wherein one or more screw pumps, each comprising a screw member and a counter-screw member, is lowered into a hole drilled in the earth's surface, wherein the first screw member is driven close to or above the earth's surface and the counter-screw member is driven by the screw member and wherein the liquid is pumped up between the screw member and the second screw member.
10. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein bearings for the screw member and the counter-screw member are lubricated by the liquid for pumping up.
PCT/NL1995/000157 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust WO1995030090A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP95916853A EP0757758B1 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust
DE69505653T DE69505653T2 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVEYING FLUIDS FROM OIL HOLE HOLES
AU23199/95A AU2319995A (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL9400708 1994-04-29
NL9400708A NL9400708A (en) 1994-04-29 1994-04-29 Method and device for pumping up liquid from the earth's crust.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995030090A1 true WO1995030090A1 (en) 1995-11-09

Family

ID=19864142

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL1995/000157 WO1995030090A1 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0757758B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2319995A (en)
DE (1) DE69505653T2 (en)
NL (1) NL9400708A (en)
WO (1) WO1995030090A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2216501A1 (en) * 2009-02-10 2010-08-11 BP Exploration Operating Company Limited Pump

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1653930A1 (en) * 1967-02-07 1971-10-07 Warren Pump Inc Submersible pump
FR2305615A1 (en) * 1975-03-24 1976-10-22 Houdaille Industries Inc DOUBLE SCREW PUMP
GB2004327A (en) * 1977-09-15 1979-03-28 Imo Industri Ab Hydraulic screw machine
GB2152145A (en) * 1983-12-14 1985-07-31 Bornemann J H Gmbh & Co An eccentric worm pump
EP0168366A1 (en) * 1984-06-20 1986-01-15 Imo Ab A device for pumping oil
EP0280294A2 (en) * 1987-02-27 1988-08-31 Eastman Teleco Company Test drill string for deep wells
DE3718863A1 (en) * 1987-06-05 1988-12-22 Allweiler Ag Screw pump
US4828036A (en) * 1987-01-05 1989-05-09 Shell Oil Company Apparatus and method for pumping well fluids
US5190450A (en) * 1992-03-06 1993-03-02 Eastman Kodak Company Gear pump for high viscosity materials
FR2696792A1 (en) * 1992-10-13 1994-04-15 Inst Francais Du Petrole Well pumping system, e.g. for oil well - allows lubricant injection from surface to pump rotor mounting

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1653930A1 (en) * 1967-02-07 1971-10-07 Warren Pump Inc Submersible pump
FR2305615A1 (en) * 1975-03-24 1976-10-22 Houdaille Industries Inc DOUBLE SCREW PUMP
GB2004327A (en) * 1977-09-15 1979-03-28 Imo Industri Ab Hydraulic screw machine
GB2152145A (en) * 1983-12-14 1985-07-31 Bornemann J H Gmbh & Co An eccentric worm pump
EP0168366A1 (en) * 1984-06-20 1986-01-15 Imo Ab A device for pumping oil
US4828036A (en) * 1987-01-05 1989-05-09 Shell Oil Company Apparatus and method for pumping well fluids
EP0280294A2 (en) * 1987-02-27 1988-08-31 Eastman Teleco Company Test drill string for deep wells
DE3718863A1 (en) * 1987-06-05 1988-12-22 Allweiler Ag Screw pump
US5190450A (en) * 1992-03-06 1993-03-02 Eastman Kodak Company Gear pump for high viscosity materials
FR2696792A1 (en) * 1992-10-13 1994-04-15 Inst Francais Du Petrole Well pumping system, e.g. for oil well - allows lubricant injection from surface to pump rotor mounting

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"silicon carbide or rubber-lined bearings: no lubrication is necessary", DESIGN ENGINEERING, LONDON GB, pages 20 - 24, XP000021360 *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2216501A1 (en) * 2009-02-10 2010-08-11 BP Exploration Operating Company Limited Pump
WO2010092320A1 (en) 2009-02-10 2010-08-19 Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited Pump
CN102317571A (en) * 2009-02-10 2012-01-11 英国石油勘探运作有限公司 Pump
EA019442B1 (en) * 2009-02-10 2014-03-31 Бп Эксплорейшн Оперейтинг Компани Лимитед Pump
US8985975B2 (en) 2009-02-10 2015-03-24 Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited Multistage pump suitable for use in wells
AU2010212637B2 (en) * 2009-02-10 2016-05-26 2228146 Alberta Inc. Pump

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0757758B1 (en) 1998-10-28
NL9400708A (en) 1995-12-01
AU2319995A (en) 1995-11-29
EP0757758A1 (en) 1997-02-12
DE69505653T2 (en) 1999-03-25
DE69505653D1 (en) 1998-12-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4580955A (en) Eccentric screw pump for the conveying of liquids from bore holes
US5573063A (en) Deep well pumping apparatus
CA2193519A1 (en) Downhole swivel
US5960886A (en) Deep well pumping apparatus
CA2934477C (en) Multistage centrifugal pump with integral abrasion-resistant axial thrust bearings
CA2149591A1 (en) Method and Apparatus for Downhole Sand Clean-Out Operations in the Petroleum Industry
US9470075B2 (en) System and method for direct drive pump
AU772668B2 (en) Improved pump
CA2075028A1 (en) Rotary oil well pump and sucker rod lift
CA3015763C (en) Electric motor and rod-driven rotary gear pumps
EP0757758B1 (en) An installation and a method for pumping up fluid from the earth's crust
US5951248A (en) Vertical configured pump
DE3572382D1 (en) A device for pumping oil
AU2010282441B2 (en) System and method for a direct drive pump
US8714935B2 (en) Method of running a down hole rotary pump
WO2001092673A3 (en) Fluid displacement apparatus and method
RU2123137C1 (en) Well pumping unit
CN1050651C (en) Rod-free screw-pump oil-extraction equipment
CN218913193U (en) Multistage magnetic force jet pump
CN2241241Y (en) Ground high-pressure water filling device for electric submergible pump
RU2724701C1 (en) Downhole pumping unit for bituminous oil extraction
RU2088737C1 (en) Turbodrill reduction gear
CA2245229A1 (en) Method and apparatus for reducing water in gas producing well
HU189694B (en) Intake works of liquids first for wells of high-temperature thermal waters
CA2285035A1 (en) Dual tubing system for producing wells

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AM AT AU BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LT LU LV MD MG MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TT UA UG US UZ VN

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1995916853

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1995916853

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 1995916853

Country of ref document: EP