Method and apparatus for gas induced production of liquid from wells

• Main Authors: WATTS; JOHN D, CLEVELAND; JOHN T, CHAPPELL; WALTER L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.05.1978
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A method of achieving gas induced production of liquid from wells wherein the wells have a production tubing string extending to a production formation wherein such wells may have insufficient gas production for achieving continuous production of liquids from such wells. The method includes establishing a liquid accumulation chamber being located downstream of a gas accumulation chamber and being in communication with the tubing string, while the gas accumulation chamber is in communication with the production formation. Liquid from the production formation is produced by maintaining a condition of predetermined low flow of gas and liquid produced from the production formation. The method includes accumulating a predetermined quantity of liquid within the liquid accumulation chamber during the predetermined low flow condition, while simultaneously accumulating a quantity of gas within the gas accumulation chamber. Upon accumulation of the predetermined volume of liquid within the liquid accumulation chamber, a quantity of gas from the gas accumulation chamber is suddenly released into the liquid accumulation chamber, transporting a portion of the accumulated liquid from the liquid accumulation chamber upwardly through the tubing string for production thereof. Suitable apparatus for achieving the method of the present invention may include a flow control mechanism connected to the tubing string and cooperating with the tubing string to define the liquid accumulation chamber and the gas accumulation chamber. Movable orifice restrictor means may be connected to the flow control means and may be automatically movable between a first position establishing the condition of low flow and a second position establishing a condition of increased flow. The movable orifice restrictor means may be movable to the first position thereof by the mass flow rate of the flowing production fluid medium and may be movable to the second position thereof by urging means in response to accumulation of the predetermined quantity of liquid within the liquid accumulation chamber.