IP Library Granted Patent US 10,794,149
Granted Patent B2
US 10,794,149 · App. 16/108,226 · Granted Oct 6, 2020

Artificial lift method and apparatus for horizontal well

Inventors: David Charles Daniel (Missouri City, TX); David S. Wesson (Ft. Worth, TX); John T. Hardesty (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
E21B34/16E21B43/122E21B43/123E21B43/126E21B2200/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,794,149
App. No.
16/108,226
Granted
Oct 6, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An artificial lifting system for bringing a formation fluid from a horizontal well to the surface. The system includes an outer production tubing that extends into the well, from a head of the well to a toe of a lateral portion of the well; and an extraction support mechanism extending in a bore of the outer production tubing.

Claims (31)

1. An artificial lifting system for bringing a formation fluid from a horizontal well to the surface, the system comprising:

an outer production tubing that extends into the well, from a head of the well to a toe of a lateral portion of the well;

an extraction support mechanism extending in a bore of the outer production tubing; and

a flow conditioner disposed between the outer production tubing and the extraction support mechanism.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the extraction support mechanism is an inner production tube that extends to the toe of the lateral portion of the well.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the inner production tube is not connected to a valve.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the extraction support mechanism is a pump.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a distal tip of the outer production tubing has no valve.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a distal tip of the outer production tubing has only a hole to communicate with an interior of a casing of the well.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a flow conditioner disposed between the outer production tubing and a casing of the well.

8. A method for artificial lifting a formation fluid from a horizontal well to the surface, the method comprising:

lowering into the well an outer production tubing and an extraction support mechanism, wherein the extraction support mechanism is located inside a bore of the outer production tubing and a distal end of the outer production tubing extends to a toe of a horizontal part of the well; and

lifting the formation fluid through at least one of a casing of the well, or the outer production tubing or the extraction support mechanism;

wherein the step of lifting comprises pumping a compressed gas through the extraction support mechanism, which is located within a bore of the outer production tubing, so that the formation fluid moves through an annulus formed by the interior of the outer production tubing and an exterior of the extraction support mechanism to the surface.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of lifting comprises:

lowering a pump within a bore of the outer production tubing and pumping the formation fluid to the surface.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of lifting comprises:

connecting another well having a high pressure directly to the outer production tubing or the extraction support mechanism to lift the formation fluid.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of lifting comprises:

using one or more flow conditioners placed inside the outer production tubing.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

applying a chemical treatment to one or more of a casing of the well, the outer production tubing, and to the extraction support mechanism.

13. A method for artificial lifting a formation fluid from a horizontal well to the surface, the method comprising:

lowering into the well an outer production tubing and an extraction support mechanism, wherein the extraction support mechanism is located inside a bore of the outer production tubing and a distal end of the outer production tubing extends to a toe of a horizontal part of the well; and

applying a chemical treatment to one or more of a casing of the well, the outer production tubing, and to the extraction support mechanism,

wherein the step of lifting includes pumping a compressed gas through the extraction support mechanism, which is located within a bore of the outer production tubing, so that the formation fluid moves through an annulus formed by the interior of the outer production tubing and an exterior of the extraction support mechanism to the surface.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

lifting the formation fluid through at least one of the casing of the well, or the outer production tubing or the extraction support mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of lifting comprises:

lowering a pump within a bore of the outer production tubing and pumping the formation fluid to the surface.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2026
From: OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.; OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.; GEODYNAMICS, INC.; TEMPRESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074532/0194 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2021
From: OIL STATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055314/0482 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16106099 · Aug 21, 2018
Provisional Application 62682466 · Jun 8, 2018
Related Publication 20190376373A1 · Dec 12, 2019