Patent ID: 6026901
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method for increasing oil production from an oil well producing a mixture of oil, water, gas, and/or solids through a wellbore penetrating an oil-bearing formation containing an oil-bearing zone and a selected injection zone, the method comprising:a) separating from the mixture of oil, water, gas, and/or solids in the oil well at least a portion of the oil and gas to produce a separated gas/oil portion and a first portion of an oil-enriched mixture;b) directing the first portion of the oil-enriched mixture through a bypass passageway having an outlet in fluid communication with a surface so that the first portion of the oil-enriched mixture bypasses a turbine in the oil well;c) driving the turbine with the separated gas/oil portion;d) driving a compressor in the oil well with the turbine;e) separating from the separated gas/oil portion in the oil well at least a portion of the gas to produce a separated gas and a second portion of the oil-enriched mixture;f) compressing with the compressor the separated gas to a pressure greater than a pressure in the selected injection zone to produce a compressed gas;g) injecting the compressed gas into the selected injection zone; andh) recovering at least a major portion of the first portion of the oil-enriched mixture and the second portion of the oil-enriched mixture.