Patent ID: 6059040
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method for increasing hydrocarbon production from a well, said well having a downhole pressure, having a reservoir, having an outlet, comprising the steps of:installing an apparatus within a tubing section of the well above a hermetic sealing means within the tubing section;creating a zone of decreased gaseous fluid pressure within said apparatus by increasing an upward velocity of a gaseous fluid upwardly flowing within said apparatus;delivering a downstream hydrocarbon liquid from an outer wall of said tubing section to said upwardly flowing gaseous fluid within said apparatus;dispersing said liquid into small liquid droplets within said apparatus within said zone of decreased gaseous fluid pressure by mixing together said liquid and said upwardly flowing gaseous fluid;lifting said small liquid droplets upwardly to the outlet of said well;whereby decreasing the downhole pressure of said well causes an increasing of an inflow of liquid from the reservoir of said well into and through said apparatus, and out of said well.