Patent ID: 8371390
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A wellbore apparatus for use in removing hydrocarbon fluids from a wellbore positioned in a well portion angularly oriented from a vertical direction, the apparatus comprising: a wellbore packer positioned in an angularly oriented wellbore between a wellbore surface opening and a wellbore toe portion, the packer having a first through bore for passage of fluid from down stream of the packer upstream toward the surface opening and a second through bore for passage of a lift gas downstream from the surface opening toward the wellbore toe portion; a first pipe positioned in the wellbore in communication with the packer first through bore in fluid communication with the wellbore toe portion and the surface opening, the first pipe having a fluid inlet positioned downstream from the packer for receipt of production fluid; a second pipe positioned in the wellbore in communication with the packer second through bore in fluid communication with the surface opening and the wellbore toe portion for transfer of the lift gas from the surface opening toward the wellbore toe portion, wherein the lift gas reduces the density of resident hydrocarbons downstream of the packer forming a production fluid which enters the first pipe fluid inlet to artificially raise the production fluid toward the surface opening; and an extension pipe extending downstream of the fluid inlet toward the wellbore toe portion, the second pipe sealingly and fluidly connecting to the extension pipe preventing direct injection of the lift gas into the fluid inlet before injection of the lift gas into the wellbore proximate the wellbore toe portion.