Patent ID: 7909101
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for hydrocarbon recovery in a well comprising a downhole portion, the apparatus comprising: (a) a capillary tube comprising a downhole end, wherein said downhole end is positioned within the downhole portion of the well; (b) a fluid introduced into said capillary tube, wherein the fluid is different from species naturally existing in the well and wherein the fluid is mixed with a hydrocarbon in the well to form a hydrocarbon foam comprised of the fluid and the hydrocarbon; (c) a pump operable to apply to said fluid a pressure sufficient to overcome a hydrostatic pressure in the downhole portion of the well; and (d) a valve attached at said downhole end of said capillary tube, wherein said valve is a one-way valve operable to open and thereby deliver the fluid from said capillary tube through the valve and into the downhole portion of the well only when the pressure applied to the fluid is sufficient to deliver the fluid into the downhole portion of the well.