Patent ID: 7314089
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of pumping well fluids from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore includes a footed portion having an upper surface and a lower surface separated by a wellbore span, comprising: dissolving steam in the well fluids, whereby at least a portion of the steam forms a steam condensate; vaporizing at least a portion of the steam condensate, thereby forming a cooling zone in a tubular in the wellbore; cooling at least a portion of the well fluids at and adjacent the cooling zone in the tubular; and positioning a pump on the lower surface of the footed portion above the cooling zone and in a portion of well fluids containing a mixture of gas phase and liquid phase fluids, wherein the pump has a width smaller than the span and a gap exists between the pump and the borehole upper surface.