Patent ID: 6202744
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
An apparatus for downhole separation of oil and water from a wellbore, comprising:(a) a first pump disposed above an oil/water interface in an oil zone of the wellbore and having an intake port in fluid communication with the wellbore and an outlet port in fluid communication with a first tubing that extends from the surface;(b) a second pump disposed below an oil/water interface in water zone of the wellbore and having an intake port in fluid communication with the wellbore and an outlet conduit;(c) at least one motor for driving the first and second pumps;(d) a first shroud having a first end sealed between the first and second pump intake ports and a second end extending past the first pump intake port in a direction distal from the second pump; and(e) a second shroud having a first end sealed between the first and second pump intake ports and a second end extending past the second pump intake port in a direction distal from the first pumpwherein the shrouds each define an intake zone surrounding the intake port of each pump and the intake zones are separated from each other.