Patent ID: 6277286
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
A method for separating a fluid from a formation into several fluid components in a well, said method comprising:feeding the fluid into one end of a mainly horizontal section of pipe or bore located in a down-hole, mainly horizontal section of the well;setting the fluid to flow at a speed through a length of the mainly horizontal section of pipe or bore such that the fluid components are separated and a boundary layer is formed between the fluid components, whereby fluid components with a lower density are formed in a top part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe or bore and fluid components with a higher density are formed in a bottom part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe or bore; andremoving the fluid components with the lower density and the fluid components with the higher density through separate outlets located at an opposite end of the mainly horizontal section of pipe or bore.