Patent ID: 6032743
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method for improving the economics of production from a producing hydrocarbon well by reducing lifting costs comprising the steps of:placing a casing string downhole through a hydrocarbon producing zone in a well borehole;placing a production tubing string extending downwardly through said casing and forming a casing-tubing annulus therebetween;placing production perforations and injection perforations in said casing string in upper and lower portions of said producing zone;placing a production packer penetrated by the lower end of said tubing string in said casing string between said production perforations and said injection perforations;producing hydrocarbon and water fluids into said casing-tubing annulus through said production perforations and allowing produced fluids to separate into a water head and produced hydrocarbon under the influence of gravity;placing a cage-ball valve system below a plunger pump activated by upward and downward motion of a rod string extending to the surface of the earth in said tubing string, said entire valve system being located in said tubing string above said production packer; andpumping water from said casing-tubing annulus above said packer through said cage-ball valve system into said injection perforations below said packer while producing hydrocarbon fluids to the surface.