Patent ID: 6494258
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream from a production zone to the surface through a wellbore said system comprising:a string of tubing positioned within said wellbore and extending from said production zone to said surface wherein an annulus is formed between said tubing and said wellbore; a separator positioned downhole within said wellbore and adapted to separate at least a portion of said gas from the remainder of said gas-oil stream as said gas-oil stream flows upward through said wellbore, said separator having an upstream section and a downstream section, said upstream section comprising: a tapered lower core having a diameter which increases upwardly from the bottom thereof whereby the passageway formed between said tapered lower core and said wellbore converges upwardly throughout said upstream section; and an auger secured to and along substantially the entire length of said tapered lower core of said upstream section of said separator, said auger extending outward from said tapered lower core substantially across said tubing string.