Patent ID: 6131660
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An apparatus for selectively lifting produced fluids, including produced hydrocarbons and a portion of produced water, to a ground surface and injecting, without lifting to the ground surface, the remaining produced water below the ground surface, the apparatus comprising:a casing having two spaced intervals and extending from the ground surface downwardly such that a first of said two spaced intervals communicates with a producing zone and a second of said two spaced intervals communicates with an injection zone;a first pump and a second pump disposed in said casing wherein said first pump is not drivingly coupled to said second pump and wherein one of said first and said second pump is an ESP, said ESP comprising a pump section, a seal section, and a motor;a packer disposed within said casing between said first of said two spaced intervals and said second of said two spaced intervals, wherein said casing and said packer are configured to permit the produced fluids to collect above said packer whereby the produced hydrocarbons and produced water segregate by gravity;a tubing extending from the ground surface downwardly within said casing, said tubing comprising a first tubing section, a second tubing section, and a third tubing section, wherein said first tubing section is coupled to said ESP, said second tubing section extending between and coupled to said pump section and said seal section, and said third tubing section coupled to said pump section and extending downwardly below said packer;a first inlet for permitting the segregated produced hydrocarbons and portion of the produced water to enter one of said first and said second pump; anda second inlet for permitting the segregated produced water to enter the other of said first and said second pump.