Patent ID: 6209651
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in recovering gas and fluids from a well having a fluid zone of a first heavier density, another fluid zone of a second lighter density and gas zone of a lighter density than said fluid zone densities, which includes:perforated casing disposed in the well;production piping disposed in said casing;means for controlling pressure within said apparatus and the casing of the well;means operatively connected to said pressure control means for pumping fluids and gas from the casing of the well, wherein said pumping means includes a submersible pump disposed in said casing which is operatively connected to said production piping; anda tubular member surrounding said submersible pump for separating fluids of different densities, said tubular member having an enclosed first end disposed down hole in the casing and an open second end disposed up-hole from said first end, wherein said tubular member is of a diameter to be movably disposed within said casing and operably contain said submersible pump therein, and wherein said tubular member is of a buoyancy such that said tubular member generally floats above the heavier density fluid zone.