Patent ID: 6412555
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A system for limiting the amount of water ingested into a petroleum extraction well used for extracting petroleum products from one or more geologic formations containing petroleum products and water substantially separated by a water interface, said system comprising:a production tube extending into the one or more geologic formations for extracting petroleum products from the geologic formation; one or more measuring devices disposed along said production tube, each said measuring device being constructed and arranged to determine the location of a water interface relative to a portion of said production tube, at least one measuring device being provided on said production tube for each geologic formation from which said production tube extracts petroleum products; and one or more valves disposed along said production tube, each said valve being constructed and arranged to regulate the rate of fluid flow through associated openings formed in said production tube, at least one valve and associated opening being provided on said production tube for each geologic formation from which said production tube extracts petroleum products, wherein each said valve is adjustable so as to decrease or stop the flow of fluid through said opening into said production tube when said measuring device determines that a water interface is close to said opening so as to prevent water from being ingested into said production tube through said opening.