Patent ID: 8680704
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: E21B,F03B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a wellhead coupled to a subterranean formation which supplies pressurized natural gas to a first conduit at a first pressure; a turbine configured to receive the pressurized natural gas from the first conduit and to induce a pressure drop in the gas as the gas induces mechanical rotation of the turbine; an electrical generator which generates electrical power responsive to the mechanical rotation of the turbine, wherein the turbine and the electrical generator maintain an exit pressure of the pressurized natural gas at a predetermined second pressure less than the first pressure; and a mechanical linkage between the turbine and the electrical generator, the mechanical linkage comprising a first hydraulic motor coupled to the turbine, a second hydraulic motor coupled to the electrical generator, and a closed conduit which accommodates a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid, wherein the first hydraulic motor rotates responsive to mechanical rotation of the turbine to initiate a flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid, the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid initiating rotation of the second hydraulic motor, and the rotation of the second hydraulic motor initiating rotation of the electrical generator.