Patent ID: 7546870

Claim:
A method for removing a produced liquid from a gas well extending from an earth surface through a subterranean gas-bearing formation, the method comprising: a) powering a subterranean pump positioned in the gas well below a produced liquid level with a power fluid liquid, which is a vapor at a formation temperature at the depth of the subterranean pump and a liquid at the earth surface temperature; b) supplying the power fluid liquid to the subterranean pump through a pipe extending upwardly from the subterranean pump to the earth surface, the power fluid liquid being pressurized to a pressure greater than the pressure in the gas well at the depth of the subterranean pump; c) pumping the produced liquid from the gas well with the subterranean pump; d) recovering power fluid liquid discharged from the subterranean pump; e) vaporizing the recovered power fluid liquid in the gas well to produce the power fluid vapor; f) recovering the power fluid vapor to the earth surface; and, g) condensing the power fluid vapor to produce the power fluid liquid for return to the pipe extending upwardly from the subterranean pump.