System for lifting water from gas wells using a propellant

Abstract

A system for lifting water from a gas well uses a propellant charge. The propellant charge with a plunger above is lowered into the well to a depth below the water level in the well. The propellant charge is then ignited to rapidly generate combustion gases that push the plunger upward to lift water from the well.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for lifting water from a well comprising: 
 placing a propellant charge in the well at a depth below the water level in the well;    placing a plunger in the well above the propellant charge; and    igniting the propellant charge to generate combustion gases, thereby pushing the plunger upward to lift water from the well.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of placing a bridge plug in the well below the propellant.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the initial step of simulating the combustion and lifting processes for a particular well to determine an appropriate propellant charge.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of igniting the propellant charge when the igniter reaches a predetermined depth in the well.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the igniter is triggered by a barometric firing device upon reaching a predetermined depth in the well.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the propellant charge and plunger are lowered into the well at a predetermined rate and the igniter is triggered by a timer.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for lifting water from a well comprising: 
 a propellant charge;    a plunger above the propellant charge; and    an igniter to ignite the propellant charge after the apparatus has been lowered to a depth below the water level in the well, thereby generating combustion gases and pushing the plunger upward to lift water from the well.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a timer triggering the igniter at predetermined time after the apparatus has been lowered into the well.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a barometric firing device triggering the igniter at a predetermined depth in the well.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the barometric firing device comprises a tensile stud.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the igniter is placed adjacent to one end of the propellant charge, and wherein the propellant charge burns axially to generate combustion gases at a predetermined rate.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the propellant charge has a substantially cylindrical shape and further comprises a coating inhibiting combustion of the propellant charge except on the end of the propellant charge adjacent to the igniter.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a bridge plug placed into the well below the propellant charge.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for lifting water from a well comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical propellant charge;    a plunger above the propellant charge;    an igniter to ignite an end of the propellant charge and thereby cause the propellant charge to burn axially along its length; and    a barometric firing device triggering the igniter to ignite the propellant charge after the apparatus has been lowered to a predetermined depth in the well below the water level in the well, thereby generating combustion gases and pushing the plunger upward to lift water from the well.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the propellant charge further comprises a coating inhibiting combustion of the propellant charge except on the end of the propellant charge adjacent to the igniter.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the barometric firing device comprises a tensile stud.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a bridge plug placed into the well below the propellant charge.