Method and apparatus for maintaining or restoring a decreasing production from a hydrocarbon or gas well

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining or restoring decreasing production from a hydrocarbon or gas well using the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust is utilized to displace or lighten the fluids in a well bore and increase the bottom hole pressure allowing the well to flow more easily with minimal or no damage to the formation that produces the hydrocarbon or gas. In another aspect, the present invention provides a means of purging and/or pressure testing production wells, pipelines, containers or vessels using exhaust gas. The present invention is a simple, effective, inexpensive and mobile means for maintaining or restoring a production well and/or purging and/or pressure testing of pipelines, containers or vessels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for maintaining or restoring decreasing production from a hydrocarbon or gas well comprising:
 (a) connecting an internal combustion engine to a wellhead associated with the well; and   (b) directing exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine to the wellhead by means of a delivery apparatus connected to the wellhead, wherein the exhaust gas is operable to displace fluids and/or increase bottom hole pressure and thereby maintaining or restoring decreasing production from the well.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising filtering the exhaust gas prior to entering the wellhead. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising boosting the exhaust gas prior to entering the wellhead to increase flow. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising cooling the exhaust gas prior to entering the wellhead. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising regulating flow of the exhaust gas using a compressor. 
     
     
         6 . A method for purging and/or pressure testing a well, pipeline, container or vessel comprising:
 (a) connecting an internal combustion engine to a delivery means and connecting the delivery means to an inlet associated with the well, pipeline, container or vessel; and   (b) directing exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine to the inlet, the flow of exhaust gas being operable to purge and/or pressure test the well, pipeline, container or vessel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising filtering the exhaust gas prior to entering the inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising boosting the exhaust gas to increase flow prior to entering the inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising cooling the exhaust gas prior to entering the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising regulating flow of the exhaust gas using a compressor. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for maintaining or restoring decreasing production from a hydrocarbon or gas well comprising:
 (a) an internal combustion engine having an exhaust; and   (b) a delivery means operable to be connected to a wellhead associated with the well such that a flow of exhaust gas is directed into the well, the flow of exhaust gas being operable to displace fluids and/or increase bottom hole pressure and thereby maintaining or restoring decreasing production from the well.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a filter operable to filter the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a booster operable to the flow of the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a cooling means operable to cool the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a compressor operable to regulate the flow of the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for purging and/or pressure testing a well, pipeline, container or vessel comprising:
 (a) an internal combustion engine having an exhaust;   (b) a delivery means connected to the internal combustion engine, and the delivery means is connected to an inlet associated with the well, pipeline, container or vessel such that a flow of exhaust gas is directed into the well, pipeline, container or vessel, the flow of exhaust gas being operable to purge and/or pressure test the well, pipeline, container or vessel.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a filter operable to filter the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a booster operable to the flow of the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a cooling means operable to cool the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a compressor operable to regulate the flow of the exhaust gas.