Columnar downhole gas separator and method of use

Abstract

A gas separator is provided including a tapered portion, the “bell section” and a wide portion, the “shroud.” The bell section resides on the lower end of the gas separator where it attaches to the production pipe. The shroud is substantially larger in diameter than the production pipe and allows mixed fluid and gas to enter through an open top. The gas separator is attached at the string of production pipe, so that some of the production pipe extends below the gas separator. A section of production pipe that is covered by the gas separator is perforated. Gas bubbles are removed from the mixed fluid by gravity, abrupt changes in direction, and perforations that restrict the flow area of the fluid.

1 . An apparatus to separate gas bubbles from a production fluid comprising:
 a bell collar having a means to concentrically attach a gas separator to a production pipe string;   the production pipe string having a set of perforations and extending below the bell collar;   a circular shroud having a first diameter extending above the bell collar;   the shroud having a top opening with a second diameter; and, wherein   the gas separator covers the set of perforations.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top opening is beveled. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a gas anchor located inside the production pipe string below the gas separator. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the gas anchor extends below the bell collar. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the production pipe string is closed below the gas anchor. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the gas anchor does not extend to the bottom of the production pipe string. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the gas separator is comprised of a bell section removably connected to a shroud section. 
   
   
       9 . A gas separator comprising:
 a bell collar;   the bell collar having a gas separator concentrically attached to production pipe string;   a gas anchor located inside the production pipe string;   the gas anchor extending below the bell collar;   the production pipe string extending below the gas separator;   the production pipe string being closed on the lower end;   a shroud extending above the bell collar;   the shroud having a top opening;   the gas separator covering a set of perforations in the production pipe string.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the gas anchor does not extend to the lowest end of the production pipe string. 
   
   
       11 . A method for separating gas bubbles from a mixed fluid, composed of fluid with gas bubbles suspended therein, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of sections of production pipe having a first diameter;   providing a gas separator with a top opening, the gas separator further comprising a bell collar and a shroud section with a top opening and a second diameter larger than the first diameter;   providing a set of perforations in the production pipe;   connecting the bell collar to the production pipe with the top opening facing upward;   connecting the production pipe within the gas separator, adjacent to the set of perforations;   lowering the production pipe and the gas separator into the mixed fluid;   separating gas bubbles from the mixed fluid as the mixed fluid flows through the gas separator and the plurality of sections of production pipe.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1   1  further comprising:
 providing a section of production pipe with a closed end below the gas separator.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 providing a pump;   attaching the pump to the production pipe string;   separating the gas bubbles from the mixed fluid by lowering pressure in at least one section of production pipe from the plurality of sections of production pipe with the pump, thereby causing the mixed fluid to rise.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 concentrically passing a gas anchor through the production pipe string;   attaching the gas anchor to the pump;   raising the fluid through the gas anchor with the pump.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 positioning a section of production pipe of the plurality of sections of production pipe below the gas anchor.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein:
 providing a section of production pipe of the plurality of sections of production pipe with a closed end below the gas separator.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 bottoming a section of the production pipe of the plurality of section of production pipe in a well.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 positioning the gas anchor above the closed end whereby a set of sediment particles that have accumulated in the production pipe are prevented from obstructing a flow of mixed fluid into the gas anchor.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising extending a section of production pipe of the plurality of sections of production pipe below the gas separator.