Device and method of enhancing production of hydrocarbons

Abstract

A device and an associated method, of enhancing production of hydrocarbons from a wellbore by the use of a device, where the device is arranged in a side pocket mandrel. The method, and associated device, includes means for allowing a fraction of a main production flow to enter a first flow passage ( 10 ) in the device through an inlet ( 11 ) and to mix with the fluid from a second flow passage ( 20 ) in the device, before returning the mixed flow to the main production flow.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A device for enhancing the production of hydrocarbons in a wellbore, comprising; an outer housing ( 1 ) comprising a first internal flow passage ( 10 ) and a second internal flow passage ( 20 ), wherein the two internal flow passages ( 10 ,  20 ) comprise separate inlets ( 11 , 21 ) and a common outlet ( 12 ), wherein the first flow passage ( 10 ) is fluidly connected to the inlet ( 11 ) of the first flow passage ( 10 ) and in fluid communication with a main production flow from a wellbore, wherein the device comprises means for feeding fluid into the second flow passage ( 20 ) through the inlet ( 21 ) of the second flow passage ( 20 ), and wherein the second flow passage ( 20 ) is leading to an ejector shaped part ( 1   a ) of the flow passages ( 10 ,  20 ), forming an internal outlet ( 22 ) of the second flow passage ( 20 ) ending in the common outlet ( 12 ), where the device and flow passages ( 10 , 20 ) are such configured that a fluid in the second flow passage ( 20 ) acts as a driving fluid in the ejector shaped part ( 1   a ) in relation to the fluid in the first flow passage ( 10 ), and then out through the common outlet ( 12 ), characterized in that the device is arranged in a side pocket mandrel and is configured for feeding a fraction of the production flow from the wellbore into the first flow passage ( 10 ), and to mix the fraction of the production flow with the fluid from the second flow passage ( 20 ) in the device, before the mixed flow is returned to the main production flow, wherein the second flow passage ( 20 ) comprises a pressure operated valve device ( 30 ), downstream of which valve device ( 30 ) the second flow passage ( 20 ) leads to the ejector shaped part ( 1   a ) of the flow passages ( 10 ,  20 ). 
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first passage ( 10 ) at the internal outlet ( 22 ) of the second passage ( 20 ) is configured such that a suction pressure is created in the fluid in the first flow passage ( 10 ) when fluid in the second flow passage ( 20 ) is flowing through the ejector shaped part ( 1   a ) and out of the internal outlet ( 22 ) of the second flow passage ( 20 ). 
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the first flow passage ( 10 ), downstream of the internal outlet ( 22 ) of the second flow passage ( 20 ), is formed with increasing diameter towards the common outlet ( 12 ) of the device. 
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the common outlet ( 12 ) comprises at least one or several outlets. 
     
     
         17 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the internal outlet ( 22 ) of the second flow passage ( 20 ) is arranged centrally within the first flow passage ( 10 ). 
     
     
         18 . Device according to  claim 17 , wherein the second flow passage ( 20 ) in at least a part is arranged within the first flow passage ( 10 ). 
     
     
         19 . Device according  claim 18 , wherein there are several inlets ( 11 ) to the first flow passage ( 10 ). 
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 19 , wherein the outer housing ( 1 ) comprises an internal sleeve element ( 3 ), forming an annular space for the first flow passage ( 10 ), and the inner space of the sleeve element ( 3 ) forms at least a part of the second flow passage ( 20 ). 
     
     
         21 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein the pressure operated valve device comprises a valve seat ( 23 ) formed by a surface of the sleeve element ( 3 ) and a valve element ( 31 ) is arranged within the sleeve element ( 3 ) and moveably in the axial direction of the sleeve element ( 3 ), where the valve element ( 31 ) comprises an internal flow passage ( 32 ) forming part of the second flow passage ( 20 ). 
     
     
         22 . Device according to  claim 21 , wherein a fluid within the first flow passage ( 10 ) is a well fluid, and a fluid within the second flow passage ( 20 ) is an injection fluid. 
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the injection fluid is a gas and or water. 
     
     
         24 . Method of enhancing production of hydrocarbons from a wellbore, characterized in that the method includes the steps of; providing a device according to claim  1 , allowing a fraction of a main production flow to enter a first flow passage ( 10 ) through an inlet ( 11 ) and to mix with the fluid from a second flow passage ( 20 ), before returning the mixed flow to the main production flow.