Hydrocarbon production apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for use in a hydrocarbon production well that includes a casing extending from a segment of the production well to a wellhead. A production conduit extends inside the casing, from a first end in the hydrocarbon production well to a second end at the wellhead. A receptacle includes a bottom spaced from the first end of the production conduit and at least one sidewall extending around a portion of the production conduit proximal the first end such that the receptacle extends around the first end of the production conduit. The receptacle includes an opening for liquid to pass into the receptacle to separate liquids from gases. A submersible pump is disposed in the production well and includes a motor outside the receptacle and coupled to a pump body inside the receptacle to pump the liquid from a pump inlet in the receptacle, through the production conduit to the second end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a hydrocarbon production well that includes a production well casing that extends from a segment of the hydrocarbon production well to a wellhead, the apparatus comprising:
 a production conduit extending inside the production well casing, from a first end located within the hydrocarbon production well to a second end at the wellhead;   a receptacle including a receptacle bottom spaced from the first end of the production conduit and at least one receptacle sidewall extending around a portion of the production conduit proximal the first end such that the receptacle extends around the first end of the production conduit, the receptacle including at least one opening therein for the passage of liquid into the receptacle to facilitate separation of the liquids from gases in the hydrocarbon production well; and   a submersible pump disposed in the hydrocarbon production well and comprising a motor disposed outside the receptacle and coupled to a pump body disposed inside the receptacle to pump the liquid from a pump inlet in the receptacle into the production conduit and through the production conduit to the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump body is coupled to the motor by a coupling that extends through the receptacle bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein fluid in the hydrocarbon production well is not in fluid communication with the liquid in the receptacle through the receptacle bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an inwardly extending flange that extends from an upper edge of the receptacle sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the inwardly extending flange extends inwardly to the production conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the inwardly extending flange includes at least one opening to facilitate the flow of liquid into the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle sidewall is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle sidewall is generally concentric with the production conduit 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle sidewall is generally concentric with the production well casing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a top of the receptacle is open to facilitate the flow of liquid into the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle sidewall is comprised of a top portion of the segment of the hydrocarbon production well and the bottom is comprised of a sealing element disposed in the segment. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the segment of the hydrocarbon production well includes openings between the sealing element and a bottom of the production well casing to facilitate the flow of fluid from the segment, around the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle sidewall is comprised of a portion of a pipe disposed in the production well casing and the bottom is comprised of a sealing element disposed in the pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the pipe is coupled to the production well casing by at least one packing element. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the pipe includes openings disposed between the sealing element and the at least one packing element to facilitate the flow fluid from the segment, around the receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is insulated to reduce heat transfer through the receptacle, to the liquid in the receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle bottom is insulated to reduce heat transfer through the receptacle bottom, to the liquid in the receptacle.