Pumping system

Abstract

Methods and systems for pumping a production fluid from a production zone to a collection point are described herein. The methods generally include disposing a tubing in the production zone of a wellbore; pumping the production fluid from the production zone through a first stage of a pumping system to achieve an inter-stage pressure sufficient for entry into a second stage; and pumping the production fluid at the inter-stage pressure through a second stage of the pumping system to achieve a lifting pressure sufficient to lift the production fluid to a collection point, wherein the second stage includes a jet pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of pumping a production fluid from a production zone to a collection point comprising:
 disposing a tubing in the production zone of a wellbore;   pumping the production fluid from the production zone through a first stage of a pumping system to achieve an inter-stage pressure sufficient for entry into a second stage; and   pumping the production fluid at the inter-stage pressure through a second stage of the pumping system to achieve a lifting pressure sufficient to lift the production fluid to a collection point, the second stage comprises a jet pump and wherein the first stage pump is selected and operated so that a first stage dynamic head is at least 110% of the total dynamic head of the first stage pump absent the second stage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the jet pump is selected and operated so that the first stage pump is choked and operating in its recommended operating range. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage comprises a first stage pump that varies from the jet pump. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage pump is selected from centrifugal pumps, rotary pumps and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A staged pumping system for producing a fluid from a subterranean geological formation, wherein the pumping system is disposed within a well via tubing and wherein the pumping system comprises:
 a centrifugal pump assembly comprising a motor section and a centrifugal pump section, wherein the centrifugal pump, in operation, transfers the production fluid from the subterranean geological formation; and   a jet pump assembly comprising a nozzle, suction chamber and check valve disposed below the nozzle, wherein the jet pump assembly, in operation, receives the production fluid from the centrifugal pump assembly and lifts the production fluid to a collection point; and   a single seat, wherein the seat, in operation secures the jet pump assembly thereon.   
     
     
         6 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the subterranean geological formation is a subsea formation. 
     
     
         7 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the centrifugal pump assembly, in operation, provides a total dynamic head of at least 110% of the total dynamic head of the centrifugal pump assembly absent the second stage. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the pumping system is part of a lift system. 
     
     
         9 . The lift system of  claim 8  further comprising a production packer disposed within an annulus above the jet pump assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The lift system of  claim 8 , wherein the production fluid comprises gas and liquid and the lift system further comprises a production packer disposed within an annulus below the jet pump assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the pumping system further comprises a gas separator, a gas handling device or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 5 , wherein the pumping system further comprises a tandem gas separator. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 5  further comprising a fallback preventer disposed above the jet pump assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 14 , wherein the fallback preventer comprises an automatic shutoff valve. 
     
     
         16 . A staged pumping system for producing a fluid from a subterranean geological formation, wherein the pumping system is disposed within a well via tubing and wherein the pumping system comprises:
 a centrifugal pump assembly comprising a motor section and a centrifugal pump section, wherein the centrifugal pump, in operation, transfers the production fluid from the subterranean geological formation; and   a jet pump assembly comprising a nozzle, suction chamber and check valve disposed below the nozzle, wherein the jet pump assembly, in operation, receives the production fluid from the centrifugal pump assembly and lifts the production fluid to a collection point; and wherein the centrifugal pump assembly is, in operation, controlled by a variable speed drive operated in current mode.   
     
     
         17 . A staged pumping system for producing a fluid from a subterranean geological formation, wherein the pumping system is disposed within a well via tubing and wherein the pumping system comprises:
 a first stage pump assembly, wherein the first stage pump assembly, in operation, transfers the production fluid from the subterranean geological formation; and   a jet pump assembly comprising a nozzle, suction chamber and check valve disposed below the nozzle, wherein the jet pump assembly, in operation, receives the production fluid from the centrifugal pump assembly and lifts the production fluid to a collection point; and   a fallback preventer disposed above the jet pump assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the first stage pump assembly is selected from rotary pumps, centrifugal pumps and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the fallback preventer comprises an automatic diverter valve. 
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the pumping system is part of an artificial lift system and wherein the lift system further comprises a production packer disposed within an annulus above the jet pump assembly.