Well production system

Abstract

A system and a method for producing fluids from a subterranean well are provided. More specifically, a pumping system and a method operative to utilize at least two downhole pump assemblies to produce hydrocarbons from at least two locations of a subterranean reservoir is provided, the pump assemblies being controllably adjusted to synergistically provide uniform drawn down from the wellbore.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A well production system for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
 at least one first pump assembly, for recovering the hydrocarbons from a first section of a wellbore, the first pump assembly operative at a first production rate,   at least one second pump assembly, for recovering the hydrocarbons from a second section of the wellbore, the second section being downhole from the first section in the wellbore and the second pump assembly operative at a second production rate,   wherein the first and second production rates may be independently adjusted to provide a substantially uniform drawdown along the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second pump assembly is positioned downhole from the first pump assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore is a horizontal wellbore having substantially vertical and lateral sections, connected by an angled heel section. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein both the first and second pump assemblies are positioned downhole from the vertical section. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein both the first and second pump assemblies are positioned in the lateral section. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second pump assembly is approximately positioned at least farther than a mid-point along the lateral section. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and the second pump assemblies are in fluid communication with a power fluid supply system and a wellbore fluid return system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pump assemblies comprise a pump. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the pumps is a jet pump. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the jet pumps comprise a venturi and diffuser for controlling the pump capacity. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the venturi and the diffuser may be substituted to controllably increase or decrease the pump capacity. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second pump assemblies further comprise a data-acquisition tool. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the data-acquisition tool is operative to receive and record bottom hole pressure and temperature from the wellbore at or near the pump assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second pump assembly is adapted to serve as a flushing tubing string and the first production rate is maximized to remove contaminants buildup within the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a wellbore within a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
 providing at least one first pump assembly in the wellbore for recovering the hydrocarbons from a first section of the wellbore, the first pump assembly recovering the hydrocarbons at a first production rate,   providing at least one second pump assembly in the wellbore for recovering the hydrocarbons from a second section of the wellbore, the second section being downhole from the first section of the wellbore, the second pump assembly recovering the hydrocarbons at a second production rate, and   adjusting one or both of the first and second production rates to provide a substantially uniform drawdown along the well.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the production rates are adjusted by increasing or decreasing the rate of power fluid driving the pump, by substituting internal pump componentry, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the internal pump componentry controls the fluid flow rates through the pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the internal pump componentry comprise a venturi, a diffuser, or both. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises configuring one of the at least one first or second pump assemblies to flush contaminant buildup in wellbore, and adjusting the production rate of the remaining at least one pump assembly to withdrawn the contaminants. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the production rate of the remaining at least one pump assembly is maximized.