Apparatus and methods for conditioning well fluid from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir

Abstract

A downhole tool adapted to be connected to well tubing for extracting well fluid from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir. The downhole tool comprises a tubular mandrel, a well fluid contacting material, and a pair of screens. The tubular mandrel has first and second ends, and defines a mandrel bore. At least one of the first and second ends is adapted for connecting the tubular mandrel to the well tubing. The pair of screens is positioned within the mandrel bore, between the first and second ends, and contains the well fluid contacting structures within the mandrel bore. Each of the pair of screens has a plurality of openings, which are sized and shaped to allow the well fluid to pass through the downhole tool, while containing the well fluid contacting structures within the mandrel bore. The well fluid contacting structures define a non-linear path for the well fluid to pass through the mandrel bore from the first end to the second end. A method of conditioning well fluid from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir being extracted through well tubing is also provided.

1 . A downhole tool adapted to be connected to well tubing for extracting well fluid from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir, said downhole tool comprising:
 a tubular mandrel having first and second ends, and defining a mandrel bore, said first and second ends, at least said first end each being adapted for connecting said tubular mandrel to said well tubing;   a plurality of well fluid contacting structures contained within said mandrel bore between said first and second ends; and   a pair of screens positioned within said mandrel bore, for containing said well fluid contacting structures in said mandrel bore between said first and second ends, each of said pair of screens having a plurality of openings, said openings being sized and shaped to allow said well fluid to pass therethrough, while containing said well fluid contacting structures in said mandrel bore;   wherein said well fluid contacting structures define a non-linear path for said well fluid to pass through said mandrel bore from said first end to said second end.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said well fluid comprises oil, water, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said well fluid contacting structures are shaped as nuggets or spheres. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said spheres have a diameter of about ½ inch to about 7 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said well fluid contacting structures are made from metal. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said metal well fluid contacting structures comprise aluminum, copper, gold, silver, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said metal well fluid contacting structures comprise brass, bronze, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said well fluid contacting structures are pre-treated. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular mandrel has an outside diameter in a range of from about 1 inch to about 48 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said screens are spaced apart within said tubular mandrel by a distance in a range of from about 6 inches to about 4 feet. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular mandrel is a pup joint. 
     
     
         12 . A method of conditioning well fluid from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir being extracted through well tubing, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tubular mandrel having first and second ends, and defining a mandrel bore between said first and second ends, at least said first end being adapted for connecting said tubular mandrel to said well tubing;   positioning a plurality of well fluid contacting structures within said mandrel bore to define a non-linear path for said well fluid to pass through said mandrel bore from said first connector end to said second connector end;   containing said well fluid contacting structures within said mandrel bore using a pair of screens positioned in said mandrel bore, between said first and second ends, each of said pair of screens having a plurality of openings, said openings being sized and shaped to allow said well fluid to pass therethrough, while containing said well fluid contacting structures in said mandrel bore;   connecting said tubular mandrel to said well tubing; and   passing said well fluid through said well tubing;   wherein said conditioned well fluid reduces formation of paraffin deposits in said well tubing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said well fluid comprises oil, water, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said well fluid contacting structures are shaped as nuggets or spheres. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said well fluid contacting structures comprise metal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said metal well fluid contacting structures comprise aluminum, copper, gold, silver, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said metal well fluid contacting structures comprise brass, bronze, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of pre-treating said well fluid contacting structures. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said tubular mandrel is a pup joint. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of spacing apart said pair of screens within said tubular mandrel by a distance in a range of from about 6 inches to about 4 feet.