Wells – Processes – Vibrating the earth or material in or being placed in the...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-09
2001-05-15
Bagnell, David (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Vibrating the earth or material in or being placed in the...
C166S060000, C166S066500, C166S177200, C340S854600, C340S854800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230799
ABSTRACT:
This invention pertains generally to downhole apparatus for enhancing the flow of fluid in a hydrocarbon producing well and, more particularly, to downhole apparatus for generating ultrasonic energy to assist secondary recovery of fluid in a hydrocarbon producing well.
Downhole tools have been provided for supplying ultrasonic energy to oil in a bore hole to facilitate the extraction of the oil from the well. Such exposure of the oil to ultrasonic energy has been found to create a reduction in the viscosity of the oil. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,109,922 and 5,344,532. Unfortunately, such tools suffer from a number of disadvantages. The application of high intensity ultrasound has been limited due to the low energy density of the drive materials. The uniform application of the ultrasound to all of the bore hole fluid has also proven difficult. Any reduction in the viscosity of the bore hole fluid due solely to the ultrasound generated by such tools is typically temporary. Some of such tools have not proven to be reliable and resistant to wear in a downhole temperature environment. There is, therefore, a need for a new and improved downhole tool which overcomes these disadvantages.
In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic downhole radiator and method for reducing the viscosity of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid such as oil in a bore hole so as to improve production.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic downhole radiator and method of the above character which utilizes a magnetostrictive transducer.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic downhole radiator and method of the above character in which a surfactant solution is supplied to the bore hole for facilitating the reduction in oil viscosity.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic downhole radiator and method of the above character in which a base solution is supplied to the bore hole for facilitating the reduction in oil viscosity.
Another object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic downhole radiator and method of the above character in which a base solution is created from the produced water down hole by electrolysis for facilitating the reduction in oil viscosity.
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Fraim Michael L.
Slaughter Julie C.
Bagnell David
Etrema Products, Inc.
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Test LLP
Walker Zakiya
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