Abstract: An improved rotary machine of the invention may include a rotor with an impeller mounted thereon. A side cavity may be formed between an impeller and the housing. The rotary machine may be further equipped with an annular subdividing disc for segmenting a fluid flow in the cavity into a first fluid flow between the disc and the impeller, and a second fluid flow on the other side of the disc between the disc and the housing. The rotary machine of the invention also features a peripheral annular space formed in the periphery of the housing in the cavity at a location adjacent to a peripheral region of the annular subdividing disc. Importantly, this peripheral annular space is void of restrictions to circumferential fluid flow therein so as to alter the second fluid flow in the cavity in order to reduce pressure variations and flow disturbances along the circumference of the rotary machine. This in turn improves rotational balance of the rotary machine.

Abstract: An improved rotary machine of the invention may include a rotor with an impeller mounted thereon. A side cavity may be formed between an impeller and the housing. The rotary machine may be further equipped with an annular subdividing disk for segmenting a fluid flow in the cavity into a first fluid flow between the disc and the impeller, and a second fluid flow on the other side of the disk between the disc and the housing. The rotary machine of the invention also features a peripheral annular space formed in the periphery of the housing in the cavity at a location adjacent to a peripheral region of the annular subdividing disk. Importantly, this peripheral annular space is void of restrictions to circumferential fluid flow therein so as to alter the second fluid flow in the cavity in order to reduce pressure variations and flow disturbances along the circumference of the rotary machine. This in turn improves rotational balance of the rotary machine.

Abstract: The devices and methods for controlling flow through a multi-channel system deployed in a petroleum well are disclosed. The devices of the invention feature a manifold with a plurality of inlets operably connected to the passageways of the multi-channel system. Individual flows of the multi-phase petroleum fluid from the parallel passageways of the multi-channel system towards the inlets of the manifold are controlled by opening or closing of corresponding stopping valves installed on each inlet or group of inlets. After exiting the inlets through the stopping valves, the flows of the multi-phase fluid are consolidated and directed towards single or multiple outlets of the manifold and ultimately towards the outlet of the petroleum well. Individual opening or closing of the stopping valves has the effect of increasing or decreasing the total cross-sectional area available for producing fluid flow through the well.

Abstract: The devices and methods for controlling flow through a multi-channel system deployed in a petroleum well are disclosed. The devices of the invention feature a manifold with a plurality of inlets operably connected to the passageways of the multi-channel system. Individual flows of the multi-phase petroleum fluid from the parallel passageways of the multi-channel system towards the inlets of the manifold are controlled by opening or closing of corresponding stopping valves installed on each inlet or group of inlets. After exiting the inlets through the stopping valves, the flows of the multi-phase fluid are consolidated and directed towards single or multiple outlets of the manifold and ultimately towards the outlet of the petroleum well. Individual opening or closing of the stopping valves has the effect of increasing or decreasing the total cross-sectional area available for producing fluid flow through the well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubing system for transporting a gas-liquid flow from a well to a production platform or processing facility. It includes a dual pathway section between the well and the production point having a first tubing portion and a second tubing portion. The second tubing portion includes a plurality of parallel channels so as to divide the multi-phase flow into a plurality of flows through individual channels. This is done to reduce flow slippage of the lower viscosity portion of the flow, which may lead to inefficiencies in flow characteristics, and often, undesirable cyclical variations in pressure and fluid volume. This is especially useful in inclined portions of the petroleum flow pipe system and along hilly terrain. The first round tubing portion is used for transporting the gas-liquid flow as well as for maintenance purposes, such as for pigging, fishing or coiled tubing operations.

Abstract: The present invention is used in conjunction with a multi-channel system of a production string for deployment in gas, condensate or oil wells. An end-piece is placed at the entrance to such multi-channel system. It includes a semi-enclosed space helping to increase the proportion of gas phase entering the system at its bottom entrance. Increased proportion of gas allows lifting liquids and/or solids from the wellbore with greater efficiency. Examples of using the invention include wellbore water removal for gas wells with liquid loading problems, for solution gas drive or gas cap driven oils wells during their initial “natural flowing phase”, or during gas re-injection or gas-lift recovery operations for oil wells. It can also be used for gas-lifting water in water wells.

Abstract: The present invention is used in conjunction with a multi-channel system of a production string for deployment in gas, condensate or oil wells. An end-piece is placed at the entrance to such multi-channel system. It includes a semi-enclosed space helping to increase the proportion of gas phase entering the system at its bottom entrance. Increased proportion of gas allows lifting liquids and/or solids from the wellbore with greater efficiency. Examples of using the invention include wellbore water removal for gas wells with liquid loading problems, for solution gas drive or gas cap driven oils wells during their initial “natural flowing phase”, or during gas re-injection or gas-lift recovery operations for oil wells. It can also be used for gas-lifting water in water wells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubing system for transporting a gas-liquid flow from a well to a production platform or processing facility. It includes a dual pathway section between the well and the production point having a first tubing portion and a second tubing portion. The second tubing portion includes a plurality of parallel channels so as to divide the multi-phase flow into a plurality of flows through individual channels. This is done to reduce flow slippage of the lower viscosity portion of the flow, which may lead to inefficiencies in flow characteristics, and often, undesirable cyclical variations in pressure and fluid volume. This is especially useful in inclined portions of the petroleum flow pipe system and along hilly terrain. The first round tubing portion is used for transporting the gas-liquid flow as well as for maintenance purposes, such as for pigging, fishing or coiled tubing operations.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing or eliminating axial thrust in a rotary machine such as a centrifugal pump or compressor by altering the fluid pressure in a cavity formed between a rotor and a housing. The device contains a disk placed along the rotor for subdividing the fluid in the cavity in such a way that all annular gap leakage flow is channeled and pumped through the space between that disk and the rotor from the center of the pump towards the periphery. As a result, the pressure in the cavity is altered to reduce and control the axial thrust on the rotor which becomes independent of the wear state of the shaft seals. In another embodiment, the step of flow subdividing is achieved by providing a set of braking vanes along the periphery of the cavity for reducing the rotational speed of the fluid coming from the cavity as well as from the annular gap and a stationary disk placed along the interior wall of the housing for directing the radial flow of that fluid towards the center of the pump.

Abstract: A method and device for transporting of a multi-phase fluid flow in a pipe, wherein the flow is subdivided in a plurality of passages into a number of individual flows so as to reduce the difference in the flow speed between individual phases of a multi-phase fluid.

Abstract: A method and device for removal of production inhibiting liquid from a gas well, wherein a tubing string is placed inside the well to form a fluid communication path from the liquid accumulation zone near the bottom of the well to the ground surface. The diameter of the tubing string is sufficiently small (preferably between 1/16 and 1/2 inch) so as to define a high liquid-to-gas ratio two-phase flow, preferably capillary bubble flow along the tubing string in order to maximize the liquid head and minimize the gas loss in this tubing string, and to reduce or eliminate the additional restriction along the main gas production tubing generally associated with the presence of such tubing string. In some embodiments, the tubing string comprises a plurality of individual tubing channels for increased rate of liquid removal, each channel being of sufficiently small size so as to define a capillary bubble flow.

Abstract: During production of hydrocarbons, an oil-gas flow from a well bottom to a well-head is subdivided into a plurality of individual oil-gas flows which flow in a plurality of individual passages located side-by-side with one another.

Abstract: During production of hydrocarbons, an oil-gas flow from a well bottom to a well-head is subdivided into a plurality of individual oil-gas flows which flow in a plurality of individual passages located side-by-side with one another.