Basically the Otis pump runs a belt of oil absorbent material through the oil and water at the bottom of the well. The belt picks up the oil and leaves the water behind. The oil is removed from the belt at the top of the well, then the belt then continues in a loop back down to the bottom of the well and the process repeats. The process eliminates the double expense of pumping both water and oil from the well and then having to dispose of the water. Overall pumping efficiency should also be increased.
Abstract A method and an apparatus for producing a liquid phase hydrocarbon fluid from a producing formation are provided. One method includes moving an absorbing material through a well disposed in the formation. The absorbing material absorbs the hydrocarbon fluid in the well without absorbing a substantial amount of water in the well. The method includes removing the hydrocarbon fluid from the absorbing material. One apparatus includes an absorbing material configured to absorb the hydrocarbon fluid without absorbing a substantial amount of water. The apparatus also includes a drive assembly configured to move the absorbing material through a well disposed in the formation. In addition, the apparatus includes a collection assembly configured to remove the hydrocarbon fluid from the absorbing material. A method and an apparatus for selectively producing a liquid phase fluid from a formation are also provided. In such embodiments, the absorbing material described above may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
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