US Patent 11994016 Downhole phase separation in deviated wells

A packer, disposed in a deviated portion of a well, seals with an inner wall of the well. A first tubular, extending through the packer, receives a wellbore fluid via first inlet. A first outlet of the first tubular discharges the wellbore fluid into an annulus within the well, uphole of the packer. A second tubular, coupled to the first tubular, receives at least a liquid portion of the wellbore fluid via a second inlet. The second tubular directs the liquid portion of the wellbore fluid to a downhole artificial lift system. A sump, defined by a region of an annulus between the inner wall of the well and the first tubular, receives at least a portion of solid material carried by the wellbore fluid.