Abstract: Disclosed is a well bore reamer for enlarging, stabilizing and/or cleaning portions of a drilled hole. An internal clutch system comprising pins and springs cause a helical blade segment of the disclosed device to rotate about its axis in a clockwise direction during its movement in a wellbore. When the device is situated in a fixed position in the wellbore, rotation of the drill pipe causes the clutch system to lock the helical blade segment of device in place, forcing the reamer to rotate with the drill string.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well bore reamer for enlarging, stabilizing and/or cleaning portions of a drilled hole. An internal clutch system comprising pins and springs cause a helical blade segment of the disclosed device to rotate about its axis in a clockwise direction during its movement in a wellbore. When the device is situated in a fixed position in the wellbore, rotation of the drill pipe causes the clutch system to lock the helical blade segment of device in place, forcing the reamer to rotate with the drill string.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a lubricator assembly comprises a body made substantially of a polymer material. An end of the body is supportable by a cup. Upon plunger strike, the cup can travel upward in the lubricator assembly and cause the polymer body to deform and dissipate a force of impact caused by the plunger. The body can resiliently compress and expand to substantially an original form. Equalization slots on the body can enable fluid carried to the surface by a plunger to flow from the lubricator assembly.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism has an internal shock absorber apparatus that operates to absorb shock during plunger fall and rise, thereby promoting a more reliable plunger lift system. The present apparatus can be used in well applications with or without a bumper spring. With the added reliability of the present system, well applications could be implemented such that fewer restrictions are encountered by a plunger at the well bottom. In addition, added reliability can help reduce plunger damage, whereby plunger life can be extended. Similarly, the present apparatus can minimize damage and extend the life of well components.

Abstract: A plunger apparatus operates to propel one or more jets of gas through one or more internal orifices and/or nozzles out through an aperture and into a liquid load whereby a transfer of the gas into the liquid load causes turbulent aeration to the liquid load during a plunger rise. This action can boost the carrying capacity of a plunger lift system resulting in improved well production.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a lubricator assembly comprises a body made substantially of a polymer material. An end of the body is supportable by a cup. Upon plunger strike, the cup can travel upward in the lubricator assembly and cause the polymer body to deform and dissipate a force of impact caused by the plunger. The body can resiliently compress and expand to substantially an original form. Equalization slots on the body can enable fluid carried to the surface by a plunger to flow from the lubricator assembly.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism comprising radial peripheral holes extending outwardly from a center core to an outer surface through which a downhole gas may pass to clear an obstruction on the outer surface of the plunger, thereby enabling a self-cleaning action.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism comprises an adjustable bypass valve. Depending on well parameters, a user may desire to adjust the descent rate of a plunger in service. The present device allows the user to vary or adjust the bypass orifice to alter the flow of liquid through the plunger core.

Abstract: An improved plunger mechanism apparatus to increase well flow production levels. Efficiency of well flow is increased by a two-piece plunger assembly apparatus that is mechanically latched during lift, separates at the well top, and allows a bottom assembly to efficiently fall to the well bottom. The top plunger piece is held at the well top for a set time or condition and when released, its open internal orifice allows it to fall to the well bottom in an efficient manner, and when at the well bottom it mechanically latches, either via a magnetic or mechanical connection, to the bottom assembly.

Abstract: A bypass plunger having one or more internal shock absorbing elements and a variety of bypass orifice options is disclosed.

Abstract: A lubricator assembly for a well head of a gas-producing well includes an elongated rigid tubular body having upper and lower ends and a cylindrical interior chamber open at the lower end for receiving a leading end of a gas lift plunger at the well head, a removable end cap attached at the upper end of the tubular body, and an elongated polyurethane body having a cylindrical configuration and characteristics of a coil spring in that the polyurethane body can be resiliently compressed along its longitudinal axis and will spring back to substantially its original form. The polyurethane body is disposed in the tubular body between the removable end cap and the lower end of the tubular body such that upon arrival of the plunger at the tubular body the polyurethane body will be impacted by the force of the plunger and absorb the impact force.

Abstract: A lubricator assembly for a well head of a gas-producing well includes an elongated rigid tubular body having upper and lower ends and a cylindrical interior chamber open at the lower end for receiving a leading end of a gas lift plunger at the well head, a removable end cap attached at the upper end of the tubular body, and an elongated polyurethane body having a cylindrical configuration and characteristics of a coil spring in that the polyurethane body can be resiliently compressed along its longitudinal axis and will spring back to substantially its original form. The polyurethane body is disposed in the tubular body between the removable end cap and the lower end of the tubular body such that upon arrival of the plunger at the tubular body the polyurethane body will be impacted by the force of the plunger and absorb the impact force.

Abstract: A casing differential pressure based control method used in conjunction with a gas-producing well includes the steps of sensing current sales line pressure and well casing and tubing pressures and changing or switching an A valve between open and close states based on differences between selected pairs of these current pressures relative to preset minimum differentials between the same pairs of these pressures. Open Differential Pressure determines when to open the A valve and initiate gas sales. Open Differential Pressure is the preset minimum pressure difference by which the casing pressure exceeds the sales line pressure. Close Pressure determines when to close the A valve and terminate gas sales. Close Pressure is the preset minimum pressure of the casing.

Abstract: A gas flow proportioning and controlling valve system includes a pressurized air flow source, a flow control valve, first and second latching valves and a control mechanism. The control valve is capable of pneumatic actuation between fully opened and closed positions permitting and preventing gas flow through it and to selected intermediate positions to provide proportionately greater and lesser opening of the control valve and magnitude of pressure and velocity of gas flow through it. The first latching valve is connected to the source, control valve and a vent line and is switchable between an opened condition in which communication of pressurized air flow is only provided therethrough from the source to the control valve and a closed condition in which communication of pressurized air flow is only provided therethrough from the control valve to the vent line.

Abstract: A plunger arrival target time adjustment method for use in conjunction with a gas-producing well includes the steps of setting times of A valve open and close states, setting times of B valve open and close states where the time of B valve open state occurs separately from and in succession after the time of A valve open state, setting a target time for arrival of a plunger starting with opening of the well upon converting the A valve to the open state and ending with sensing of arrival of the plunger at an upper terminal position of the well, measuring travel time of the plunger from the opening of the well to the sensing of plunger arrival irrespective of whether the arrival occurs during the time of A valve open state or the time of B valve open state, and setting a new target time for plunger arrival based on a predetermined relationship of the measured plunger arrival travel time to the previously set plunger arrival target time.

Abstract: A flexible plunger apparatus includes an elongated flexible member having a pair of opposite end portions and a longitudinal length extending between the opposite end portions, with the flexible member being adapted to flex in transverse relationship to its length and to undergo free movement through a hollow tubing of a well. The apparatus also includes a physical barrier producing mechanism attached to and extending between the opposite end portions of the flexible member for substantially separating gas under pressure in the tubing below the lower end portion of the flexible member from a slug of liquid in the tubing above the upper end portion of the flexible member. The physically barrier producing mechanism is carried along the interior surface of the tubing in a substantially sealing relationship therewith as the flexible member undergoes free movement through the tubing of the well in response to the pressure of the gas and opening of the tubing of the well at the earth surface.