Abstract: The present invention is an improved superimposed standing valve and related method of harvesting oil and gas using a conventional rod pump equipped with the improved superimposed standing valve. The present invention includes a valve cylindrical sleeve disposed between a top cylinder and a main standing valve such that the valve cylindrical sleeve can slide along the top cylinder a fixed valve stroke. A plurality of openings are sealed and unsealed by the movement of the valve cylindrical sleeve. The present invention isolates the pump from the head pressure of the oil and gas inside of the tubing thereby enabling the standing valve of the pump to remain open on both the upstroke and the downstroke. As a result, the improved superimposed standing valve increases pump efficiency and reduces the risk of gas locking. Its cylindrical sealing surfaces also prevent solid formation particles from gravitating downward into the pump chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a superimposed standing valve and related method of harvesting oil and gas using a conventional rod pump equipped with the superimposed standing valve. The superimposed standing valve includes a donut disposed between a top cylinder and a main standing valve such that the donut can slide along the top cylinder a fixed valve stroke. A plurality of openings are sealed and unsealed by the movement of the donut. The superimposed standing valve isolates the pump from the head pressure of the oil and gas inside of the tubing thereby enabling the standing valve of the pump to remain open on both the upstroke and the downstroke. As a result, the superimposed standing valve increases pump efficiency and reduces the risk of gas locking.

Abstract: Described are a system, method, and apparatus for providing on-site election services. In one embodiment, a method for providing on-site election services comprises generating an identification of goods or services for election by a plurality of customers, each customer operating a respective wireless communication device, providing the identification of goods or services to the plurality of customers, receiving an election from at least one of the wireless communication devices, the election indicative of at least one of the goods or services in the identification of goods or services, tallying the elections received from the at least one wireless communication device, and sending a result of the election to the wireless communication devices, the result comprising an indication of the tally for at least one of the goods or services in the identification of goods and services.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high permeability granular material, which is advantageously useful in hydraulic fracturing operations for completing new wells or stimulating older wells which produce oil, gas or other fluids by appropriate sizing and mixing of natural or manufactured particles in a manner such that the material will, when used in a proppant layer, retain its permeability with respect to contacting or surrounding natural soils or geologic formations containing fines capable of plugging conventional permeable materials, when such fines are moved by gravity or fluid flow forces.