Abstract: An improved CT-based artificial lift system illustrates multiple novel aspects, each of which offers reduced installation cost and/or reduced rates of wear and performance degradation. One such aspect arises in a first illustrative well embodiment that includes: a pump tubular that separates an annular conduit from a central bore conduit, with one of the annular conduit and the central bore conduit serving as a lift conduit and the other of the annular conduit and the central bore conduit serving as a gas injection conduit, and with the pump tubular having at least one port for gas to flow from the gas injection conduit to the lift conduit; a downhole pump having a plunger that is driven by reciprocating motion of the pump tubular to force a liquid flow into the lift conduit, the liquid flow receiving lift gas from the at least one port; and a gas control unit that supplies the gas to the gas injection conduit.

Abstract: An improved CT-based artificial lift system illustrates multiple novel aspects, each of which offers reduced installation cost and/or reduced rates of wear and performance degradation. One such aspect arises in a first illustrative well embodiment that includes: a pump tubular that separates an annular conduit from a central bore conduit, with one of the annular conduit and the central bore conduit serving as a lift conduit and the other of the annular conduit and the central bore conduit serving as a gas injection conduit, and with the pump tubular having at least one port for gas to flow from the gas injection conduit to the lift conduit; a downhole pump having a plunger that is driven by reciprocating motion of the pump tubular to force a liquid flow into the lift conduit, the liquid flow receiving lift gas from the at least one port; and a gas control unit that supplies the gas to the gas injection conduit.

Abstract: One illustrative artificial lift method includes deriving compressed natural gas (CNG) from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and employing the CNG to hydraulically drive a downhole pump that forces fluid from the well. An illustrative system embodiment includes an evaporator, a controller, and a downhole pump. The evaporator converts LNG into CNG, which the controller employs to alternately pressurize and depressurize a hydraulic line. The downhole pump includes a plunger that performs a pump stroke in response to the pressurization and a return stroke in response to the depressurization; these pump and return strokes operate to force fluid from a well. Further disclosed herein is the use of a virtual pipeline to supply LNG for such artificial lift systems and methods. It includes: liquefying natural gas to fill a transport trailer at an offsite facility; transporting the trailer to a site of a well; and coupling the trailer to surface equipment.

Abstract: One illustrative artificial lift method includes deriving compressed natural gas (CNG) from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and employing the CNG to hydraulically drive a downhole pump that forces fluid from the well. An illustrative system embodiment includes an evaporator, a controller, and a downhole pump. The evaporator converts LNG into CNG, which the controller employs to alternately pressurize and depressurize a hydraulic line. The downhole pump includes a plunger that performs a pump stroke in response to the pressurization and a return stroke in response to the depressurization; these pump and return strokes operate to force fluid from a well. Further disclosed herein is the use of a virtual pipeline to supply LNG for such artificial lift systems and methods. It includes: liquefying natural gas to fill a transport trailer at an offsite facility; transporting the trailer to a site of a well; and coupling the trailer to surface equipment.

Abstract: One illustrative artificial lift method includes deriving compressed natural gas (CNG) from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and injecting the CNG into the well as a lift gas that aids in conveying fluid from the well. An illustrative system embodiment includes an evaporator and a controller. The evaporator converts LNG into CNG, which the controller injects into a well to enter a lift conduit as a lift gas to aid in conveying fluid from the well. Further disclosed herein is the use of a virtual pipeline to supply LNG for such artificial lift systems and methods. It includes: liquefying natural gas to fill a transport trailer at an offsite facility; transporting the trailer to a site of a well; and coupling the trailer to surface equipment to supply LNG as needed for supplying gas lift in the well. Once emptied, the trailer may be returned to the offsite facility for refilling.

Abstract: Accordingly, an improved pumping system is herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the pumping system includes a subsurface pump, a tubing string, and a surface pumping unit. The subsurface pump is anchored downhole and driven by repeated upward and downward motion of the tubing string. The subsurface pump pumps fluids to the surface via the tubing string. The upward and downward motion of the tubing string is imparted by any suitable surface pumping unit such as, e.g. a beam pumping unit or a hydraulic pumping unit. This pumping system advantageously provides-for a minimal number of strings downhole, requiring at most only (1) casing and (2) the production tubing. Accordingly, the well may be drilled using a very slender hole, thereby allowing for sharply reduced drilling and production costs.