Abstract: A pad plunger assembly, for use in gas well tubing, includes an elongated mandrel having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the opposite ends, a pair of opposite end members each attached to one of the opposite ends of the mandrel, and a seal-forming pad subassembly disposed about the mandrel and between the opposite end members thereon. The pad subassembly has an outer exterior surface of an annular concave configuration formed by opposite end portions of the outer exterior surface being disposed farther radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel than an intermediate portion of the outer exterior surface is disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel such that a frictional seal which generates reduced friction is provided on the interior wall surface of the gas well tubing.

Abstract: A pad plunger assembly includes a central mandrel having externally-threaded opposite ends, collars defined about the mandrel inwardly adjacent to the opposite ends and having circumferentially spaced recesses formed in the collars, end members having inner ends with internally-threaded bores threadably removably attached to the externally-threaded opposite ends of the mandrel, and inner annular flanges attached to and extending axially from the inner ends of the end members and adapted to receive the collars such that, for locking the end members onto the mandrel, the end members are threadably screwed onto the opposite ends of the mandrel and then the flanges are crimped so as to force circumferentially displaced portions thereof into the collar recesses thereby locking the end members.

Abstract: A pad plunger assembly includes a central mandrel having externally-threaded opposite ends, collars defined about the mandrel inwardly adjacent to the opposite ends and having circumferentially spaced recesses formed in the collars, end members having inner ends with internally-threaded bores threadably removably attached to the externally-threaded opposite ends of the mandrel, and inner annular flanges attached to and extending axially from the inner ends of the end members and adapted to receive the collars such that, for locking the end members onto the mandrel, the end members are threadably screwed onto the opposite ends of the mandrel and then the flanges are crimped so as to force circumferentially displaced portions thereof into the collar recesses thereby locking the end members.

Abstract: A pad plunger assembly, for use in gas well tubing, includes an elongated mandrel having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the opposite ends, a pair of opposite end members each attached to one of the opposite ends of the mandrel, and a seal-forming pad subassembly disposed about the mandrel and between the opposite end members thereon. The pad subassembly has an outer exterior surface of an annular concave configuration formed by opposite end portions of the outer exterior surface being disposed farther radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel than an intermediate portion of the outer exterior surface is disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel such that a frictional seal which generates reduced friction is provided on the interior wall surface of the gas well tubing.

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.