Abstract: An improved plunger lift assembly, system, and method that can be used in all types of oil and gas wells including those of vertical, highly-deviated, S-curved, or horizontal bores is described. The plunger lift assembly can be part of a plunger lift system used to lift fluid formations out of a wellbore having a production tubing with a drift diameter. The plunger lift assembly may include a mandrel having a chamber, an elastic sealing mechanism, and a shift rod. The sealing mechanism can be disposed about an exterior of the mandrel. The sealing mechanism may be activated by at least one of pressure in the mandrel chamber and vertical force from movement of the mandrel. The shift rod can control fluid flow through the mandrel chamber.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a retention sleeve, and a flow restriction member. The sleeve member has an inner surface defining an opening for the flow of formation fluids. The opening includes a first section and a second section. The retention sleeve is configured to be affixed to the first section of the opening. The flow restriction member is not latched to the sleeve member and is configured to have an interference fit with the retention sleeve. The interference fit provides a force that is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on the flow restriction member when formation fluid forces acting on the flow restriction member are decreased or removed. The second section of the opening is configured to prevent the passage of the flow restriction member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plunger lift assembly, system, and method that can be used in all types of oil and gas wells including those of vertical, highly-deviated, S-curved, or horizontal bores. The plunger lift assembly of the present disclosure can be part of a plunger lift system used to lift fluid formations out of a wellbore having a production tubing with a drift diameter. The plunger lift assembly may include a mandrel having a chamber, an elastic sealing mechanism, and a shift rod. The sealing mechanism can be disposed about an exterior of the mandrel. The sealing mechanism may be activated by at least one of pressure in the mandrel chamber and vertical force from movement of the mandrel. The shift rod can control fluid flow through the mandrel chamber.

Abstract: An improved plunger lift assembly, system, and method that can be used in all types of oil and gas wells including those of vertical, highly-deviated, S-curved, or horizontal bores. The plunger lift assembly can be part of a plunger lift system used to lift fluid formations out of a wellbore having a production tubing with a drift diameter. The plunger lift assembly may include a mandrel having a chamber, an elastic sealing mechanism, and a shift rod. The sealing mechanism can be disposed about an exterior of the mandrel. The sealing mechanism may be activated by at least one of pressure in the mandrel chamber and vertical force from movement of the mandrel. The shift rod can control fluid flow through the mandrel chamber.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a retention sleeve, and a flow restriction member. The sleeve member has an inner surface defining an opening for the flow of formation fluids. The opening includes a first section and a second section. The retention sleeve is configured to be affixed to the first section of the opening. The flow restriction member is not latched to the sleeve member and is configured to have an interference fit with the retention sleeve. The interference fit provides a force that is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on the flow restriction member when formation fluid forces acting on the flow restriction member are decreased or removed. The second section of the opening is configured to prevent the passage of the flow restriction member.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a retention sleeve, and a flow restriction member. The sleeve member has an inner surface defining an opening for the flow of formation fluids. The opening includes a first section and a second section. The retention sleeve is configured to be affixed to the first section of the opening. The flow restriction member is not latched to the sleeve member and is configured to have an interference fit with the retention sleeve. The interference fit provides a force that is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on the flow restriction member when formation fluid forces acting on the flow restriction member are decreased or removed. The second section of the opening is configured to prevent the passage of the flow restriction member.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a retention sleeve, and a flow restriction member. The sleeve member has an inner surface defining an opening for the flow of formation fluids. The opening includes a first section and a second section. The retention sleeve is configured to be affixed to the first section of the opening. The flow restriction member is not latched to the sleeve member and is configured to have an interference fit with the retention sleeve. The interference fit provides a force that is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on the flow restriction member when formation fluid forces acting on the flow restriction member are decreased or removed. The second section of the opening is configured to prevent the passage of the flow restriction member.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a retention sleeve, and a flow restriction member. The sleeve member has an inner surface defining an opening for the flow of formation fluids. The opening includes a first section and a second section. The retention sleeve is configured to be affixed to the first section of the opening. The flow restriction member is not latched to the sleeve member and is configured to have an interference fit with the retention sleeve. The interference fit provides a force that is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on the flow restriction member when formation fluid forces acting on the flow restriction member are decreased or removed. The second section of the opening is configured to prevent the passage of the flow restriction member.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The improved free piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a flow restriction member, and retention means. In some embodiments of the invention the sleeve member has an inner surface that is contoured to provide a seat for the flow restriction member during lifting operations. The flow restriction member can be a ball held in the interior of the sleeve by retention means capable of overcoming the force of gravity but at the same time designed to release the flow restriction member when a rod of the plunger lift assembly contacts the flow restriction member. In one embodiment of the invention the retention means is a plurality of inwardly biased spring loaded held in place by a retention ring that is fittably received by a groove in the exterior surface of the sleeve. In other embodiments of the invention the retention means are in the form of a raised lip or a retention sleeve.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a plunger lift system that can be used in all type of oil and gas wells including wells of vertical, highly deviated, S-curved or horizontal bores. The plunger lift system has a ball-shaped plunger. Multiple ball plungers may be used for a single operation to lift liquid out of a wellbore. Certain embodiments further include a surface lubricator, associated piping and valve systems in communication with a pipeline, a surface control system and related equipment, a downhole bumper spring assembly and/or retrieval device having a magnet to retrieve the ball plunger of the wellbore if and when needed. The invention also relates to ball-shaped plungers and to methods for lifting liquid out of a wellbore employing such ball-shaped plunger. In certain embodiments, the ball plunger comprises a hole or a plurality of holes to aerate the fluid load.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The improved free piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a flow restriction member, and retention means. In some embodiments of the invention the sleeve member has an inner surface that is contoured to provide a seat for the flow restriction member during lifting operations. The flow restriction member can be a ball held in the interior of the sleeve by retention means capable of overcoming the force of gravity but at the same time designed to release the flow restriction member when a rod of the plunger lift assembly contacts the flow restriction member. In one embodiment of the invention the retention means is a plurality of inwardly biased spring loaded held in place by a retention ring that is fittably received by a groove in the exterior surface of the sleeve. In other embodiments of the invention the retention means are in the form of a raised lip or a retention sleeve.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a plunger lift system that can be used in all type of oil and gas wells including wells of vertical, highly deviated, S-curved or horizontal bores. The plunger lift system has a ball-shaped plunger. Multiple ball plungers may be used for a single operation to lift liquid out of a wellbore. Certain embodiments further include a surface lubricator, associated piping and valve systems in communication with a pipeline, a surface control system and related equipment, a downhole bumper spring assembly and/or retrieval device having a magnet to retrieve the ball plunger of the wellbore if and when needed. The invention also relates to ball-shaped plungers and to methods for lifting liquid out of a wellbore employing such ball-shaped plunger. In certain embodiments, the ball plunger comprises a hole or a plurality of holes to aerate the fluid load.