Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: A method for removing trace levels of oxygen from combustions products includes delivering fuel, oxidant and water into a direct combustion device. The fuel, oxidant and water are combusted in the direct combustion device to produce the combustion products. The combustion products include steam with trace levels of oxygen. The combustion products are then delivered to a scrubber for removal of oxygen. The scrubber includes a material capable of reacting with the oxygen.

Abstract: A method for removing trace levels of oxygen from combustions products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a downhole hydraulic pump for hydrocarbon wells that is installed and operated using coiled tubing. The downhole hydraulic pump is driven by a hydraulic power system positioned at the surface and connected through a closed loop system using multiple channels of the coiled tubing. The coiled tubing is formed of a combination of channels including strength component such as steel and having one channel that is at least lined with a non-metallic corrosion resistant surface where clean hydraulic fluid is carried from the hydraulic power system to the downhole hydraulic pump through the non-metallic corrosion resistant channel so to be less likely to pick up manufacturing and environmental particulates and corrosion by-products within the channel carrying the hydraulic fluid to the downhole hydraulic pump. The non-metallic corrosion resistant lined channel may comprise plastic pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coiled tubing installed and operated hydraulically driven downhole pump for hydrocarbon wells and especially hydrocarbon gas wells that are prone to produce fluids that choke gas production. The hydraulically driven downhole pump is driven by a closed loop surface positioned hydraulic power system. Should the hydraulically driven downhole pump become inoperative, it may be quickly retrieved and immediately replaced using a coiled tubing unit as compared to a workover rig. A coiled tubing unit is able to pull the coiled tubing string and re-install the string quite rapidly because the coiled tubing does not have joints that need to be disassembled or reconnected. The manpower needs and costs for replacement are considerably less and lost production of the well is substantially reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a downhole hydraulic pump for hydrocarbon wells that is installed and operated using coiled tubing. The downhole hydraulic pump is driven by a hydraulic power system positioned at the surface and connected through a closed loop system using multiple channels of the coiled tubing. The coiled tubing is formed of a combination of channels including strength component such as steel and having one channel that is at least lined with a non-metallic corrosion resistant surface where clean hydraulic fluid is carried from the hydraulic power system to the downhole hydraulic pump through the non-metallic corrosion resistant channel so to be less likely to pick up manufacturing and environmental particulates and corrosion by-products within the channel carrying the hydraulic fluid to the downhole hydraulic pump. The non-metallic corrosion resistant lined channel may comprise plastic pipe.

Abstract: A downhole pump system which allows the pump unit to be retrieved and re-installed through the production tubing while leaving the tubing, electrical cable, and the remainder of the components of the pump system in place. Preferably, the pump unit is run on a string of coiled-tubing through a lubricator which is positioned downhole in the production tubing. The pump unit includes a slip-joint at its upper end which (a) allows the length of the pump unit to be adjusted to compensate for the spacing between the seating surface and latching grooves in the nipple and (b) allows the pressures to be balanced across the pump unit during installation and retrieval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing (e.g. heavy oil) through a wellbore which passes through a permafrost layer. To maintain an acceptable flow temperature inside the production tubing, a heating element (e.g. electrical power cable having its leads short-circuited) is lowered down the production tubing to generate heat inside the tubing when electricity is supplied thereto. A sensor is provided to sense the temperature inside the tubing and activate a source to supply electricity to the cable whenever the temperature inside the production tubing drops below the desired temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solids from a substantially horizontal section of a wellbore which allows the use of coiled tubing as a workstring without requiring the removal of the production tubing from the wellbore. Guide tubing, which is left in the wellbore, extends from the surface through the horizontal section and is adapted to guide a string of slightly smaller-diameter, coiled tubing through the horizontal section. Wash fluid, e.g. water, flows through a nozzle on the coiled tubing and out through openings in the guide tubing directly into the solids to form a slurry therewith. The slurry is then pumped out of the wellbore through the production tubing and/or reenters the guide tubing through other opening(s) therein to flow to the surface through the annulus which exists between the coiled tubing and the guide tubing.

Abstract: A method and a pumping system for lifting formation fluids from a production zone in a wellbore which allows the pump unit to be retrieved through the production tubing while leaving the tubing, electrical cable, and the remainder of the components of the pumping system in place. A pump unit is retrievably positioned within the production tubing and is releasably connected to a downhole motor whereby the motor will drive the pump when electricity is supplied thereto through the cable secured to the tubing. This allows the pump unit to be both retrieved and installed through the tubing without removing the production tubing string, the motor, or the electrical cable from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desanding oil produced from a subterranean oil-bearing formation through a wellbore, the method comprising: flowing oil from the oil-bearing formation upwardly through a first tubing at a velocity sufficient to carry sand entrained in the oil upwardly through the first tubing; flowing the oil from the first tubing upwardly through a larger tubular section at a velocity sufficient to carry sand entrained in the oil upwardly to a perforated section positioned in a second tubing in the larger tubular section, the perforated section being positioned near the upper end of the larger tubular section; passing the oil through the perforated section and through a circumferential path around a dip tube positioned beneath the perforated section to centrifugally separate sand from the oil so that the sand is passed outwardly toward an inner diameter of the second tubing and downwardly to storage in a lower portion of the second tubing; and flowing the oil upwardly through the dip tube to a pump

Abstract: A liquid jet manifold arrangement for process separator vessels for removing solids such as sand and sediment which accumulate along the bottom wall of the vessel during operation. A plurality of elongated manifolds are arranged to extend longitudinally along the vessel bottom wall and each manifold is provided with an array of jet nozzles which are arranged along the manifold bottom side and top side, respectively. The nozzles extend in a direction such as to create a substantially vortical flow of liquid to entrain and urge the fluidized solids mixture toward the solid removal outlet opening in the vessel. The manifolds are supported in a standoff position from the vessel bottom wall by adjustable support brackets and a generally arcuate shield is supported above and spaced from each of the jet manifolds to redirect the liquid flow out of the nozzles to enhance the vortical flow pattern.

Abstract: Sediments collecting in process separator vessels for oil and gas flowstreams are evacuated by an apparatus which is connected to the separator vessel for circulating a slurry of separated liquid in said vessel and entrained solids fines out of said vessel, and separating the solids from the liquid and returning the liquid to the separator vessel. The apparatus includes a motor driven pump connected to cyclone separators and a variable speed motor control which maintains a substantially constant pressure of the solids free liquid returning to the separator vessel so that a substantially constant flow of liquid is supplied to a jet manifold in the separator vessel irrespective of changes in fluid density of the solids laden flowstream being discharged from the vessel.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator or slug catcher includes an inlet flow diverter for disposition in a separator vessel wherein the flow diverter includes a generally cylindrical inner wall member and a cylindrical cap having a depending wall spaced from and surrounding the inner wall member. The cap includes a transverse top wall which is spaced from the top edge of the inner wall to provide an overflow path for surges of liquid and/or gas. An inlet conduit extends to a tangential opening formed in the inner wall member for introducing fluid into an interior chamber. The inner wall member includes a transverse bottomplate which is provided with a series of openings around its periphery. Slugs of gas and two-phase liquid flow in a vortical manner in the diverter chamber whereby the gas is separated from the liquid mixture and some de-emulsification of liquid is accomplished through centrifugal forces. Deswirled liquid exits the apparatus through a bottomplate under the gas-liquid interface in the separator vessel.

Abstract: Sand is evacuated from horizontal and vertical wellbores utilizing a jet pump connected to the distal end of a concentric tubing string which is insertable in the wellbore and extendable from the earth's surface or from a seal member providing a crossover flow path between the wellbore annulus above the seal member and the inner tubing member of the concentric tubing string. The jet pump includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting evacuation of fluid into the wellbore to agitate and entrain accumulated solids for flow into a pump inlet cavity and to be propelled out of the pump by a portion of the evacuation fluid acting as a jet pump power fluid. The inner tubing member may be coilable tubing which is inserted into the outer tubing member after the jet pump has been lowered into the wellbore. An upper portion of the concentric tubing string may be made up of preassembled sections of the inner and outer tubing members.