Abstract: There is provided a method of transporting fluid produced from a fluid source having a source pressure to a fluid destination having a destination pressure rating. The method has the steps of determining a compressor power requirement based on the destination pressure rating and an estimated rate of flow. A compressor having a power rating that is less than the determined compressor power requirement is provided. An input of the compressor is connected to the fluid source and connecting an output of the compressor to the fluid destination. The compressor is operated in a high volume mode for a first portion of a compression stroke path and in a low volume move for a remainder of the compression stroke path such that the compressor simulates the output from a compressor with higher power rating.

Abstract: A weighted intake member for a gas separator is mountable on a flow tube and defines an intake port. The weighted intake member includes a weight proximate the intake port. In a deviated well, gravity acting on the weight biases the weighted intake member toward an orientation in which the intake port faces a low side of the gas separation chamber of the gas separator. One end of the gas separator is for connection to a pump in a production well, and an opposite end of the gas separator body could carry a plug or a sub. The sub could be coupled to a section of production tubing or to a sump, and a plug or a check valve could be coupled to the sump. A sump could be provided in a gas separator with or without a weighted intake member. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling production from a hydrocarbon well that produces liquid and gas phases using well production equipment. A hydraulic power source supplies a flow of hydraulic fluid to a manifold. The manifold distributes the hydraulic fluid to each of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. A controller is used to optimize production from the hydrocarbon well by controlling the hydraulic power source and the speeds of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. The controller controls these components based on readings from a casing gas pressure sensor and a liquid level sensor relative to a predetermined casing gas pressure and a predetermined liquid level.

Abstract: A top sub, for connection to a tubing string of a production well, has a first engagement structure, and a mandrel has a second engagement structure. A coupling engages the first and second engagement structures. A housing covers an internal space of the tubing swivel, in which the coupling is located. The coupling includes a first coupling structure having a shape complementary to a shape of the first engagement structure and a second coupling structure having a shape complementary to a shape of the second engagement structure. One of (i) the first engagement structure and the first coupling structure and (ii) the second engagement structure and the second coupling structure has a clutch mechanism to enable the top sub to be rotated in a first direction relative to the mandrel and to rotate the mandrel with rotation of the top sub in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A weighted intake member for a gas separator is mountable on a flow tube and defines an intake port. The weighted intake member includes a weight proximate the intake port. In a deviated well, gravity acting on the weight biases the weighted intake member toward an orientation in which the intake port faces a low side of the gas separation chamber of the gas separator. One end of the gas separator is for connection to a pump in a production well, and an opposite end of the gas separator body could carry a plug or a sub. The sub could be coupled to a section of production tubing or to a sump, and a plug or a check valve could be coupled to the sump. A sump could be provided in a gas separator with or without a weighted intake member. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling production from a hydrocarbon well that produces liquid and gas phases using well production equipment. A hydraulic power source supplies a flow of hydraulic fluid to a manifold. The manifold distributes the hydraulic fluid to each of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. A controller is used to optimize production from the hydrocarbon well by controlling the hydraulic power source and the speeds of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. The controller controls these components based on readings from a casing gas pressure sensor and a liquid level sensor relative to a predetermined casing gas pressure and a predetermined liquid level.

Abstract: A mandrel harnesses torque from a progressing cavity pump stator to which it is coupled. Operation of the pump rotor induces a torque on the pump stator, and that torque is harnessed by the mandrel. A rate of rotation of the mandrel due to the torque from the pump stator is controlled, and the rotation rate is hydraulically reduced in an embodiment. A rotation in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the mandrel due to the torque from the pump stator is applied to a production tubing string. The direction of rotation of the mandrel could be reduced and applied to the production tubing string by a planetary gear system, for example.

Abstract: A top sub, for connection to a tubing string of a production well, has a first engagement structure, and a mandrel has a second engagement structure. A coupling engages the first and second engagement structures. A housing covers an internal space of the tubing swivel, in which the coupling is located. The coupling includes a first coupling structure having a shape complementary to a shape of the first engagement structure and a second coupling structure having a shape complementary to a shape of the second engagement structure. One of (i) the first engagement structure and the first coupling structure and (ii) the second engagement structure and the second coupling structure has a clutch mechanism to enable the top sub to be rotated in a first direction relative to the mandrel and to rotate the mandrel with rotation of the top sub in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: There is provided a method of transporting fluid produced from a fluid source having a source pressure to a fluid destination having a destination pressure rating. The method has the steps of determining a compressor power requirement based on the destination pressure rating and an estimated rate of flow. A compressor having a power rating that is less than the determined compressor power requirement is provided. An input of the compressor is connected to the fluid source and connecting an output of the compressor to the fluid destination. The compressor is operated in a high volume mode for a first portion of a compression stroke path and in a low volume move for a remainder of the compression stroke path such that the compressor simulates the output from a compressor with higher power rating.

Abstract: Downhole tubing rotators and related methods are disclosed. A mandrel harnesses torque from a progressing cavity pump stator to which it is coupled. Operation of the pump rotor induces a torque on the pump stator, and that torque is harnessed by the mandrel. A rate of rotation of the mandrel due to the torque from the pump stator is controlled, and the rotation rate is hydraulically reduced in an embodiment. A rotation in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the mandrel due to the torque from the pump stator is applied to a production tubing string. The direction of rotation of the mandrel could be reduced and applied to the production tubing string by a planetary gear system, for example.

Abstract: The invention concerns a section of tubing or other conduit having a flow passage. The flow passage extends through the tubing and incorporates a member extending through the passage and guides which constrain a fluid flowing through the flow passage to flow around the member along a path which is longer than an axial length of the flow passage in a fluid flow direction. The guides may define an annular path. The conduit may comprise an inside wall and the guides may comprise a combination of at least one spiral channel defined along the inside wall and the member may be a sucker rod extending along the flow passage.

Abstract: A pump is disclosed which has a housing with a upper end and a lower end. A conduit is defined through the housing between the upper and the lower ends. The pump includes an impeller within the housing, an inlet from the conduit to the impeller and an outlet from the impeller. Portions of the impeller may be distributed around the conduit. The pump may also include a motor coupled to the impeller. Portions of motor may also be distributed around the conduit. The outlet from the impeller may be independent of the conduit.

Abstract: A top sub of a clutch swivel for connection to a production well tubing string is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to a mandrel. The engaged position allows an anchor to be set in a well casing by rotating the tubing string. Tension can be applied to the tubing string to move the top sub to the disengaged position, allowing the tubing string to be rotated without rotating the mandrel. The anchor can be moved to a different position, without pulling the tubing string to the surface, by removing tension from the tubing string to move the top sub from the disengaged position to the engaged position, rotating the tubing string in an opposite direction to release the anchor, and resetting the anchor by again rotating the tubing string. The top sub may also include a sealed internal volume of the swivel remains constant are.

Abstract: Multiple-block downhole anchors and anchor assemblies are provided. A downhole anchor assembly for a tubing string includes an anchor block, a drag block, a biasing arrangement, and a mandrel to be coupled to the tubing string. The anchor block moves, with rotation of the mandrel, between a run position out of contact with a well bore and a set position in contact with the well bore to set the downhole anchor assembly in the well bore. The drag block contacts the well bore at least when the anchor block is out of contact with the well bore. The biasing arrangement biases the anchor block away from the well bore and the drag block toward the well bore. The anchor block is thus protected from the well bore by the drag block, and the biasing arrangement provides for automatic un-setting of the anchor block when torque is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid containing liquid and gas comprises a housing having at least one elongate channel. Each channel has an inlet end, an outlet end and rounded walls enabling the fluid flowing through the channel to flow substantially free of turbulent flow. Each channel defines a spiral path through the housing and acts to separate the fluid flowing through the channel into a gas-depleted outer portion and a liquid-depleted inner portion. The apparatus includes a liquid outlet port for the gas-depleted outer portion and a gas outlet port for the liquid-depleted inner portion. The housing may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the inlet end of the channel. The mixing chamber may include a surface the fluid impacts against. The apparatus may include a chamber at the outlet end of the channel. The chamber may have a gas outlet port closer to the outlet end of the channel than the liquid outlet port.

Abstract: A pump is disclosed which has a housing with a upper end and a lower end. A conduit is defined through the housing between the upper and the lower ends. The pump includes an impeller within the housing, an inlet from the conduit to the impeller and an outlet from the impeller. Portions of the impeller may be distributed around the conduit. The pump may also include a motor coupled to the impeller. Portions of motor may also be distributed around the conduit. The outlet from the impeller may be independent of the conduit.

Abstract: A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) an inner member comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated member and an actuation means axially interconnecting the first elongated member and the second elongated member; b) an outer elongated member longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner member; c) a first seal defined between the first elongated member and the outer elongated member; d) a second seal defined between the second elongated member and the outer elongated member; e) a first piston area defined at a first end portion of the outer elongated member between an outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the first elongated member; f) a second piston area defined at a second end portion of the outer elongated member between the outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the second elongated member; and g) a sealed chamber defined between the first seal a

Abstract: A pump is disclosed which has a housing with a upper end and a lower end. A conduit is defined through the housing between the upper and the lower ends. The pump includes an impeller within the housing, an inlet from the conduit to the impeller and an outlet from the impeller. Portions of the impeller may be distributed around the conduit. The pump may also include a motor coupled to the impeller. Portions of motor may also be distributed around the conduit. The outlet from the impeller may be independent of the conduit.

Abstract: Multiple-block downhole anchors and anchor assemblies are provided. A downhole anchor assembly for a tubing string includes an anchor block, a drag block, a biasing arrangement, and a mandrel to be coupled to the tubing string. The anchor block moves, with rotation of the mandrel, between a run position out of contact with a well bore and a set position in contact with the well bore to set the downhole anchor assembly in the well bore. The drag block contacts the well bore at least when the anchor block is out of contact with the well bore. The biasing arrangement biases the anchor block away from the well bore and the drag block toward the well bore. The anchor block is thus protected from the well bore by the drag block, and the biasing arrangement provides for automatic un-setting of the anchor block when torque is removed from the mandrel.

Abstract: A well tool for applying a pulling or a pushing force to an object in an interior of a well bore comprising: a) a inner member comprising an first elongated member, a second elongated member and an actuation means axially interconnecting the first elongated member and the second elongated member; b) an outer elongated member longitudinally moveably engaged with the inner member; c) a first seal defined between the first elongated member and the outer elongated member; d) a second seal defined between the second elongated member and the outer elongated member; e) a first piston area defined at a first end portion of the outer elongated member between an outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the first elongated member; f) a second piston area defined at a second end portion of the outer elongated member between the outer diameter of the outer elongated member and a sealed outer diameter of the second elongated member; and g) a sealed chamber defined between the first seal a