Abstract: A traveling valve assembly for a downhole pump includes a traveling valve housing comprising a shouldered lower section; a valve seat within the traveling valve housing and adjacent to the shouldered lower section; a traveling valve cage insert within the traveling valve housing and adjacent to the valve seat; and a valve ball adjacent to the valve seat and within the traveling valve cage insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve rod guide which acts as a sand diverter for pushing or expelling sand to the outside of the pump, thereby reducing sand that otherwise have settled in a down-hole pump.

Abstract: A device and method for inhibiting particle (e.g., sand) accumulation on down hole equipment, such as an ESP, particularly when the equipment is not in use. The device and methods permit the equipment to start and stop with fewer break downs and at greater efficiency. The device includes a central tubular section connecting the equipment to the production tubing string. The tubular section is surrounded by an annulus and a number of ports in the tubular section angled to allow fluid communication between the tubular section and the annulus during operation, but prevent particles from flowing from the annulus into the tubular section when not in use. A check valve between the tube and ESP assists in isolating the ESP from sand.

Abstract: Spectacles with a built-in computer that include a curvilinear frame that is defined by a frontal anterior face with opaque panels of high impact materials and another posterior counter-front face. This frame is linked in a solidarity manner with a set of temples that are prolongations on each side of the frame. The frame contains at least two peripheral visors, one upper visor and one lower visor, distant from each other, that define an enclosure together with the concave posterior counter-front face of the frame. This enclosure contains a set of elements defined by: a central printed circuit block, a cooling block, a battery and coolant circulation conduits. In collaboration with the aforementioned elements, the enclosure also contains: at least one LED screen and a convex lens with a bridge that supports the frame on the user's nose.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing sand or other particulate from well fracturing return water are disclosed. In a sand separator box, a barrier element divides the tank into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Particulate-laden return water flows through a gas separator and then into the upper compartment of the box. The barrier element allows the water in the upper compartment to pass into the lower compartment while keeping the sand or particulate in the upper compartment. As water accumulates in the lower compartment, it is pumped out to storage tanks or back to the well for reuse.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body (12) configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First (28a) and second (28b) flow paths are provided between the upper opening (22) and the lower opening (24) in the body, and a flow diverter (34) is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device (31) in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a down-hole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.

Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for removing debris in a pumping system. The apparatus includes a valve rod, a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component is composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. The cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. The apparatus can include a carbide ring that prevents solids from traveling further down onto the pump plunger section. The carbide ring can incorporate ports that feed into a main channel flow. The apparatus can include a top plunger adapter capable of connecting with a sucker rod.

Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for evacuating debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus is configured for use with a valve rod and has a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The apparatus is also configured for use with a hollow valve rod and has a hollow valve rod coupler component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component can be composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. In another embodiment, the cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component.

Abstract: A differential pressure operated blanking tool includes a Y-tool having first and second limbs connected together via a throat. A ball valve is selectively positionable to close one or other limb of the Y-tube against fluid flow. A housing has an opening in one side thereof of a size sufficient to allow the hall to pass through, and an actuator mounted on the second limb and in the housing wherein fluid flow within the tool carries the ball valve through the opening in the housing to a position where the second limb is closed against bias of the actuator. When the fluid flow is removed, the actuator operates to force the ball valve out of engagement with the second limb whereupon the ball passes through the opening in the housing towards the first limb.

Abstract: A rod actuated downhole well pumping system is provided with spaced apart annular elastomer members secured to the pump rod at predetermined intervals to prevent solids particulates entrained in the pumped fluid from settling down to and clogging the pump mechanism during periods of pumping activity. The elastomer members are provided with longitudinal slits so that they may be sleeved over a pump rod without disconnecting the rod from the pump assembly in retrofitted installations. The elastomer members are preferably secured to the pump rod with a suitable adhesive and are of a diameter at least slightly less than the inner diameter of the tubing through which fluid is being pumped.

Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.

Abstract: A chamber for use in a submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly has a submersible motor which is connected to a power source and which will drive a submersible pump in the submersible pump assembly. A motor protector with expansion chamber is connected to the submersible motor. The expansion chamber and submersible motor are filled with motor oil. The expansion chamber has a housing and a reactant disposed in the housing interior for reacting with and reducing the concentration of contaminants present in the well fluid that are harmful to components of the motor protector.

Abstract: A seal section for a downhole pumping system includes a fluid exchange pathway and a rotatable gravity separator. The rotatable gravity separator preferably includes a chamber, a backwash inlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway and a backwash outlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway. The rotatable gravity separator further includes a weight that causes the rotatable gravity separator to remain in a substantially constant orientation with respect to the force of gravity.

Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.

Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system provides for the production of fluids from a well and for limiting the amount of sediment accumulation in the well. The apparatus includes an electric submersible pumping system lowered into a well on a production tubing. The electric submersible system includes an electric submersible pump having an intake at or near a lower end thereof. A seal is connected to the intake and a motor is connected to a lower end of the seal. The apparatus further includes an auxiliary pump having an auxiliary pump discharge at an upper end thereof and an auxiliary pump intake at a lower end thereof. The auxiliary pump is connected to the motor. The system is lowered into the well so that it is positioned below the perforations in a well which communicate a producing formation with the interior of the well. The auxiliary pump intake will receive fluid along with sediments that may be produced by the formation.

Abstract: A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream which contains solid particulates wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. The stream is passed through an upstream separator to separate out the particulates which pass through a first and second set of slots into first and second passages, both of which empty into a bypass through the turbine whereby the separated particulates do not contact the rotary vanes of the turbine thereby alleviating the erosive effects of the solids in the produced stream.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.

Abstract: A system for removing solid particulates from a production fluid. The system includes a solid separator to remove the solid particulates from the production fluid to reduce pump component wear. The system is disposed in a wellbore such that wellbore fluids are drawn into the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. Solid particulates are separated from the fluid that flows through the solids separator before entering the submersible pump. The solid particulates are routed past the submersible pump. The solid particulates may be reinjected into the fluid discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.