Abstract: An apparatus may be used to test the ability of a first fluid to remove a second fluid from a surface. The apparatus comprises a reservoir that contains the first fluid and a testing cell that contains the second fluid. The testing cell also contains a rotor within. The first fluid is pumped into the testing cell, thereby displacing the second fluid. The displaced second fluid flows to a collection vessel. The apparatus is particularly useful for determining the ability of a chemical wash or a spacer fluid to remove non-aqueous drilling fluids from a metallic surface.

Abstract: Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

Abstract: An elongated plunger arrangement for moving up and down in a tubing string and a plunger lift system for an oil well and a gas well, the plunger having an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, all of the portions having an elongated longitudinally directed bore or cavity therewithin, the plunger also having a direction accelerating arrangement therewithin, the direction accelerating arrangement comprising an elongated acceleration inducing valve containing shift rod extending through the elongated bore, wherein the shift rod is longer than the elongated plunger.

Abstract: A pump has a pump barrel formed from a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section. Each section has a biased piston moveable within the section and the pistons are connected together to form a variable volume chamber between the pistons. As the connected pistons move toward the larger diameter section, a volume of fluid is moved through an inlet valve into the variable volume chamber of increasing volume. When the pistons are moved toward the smaller diameter section, a differential volume of fluid is discharged from the variable volume chamber of decreasing volume through a discharge valve into a discharge conduit. The pistons are actuated to move within the pump barrel by application and release of pressure at a remote end of the discharge conduit.

Abstract: A diverting tool includes a ramp repositionable from a first position to a second position, a biasing member in operable communication with the ramp biasing the ramp toward the second position, and a tubular in operable communication with the ramp and the biasing member. The tubular prevents repositioning of the ramp when longitudinally overlapping with the ramp and allows repositioning of the ramp when not longitudinally overlapping with the ramp.

Abstract: A fluid extraction system and method for the removal of fluid from subterranean wells. The system comprising: an upper extraction unit; an extraction container; a valve assembly engaged to the extraction container; a drainage tray engaged to the upper extraction unit; a curvilinear gear engaged to the upper extraction unit and the drainage tray; and, a linear gear engaged to the extraction container.

Abstract: A method, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, for operating a positive displacement pump of a downhole tool comprises supplying a hydraulic pressure to the pump to actuate a two-stroke piston to displace fluid at least partially through the downhole tool; moving the piston in a first stroke direction; and reversing the direction of the piston upon completion of the first stroke of the piston. Completion of a stroke may comprise a head of the piston substantially abutting an end wall of a chamber of the pump.

Abstract: A downhole pumping system includes a submersible pump assembly having a pump and a motor, and an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly. The inlet apparatus includes a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures, a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture, and a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member. At least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A stirrer includes a vessel for holding a liquid to be stirred; and a sound wave generator that irradiates the liquid with a sound wave to stir the liquid by the sound wave. The sound wave generator includes a piezoelectric substrate, and a sound generating element provided on the piezoelectric substrate and arranged outside the vessel so as to be adjacent to the liquid across the vessel and the piezoelectric substrate to generate a sound wave for stirring the liquid.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well. A submersible pumping system utilizes a submersible motor to power a submersible pump. A motor protector works in cooperation with the submersible motor to protect motor fluid within the submersible motor and to reduce differential pressures between the internal motor fluid and the external well fluid. The motor protector incorporates a piston slidably sealed within an interior cavity of the motor protector for movement to reduce undue differential pressures.

Abstract: Assembly and method for extracting fluids, preferably crude oil, from a drilled well within a geological formation by means of reciprocating pumping with hollow sucker rods. The assembly includes: a) a stationary bottom set that attached to the casing at the desired depth and providing the rod pump anchoring system; b) a reciprocating axial movement rod pump having an anchoring system and a centralizer; c) a centralized hollow rod string extending within the well, which is connected to the mobile member of the pump; d) a hollow polished rod connected to the hollow rod string and linked to a system that imparts the reciprocating axial movement to the pump; e) a production bridge connecting the polished rod to the driving tubing through rotating joints, and f) a rigid head that provides a venting exit of the annular space formed between the string and the casing.

Abstract: A method of pumping upper production fluid from an upper level of an underground pool of production fluid and pumping lower production fluid having a higher concentration of sand from a lower level during a single pump cycle comprises providing a dual action reciprocating piston pump comprising a pump barrel and a reciprocating piston dividing the pump barrel into a lower and upper chambers. On a downstroke upper production fluid is drawn from the upper level into the upper chamber through an upper intake, and lower production fluid present in the lower chamber is forced up a tube toward ground surface. On an upstroke lower production fluid is drawn from the lower level into the lower chamber through a lower intake, and upper production fluid in the upper chamber is forced up the tube toward ground surface.

Abstract: The wellbore pump of the present invention comprises a plunger having passage means which may be open or closed by a valve operated by a piston which is biased in the open position by a spring of selected strength such that the wellbore pressure may overcome the spring to close the valve when the accumulated hydrostatic pressure reaches a certain value. When the valve closes the reservoir pressure forces the plunger to the surface and causes the accumulated liquids to be pumped out of the wellbore. A stem extending from the top of the piston engages a top plate and causes the valve to open when the plunger reaches the top of the wellbore. Means is provided whereby the valve opens when it reaches the top of the wellbore and a latch may be provided to retain the plunger from returning to the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A mud saver valve being operable in conjunction with a top drive unit to retain mud in the top drive unit when a tubular is disconnected therefrom. The valve utilizes a spring-loaded piston to control the flow of mud or other fluid onto the work area and environment while the top drive unit is being connected to the new tubular and re-connected to the original tubular string. The valve further comprises multiple check valves for evaluating as well as monitoring wellbore pressure. The valves provides for full bore flow passages for the mud or fluid being pumped into a tubular fluidly connected to the top drive.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for pumping fluids from a downhole formation to the earth's surface is provided. The pump first comprises a plunger. The plunger is reciprocated axially within the wellbore by a linear actuator, such as a submersible electrical pump, in order to form an upstroke and a downstroke. A pump inlet is disposed near the bottom end of the plunger, while a pump outlet is disposed near the top end of the plunger. The pump is configured such that it is able to pump a first volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's upstroke, and a second volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's downstroke. Thus, the pump is “double-acting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for deployment and retrieval of a submersible pump in a well. The submersible pump is deployed and retrieved by using a power conduit that conveys power to the submersible pump. More specifically, the power conduit has a substantially neutral buoyancy when submersed in the well fluid. The buoyancy reduces the mechanical loading of the power conduit when submerged in the well fluid.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging sample fluid from a bailer with a ball-joint and a method of using thereof. The apparatus has a body, an interior and an exterior, a top opening and a bottom opening, and a lip disposed around the top opening. The bottom of the apparatus has a bailer-support disposed across the diameter of the bottom opening. A pin is located at the center of the bailer-support. The apparatus functions as a bailer discharge device. The apparatus is designed to be placed into an opening of a bucket or drum and is adapted to discharge sample fluid from the base of a bailer into a bucket or drum when the bailer with a ball-joint is inserted through the top opening of the apparatus and rests on the pin attached to the bailer-support support. The pin acts to release the ball-joint thereby allowing the sample fluid to be discharged into the bucket or drum.

Abstract: A reciprocating downhole pump has a gas separator located at its bottom end. The separator forms a chamber that is expanded and contracted when the pump is reciprocated. Expansion and contraction of the chamber occurs by either the plunger reciprocating in the chamber or a piston coupled to the plunger reciprocating in the chamber. The chamber has an orifice therein so that during reciprocation fluid flows in and out of the orifice. The orifice is sized so as to subject the fluid to a pressure drop, wherein gas in the fluid is separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A wellbore pump comprises a plunger having a passage which may be open or closed by a valve operated by a piston which is biased in the open position by a spring of selected strength such that the wellbore pressure may overcome the spring to close the valve when the accumulated hydrostatic pressure reaches a certain value. When the valve closes the reservoir pressure forces the plunger to the surface and causes the accumulated liquids to be pumped out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly has a pump and a valve connected to the outlet of the pump. An outlet of the valve is connected to a riser. A valve member in the valve housing is vertically movable between a pumping position and a priming position, the valve member being biased toward the priming position. A priming conduit connects the outlet of the valve housing to the inlet of the pump for directing well fluids flowing through the conduit into an intake of the pump for re-priming the pump. When the pump is pumping well fluid, the valve member is moved to the pumping position by the fluid pressure, well fluids flowing from the inlet of the valve housing to the outlet of the valve housing but not through the priming conduit. When pumping ceases, the valve member returns to the priming position, well fluids flowing through the priming conduit for re-priming the pump.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for pumping fluids from a downhole formation to the earth's surface is provided. The pump first comprises a plunger. The plunger is reciprocated axially within the wellbore by a linear actuator, such as a submersible electrical pump, in order to form an upstroke and a downstroke. A pump inlet is disposed near the bottom end of the plunger, while a pump outlet is disposed near the top end of the plunger. The pump is configured such that it is able to pump a first volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's upstroke, and a second volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's downstroke. Thus, the pump is “double-acting.

Abstract: A relievable check valve assembly having various trigger forms for oil wells and water wells adapted to control the liquid flow when inserted tubing is being removed from a well.

Abstract: A bypass valve for a plunger in a plunger lift system in an oil and gas well is disclosed. The valve has a valve body, a piston and a spring. The pressure differential across the piston keeps the valve closed during the upstroke of the plunger. The spring opens the valve when the pressure differential decreases to below a selected value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping formation liquids provides a reciprocating down hole pump on the end of a coiled tubing string. In one embodiment, one fluid flow path is provided through the inside of the coiled tubing and another flow path is provided in an annulus between the coiled tubing and a, production string. In one embodiment, pressure delivered down the annulus to the pump moves a piston in a direction to move formation liquids upwardly to the surface. When pressure in the annulus is reduced, the hydrostatic weight of the pumped liquid moves the piston in a retracting direction to prepare for the next stroke. In other embodiments, the piston is moved downwardly, in retracting direction, by fluid pressure applied from the surface.

Abstract: A formation injection tool disposable in a casing of a production well includes an intake flow control assembly, a seal mechanism located below the intake flow control assembly, and a discharge flow control device located below the seal mechanism. The intake flow control assembly is attached to a lower end of a pump extending downward within the well casing past and below an upper productive formation. In response to an upstroke of the pump, the intake flow control assembly permits one-way flow of undesired heavier fluid, such as water, from the upper productive formation downwardly and into the intake flow control assembly concurrently as desired lighter fluid, such as oil and/or gas, flows from the upper productive formation upwardly within the well casing to the ground surface. The seal mechanism establishs a closure seal within the well casing between the upper productive formation and lower disposal formation.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an inlet valve assembly for a subsurface sucker rod operated reciprocating piston pump and, more particularly an inlet valve assembly which is locked in its closed position when the pump is in its unanchored, non-pumping position within the production tube of a deep well. When the subsurface piston pump is anchored within the production tube of the deep well of the inlet valve assembly is freely movable between open and close positions upon reciprocation of the piston.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use with a ball and seat travelling valve associated with a moveable plunger includes a means for causing relative movement between the upper and lower housings forming the downhole tool, whereby a bumping force may be imparted to the plunger to unseat the ball during the downstroke of the downhole tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing a bottom safety valve in a pumped oil well in case of a cessation of pumping, and reopening the valve when pumping resumes. A conventional valve pump is installed in the production tube. A channel, which is connected to the production tube, passes through the valve body, and is blocked by a controllable flap. The valve body also contains a second channel, the two channels communicating by means of a cavity which is located upstream of the flap. A push rod slidably retained in the second channel is actuated by a piston for opening and closing the flap. A conduit connects the downstream portion of the production tube to an admission chamber and thereby transmits pressure to the piston; such that, when the downstream pressure of the valve pump is greater than that at the bottom of the well, the flap remains open; and when the difference in the pressures is reversed, the push rod causes the flap to close.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for plugging a well below a rod pump to permit bleeding off the pressure thereabove so that the pump can be removed from the well for replacement or repairs and reinstalled for further pumping operations, the pump being connected to a valve mechanism in the well in a manner which permits the valve to be closed as a result of lifting the pump, this connection being releasable to permit the pump to be pulled free of the valve and withdrawn from the well after the well pressure has been bled from above the closed valve. When the pump is installed again, the pump automatically reconnects to the valve. This invention is particularly useful in wells which are stimulated by the injection of steam.