Abstract: Well fluid extraction apparatus includes a resiliently downwardly biased discharge head and a canister lowerable from the discharge head into the well to receive fluid therefrom, and then liftable into telescoped engagement with the discharge head. A specially configured seal structure between the discharge head and canister resiliently exerts a downward releasing force on the raised canister to facilitate its subsequent separation from the discharge head. An embodiment of the discharge head is pressure balanced to prevent gas pressure in the well from driving it upwardly. Leveling structure is provided for operatively connecting the apparatus to the vertically sloped upper end of a well casing and vertically leveling the connected apparatus.

Abstract: A secondary packing arrangement is provided for use with a well having a reciprocating pump and polished rod, and in combination with a stuffing box, the stuffing box being modified. Packing seals, a barrier fluid and a pressure transmitter cooperate with modified stuffing box components to regulate the pressure on either side of a packing seal. The barrier fluid is contained above the packing seal, with well fluids and accompanying pressures being contained below the packing seal, such that if leakage occurs, relatively clean barrier fluids are leaked instead of well fluids. The pressure across the packing seal is substantially balanced across the packing seal, or the well fluid side pressure is less than the barrier fluid side, thus reducing the occurrence of leakage and extending the life of the packing seal. Sources for the well fluids cooperating with the pressure transmitter include the well's flow line and casing.

Abstract: A subsea pumping assembly locates on a seafloor for pumping well fluid from subsea wells to the level. The pumping assembly has a tubular outer housing that is at least partially embedded in the seafloor. A tubular primary housing locates in the outer housing and has a lower end with a receptacle. An annular space surrounds the primary housing within the outer housing for delivering fluid to a receptacle at the lower end of the primary housing. A capsule is lowered in and retrieved from the primary housing. The capsule sealingly engages the receptacle for receiving well fluid from the annular space. A submersible pump is located inside the capsule. The pump has an intake that receives well fluid and a discharge that discharges the well fluid exterior of this capsule. The capsule has a valve in its inlet that when closed prevents leakage of well fluid from the capsule. The capsule may be retrieved through open sea without a riser.

Abstract: A system and method for pumping water from a wellbore to a surface location using an improved motorless water pump. The improved motorless water pump is a downhole hydraulic ram pump powered by the renewable energy source, groundwater. As water falls down a wellbore from an upper strata to a lower strata, the conversion of the water's momentum to energy is used to compress air captured in the ram's pressure chamber. The compressed air contained in the pressure chamber pushes down on the water captured in the pressure chamber causing the water to exit the pressure chamber through an outlet and into tubing. The water in the tubing is responsive to the pressure in the chamber rising to the surface.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use between the reciprocating member of an oil well pumping mechanism and a polish rod connected to the rod spring and movable along a vertical pumping axis. The shock absorber comprises an upper and lower end plate having a peripheral surface around the plumping axis and defining a polish rod clearance opening. A coil spring is located between the plates and is concentric with and surrounding the pumping axis. A friction reducing centering head secured to at least one of the plates (preferably the lower plates) centers polish rod in the clearance opening and holds the polish rod away from the peripheral wall of the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), including the use of a prior art hydrophobic adsorption system including a continuous loop of adsorptive material, with a weighted pulley on the free end of the loop to allow for the loop to be placed within a well being deeper than it is wide.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream wherein at least a portion of the gas is separated downhole by an auger separator which is comprised of an upstream and a downstream section. As the mixed stream flows through a converging passageway in the upstream section and gas is separated by an auger, the velocity of the stream is increased thereby reducing the temperature and pressure of the stream. This allows more of the condensate to remain with the liquids and not be separated with the gas. The liquids exit the upstream section and are produced to the surface. The separated gas flows through a diverging passageway in the downstream section where a portion of the reduced pressure is regained before the gas either produced to the surface or compressed for downhole injection.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing blowouts during the deployment of a casing string into a wellbore. The system includes securing a casing coupling to a casing string and securing a retrievable check valve within the casing coupling. The retrievable check valve allows fluid from the surface to be pumped through the retrievable check valve. However, the retrievable check valve prevents upward fluid flow from the wellbore through the retrievable check valve to the surface.

Abstract: A jet pump assembly 10 for use in a subterranean wellbore 82 to lift produced fluids 72 to the surface, comprising a fixed type jet pump assembly 10 including a retrievable insert assembly 30 for retrieving substantially all working components of the jet pump assembly 10 which may be subject to wear or size change, including retrieving the standing valve assembly in the production intake section 50, and having a power section 40 which is reversible such that the same components may be used for operating the jet pump assembly 10 in “normal” circulation or “reverse” circulation. Included is an embodiment of a jet pump assembly 10 providing at least one pressure sensor 90 and at least one temperature sensor 92 built into the through bore of the retrievable insert section 30 for monitoring fluid pressure and temperature in the through bore of the jet pump assembly 10 and thereby improving operational efficiency of the jet pump assembly 10.

Abstract: An oil flow line and power device system has a tube for the transportation of oil and a power device which can be received in the tube. The tube is provided with an electric power transmission line extending along at least some of the length and has a first power transfer unit which can cooperate with a second power transfer unit on the power outlet device such that the other power transfer units cooperate to transfer power from the transmission line to the power device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for installing a tubular member, having an upper end and a closed lower end, axially into and through an over-pressured region of the earth by using a mandrel to drive the tubular member from near the bottom, which results in a significant section of the tubular member being pulled through the over-pressured region. In another embodiment, a filler material is inserted into at least a portion of the tubular member, and the tubular member is driven from the upper end, with the filler material assisting the progression of the tubular member through the over-pressured region.

Abstract: A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A well control system having well controlled fluids distributed through pipes includes valves that are opened by a heat softened valve obstruction element. The translation of a fluid flow obstructing gate in a gate valve is driven by a stem element attached to the gate. Without a mechanical or fluid obstacle, fluid pressure in the distribution pipe above about 2 psi will drive the valve gate to a biased position. This internal pressure displacement of the valve gate also displaces the gate stem. In the present invention, the displacement of gate stems for critical valves from a normal maintenance position to an emergency activation position, is obstructed by a fusible barrier that is secured across the gate stem translation path. In the event of a well fire, at a predetermined temperature of fusion, the barrier element will no longer resist the displacement force imposed by the stem.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided which may be used in completing a wellbore junction. A lateral wellbore junction is sealed utilizing an apparatus assembled within the well. The apparatus may include multiple housings which are engaged with each other to form a sealed assembly with flow passages extending into the lateral wellbore, and upper and lower portions of a parent wellbore. Flexible couplings are provided which facilitate conveyance and positioning of the apparatus in the well.

Abstract: An oil skimmer and method of operation for removing hydrocarbon contaminates from ground water are disclosed. A drive pulley and upper portions of a pickup belt of a belt type oil skimmer are encased within a hermetically sealed housing. A seal collar forms an hermetic seal between the housing and a well casing. A vacuum source draws air from within a collection tank and from within the skimmer housing. The withdrawal of air from the skimmer housing functions to draw further air from within the well casing and from within the well itself Optionally, air under pressure is injected into ground strata at locations near, but spaced from the contaminate pickup area.

Abstract: Computer control and sensory information are combined with gas lift valve having a plurality of individual openings which are openable or closeable individually to provide varying flow rates of the lift gas. Each of the openings is controlled and is sensitive to downhole sensors.

Abstract: A plurality of electronically controlled downhole tools and systems for use in production wells is presented. These tools and systems include safety valve and pressure monitoring systems, remotely controlled inflation/deflation devices, remotely actuated downhole tool stop systems, remotely controlled fluid/gas control systems, remotely controlled variable choke and shut-off valve systems and a retrievable sensor side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A portable oil recovery apparatus especially for use at de-pressurized wells. It is simple and inexpensive to build and to operate. The apparatus is small and lightweight enough so that it can be transported in a pickup truck for easy movement between well sites, and it can be installed by only two people. The apparatus employs a simple pulley system which dips a string of cups repeatedly into the well bore just deep enough to reach the oil and not deep enough to collect any water. Thus, little or no water is mixed with the recovered product, and no tubing or rods are necessary. The pulley system is automatically operated and requires little supervision and maintenance. The dipping cups are generally cylindrical, each having a central longitudinal tube extending therethrough by which the cup is supported on the string. Each cup has a lid with a plurality of depending fingers which extend down into the cup.

Abstract: A downhole gas-liquid separator for multiphase fluid producing wells includes a tubular member with a spiral baffle disposed therein and a duct including an inlet disposed adjacent the discharge end of the spiral baffle. Fluid flow into the separator undergoes substantial gas and liquid separation by centrifugal forces imposed on the liquid as it progresses through the spiral flowpath. Gas is drawn off at the discharge end of the spiral baffle and discharged into the wellbore annulus while liquid and a small amount of gas pass on through the separator and the production tubing to the surface. The spiral baffle may be disposed in the wellbore between the distal end of the production tubing string and the point of entry of gas and liquid into the wellbore. The separator may include a retrievable tubular body inserted in a ported nipple interposed in the tubing string.

Abstract: A submersible well probe sleeve made of a cylindrical tube attached to a submersible pump. The cylindrical tube has a number of slots exposing access to a protective pouch. Inside the protective pouch a fluid level sensing probe is placed. The fluid has access to the pouch through slots in the sleeve. Opposite the pouch at a predetermined level is a number of fluid inlet holes which provide access to the center of the cylinder by fluid in the well. The submersible pump draws fluid into the center of the cylinder past the probe. The submersible well probe sleeve provides a fixed relative position between the probe and the inlets such that the level of the well can be maintained at a precise level and the probe can be installed in the well while under the protection of the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable low-viscosity hydrocarbon collector incorporating an endless absorption belt for collecting low-viscosity hydrocarbon liquids from a well and pumping those liquids to the surface. The collector incorporates a plurality of rollers which may be aligned in a configuration that enables its ideal placement at any depth within a confined space such as a surface-sealed well bore. The rollers cooperate to remove the low-viscosity hydrocarbons from the endless belt without causing premature squeezing of the belt so that those hydrocarbons can be collected in a specific gravity separating receptacle for separating the hydrocarbons from any water in order to enhance the purity of the collected hydrocarbons. The collector is also provided with a single motor which drives not only the endless belt through the rollers, but also a piston pump for pumping collected hydrocarbons to the surface.

Abstract: In a well with filter tube and filter gravel fill a slot profile for a collection element forming the suction tube has larger suction cut-outs at the bottom than at the top and effects an equalization of the flow velocity of the water passing into the filter gravel layer on the basis of the combination of calculations and empirical investigations.

Abstract: In the mining of various minerals from the earth, large mining shafts extending from the surface down to the deposited mineral layers or seams in the earth can be provided through the use of large diameter bore hole drilling equipment. With the drilling equipment stationed on the surface of the earth, a drilling member is drilled down into the earth for forming a shaft in excess of 10 feet to a depth of at least 2000 feet. As the earth is broken up during the drilling operation, the broken fragments are removed from the drilled hole by a reverse circulation drilling operation. During the drilling operation, the drilling bit is maintained in proper alignment with the shaft being drilled by the use of non-rotating stabilizers having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the hole being drilled.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention involves treatment of a subterranean site, i.e., the producing sand sites, in a well bore to prevent infiltration of subterranean solids into the well bore or to stabilize or modify the area surrounding a portion of the well bore. Said invention includes the local injection of a selective substantially occluding quantity of a curable resin foaming material from a source located at the subterranean site. Said material, upon curing, forms a substantially chemically and dimensionally stable porous resin mechanically rigid occluding structure which is permeable to liquids and gases while same is impermeable to solids. After injection, the foaming material will cure in situ to form the above-mentioned structure at the subterranean site.

Abstract: A method of conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean formation, particularly a high-temperature formation such as a geothermal formation, employing an aqueous solution of a foaming agent having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 10 to 16 carton atoms; and M is an alkali metal or ammoniun cation, with sodium being preferred. A particularly preferred foaming agent is sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.