Abstract: A downhole pump is actuated by a reciprocating unit comprising a tubular rod string, a valve assembly, and a tubular plunger rod. A flow passage extends through the reciprocating unit when the valve assembly is in an "open" position, whereby liquid may be injected into the pump barrel chamber to ensure the presence of incompressible fluid in the chamber from the beginning of the up stroke, to thereby reduce or eliminate gas locking of the pump. The valve assembly, which moves together with the reciprocating unit of which it is part, is adapted to interact with a stop member on the stationary pump barrel, to initiate opening of the valve as the rod string approaches the bottom of its stroke. The valve assembly is further adapted to automatically close when lifted away from the stop shortly after the beginning of the up stroke. The valve thus remains open only during the bottoming out phase of the stroke, when only limited travel of the reciprocating unit occurs.

Abstract: The separator accepts both the casing annulus and tubing production streams issuing from an in situ combustion project production well. Most of the gas in the flow is first separated from the liquid and solids, by centrifugal action. This gas is removed from the separator. The remaining mixture is accumulated until a pre-determined weight is in hand, at which point the accumulated batch is dumped. The time taken to accumulate the batch is noted. Computational elements then determine the mass flow rate of the dumped mixture.The separator comprises an upright cylindrical vessel having tangential inlet means at its upper end and a dump outlet at its base. The gas-liquid-solids production mixture enters the vessel chamber through the inlet means and is spun, to form a central gas vortex and an outer, downwardly descending liquid-solids mixture. The separated gas leaves the chamber through an outlet line at the upper end of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of oilfield heavy oil emulsions is provided. The method utilizes, in combination, the steps of evaporation, vapor/liquid separation, and solids settling to dehydrate, degassify and remove solids from the heavy oil emulsion and produce oil having less than 0.5% by volume basic solids and water.The apparatus comprises an insulated, horizontal, cylindrical vessel. Mounted in the upper end of the vessel chamber is an inclined, tubular member having a closed upper end and an open lower end. At its closed end, the member forms a receiving chamber. A mechanical foam breaker extends transversely across the interior of the tubular member, downstream of the chamber. A stack of angularly inclined, heated trays, arranged in zigzag fashion, are positioned beneath the tubular member, to provide an elongate flowpath. The lower end of the tubular member is positioned to feed onto the upper end of the first tray.