Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

Abstract: A well pumping system can include a rod rotator including a torque transfer device, an outer housing and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotates the torque transfer device and a rod relative to the outer housing. The rod reciprocably displaces longitudinally relative to the outer housing. A method of rotating a rod string can include applying a torque from a torque transfer device to a rod connected to the rod string, the torque being maintained in the rod as the rod displaces relative to an outer housing. The torque transfer device is fully enclosed within the outer housing during the torque applying step. Another well pumping system can include a rod rotator with an outer housing connected between a stuffing box and a blowout preventer. The rod rotator rotates a rod string in a well.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for counterbalancing a pumping unit. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for operation a pumping unit. The method includes measuring an orientation of a component and one or more parameters of the pumping unit while running the pumping unit, and determining an imbalance of the pumping unit according to the measured orientation and one or more parameters.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower and a counterweight assembly movable along the tower. A belt includes a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string. A prime mover is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. A sensor detects the position of the counterweight assembly, and a load cell measures the force exerted on the rod string. A motor is provided to adjust an effective weight of the counterweight assembly during reciprocation thereof along the tower. A controller communicates data with the sensor and the load cell and controls the adjustment force exerted by the adjustment motor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a direct drive pumping unit having a reciprocator for reciprocating a sucker rod string and a sensor for detecting position of a polished rod. The reciprocator includes a tower for surrounding a wellhead. The polished rod is connectable to the sucker rod string and has an inner thread open to a top thereof and extends along at least most of a length thereof. A screw shaft extends into the polished rod and interacts with the inner thread. A motor is mounted to the tower, torsionally connected to the screw shaft, and operable to rotate the screw shaft relative to the polished rod.

Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower, a counterweight assembly movable along the tower, and a crown mounted atop the tower. A sprocket is supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto. The counterweight is coupled to a belt. The pumping unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket. A sensor is used to detect a position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

Abstract: A fill up tool includes a mandrel; a primary sealing member disposed around the mandrel; and a selectively operable secondary sealing member activated by rotation of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the selectively operable secondary sealing member is activated using hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A system for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery includes a remote controller and a device controller. The remote controller is communicatively coupled to the device controller. The device controller is generally configured to receive a command to operate one of the plurality of tools from the remote controller. Based on the command, the device controller generates one or more instructions executable by a controller associated with the one of the plurality of tools. The device controller transmits the one or more instructions to the one of the plurality of tools.

Abstract: A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower, a counterweight assembly movable along the tower, a crown mounted atop the tower, and a drum supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto. A belt has a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string, and the belt extends over the drum. A linear electromagnetic motor is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. The linear electromagnetic motor includes a traveler mounted to an exterior of the counterweight assembly and a stator extending from a base of the tower to the crown and along a guide rail of the tower. The pumping unit further includes a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system for use with a subterranean well can include an actuator with a displaceable actuator member, a magnet device that displaces with the actuator member, the magnet device including at least one permanent magnet positioned between low magnetic permeability elements, and a sensor that senses a magnetic flux propagated from the magnet device. The actuator can include a cylinder, and the sensor can include an outer tube, with materials of the cylinder and outer tube having substantially a same magnetic permeability. An enclosure can be positioned exterior to the cylinder, with the sensor being positioned at least partially in the enclosure. The enclosure can be configured to focus the magnet flux, so that it propagates to the sensor.

Abstract: A reciprocating rod pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; and a drum connected to an upper end of the tower and rotatable relative thereto. The unit also includes a belt having a first end connected to the counterweight assembly, extending over the drum, and having a second end connectable to a rod string. The unit further includes a prime mover for reciprocating the counterweight assembly along the tower; a sensor for detecting a condition of the pumping unit; a brake system for halting movement of the counterweight assembly; and a controller in communication with the at least one of the sensors and operable to activate the brake system in response to detection of the faulty condition of the pumping unit.

Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a drum connected to an upper end of the tower and rotatable relative thereto. The unit also includes a belt having a first end connected to the counterweight assembly, extending over the drum, and having a second end connectable to a rod string. The unit further includes a prime mover for reciprocating the counterweight assembly along the tower; a sensor for detecting sudden acceleration of the counterweight assembly due to failure of the rod string; and a controller in communication with the sensor and operable to activate the braking or arrestor system in response to detection of the sudden acceleration. The unit further includes at least one of a braking system for halting free-fall of the counterweight assembly; and an arrestor system for absorbing kinetic energy of the falling counterweight assembly.

Abstract: A well pumping system can include an actuator that reciprocates a rod string, and a rod rotator including at least one helical profile and at least one engagement device. The rod string may rotate in response to longitudinal displacement of the rod string while the engagement device is engaged with the helical profile. A method of rotating a rod string in a well can include rotating a rod in a rotary direction, in response to displacement of the rod in a longitudinal direction, and preventing rotation of the rod in an opposite rotary direction, in response to displacement of the rod in an opposite longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A modular top drive for construction of a wellbore includes a rail for connection to at least one of: a floor and a derrick of a drilling rig; and a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a first body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the first body; a trolley connecting the first body to the rail; and a first latch for selectively connecting either a drilling unit or a casing unit to the motor unit. The top drive further includes a bracket for holding any one of the drilling, casing, and cementing units and movable relative to the rail between a standby position and a connection position. The unit held by the bracket is aligned with the motor unit in the connection position and clear of the motor unit in the standby position.

Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit for driving rod includes a tower and a counterweight assembly movable along the tower. A crown is mounted atop the tower, and a sprocket is supported by the crown and rotatable relative to the crown. A belt connects the counterweight assembly to the rod. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket. A sensor is used to detect a position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

Abstract: A fill up tool includes a mandrel; a primary sealing member disposed around the mandrel; and a selectively operable secondary sealing member activated by rotation of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the selectively operable secondary sealing member is activated using hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reciprocating rod pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a drum connected to an upper end of the tower and rotatable relative thereto; a belt having a first end connected to the counterweight assembly, extending over the drum, and having a second end connectable to a rod string; a prime mover for reciprocating the counterweight assembly along the tower; a sensor for detecting a condition of the pumping unit; a brake system for halting free-fall of the counterweight assembly; and a controller in communication with the at least one of the sensors and operable to activate the brake system in response to detection of the faulty condition of the pumping unit.

Abstract: A well pumping system can include an actuator that reciprocably displaces a rod string, a flowmeter that measures flow of a fluid between a power source and the actuator, and a control system that modifies reciprocal displacement of the rod string by the actuator, in response to an output of the flowmeter. A well pumping method can include reciprocably displacing a rod string, continuously determining a velocity profile of the rod string, and modifying the velocity profile while the rod string reciprocably displaces, in response to an output of a flowmeter. Another well pumping method can include reciprocably displacing a rod string with an actuator, continuously determining displacement in response to an output of a flowmeter, and modifying reciprocating displacement of the rod string by the actuator, in response to the output of the flowmeter.