Abstract: A wellbore gas separator having a pair of helical ramps. The separator ingests a liquid-gas solution, and a pump draws the solution into a first course between the pair of ramps. As centrifugal force is imparted upon the solution prior to the pump inlet, gas is forced out of solution. The liquid portions of the solution may fall into a dead space prior to the pump inlet. Gaseous portions enter into a second course between the pair of ramps and escapes, unimpeded, up the separator before being released into an annulus of a wellbore.

Abstract: A wellbore gas separator having a pair of helical ramps. The separator ingests a liquid-gas solution, and a pump draws the solution into a first course between the pair of ramps. As centrifugal force is imparted upon the solution prior to the pump inlet, gas is forced out of solution. The liquid portions of the solution may fall into a dead space prior to the pump inlet. Gaseous portions enter into a second course between the pair of ramps and escapes, unimpeded, up the separator before being released into an annulus of a wellbore.

Abstract: A sand separating apparatus for use with a production tubing string includes (i) a housing assembly forming an outer tubular and (ii) an inner tubular within the housing assembly to define an annular passage between the inner tubular and the housing assembly. A helical member occupies part of the annular passage below production openings in the housing assembly whereby a flow of production fluids entering from the wellbore is directed downwardly along a helical path within the annular passage as dictated by the helical member and subsequently upwardly through the inner tubular. The helical member extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular beyond a boundary surface at an outer perimeter of the annular passage to prevent formation of a gap at the tip of the helical member as it wears. A fluid passage in alignment with the helical member extends radially from inside the inner tubular to the annular passage.

Abstract: A sand separating apparatus for use with a production tubing string includes (i) a housing assembly forming an outer tubular and (ii) an inner tubular within the housing assembly to define an annular passage between the inner tubular and the housing assembly. A helical member occupies part of the annular passage below production openings in the housing assembly whereby a flow of production fluids entering from the wellbore is directed downwardly along a helical path within the annular passage as dictated by the helical member and subsequently upwardly through the inner tubular. The helical member extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular beyond a boundary surface at an outer perimeter of the annular passage to prevent formation of a gap at the tip of the helical member as it wears. A fluid passage in alignment with the helical member extends radially from inside the inner tubular to the annular passage.

Abstract: A wellbore gas separator having a pair of helical ramps. The separator ingests a liquid-gas solution, and a pump draws the solution into a first course between the pair of ramps. As centrifugal force is imparted upon the solution prior to the pump inlet, gas is forced out of solution. The liquid portions of the solution may fall into a dead space prior to the pump inlet. Gaseous portions enter into a second course between the pair of ramps and escapes, unimpeded, up the separator before being released into an annulus of a wellbore.

Abstract: A sand separating apparatus for use with a production tubing string includes (i) a housing assembly forming an outer tubular and (ii) an inner tubular within the housing assembly to define an annular passage between the inner tubular and the housing assembly. A helical member occupies part of the annular passage below production openings in the housing assembly whereby a flow of production fluids entering from the wellbore is directed downwardly along a helical path within the annular passage as dictated by the helical member and subsequently upwardly through the inner tubular. The helical member extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular beyond a boundary surface at an outer perimeter of the annular passage to prevent formation of a gap at the tip of the helical member as it wears. A fluid passage in alignment with the helical member extends radially from inside the inner tubular to the annular passage.

Abstract: An isolation device for use with a casing gas separator. The device incorporates multiple cups, some upward-facing and others downward-facing. The downward-facing cup or cups seal against an internal surface of the casing gas separator to divert flow into the annulus of the separator and enable the separation process. The upward-facing cup or cups hold a pressurized fluid when the device is being located within the casing. Upon reaching the upper ports of the casing gas separator, the fluid releases into the annulus, allowing an operator to determine the location of the device and accurately place it within the casing gas separator.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon wellbore production apparatus includes a tailpipe and a control valve connected with the tailpipe. The tailpipe has a fluid inlet receiving well fluids entering the casing from a formation, and a fluid outlet above the fluid inlet to deliver well liquid to a connected pump inlet. The control valve is operable to (i) open when a lower fluid pressure below the flow control valve exceeds an upper fluid pressure above the flow control valve to allow upward flow through the flow control valve, (ii) close when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which does not exceed a prescribed pressure limit value to hold fluid in the apparatus above the flow control valve, and (iii) open when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which exceeds the pressure limit value to release excess fluid back down the tailpipe.

Abstract: A gas separator for use in a wellbore. The separator has an annular, staged separator system, whereby a liquid-gas mixture is separated into its liquid and gas components. Gas components are allowed to escape up the annulus around the separator, while liquid components are captured on each stage and removed through an inner tube. The inner tube has limited entry ports. These ports may be sized such that ports at the top of the string have a smaller, more limited entry than those toward the bottom.

Abstract: A gas separator for use in a wellbore. The separator has an annular, staged separator system, whereby a liquid-gas mixture is separated into its liquid and gas components. Gas components are allowed to escape up the annulus around the separator, while liquid components are captured on each stage and removed through an inner tube. The inner tube has limited entry ports. These ports may be sized such that ports at the top of the string have a smaller, more limited entry than those toward the bottom.

Abstract: An isolation device for use with a casing gas separator. The device incorporates multiple cups, some upward-facing and others downward-facing. The downward-facing cup or cups seal against an internal surface of the casing gas separator to divert flow into the annulus of the separator and enable the separation process. The upward-facing cup or cups hold a pressurized fluid when the device is being located within the casing. Upon reaching the upper ports of the casing gas separator, the fluid releases into the annulus, allowing an operator to determine the location of the device and accurately place it within the casing gas separator.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon wellbore production apparatus includes a tailpipe and a control valve connected with the tailpipe. The tailpipe has a fluid inlet receiving well fluids entering the casing from a formation, and a fluid outlet above the fluid inlet to deliver well liquid to a connected pump inlet. The control valve is operable to (i) open when a lower fluid pressure below the flow control valve exceeds an upper fluid pressure above the flow control valve to allow upward flow through the flow control valve, (ii) close when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which does not exceed a prescribed pressure limit value to hold fluid in the apparatus above the flow control valve, and (iii) open when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which exceeds the pressure limit value to release excess fluid back down the tailpipe.

Abstract: A gas separator for use in a wellbore. The separator has an annular, staged separator system, whereby a liquid-gas mixture is separated into its liquid and gas components. Gas components are allowed to escape up the annulus around the separator, while liquid components are captured on each stage and removed through an inner tube. The inner tube has limited entry ports. These ports may be sized such that ports at the top of the string have a smaller, more limited entry than those toward the bottom.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly has a pump inlet that generates an artificial sump in a production casing. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from the production casing to an annulus between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the annulus. One or more dissolvable sleeves within the annulus prevents the annulus from filling with material during construction of the casing but dissolves when the sleeves come in contact with wet wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly has a pump inlet that generates an artificial sump in a production casing. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from the production casing to an annulus between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the annulus. One or more dissolvable sleeves within the annulus prevents the annulus from filling with material during construction of the casing but dissolves when the sleeves come in contact with wet wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly generates an artificial sump in a production casing receiving a production tubing string with a downhole pump at the bottom end thereof. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from a primary passage in the inner casing to a secondary passage between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the secondary passage and effectively defines the sump area in the primary passage between an inlet of the downhole pump adjacent the barrier and the first port thereabove.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly generates an artificial sump in a production casing receiving a production tubing string with a downhole pump at the bottom end thereof. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from a primary passage in the inner casing to a secondary passage between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the secondary passage and effectively defines the sump area in the primary passage between an inlet of the downhole pump adjacent the barrier and the first port thereabove.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly generates an artificial sump in a production casing receiving a production tubing string with a downhole pump at the bottom end thereof. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from a primary passage in the inner casing to a secondary passage between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the secondary passage and effectively defines the sump area in the primary passage between an inlet of the downhole pump adjacent the barrier and the first port thereabove.

Abstract: A gas separator assembly generates an artificial sump in a production casing receiving a production tubing string with a downhole pump at the bottom end thereof. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from a primary passage in the inner casing to a secondary passage between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the secondary passage and effectively defines the sump area in the primary passage between an inlet of the downhole pump adjacent the barrier and the first port thereabove.