Abstract: A well pumping system in which a production piston having a traveling valve therein is arranged in a production cylinder with a standing valve in its inlet and is reciprocated by a power piston attached to the production piston in which power for reciprocating the production system is provided by hydraulic fluid acting on the rod end of the power piston to move the piston in one direction and when the force on the power piston fluid is removed, the hydrostatic head of pressure acting on the head end of the power piston moves the pair of pistons in the opposite direction either by the power fluid having lesser weight than the production fluid or by isolating the hydrostatic head of fluid in the tubing from the production cylinder so that the production cylinder is subjected to bottom hole pressure which will be less than tubing pressure at the pump resulting in return movement of the pistons.

Abstract: A system and method for producing earth formation fluids such as crude oil using a lighter oil to force the crude oil to the surface and thereafter removing the lighter oil by gas lift techniques. The well system includes spaced packers defining a production chamber in the well bore, a production tubing extending through the packers having check valves and ports for well fluids to flow into the chamber from below the packer while isolating the chamber from the pressure of production fluids in the production tubing. Power fluid tubing extends through the upper packer into the production chamber including spaced gas lift valves and gas flow means from the lowermost gas lift valve into the production chamber. Surface equipment is provided for pumping power fluid into the power fluid tubing string, introducing lift gas into the power fluid tubing string above the upper packer, and separating returned power fluid and lift gas.

Abstract: A downhole well pump powered by pressurized fluid conducted to it through a power fluid conduit connected to its upper end by a remotely releasable connector which makes it possible to run and retrieve the pump either at the time the power fluid conduit is run or retrieved, or separately, and when run or pulled separately either through use of the conduit or other means such as wireline, rods, pipe, or the like, the connector being releasable simply by dropping a ball into the conduit and then building fluid pressure against the ball. Actuation of the connector to disconnect also opens a drain or equalizing passage in the pump automatically. The power fluid conduit being inside the well tubing makes it practical to install this pump in wells having casing of sizes insufficient to accommodate power fluid conduits exterior of the tubing. Installations and methods for their preparation are also disclosed. Gas lift valves may be used in the power fluid conduit, where the power fluid is gas.

Abstract: A gas lift valve device of the differentially operated type, having a straight, non-tortuous flow passage therethrough, with a hollow valve stem providing a portion of such passage, said device having a floating seat which automatically moves to valve engaging position to check backflow, the area of said seat being larger than the area of a piston on said stem and arranged so that the valve will close at a first predetermined differential pressure and will open at a second predetermined differential pressure which is lower than the first.

Abstract: An injection gas system for downhole equipment such as gas operated pumps or gas lift valves which shuts off injection gas at the surface in response to injection well pressure dropping to a selected amount and after a selected time to permit liquids from the well formation to rise in the well opens the shutoff valve and permits supply gas to be injected into the well. The control valve is closed by gas pressure in response to a Bourdon tube contracting with lower well pressure which activates a timer. As the timer runs down, it controls pressure to open the motor valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping a well using a jet pump. The method comprises pumping a power fluid downwardly in a first flow path in a well, directing the power fluid along a second flow path through a jet pump back to the surface, introducing produced fluids into the jet pump from below the pump, mixing the produced fluids with the power fluid in the pump, and pumping the fluid mixture to the surface through the second flow path along a substantially straight line from the zone of mixing in the pump.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering a gas well in which the level of water in the well may be maintained at a fairly constant low level employing a diverter valve for introducing liquid into the tubing which valve is maintained closed when the liquid level drops below a selected level and employing a fluid responsive gas lift valve utilizing annulus gas to lift the liquid within the tubing from the well. The fluid operated valve may be closed by a constant force exerted on the valve member toward closed position or the force urging the valve member to closed position may be increased in response to a reduction in pressure in the annulus to close the gas lift valve when the annulus pressure reduces to a selected level.

Abstract: A down hole pump operated by gas in which the fluid in the production conduit may first be gas lifted. The exhaust gas from the pump aerates the well fluids in the production conduit. The pump is controlled by a valve whose operation is in turn controlled by a pilot valve shiftable in response to operation of the pump.

Abstract: A sealing unit to be used in sealing system to block fluid flow between two spaced surfaces. The unit seats within a recess in one of the surfaces and includes a support to which is secured deformable sealing means having a pair of sealing members. A pressure differential across the unit deforms the sealing members into a sealing position to effectively seal between the surfaces. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A sealing unit to be used in sealing system to block fluid flow between two spaced surfaces. The unit seats within a recess in one of the surfaces and includes a support to which is secured deformable sealing means having a pair of sealing members. A pressure differential across the unit deforms the sealing members into a sealing position to effectively seal between the surfaces. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.