Abstract: There is provided a method of gas lift having the steps of positioning a valve seat downhole in a gas well experiencing hydrostatic loading, the valve seat having a gas flow channel, and providing a valve closure movable between a closed position engaged with the valve seat to close the gas flow channel and an open position spaced from the valve seat permitted a flow of gas through the gas flow channel, the closure being biased by magnetic attraction to a normally closed position magnetically engaged with the valve seat, such that gas is only able to flow through gas flow channel when gas pressure is sufficient to move the closure to the open position by overcoming the magnetic attraction which maintains the closure in the closed position.

Abstract: There is provided a method of gas lift having the steps of positioning a valve seat downhole in a gas well experiencing hydrostatic loading, the valve seat having a gas flow channel, and providing a valve closure movable between a closed position engaged with the valve seat to close the gas flow channel and an open position spaced from the valve seat permitted a flow of gas through the gas flow channel, the closure being biased by magnetic attraction to a normally closed position magnetically engaged with the valve seat, such that gas is only able to flow through gas flow channel when gas pressure is sufficient to move the closure to the open position by overcoming the magnetic attraction which maintains the closure in the closed position.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston gas compressor driven by an integral internal combustion engine is disclosed. The compressor may be used as an air compressor but has particular application for compressing natural gas from natural gas wells. It has few moving parts. The compressor has a reciprocating assembly, one end of which functions as the piston in an engine and the other end of which functions as the piston in a compressor. Motion of the assembly is regulated by a crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected to the reciprocating assembly by a linkage having arms which pass on either side of the assembly. The crankshaft preferably extends through a slot in the reciprocating assembly. Several compressors may be combined to make a multi-stage compressor.