Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a plunger for use in a pumping system. The plunger can include a cylindrical plunger body that is adapted to be coupled to a drive rod. The plunger body can define an aperture configured to receive pumped fluids. The aperture can define an inner diameter of the plunger body. The plunger body can include a leading end having a tapered portion configured to direct solids into the aperture. The tapered portion can be tapered from the inner diameter toward an outer diameter of the plunger body to form a tip aligned with the outer diameter. The tapered portion can include two or more different degrees of taper along a length of the tapered portion. The plunger body can further include a rear end coupleable to a traveling valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a surface unit for a pumping system. The surface unit may include a conduit that is reciprocatable to pump produced fluid from downwell to the surface unit and a flow line in fluid communication with the conduit such that the produced fluid may be collected from the conduit. The surface unit may also include a pump barrel that separates the conduit from a well tubing and a diluent line in fluid communication with a space between the pump barrel and the well tubing. The diluent line may be sealed from the conduit and the flow line such that a diluent or lubricant may be delivered to the space between the pump barrel and the well tubing via the diluent line without contaminating the produced fluid.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a surface unit for a pumping system. The surface unit may include a conduit that is reciprocatable to pump produced fluid from downwell to the surface unit and a flow line in fluid communication with the conduit such that the produced fluid may be collected from the conduit. The surface unit may also include a pump barrel that separates the conduit from a well tubing and a diluent line in fluid communication with a space between the pump barrel and the well tubing. The diluent line may be sealed from the conduit and the flow line such that a diluent or lubricant may be delivered to the space between the pump barrel and the well tubing via the diluent line without contaminating the produced fluid.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a plunger for use in a pumping system. The plunger can include a cylindrical plunger body that is adapted to be coupled to a drive rod. The plunger body can define an aperture configured to receive pumped fluids. The aperture can define an inner diameter of the plunger body. The plunger body can include a leading end having a tapered portion configured to direct solids into the aperture. The tapered portion can be tapered from the inner diameter toward an outer diameter of the plunger body to form a tip aligned with the outer diameter. The tapered portion can include two or more different degrees of taper along a length of the tapered portion. The plunger body can further include a rear end coupleable to a traveling valve.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing well fluids from an oil bearing formation penetrated by a well. The apparatus includes a tubing string forming a production flow path for production fluids between the earth's surface and a location in the well suitable for receiving well production fluids, a power tubing generally parallel to the production tubing and connected to the flow path of the production tubing, and a cross over flow mechanism to divert the flow of production fluids from the power tubing to the production flow path. A lubricant flow path extends from the earth's surface to a location near a pumping apparatus disposed in the power tubing to allow a lubricant to be introduced into the pumping apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing well fluids from an oil bearing formation penetrated by a well including a tubing string forming a production flow path for production fluids between the earth's surface and a location in the well suitable for receiving well production fluids, a power tubing parallel to the production tubing and connected to the flow path of the production tubing, a pump barrel formed in the power tubing, and a lubricating plunger in the pump barrel forming an annulus therewith and having ports to permit flow of lubricating fluids from the lubricating plunger into the annulus. The apparatus is provided with means for providing lubrication fluid to the lubricating plunger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system having separate parallel power tubing and production tubing strings in which production is pumped up the production tubing through a removable flow control valve and a rod operated insertable and removable pump is disconnectably connected into the power tubing wherein the insert type pump and the removable flow control means may be removed from and inserted into, respectively, the power tubing and the production tubing strings without the need to remove either tubing string from the well.