Abstract: A rod pump system is configured to provide efficient pumping operations in a downhole environment containing high gas content, using a non-locking actuator. The non-locking actuator assembly is configured to respond to high-gas conditions and automatically overcome a gas locked pump state thereby returning the system to normal pumping conditions. This system is appended to the traveling valve closed cage within a conventional rod pump in place of a conventional seat plug.

Abstract: A reciprocating rod pump apparatus includes a pump barrel having an inner bore and a plunger disposed within the pump barrel. The plunger includes a plurality of plunger segments. The reciprocating rod pump apparatus further includes an articulating connector disposed between and connecting plunger segments. The articulating connector is adapted to allow for deflection between plunger segments.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a wellbore having a horizontal section, vertical section and intermediate build section, a production tubing, and an annulus surrounding the production tubing, is combined with a primary vertical lift device disposed in the intermediate build section or a heel segment of the horizontal section. The fluid flow management system may be located adjacent to and downhole from the primary vertical lift device. The system includes an intake to an intake passage, to receive produced fluids from the reservoir; a wavebreaker for calming produced fluid flow; a fluidseeker having a rotatable inlet extension having a weighted keel and an internal bypass passage in fluid communication with the intake flow passage; and a separator for separating gas and liquid phases uphole from the fluidseeker.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a horizontal wellbore having a primary artificial lift device having an intake has (a) a sealed central flowpath from a fluidseeker weighted keel inlet, through a recovery flow tube, a seal bore extension and a dip tube having a pump intake sealing assembly in fluid communication with the lift device intake; and (b) a mixed fluid flow path from a fluidseeker internal bypass passage, through an annulus of at least one slug catcher comprising a perforated shell.

Abstract: A reciprocating rod pump system, comprising an articulating plunger assembly having a plurality of plunger segments, each having a pin end and a box end, and a ball and socket articulating connector formed between the pin end of one plunger segment and the box end of another plunger segment. The articulating connector is formed from a collar rigidly attached to the pin end, which defines a socket, the collar comprising an internal shoulder which abuts an external shoulder on the plunger pin end, such that the uppermost end of the collar does not contact the plunger segment, and a plunger nipple comprising a ball adapted to fit and rotate within the socket, and a shank which rigidly engages the box end thread of a plunger segment.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a horizontal wellbore having a primary artificial lift device having an intake has (a) a sealed central flowpath from a fluidseeker weighted keel inlet, through a recovery flow tube, a seal bore extension and a dip tube having a pump intake sealing assembly in fluid communication with the lift device intake; and (b) a mixed fluid flow path from a fluidseeker internal bypass passage, through an annulus of at least one slug catcher comprising a perforated shell.

Abstract: A reciprocating rod pump apparatus includes a pump barrel having an inner bore; a plunger comprising a plurality of plunger segments, disposed within the pump barrel; and an articulating connector disposed between and connecting plunger segments, adapted to allow for deflection between plunger segments.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a wellbore having a horizontal section, vertical section and intermediate build section, a production tubing, and an annulus surrounding the production tubing, is combined with a primary vertical lift device disposed in the intermediate build section or a heel segment of the horizontal section. The fluid flow management system may be located adjacent to and downhole from the primary vertical lift device. The system includes an intake to an intake passage, to receive produced fluids from the reservoir; a wavebreaker for calming produced fluid flow; a fluidseeker having a rotatable inlet extension having a weighted keel and an internal bypass passage in fluid communication with the intake flow passage; and a separator for separating gas and liquid phases uphole from the fluidseeker.

Abstract: A pump system and method for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining a wellbore annulus, a horizontal section in fluid communication with the wellbore annulus, and a production tubing having a vertical section, a horizontal section and a toe end, the production tubing defining a continuous flow path from the toe end to the vertical section, the system comprising a plurality of horizontal pump assemblies operating in parallel in the production tubing horizontal section. Each horizontal pump assembly includes a pump having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path, and a fluidseeker which has an inner conduit forming the continuous flow path and defining an inlet chamber, and including an axially rotatable inlet extension disposed in the inlet chamber. The inlet extension has a weighted keel defining inlet ports which are in fluid communication with the inlet chamber and a fluid inlet for the pump.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A crossover valve assembly for insertion into production tubing, or integral with production tubing, includes an outer housing, an inner production tube, a pilot section responsive to external pressure to open an activation passage above a pre-determined pressure, a power section responsive to pressure in the activation passage to open an injection opening; and a crossover valve responsive to pressure in the injection opening to open a crossover port, allowing fluid communication from outside the outer housing to within the inner production tube.

Abstract: A crossover valve assembly for insertion into production tubing, or integral with production tubing, includes an outer housing, an inner production tube, a pilot section responsive to external pressure to open an activation passage above a pre-determined pressure, a power section responsive to pressure in the activation passage to open an injection opening; and a crossover valve responsive to pressure in the injection opening to open a crossover port, allowing fluid communication from outside the outer housing to within the inner production tube.

Abstract: A method of producing fluids from a reservoir includes isolating a vertical section of a wellbore from a horizontal section; isolating a production tubing from the reservoir; pumping fluid from the reservoir adjacent a toe segment into a production tubing toe segment and towards the heel segment; and pumping fluid from the reservoir adjacent a heel segment into the production tubing heel segment and towards the vertical section, and pumping fluid up the vertical section to the surface.

Abstract: A rod pump system includes subsystems or components which are adapted to provide efficient operation when operating with produced fluids having high gas content or in highly deviated wellbores, or both. The subsystems or components include a traveling valve assembly, a sliding top valve assembly, an oil/gas separator, or a rod bushing and pump barrel assembly, or combinations of such subsystems or components. The rod pump system may be deployed in conjunction with conventional, unconventional or enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage, miscible flood, steam, gas or water injection.

Abstract: A rod pump system includes subsystems or components which are adapted to provide efficient operation when operating with produced fluids having high gas content or in highly deviated wellbores, or both. The subsystems or components include a traveling valve assembly, a sliding top valve assembly, an oil/gas separator, or a rod bushing and pump barrel assembly, or combinations of such subsystems or components. The rod pump system may be deployed in conjunction with conventional, unconventional or enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage, miscible flood, steam, gas or water injection.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a well bore having a vertical section with a easing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A rod pump system includes subsystems or components which are adapted to provide efficient operation when operating with produced fluids having high gas content or in highly deviated wellbores, or both. The subsystems or components include a traveling valve assembly, a sliding top valve assembly, an oil/gas separator, or a rod bushing and pump barrel assembly, or combinations of such subsystems or components. The rod pump system may be deployed in conjunction with conventional, unconventional or enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as steam-assisted gravity drainage, miscible flood, steam, gas or water injection.

Abstract: A crossover valve assembly for insertion into production tubing, or integral with production tubing, includes an outer housing, an inner production tube, a pilot section responsive to external pressure to open an activation passage above a pre-determined pressure, a power section responsive to pressure in the activation passage to open an injection opening; and a crossover valve responsive to pressure in the injection opening to open a crossover port, allowing fluid communication from outside the outer housing to within the inner production tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for commingling sweet gas and sour gas production in a gas well having an upper sweet zone and a lower sour zone. The apparatus comprises a commingling valve which prevents cross flow of sour fluids into the sweet zone or casing annulus.