Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping method for use with a subterranean well can include mounting a hydraulic actuator above a wellhead, the hydraulic actuator and the wellhead being axially aligned with each other and inclined relative to vertical The hydraulic actuator can be unsupported by any substructure or guy wires after the mounting. A hydraulic pumping system for use with a subterranean well can include a hydraulic actuator including a piston that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a magnet that displaces with the piston, and a magnetic field sensor that detects a presence of the magnet. The hydraulic actuator may be mounted above a wellhead, with the hydraulic actuator and the wellhead being axially aligned with each other and inclined relative to vertical.

Abstract: A pumping method can include displacing a rod string with pressure applied to an actuator by a pressure source including an accumulator and a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator. A sensor indicates whether a fluid is in the gas volume. A pumping system can include an actuator, a pump connected between the actuator and an accumulator, a hydraulic fluid contacting a gas in the accumulator, a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator, and a sensor that detects the hydraulic fluid in the gas volume. Another pumping system can include an actuator, a pump connected between the actuator and an accumulator that receives nitrogen gas from a nitrogen concentrator assembly while a hydraulic fluid flows between the pump and the actuator, a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator, and a sensor that detects a presence of the hydraulic fluid in the gas volume.

Abstract: Modular, portable processes and apparatus for the production of tight gas (including shale gas) and tight oil (including shale oil) and for the conversion of tight oil into a plurality of marketable fuels are described which enable easy deployment and start-up and are specifically useful in remote areas. Furthermore, these modular processes and apparatus are configured to use co-produced tight gas as a source of processing energy. Another feature of the modular processes is to substantially reduce the use of fracking water and process water.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include an actuator including a piston rod that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a seal assembly that seals about the piston rod and is exposed to the pressure in the actuator, and another seal assembly that seals about the piston rod, is exposed to pressure in a well and includes multiple separate seal cartridges, each of the seal cartridges including a dynamic seal that slidingly and sealingly engages the piston rod. Another hydraulic pumping system can include an actuator including a piston rod that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a seal assembly that seals about the piston rod and is exposed to the pressure in the actuator, and another seal assembly that seals about the piston rod, is exposed to pressure in a well and includes a labyrinth ring comprising multiple ring layers.

Abstract: Modular, portable processes and apparatus for the production of tight gas (including shale gas) and tight oil (including shale oil) and for the conversion of tight oil into a plurality of marketable fuels are described which enable easy deployment and start-up and are specifically useful in remote areas. Furthermore, these modular processes and apparatus are configured to use co-produced tight gas as a source of processing energy. Another feature of the modular processes is to substantially reduce the use of fracking water and process water.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include an actuator including a piston rod that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a seal assembly that seals about the piston rod and is exposed to the pressure in the actuator, and another seal assembly that seals about the piston rod, is exposed to pressure in a well and includes multiple separate seal cartridges, each of the seal cartridges including a dynamic seal that slidingly and sealingly engages the piston rod. Another hydraulic pumping system can include an actuator including a piston rod that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a seal assembly that seals about the piston rod and is exposed to the pressure in the actuator, and another seal assembly that seals about the piston rod, is exposed to pressure in a well and includes a labyrinth ring comprising multiple ring layers.

Abstract: A pumping method can include displacing a rod string with pressure applied to an actuator by a pressure source including an accumulator and a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator. A sensor indicates whether a fluid is in the gas volume. A pumping system can include an actuator, a pump connected between the actuator and an accumulator, a hydraulic fluid contacting a gas in the accumulator, a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator, and a sensor that detects the hydraulic fluid in the gas volume. Another pumping system can include an actuator, a pump connected between the actuator and an accumulator that receives nitrogen gas from a nitrogen concentrator assembly while a hydraulic fluid flows between the pump and the actuator, a separate gas volume in communication with the accumulator, and a sensor that detects a presence of the hydraulic fluid in the gas volume.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping method for use with a subterranean well can include mounting a hydraulic actuator above a wellhead, the hydraulic actuator and the wellhead being axially aligned with each other and inclined relative to vertical The hydraulic actuator can be unsupported by any substructure or guy wires after the mounting. A hydraulic pumping system for use with a subterranean well can include a hydraulic actuator including a piston that displaces in response to pressure in the actuator, a magnet that displaces with the piston, and a magnetic field sensor that detects a presence of the magnet. The hydraulic actuator may be mounted above a wellhead, with the hydraulic actuator and the wellhead being axially aligned with each other and inclined relative to vertical.

Abstract: A system for lifting liquid from a wellbore includes a turbine selectively coupled to a source of gas flow originating in the wellbore. The turbine is arranged to convert the gas flow directly into rotation of the turbine. An hydraulic pump is rotationally coupled to the turbine. An hydraulic cylinder and piston are arranged to move a sucker rod string disposed in the wellbore. Control valves are provided to selectively apply gas flow to the turbine and hydraulic pressure from the pump to lift the piston and enable lowering thereof by the weight of the sucker rod string. The system further comprises control circuits configured to operate the control valves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel fuel cell stack assembly. In one embodiment, the stacks of the present invention comprise: a first and a second end plate; a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and second end plates, at least one of the fuel cells having a unitized MEA assembly and/or a compound flow field; a means to separate neighboring fuel cell components; and a compression means.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a unitized MEA assembly for use in a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack assembly. In the embodiments of the invention, the MEA is made integral to the frame to reduce certain risks and disadvantages associated with nonstabilized MEAs in fuel cell applications. Specifically disclosed are two preferred embodiments of the unitized MEA assembly of the present invention and methods for making same.

Abstract: A well rod pump having a filter system to remove particulate material from the fluids produced from the well and an automatic back flush system using pumped fluid to flush particulate material from the filter system in response to increased pressure differential across the filter system, including a rod moved by a piston to open the valves of the pump, and a time delay connected to continue to hold the valves open for a period sufficient to allow back flushed particles to settle in the well. Well treatment chemicals may be injected into the well with the back flushing fluid.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering particulate matter from well fluids to be pumped by a downhole pump in an oil well including a filter and apparatus to reverse the flow through the filter in response to a pre-selected level of differential pressure across the filter, the apparatus including a check valve which opens to allow fluid to flow through to operate a piston to open a pump valve and allow fluid flow out of the pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing wells in which the tubing and casing are used as electrical conduits for a centrifugal pump in the well and single phase A. C. or D. C. current is supplied to the well and converted to three phase current at the pump motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reciprocating rod type downhole pump for an oil well wherein a filter on the lower end of the barrel of the pump includes a solid body of filtering media having small tortuous passageways connecting its inner and outer sides and decreasing in size from its outer to its inner side.

Abstract: A collar for electrically insulating between upper and lower tubing sections in which load bearing insulating materials in the collar are isolated from fluids both interior and exterior the collar.

Abstract: An invention for supplying power to a well. In one embodiment power heats a tubing from adjacent the surface to a selected level to prevent the formation of solids. The tubing is heated by passing an electric current therethrough. In one form the tubing is insulated from the wellhead and the casing down to a selected level where an electrical connection is made between the tubing and casing. Current is applied to the tubing at a point below an insulating tubing collar. In another form an insulated conduit is run into the well to a selected depth and connected to the tubing. Electrical power is connected to the tubing and to the insulated conduit.In another form a sucker rod is electrically insulated from the tubing down to a selected depth. The sucker rod includes a non-conducting section such as a fiberglas sucker rod. A conduit is run through the fiberglas rod and connected to the steel sucker rod therebelow.