Abstract: A plunger lift method can include introducing a plunger sleeve and a plunger closure into a well, engaging the sleeve with the closure, securing the sleeve and closure to each other in a flow passage of the well, and then retrieving the sleeve and closure from the well. A plunger lift system can include a plunger sleeve configured for reciprocal displacement in a flow passage of the well, a plunger closure configured to block flow through a flow path of the sleeve and being displaceable in the flow passage separate from the sleeve. A plunger retrieval device may displace with the sleeve in the flow passage and secure the closure against displacement away from the sleeve. Another plunger retrieval device may be positioned in a lubricator, whereby the plunger retrieval device engages the closure and secures the closure against displacement away from the sleeve in the lubricator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, determining whether some or all portions of an application stack implemented on a distributed system are vulnerable to availability issues. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on comparing one or more customer graphs with one or more model, curated, or best practice graphs of a distributed system, availability risks and/or deployment recommendations may be provided. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation and/or migration operations may be performed automatically or provided as recommendations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, determining whether some or all portions of an application stack implemented on a distributed system are vulnerable to availability issues. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on comparing one or more customer graphs with one or more model, curated, or best practice graphs of a distributed system, availability risks and/or deployment recommendations may be provided. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation and/or migration operations may be performed automatically or provided as recommendations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing a cavitation-related event in an artificial lift system for hydrocarbon production and operating the system based on the sensed event. One example method of operating an artificial lift system for a wellbore generally includes monitoring the wellbore for an indication (e.g., an acoustic or vibrational indication) of an event associated with cavitation in the artificial lift system and adjusting at least one parameter of the artificial lift system if the event is detected. One example system for hydrocarbon production generally includes an artificial lift system for a wellbore and at least one sensor configured to detect an indication of an event associated with cavitation in the artificial lift system.

Abstract: A lubricator for use in a plunger lift system includes a tubular body having an outlet formed through a wall thereof and a bore therethrough. The bore is closed at an end thereof. The lubricator further includes a striker assembly disposed within the bore. The striker assembly includes a dampener housing longitudinally movable relative to the tubular body between a ready position and a stroked position and a choke plate. The choke plate: is disposed in the dampener housing, separates a bore of the housing into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, and has one or more orifices formed therethrough. The striker assembly further includes a dampener support rod connecting the choke plate to the tubular body. The orifices are sized to dissipate kinetic energy of a plunger striking a lower end of the dampener housing.

Abstract: A network gateway is implemented on behalf of a customer entity. The network gateway may be implemented using a distributed computer system and the network gateway may connect a network of the customer entity to a public communications network. The network gateway may include network-related services without the need for adding specialized hardware. The network gateway may be provisioned programmatically in response to instructions received from the customer entity. The network gateway may be provisionable and accessible over several different types of data connections. The network gateway, by virtue of being implemented on a distributed computer system, is scalable upon demand without additional input by the customer entity.

Abstract: A network gateway is implemented on behalf of a customer entity. The network gateway may be implemented using a distributed computer system and the network gateway may connect a network of the customer entity to a public communications network. The network gateway may include network-related services without the need for adding specialized hardware. The network gateway may be provisioned programmatically in response to instructions received from the customer entity. The network gateway may be provisionable and accessible over several different types of data connections. The network gateway, by virtue of being implemented on a distributed computer system, is scalable upon demand without additional input by the customer entity.

Abstract: A plunger lift system has a plunger with a sleeve and a spear that dispose in tubing. The sleeve and spear can move in the tubing between a bumper and a lubricator. The sleeve has a passage for fluid to pass therethrough, and the spear can insert partially into the sleeve's passage. The sleeve and spear fall independently of one another from the surface to the bumper. When disposed on the bumper, the sleeve and spear mate together. Building gas pressure downhole can then lift the mated sleeve and spear, which can sweep liquid along the tubing and push the liquid along with them to the surface.

Abstract: A network gateway is implemented on behalf of a customer entity. The network gateway may be implemented using a distributed computer system and the network gateway may connect a network of the customer entity to a public communications network. The network gateway may include network-related services without the need for adding specialized hardware. The network gateway may be provisioned programmatically in response to instructions received from the customer entity. The network gateway may be provisionable and accessible over several different types of data connections. The network gateway, by virtue of being implemented on a distributed computer system, is scalable upon demand without additional input by the customer entity.

Abstract: A network gateway is implemented on behalf of a customer entity. The network gateway may be implemented using a distributed computer system and the network gateway may connect a network of the customer entity to a public communications network. The network gateway may include network-related services without the need for adding specialized hardware. The network gateway may be provisioned programmatically in response to instructions received from the customer entity. The network gateway may be provisionable and accessible over several different types of data connections. The network gateway, by virtue of being implemented on a distributed computer system, is scalable upon demand without additional input by the customer entity.

Abstract: A composition of a value added RFCC catalyst and a process of preparation of a composition for a dual function additive catalyst from a spent catalyst are disclosed. The value added spent FCC catalyst offers improved performance, options such as either employing as an additive for passivation of both vanadium and nickel and enhancing catalytic activity, for initial start-up or make-up for attrition losses. The value addition process does not harm any of physical properties of starting material with respect to ABD, attrition index, surface area and particle size distribution. Value added catalyst can be used in a range from 1-99 wt % in fluid catalytic cracking process in which, feeds may have higher metals and carbon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, determining whether some or all portions of an application stack implemented on a distributed system are vulnerable to availability issues. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on comparing one or more customer graphs with one or more model, curated, or best practice graphs of a distributed system, availability risks and/or deployment recommendations may be provided. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation and/or migration operations may be performed automatically or provided as recommendations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, determining whether some or all portions of an application stack implemented on a distributed system are vulnerable to availability issues. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on comparing one or more customer graphs with one or more model, curated, or best practice graphs of a distributed system, availability risks and/or deployment recommendations may be provided. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation and/or migration operations may be performed automatically or provided as recommendations.

Abstract: A misplaced item service identifies a plurality of inventory storage locations in a materials handling facility associated with a misplaced item. The misplaced item service determines an ordered list of the plurality of inventory storage locations, wherein the inventory storage locations are arranged in the ordered list based at least in part on a location density of the inventory storage locations, a population density of the inventory storage locations and a last inventory storage location inspected.

Abstract: A lubricator for use in a plunger lift system includes a tubular body having an outlet formed through a wall thereof and a bore therethrough. The bore is closed at an end thereof. The lubricator further includes a striker assembly disposed within the bore. The striker assembly includes a dampener housing longitudinally movable relative to the tubular body between a ready position and a stroked position and a choke plate. The choke plate: is disposed in the dampener housing, separates a bore of the housing into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, and has one or more orifices formed therethrough. The striker assembly further includes a dampener support rod connecting the choke plate to the tubular body. The orifices are sized to dissipate kinetic energy of a plunger striking a lower end of the dampener housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating software vulnerabilities is disclosed. In some embodiments, information associated with software application installation is processed. The information comprises mappings between each component and a currently installed component version. In response to information identifying at least one compromised component version for at least one software application, an alternate component version for each compromised component version is selected and used to install the at least one software application.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for determining a location of an item using the services of an existing cellular infrastructure. A search request comprising a first item identifier of the item is received by a tracking service server from a user. A second item identifier of the item is retrieved by the tracking service server from a tracking service database. A search signal comprising the second item identifier is transmitted from the tracking service server to at least one mobile service provider system. The search signal is transmitted by the at least one mobile service provider system to a plurality of communicatively coupled transmitting towers which are configured to locate the item by capturing radio frequency signals, comprising the second item identifier, emitted by an identification tag coupled to the item.

Abstract: A locking system for a connection between two parts, comprising a first part; a second part for connection with the first part; and an interfering member, the member constructed and arranged to permit connection and thereafter, to prevent separation of the parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates a metal passivator additive comprising: a rare earth component; alumina; clay; colloidal silica; and a zeolite having high silica to alumina ratio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring one or more parameters associated with an artificial lift system for hydrocarbon production and operating the system based on the measured parameters. One embodiment of the invention provides a lubricator for a plunger lift system, which generally includes a housing, a spring disposed in the housing for absorbing an impact by a plunger, and a sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the spring. One example method of operating a plunger lift system for hydrocarbon production generally includes measuring at least one parameter of a spring disposed in a lubricator of the plunger lift system and operating the plunger lift system based on the measured parameter.