Abstract: An foldable guide for a continuous rod injector features first and second segments of similar length and a shorter third segment. In a fully folded state of the guide, the shorter third segment is foldable into a position contained between facing-together concave sides of the first and segments for improved collapse of the guide into a compact state for storage or transport. A proximal end of the first segment is mounted to the injector, which is carried on a mast having a selectively deployable jib thereon at an elevation above the installed position of the injector. The jib is movable between a slant-mode condition reaching outward from the mast and a vertical-mode position retracted into a more compact relation with the mast. The slant-mode condition provides improved support and stability by providing a more direct overhead support for the rod guide in slant well applications.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift apparatus for operating a downhole pump features a hydraulic linear actuator with a piston longitudinally slidable on a central axis of a rotatable portion of a housing. An anti-rotation rod runs longitudinally through the piston at a position radially offset outwardly from the central axis to prevent rotation between the piston and housing. A stationary motor powers a drive train whose output is connected to the rotatable portion of the housing and centered on the central axis. The actuator is one-way actuator with a hydraulically driven upstroke. A leak detection passage extends through the piston to collect fluid that has leaked across the piston seals and convey it to a leak detection port and associated containment tank. A position sensor for monitoring the piston movement features a sensing rod depending downwardly into a hollow piston shaft carried by the piston and connected to the pump rod.

Abstract: A continuous well string injector features a frame carrying a pair of endless chain conveyors on opposite sides of a pathway. Each chain carries gripper dies for engaging the continuous well string when received in the pathway. A respective skate and cylinder block reside in the closed loop path of each chain. Each cylinder block features a plurality of blind bores having open ends facing toward the respective skate, and a respective piston is slidably disposed within each bore. Hydraulic extension and retraction ports open into the cylinder bores on opposite sides of the piston, whereby back and forth displacement of the pistons forces the skates toward and away from one another to grip and release the continuous well string. A front wall of the frame has an open horizontal gap aligned with the pathway to enable lateral entrance and exit of the continuous string to and from the pathway.

Abstract: Gripper dies for a continuous coiled rod injector are machined from a single, unitary, integral steel body forming both the base portion for connection to the injector drive chain and the gripping portion for engagement of the continuous coiled rod. Lower skate pressure is required relative to conventional aluminum dies, increasing the lifespan of injector components while providing improved performance and avoiding damage to the coiled rod by use of alternating grooves and ridges in the gripping face of the die and smoothly radiused transitions the ends thereof.