Abstract: A real-time system for monitoring plunger properties in a gas producing well is provided.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of production tubing within a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the production tubing adjacent gas lift valves. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid gas lift valves is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the production tubing which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed to determine gas lift valve operation and fluid flow data.

Abstract: A plunger apparatus, comprising: a plunger body able to travel within the tubular string; a flow channel through the plunger body; an actuatable external seal assembly operatively provided on or within an outer surface of the plunger body; and a plug mechanism mechanically integrated with the plunger body and reversibly moveable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the plunger body and flow channel, the open position configured to permit the passage of a continuous water slug past the plug mechanism and through the flow channel; and wherein the actuatable external seal assembly is actuated between the deployed position when the plug mechanism is operatively in the closed position and the retracted position when the plug mechanism is operatively in the open position.

Abstract: A method of removing a liquid from a wellbore with a plunger, comprising: flowing a wellbore fluid stream in contact with the plunger and in an uphole direction within the wellbore conduit, wherein the plunger is located within a downhole region of the wellbore conduit and includes an actuatable external seal assembly operable between a retracted position in a low fluid drag state and a deployed position in a high fluid drag state; maintaining the plunger in a low fluid drag state while a variable associated with the wellbore fluid stream is outside a threshold range to permit the plunger to remain within the target region of the wellbore conduit during the flowing; transitioning the external seal assembly to a high fluid drag state responsive to the variable associated with the wellbore fluid stream being within the threshold range and thereby conveying the plunger and liquid in the uphole direction.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques include a method of removing wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation, comprising positioning a pump downhole in the wellbore, electrically powering the pump, expanding and contracting a membrane by pumping a fluid with the pump, wherein expanding and contracting the membrane creates a pressure for removing the wellbore liquid from the well, and removing the wellbore liquid from the well using the pressure.

Abstract: A method of disposing of fluids produced from a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation, the subsurface formation having a production zone and a disposal zone, at least a portion of the wellbore lined with a string of production casing. The method includes placing a wellbore tubular conduit within the casing; placing a pump in fluid communication with the wellbore tubular conduit, the pump having an inlet and a discharge, the inlet in fluid communication with a source of produced fluids; and injecting the produced fluids through a plurality of perforations positioned about the casing into a disposal zone of the subsurface formation. A system for disposing of fluids produced from a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of placing a wireline device in a deviated well having a hydrostatic column, the method comprising placing a positioning device in a wellbore of the deviated well, electrically powering the positioning device, moving the wireline device across a deviated region of the wellbore using the positioning device, wherein moving includes creating a driving force using the positioning device, and wherein the driving force is at least one of: a mechanical driving force and a fluid pressure driving force.

Abstract: Artificial lift apparatus, systems, and methods for use in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, including a downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. Included is a downhole gas separator positioned in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, further including a flow-regulating device configured to restrict fluid flow through the gas outlet during at least a portion of each intake stroke of a reciprocating pump and to permit the fluid flow during at least a portion of each exhaust stroke of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Abstract: A method for evaluating annulus-tubing communication points in a production well having an annulus between a production string and a surrounding string(s) of casing. Determining a composition of production fluids produced from the well, and injecting one or more tracer materials into the annulus of the well under pressure as part of a lift gas. Each of the one or more tracer materials defines a material that is not native to the production fluids, and each has a different rate of diffusivity in the lift gas. The tracer materials are detected upon being produced at the surface. A mass spectrometer or other analyzer capable of detecting tracer materials at concentrations of less than 1,000 ppm is used. Determining injection points of the one or more tracer materials, and determining whether each of the injection points represents a gas lift valve along the production tubing.

Abstract: A power cable bundle is provided herein. The power cable bundle includes a spool having an axle, and a power cable wound there around. The power cable comprises a plurality of conductor wires, and a non-conductive, high-strength, synthetic material around the plurality of conductor wires substantially along its length. The power cable has a tensile strength of at least 2,000 MPa, and a weight that is less than 0.1 lb./ft. in air. Preferably, the power cable is at least 2,000 feet in length. A method of pumping fluids from a wellbore using an electrical submersible pump that receives electrical power through the power cable is also provided herein.

Abstract: A flushable well screen or filter assembly for placement within a tubular. The assembly includes a well screen or filter having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a velocity fuse positioned downstream of the outlet end of the well screen or filter, the velocity fuse in fluid communication with the well screen or filter. A system for removing fluids from a well and a method for back-flushing an upstream well screen or filter installed within a tubular are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the force required to pull a device from a tubular, the apparatus including a tubular sealing device for mating with a downhole tubular component, the tubular sealing device having an axial length and a longitudinal bore therethrough; and an elongated rod slidably positionable within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device, the elongated rod having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, the outer surface structured and arranged to provide i) a hydraulic seal when the elongated rod is in a first position within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device, and ii) at least one external flow port for pressure equalization upstream and downstream of the tubular sealing device when the elongated rod is placed in a second position within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device.

Abstract: A system for deploying and powering an electric submersible pump within a subterranean well. The system includes a tubing string having a wall forming a hollow interior, one end of the tubing string connected to the electric submersible pump; a flowable conductive material at least partially filling the hollow interior of the tubing string, the flowable conductive material forming a first conductive path; and a second conductive path, wherein the first conductive path and the second conductive path form a circuit for supplying power to the electric submersible pump. A method for deploying and powering an electric submersible pump within a subterranean well is also provided.

Abstract: A system for deploying and powering an electric submersible pump within a subterranean well. The system includes a tubing string having a wall forming a first conductive path, one end of which is connected to the electric submersible pump; and a second conductive path, wherein the first conductive path and the second conductive path form a circuit for supplying power to the electric submersible pump. A method for deploying and powering an electric submersible pump within a subterranean well is also provided.

Abstract: A method of performing surveillance and optimization on liquid production volumes of a first production well, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting data from at least one surface mounted sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor including a skin-mounted temperature sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor mounted to the production well's surface equipment; (b) collecting ambient temperature data; (c) collecting choke position data; and (d) determining liquid production performance from data obtained in steps (a)-(c).

Abstract: A system for removing fluids from a subterranean well. The system includes a housing comprising a hollow cylindrical body, the hollow cylindrical body having a first end and a second end; a pump for removing fluids from the subterranean well, the pump positioned within the hollow cylindrical body; and a battery-powered driver for driving the pump, the driver positioned within the hollow cylindrical body; and an apparatus for releasably securing and sealing the first end of the housing. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of production tubing within a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the production tubing adjacent gas lift valves. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid gas lift valves is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the production tubing which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed to determine gas lift valve operation and fluid flow data.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of a gas lift well. The method includes the steps of: collecting data from at least one surface mounted sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor including a skin-mounted temperature sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor mounted to the gas lift well's surface equipment; collecting ambient temperature data; and determining gas lift performance from data so obtained. A system and field test kits for optimizing the operation of a gas lift well are also provided.

Abstract: Method for determining the depth of entry of lift gas into a production tube of a gas lift well includes the step of determining the concentration of GCOI endogenous to formation gas produced from the production tube of a gas lift well and absent from gas used as the lift gas in said gas lift well versus time after a perturbation of the rate of introduction of said lift gas into said production tube via one or more gas lift valves. The invention includes a system configured for evaluating the performance of gas lift well, including a separator, a flow regulation device, a measurement device for measuring over time the concentration of a GCOI in production fluids, a data collection and storage device for recording data from the measurement device, and a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium for analyzing the data collected by the measuring device.