Abstract: An autonomous flow control device with pilot amplification includes a primary valve responsive to changes in fluid composition, and a pilot valve responsive to and more sensitive to changes in fluid composition than the primary valve and configured to aid change in position of the primary valve in the event of a change in fluid composition.

Abstract: A flow control device including a housing having a flow port therein, the flow port including a first end and a second end, a first gate having a specific gravity greater than water disposed in the housing adjacent a first end of the port and movable between a position of nonobstruction of the first end of the port and a position of obstruction of the first end of the port; and a second gate disposed in the housing, the second gate having a specific gravity about the same as a specific gravity of formation water in a formation in which the device is intended to be employed, the second gate disposed to control flow at the second end of the port.

Abstract: A pumping system is configured to be deployed in a well that has a vertical portion and a lateral portion. The pumping system includes a pump positioned in the vertical portion, a velocity tube assembly that extends from the vertical portion into the lateral portion and a cyclonic solids separator connected between the pump and the velocity tube assembly. The cyclonic solids separator includes a housing, a discharge manifold extending through the housing, and a plurality of ejection ports that extend through the discharge manifold along arcuate, tangential paths.

Abstract: A valve including a valve seat, a valve shuttle movable among positions wherein the shuttle is sealed against the seat and wherein the shuttle is spaced from the seat, a first magnet associated with the shuttle, and a second magnet positioned to magnetically interact with the first magnet in one of attractively or repulsively in at least one of the positions of the shuttle.

Abstract: A flow control device including a housing having a flow port therein, the flow port including a first end and a second end, a first gate having a specific gravity greater than water disposed in the housing adjacent a first end of the port and movable between a position of nonobstruction of the first end of the port and a position of obstruction of the first end of the port; and a second gate disposed in the housing, the second gate having a specific gravity about the same as a specific gravity of formation water in a formation in which the device is intended to be employed, the second gate disposed to control flow at the second end of the port.

Abstract: An autonomous flow control device with pilot amplification includes a primary valve responsive to changes in fluid composition, and a pilot valve responsive to and more sensitive to changes in fluid composition than the primary valve and configured to aid change in position of the primary valve in the event of a change in fluid composition

Abstract: A downhole flow control configuration including a housing, a converging-diverging flow path in the housing. The flow path includes a first portion including an inlet, a converging section, and a throat section. The first portion preferentially passes a portion of a fluid having a greater subcool. The converging-diverging flow path further includes a second portion comprising a diverging section that recovers fluid pressure lost in the converging section and the throat section, and an outlet and an elongated helical flow path connected to the outlet of the converging-diverging flow path, the helical flow path producing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing therein during use.

Abstract: A pumping system is configured to be deployed in a well that has a vertical portion and a lateral portion. The pumping system includes a pump positioned in the vertical portion, a velocity tube assembly that extends from the vertical portion into the lateral portion and a cyclonic solids separator connected between the pump and the velocity tube assembly. The cyclonic solids separator includes a housing, a discharge manifold extending through the housing, and a plurality of ejection ports that extend through the discharge manifold along arcuate, tangential paths.

Abstract: A downhole flow control configuration including a housing, a converging-diverging flow path in the housing, the flow path including a first portion including an inlet, a converging section, and a throat section, the first portion preferentially passing a portion of a fluid having a greater subcool, and the converging-diverging flow path further including a second portion comprising a diverging section that recovers fluid pressure lost in the converging section and the throat section, and an outlet and an elongated helical flow path connected to the outlet of the converging-diverging flow path, the helical flow path producing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing therein during use.