Abstract: Valve assemblies for reciprocating downhole pumps are provided. The valve assembly may comprise: a flow cage comprising a housing and a tubular insert; an annular valve seat positioned below the tubular insert; and an elongated sealing member positioned above the annular valve seat and at least partially received into the tubular insert. In some embodiments, the elongated sealing member may be more stable and may more securely engage the valve seat compared to spherical valve balls. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a wellbore having a horizontal section, vertical section and intermediate build section, a production tubing, and an annulus surrounding the production tubing, is combined with a primary vertical lift device disposed in the intermediate build section or a heel segment of the horizontal section. The fluid flow management system may be located adjacent to and downhole from the primary vertical lift device. The system includes an intake to an intake passage, to receive produced fluids from the reservoir; a wavebreaker for calming produced fluid flow; a fluidseeker having a rotatable inlet extension having a weighted keel and an internal bypass passage in fluid communication with the intake flow passage; and a separator for separating gas and liquid phases uphole from the fluidseeker.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a horizontal wellbore having a primary artificial lift device having an intake has (a) a sealed central flowpath from a fluidseeker weighted keel inlet, through a recovery flow tube, a seal bore extension and a dip tube having a pump intake sealing assembly in fluid communication with the lift device intake; and (b) a mixed fluid flow path from a fluidseeker internal bypass passage, through an annulus of at least one slug catcher comprising a perforated shell.

Abstract: Valve assemblies for reciprocating downhole pumps are provided. The valve assembly may comprise: a flow cage comprising a housing and a tubular insert; an annular valve seat positioned below the tubular insert; and an elongated sealing member positioned above the annular valve seat and at least partially received into the tubular insert. In some embodiments, the elongated sealing member may be more stable and may more securely engage the valve seat compared to spherical valve balls. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A reciprocating rod pump system, comprising an articulating plunger assembly having a plurality of plunger segments, each having a pin end and a box end, and a ball and socket articulating connector formed between the pin end of one plunger segment and the box end of another plunger segment. The articulating connector is formed from a collar rigidly attached to the pin end, which defines a socket, the collar comprising an internal shoulder which abuts an external shoulder on the plunger pin end, such that the uppermost end of the collar does not contact the plunger segment, and a plunger nipple comprising a ball adapted to fit and rotate within the socket, and a shank which rigidly engages the box end thread of a plunger segment.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a horizontal wellbore having a primary artificial lift device having an intake has (a) a sealed central flowpath from a fluidseeker weighted keel inlet, through a recovery flow tube, a seal bore extension and a dip tube having a pump intake sealing assembly in fluid communication with the lift device intake; and (b) a mixed fluid flow path from a fluidseeker internal bypass passage, through an annulus of at least one slug catcher comprising a perforated shell.

Abstract: A flow management and separation system for a wellbore having a horizontal section, vertical section and intermediate build section, a production tubing, and an annulus surrounding the production tubing, is combined with a primary vertical lift device disposed in the intermediate build section or a heel segment of the horizontal section. The fluid flow management system may be located adjacent to and downhole from the primary vertical lift device. The system includes an intake to an intake passage, to receive produced fluids from the reservoir; a wavebreaker for calming produced fluid flow; a fluidseeker having a rotatable inlet extension having a weighted keel and an internal bypass passage in fluid communication with the intake flow passage; and a separator for separating gas and liquid phases uphole from the fluidseeker.

Abstract: A pump system and method for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining a wellbore annulus, a horizontal section in fluid communication with the wellbore annulus, and a production tubing having a vertical section, a horizontal section and a toe end, the production tubing defining a continuous flow path from the toe end to the vertical section, the system comprising a plurality of horizontal pump assemblies operating in parallel in the production tubing horizontal section. Each horizontal pump assembly includes a pump having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path, and a fluidseeker which has an inner conduit forming the continuous flow path and defining an inlet chamber, and including an axially rotatable inlet extension disposed in the inlet chamber. The inlet extension has a weighted keel defining inlet ports which are in fluid communication with the inlet chamber and a fluid inlet for the pump.