Abstract: An improved gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of improved differential pressure control valves which are easier to maintain and more reliable and which provide the required lift capability with or without a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

Abstract: An improved gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of improved differential pressure control valves which are easier to maintain and more reliable and which provide the required lift capability with or without a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

Abstract: A gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of differential pressure control valves which provide the required lift capability for a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

Abstract: A gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of differential pressure control valves which provide the required lift capability for a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve and comprises a sliding piston within an outer housing. The device may be opened pulling upwards on the pump drive mechanism thereby allowing fluid within the production tubing to drain back into the formation as long as the pump drive mechanism is held up. The device closes when the pump is returned to normal operation. The method of spotting chemicals requires a pre-measured quantity of chemicals at the surface which is sucked into the tubing string when the valve is opened followed by a pre-measured quantity of make-up fluid which is drawn into the well thereby placing the chemicals at the required point.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve and comprises a sliding piston within an outer housing. The device may be opened pulling upwards on the pump drive mechanism thereby allowing fluid within the production tubing to drain back into the formation as long as the pump drive mechanism is held up. The device closes when the pump is returned to normal operation. The method of spotting chemicals requires a pre-measured quantity of chemicals at the surface which is sucked into the tubing string when the valve is opened followed by a pre-measured quantity of make-up fluid which is drawn into the well thereby placing the chemicals at the required point.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump dump valve for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below the standing valve and allows for complete dumping of the hydrostatic head in the production tubing whenever the pump must be pulled.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump dump valve and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below the standing valve and allows for complete dumping of the hydrostatic head in the production tubing whenever the tubing must be pulled.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve and comprises a sliding piston within an outer housing. The device may be opened pulling upwards on the pump drive mechanism thereby allowing fluid within the production tubing to drain back into the formation as long as the pump drive mechanism is held up. The device closes when the pump is returned to normal operation.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump dump valve and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below the standing valve and allows for complete dumping of the hydrostatic head in the production tubing whenever the tubing must be pulled.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve. The device allows for controlled back-flushing of a wellbore thereby clearing the hold-down of sand buildup dumping the sand into the rat-hole and allows for spotting of chemicals in the production tubing. The device also allows for complete dumping of the hydrostatic head in the production tubing whenever the tubing must be pulled.

Abstract: Improvements in method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from marginal oil wells, especially wells that previously used standard pump jacks. Substitution of the present invention for prior art production equipment solves many common problems found in the prior art, such as a well pump that experiences gas lock and pounding, which is a hindrance to efficient production in other known pump systems but is advantageous when using the Smart Pump of this disclosure. Disclosed herein is a pump assembly which senses when fluid is pumped uphole at a rate different than the rate that fluid is produced from the formation, by continually adjusting the time interval of one cycle of operation to coincide with the production history of the well.

Abstract: A circular check valve with a central aperture is disclosed. The preferred use as a standing head valve for reducing hydrostatic pressure in a wellbore being produced by a reciprocating pump is discussed. In this application the circular check valve allows the a sucker rod, or equivalent source of pumping energy, to pass. The device is attached to the pump barrel in communication with pump chambers and the production tubing. The check valve device isolates the pump internals and the formation from the hydrostatic head of the produced fluid. The device eliminates pump-off and thus fluid pounding resulting in more efficient pumping and less maintenance. Other uses for the circular check are described.

Abstract: A circular check valve with a central aperture is disclosed. The preferred use as a standing head valve for reducing hydrostatic pressure in a wellbore being produced by a reciprocating pump is discussed. In this application the circular check valve allows the a sucker rod, or equivalent source of pumping energy, to pass. The device is attached to the pump barrel in communication with pump chambers and the production tubing. The check valve device isolates the pump internals and the formation from the hydrostatic head of the produced fluid. The device eliminates pump-off and thus fluid pounding resulting in more efficient pumping and less maintenance. Other uses for the circular check are described.

Abstract: Improvements in method and apparatus for producing hydro-carbons from marginal oil wells, especially wells that previously used standard pump jacks. Substitution of the present invention for prior art production equipment solves many common problems found in the prior art, such as a well pump that experiences gas lock and pounding, which is a hindrance to efficient production in other known pump systems but is advantageous when using the Smart Pump of this disclosure. Disclosed herein is a pump assembly which senses when fluid is pumped uphole at a rate different than the rate that fluid is produced from the formation, by continually adjusting the time interval of one cycle of operation to coincide with the production history of the well.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which a gun firing head is maintained free of debris. An upper tubing string runs downhole in a cased borehole to a packer device. A jet gun, having a firing head located at the upper end thereof, is connected to a lower tubing string. A vent assembly is connected in series relationship within the lower string, and underlies the packer device. A barrier is contained within the lower tubing in underlying relationship to the vent and isolates the tubing interior immediately above the gun from contact with well fluids. A gun firing device is run from the surface, downhole through the packer device, and penetrates the barrier to gain access to the gun firing head, whereupon the gun is detonated, thereby perforating the casing and penetrating the payzone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which a gun firing head is maintained free of debris. An upper tubing string runs downhole in a cased borehole to a packer device. A jet gun, having a firing head located at the upper end thereof, is connected to a lower tubing string. A vent assembly is connected in series relationship within the lower string, and underlies the packer device. A barrier is contained within the lower tubing in underlying relationship to the vent and isolates the tubing interior immediately above the gun from contact with well fluids. A gun firing device is run from the surface, downhole through the packer device, and penetrates the barrier to gain access to the gun firing head, whereupon the gun is detonated, thereby perforating the casing and penetrating the payzone.

Abstract: Two or more spaced formations located downhole in a borehole are completed by employment of a string of perforating guns and by making a single trip to the wellbore. An upper and a lower gun device are tied together by a connecting tubing. The length of the tubing spaces the guns apart a selected amount. The gun string is run downhole and actuated, whereby the casing is perforated adjacent to the two spaced formations. Detonation of the upper gun forces an upper movable member associated with the connecting tubing to generate a pressure wave which is received by a lower movable member located at the upper end of the lower gun. The lower member is connected to cause detonation of the lower gun.

Abstract: A perforating gun has a charge carrier assembly housed therein comprised of a plurality of charge holders connected together in tandem. Shaped charges are supported within each of the charge holders, such that the corresponding charges of each holder are circumferentially and vertically spaced apart from one another to forn a predetermined pattern. The individual charge holders describe a polyhedron whose bases or ends describe equal polygons, and whose lateral faces are rectangular and include a centrally located aperture which is adapted to receive a shaped charge in supported relationship therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for completing a well by means of a perforating gun attached to the downhole end of a string of production tubing, producing the well until it is clean, shutting-in the well at a point relatively near the perforating gun, and measuring the shut-in pressure.