Abstract: An artificial lift system may include a rodless hydraulic pump actuator including an actuator housing assembly, an actuator piston assembly supported for reciprocal translation stroke movement relative to the actuator piston assembly, an actuator piston assembly production fluid passage extending through the actuator piston assembly, and a tubular coupling below the actuator housing assembly having a coupling flow passage to pass production fluid into the actuator piston assembly production fluid passage.

Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system, apparatus and method for artificial lift including a hydraulic downhole rodless pump actuator.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling production from a hydrocarbon well that produces liquid and gas phases using well production equipment. A hydraulic power source supplies a flow of hydraulic fluid to a manifold. The manifold distributes the hydraulic fluid to each of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. A controller is used to optimize production from the hydrocarbon well by controlling the hydraulic power source and the speeds of the downhole pump and the casing gas pump. The controller controls these components based on readings from a casing gas pressure sensor and a liquid level sensor relative to a predetermined casing gas pressure and a predetermined liquid level.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for artificial lift includes a hydraulic downhole rodless pump actuator.

Abstract: An intrawell fluid injection system is operably positionable in a well having a production zone that is in fluid isolation from a discharge zone. The system includes an electric submersible pump assembly having an electric motor and a fluid pump that is operably associated with the electric motor. The fluid pump has a fluid intake operably positionable in fluid communication with the production zone. The fluid pump is operable to pump formation fluid from the production zone in a first axial direction. The system also includes a bypass assembly that is in downstream fluid communication with the electric submersible pump assembly. The bypass assembly is operable to transport formation fluid from the electric submersible pump assembly in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction. The bypass assembly has a fluid discharge operably positionable in fluid communication with the discharge zone.

Abstract: Separating gas from liquid down hole in a well by a downhole gas separator, gas is separated and passed to the well annulus and liquid is passed to a submersible pump at a calibrated flow rate at which liquid is vacated from a separation chamber, the length of the separation chamber providing sufficient space for gas separation as the liquid is pumped from the separator. The gas separator, limiting the amount of fluid passed to the separation chamber at less than the pumping rate of the submersible pump, creates a fluid vortex causing the separated liquid to move to the periphery and separated gas to pass near the axial center of the separation chamber. The separated gas passes to the well annulus and the liquid passes to the inlet of the submersible pump.

Abstract: The system and method are utilized to control the flow of crude oil, natural gas, and field produced salt water to optimize production from an oil or gas well. The invention is suitable for use with a well that utilizes gas-lift as artificial lift. The equipment is designed to regulate the flow of injection gas into the production tubing to optimize production of the well.

Abstract: A device for liquid removal from a drilled hole equipped for gas production from an underground accumulation, under the conditions in which a downward liquid film flow on the tubing string wall occurs, the device comprising a long lower inner liner (4) whose upper end (b) is beveled, surrounded by an “M”-shaped short-circuiting pipe (7), provided with short vertical portions (j and k), which, at the lower side, are secured to elbows (l and m) of an “M”-shaped discharge path (8) which partially surrounds the lower inner liner, the elbows continuing to the lower side with long vertical portions (n and o) and short vertical portions (p and q) which communicate between them through a lower horizontal portion (r), one long vertical portion having a curved lower end (s) mounted in a window (t) cut into the lower inner liner and the other long vertical portion having an open end (u) located in an accumulation chamber (a).

Abstract: A system for producing hydrocarbons from a well includes an unloading unit that receives fluids from a wellhead. The unloading unit separates the oil and gas, and the oil is pumped to a pipeline. Using the unloading unit and the pump helps to reduce the pressure at the wellhead which helps increase production. The gas separated by the unloading unit is compressed and re-injected into the well to create a gas lift which further helps increase production. Capturing and reinjecting the separated gas for gas lift operations reduces environmental damages associated with conventional unloading unit and pump assemblies. The unloading unit, compressor, and pump are modular for quicker installation and a smaller footprint. After increasing the productive life of a first reservoir, the system can be broken down and reassembled for use at another reservoir.

Abstract: A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. An extraction tube has an upper end above the shroud within the upper portion of the caisson and a lower end connected to a jet pump. The extraction tube causes gas that separates from the liquid and collects in the upper portion of the caisson to be drawn into the jet pump and mixed with the liquid as the liquid is being pumped.

Abstract: Configurations for gas well dewatering systems having overpressure protection to protect a pump and its peripheral equipment from damage due to overpressure are provided.

Abstract: A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. An eduction tube has an upper end above the shroud within the upper portion of the caisson and a lower end in fluid communication with an interior portion of the shroud. The eduction tube causes gas that separates from the liquid and collects in the upper portion of the caisson to be drawn into the pump and mixed with the liquid as the liquid is being pumped.

Abstract: Well pumping of fluids having low hydrostatic pressure is provided through a combination of jet pumping and gas assisted lifting. A jet pump is located in a borehole in a producing zone of a well, and a source of gas is introduced into the fluid returning from the production location. The gas may be injected into the fluid used to operate the jet pump, such that the gas remains compressed until exiting the jet pump, and then provides assistance in lifting the returning fluid.

Abstract: A downhole assembly for deliquifying a wellbore. In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a nozzle section including a converging nozzle and a diverging nozzle in fluid communication with the converging nozzle. In addition, the assembly comprises a throat section including a convergent throat passage proximal the diverging nozzle and a cylindrical throat passage distal the diverging nozzle and extending axially from the convergent throat passage. The convergent throat passage and the cylindrical throat passage are in fluid communication with the diverging nozzle. Further, the assembly comprises a diffuser section coaxially aligned with the throat section. The diffuser section includes a divergent diffuser passage extending axially from the straight throat passage.

Abstract: A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. An extraction tube has an upper end above the shroud within the upper portion of the caisson and a lower end connected to a jet pump. The extraction tube causes gas that separates from the liquid and collects in the upper portion of the caisson to be drawn into the jet pump and mixed with the liquid as the liquid is being pumped.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of receiving oil and gas from a recovery or other input source, compressing and/or pumping said oil and gas using multi-phase compressors with heat exchange means, and delivering said compressed gas to various destinations, including for use in oil and gas recovery.

Abstract: A submersible pump gas separator for a well pump has a housing with a rotatable shaft. A separating section in the housing separates heavier well fluid components into an area radially outward from the lighter components. A crossover member rotates with the shaft. The crossover member has a helical liquid passage having an inlet in fluid communication with the separating section for receiving the heavier components and an outlet in fluid communication with a liquid outlet of the housing. The crossover has a gas passage having an inlet in fluid communication with the separating section for receiving the lighter components and an outlet in fluid communication with a gas outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A method of removing produced fluid from a well producing both gas and liquid comprises utilising produced gas flowing from a formation to power a produced liquid pump. The produced liquid from the pump and the produced gas are carried towards surface in separate fluid streams, and may be commingled closer to surface.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a submersible pumping system for pumping wellbore fluids. The submersible pumping system includes a rotatable shaft and a mechanical seal that substantially surrounds the shaft. The mechanical seal prevents the flow of wellbore fluid along the shaft and includes a spring, a spring retainer and a runner. The spring surrounds the shaft and provides an axial force along the shaft. The spring retainer is affixed to the shaft and includes a detent to hold the spring. The runner is in interlocking engagement with the spring retainer and accommodates the spring. The interlocking engagement causes the runner to rotate within the spring retainer while permitting axial movement of the shaft relative to the runner.

Abstract: In a flowing gas well having concentric production casing and tubing strings: a funnel is mounted to the bottom end of the tubing string; a packer divides the annulus into upper and lower portions; a tube is provided having an inlet, which communicates with the lower portion of the annulus, immediately beneath the packer, and an upwardly directed restrictive outlet which communicates with the passageway extending through the funnel; so that gas under pressure moves through the tube from the annulus lower portion, is jetted into the production bore (formed by the funnel passageway and tubing string bore) and assists in gas lifting produced water to ground surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for lifting production fluids using the heat of compression of production gas to heat injection liquids. An apparatus and process for uninterrupted production using conserved heat of compression during well maintenance. A lift gas apparatus and process controlled by wellhead pressure. A wellhead-controlled lifting system operating during well maintenance. An apparatus for multi-phase pumping for recovering oil and gas from a subterranean formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovering oil and gas from a subterranean formation wherein the production rate is controlled by the gas pressure at the well head, resulting in very slow strokes or pulses and bubbles of lift gas up to 500 feet long. An apparatus and process for well maintenance using cooled injection gas from the well and heated fluids, which also may come from the well and be mixed with the well gas during compression, may be conducted without interrupting production. An apparatus and process for heating maintenance fluids using heat generated when the lift gas is compressed.

Abstract: A downhole pump assembly is suspended by tubing in a well. The pump assembly has a separator attached below a progressing cavity pump with a flexible shaft to accommodate the concentric path of the shaft of the separator and the eccentric path of the rotor of the pump. Vanes on the shaft of the separator use centrifugal force to separate the heavier liquids from the lighter gases in the well fluids. The separator discharges the gas into the casing and the liquid to the pump. A motor drives both the separator and the pump. A gear reduction unit is located between the motor and the pump in order to reduce the rotational speed from the motor to the desired rotational speed of the rotor for the pump.

Abstract: Well equipment well fluid more efficiently from a gassy well. A conduit is hung and sealed inside a string of casing, forcing the gas and well fluid to flow into the conduit. A gas separator and a series of flow controls and valves are mounted into and run with the conduit. A pump assembly is hung and sealed into the conduit for pumping well fluid to the surface. The pump assembly is lowered and retrieved from the conduit on tubing. The pump may be located below the motor, or above the motor.

Abstract: A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream which contains solid particulates wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. The stream is passed through an upstream separator to separate out the particulates which pass through a first and second set of slots into first and second passages, both of which empty into a bypass through the turbine whereby the separated particulates do not contact the rotary vanes of the turbine thereby alleviating the erosive effects of the solids in the produced stream.

Abstract: A wellsite pumping system, comprising a gas processing system including a source of compressed gas, the source of compressed gas having a low pressure inlet and a high pressure outlet, coil tubing connected to the high pressure outlet of the gas processing system, the coil tubing including a first tubing string connected to the high pressure outlet and a second tubing string running parallel to the first tubing string and having an opening for entry of fluid at a remote end from the high pressure outlet; and a venturi connecting the second tubing string to the first tubing string such that, in operation, passage of gas through the venturi from the first tubing string draws production fluid into the second tubing string. Preferably, the second tubing string is suspended within the first tubing string. The venturi may be formed by a horizontal passageway communicating with a vertical passageway with a restriction.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved method and apparatus for liquid entrainment by a two-phase flow system. The present invention provides an apparatus that recovers liquids by entrainment without experiencing deadhead conditions, choking or dry recovery due to fluctuations in the elevation of the liquid level. The apparatus provides self-regulated two-phase recovery of gas and liquid by construction design, thus eliminating the need for manual adjustments or electronically controlled devices. The enhanced venturi effects of the present invention enhance liquid lift while maintaining the gas recovery point above the liquid at all times to eliminate deadhead conditions.

Abstract: A system for producing production fluids from a wellbore while removing gas that collects in pockets within the wellbore. The system includes an electric submergible pumping unit. The unit includes a submergible pump powered by a submergible motor. The fluid discharged by the pump is forced through a pressure reduction device, such as a jet pump, to create a low pressure area. This low pressure area is coupled via a conduit to a gas pocket creation area within the wellbore. For example, gas pockets may develop beneath a packer disposed above the electric submergible pumping system. The low pressure area at the pressure reduction device draws the gas into the discharged production fluid and delivers the mixture to a collection at the earth's surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic system for lifting petroleum, for application in wells, which may be flowing or non-flowing wells, preferably with low productivity levels or with low static pressure. The system uses cyclic pressurization and depressurization of a petroleum storage chamber located in the lower portion of the well by the injection of gas to force the fluid which has accumulated in the storage chamber to be lifted via the production column. After the storage chamber has been emptied to a certain degree, it is depressurized to allow refilling. When the storage chamber is depressurized, the gas may be diverted to the annular space between the production column and an auxiliary lift tube, where it plays a part in increasing the height of the column of fluid which it is possible to lift. A control system is responsible for the cyclic nature of the operation.