Abstract: An oil well is pumped with a jet pump using, as the power fluid, field salt water preferably from the same formation that the well is completed in. The jet pump comprises a series of metallic cylindrical components that are clamped together in a housing connected to the bottom of the tubing string. A tail pipe assembly extends below the bottom of the producing formation to lower the liquid level in the well as low as possible. A more sophisticated tail pipe assembly operates to reduce back pressure on the formation as much as possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to a nitrogen or carbon dioxide rejection process used in an enhanced oil recovery project. In rejection processes for enhanced oil recovery projects at least a portion of a feed stream from the reservoir is precooled in a heat exchanger before distillation to separate the feed stream into a nitrogen or carbon dioxide fraction and a methane fraction. The improvement to this rejection process is the precooling of the feed stream by heat exchange with the nitrogen or carbon dioxide fraction and the methane fractions in a plate-fin heat exchanger with at least three circuits.

Abstract: A jet pump system that is portable on a truck or equipment skid and transportable from well to well and useable from the truck or equipment skid for the lowering and withdrawal of the jet pump down and up from a well with coiled pipe and coiled return line. In one version the coiled pressure fluid pipe and coiled return line are strapped together at intervals as the pump is being lowered and the pipe and line fed down the well with the pipe being the primary support for the lowered pump, the return line and the pipe itself. In another version a motor cable reel unit lowers and raises cable that is strapped at intervals to both the pipe and the return line as a support for the lowered pump, the return line and the pipe.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon producing well is worked over by wire line tools only to run a jet pump into the tubing string by perforating the tubing string and then isolating the perforation to direct power fluid injected down the annulus to pass into the power fluid inlet of the jet pump. Formation fluids delivered up the tubing string pass through the jet pump to the surface. The jet pump is placed in the well without tripping the tubing string and consequently without having to use a workover rig.

Abstract: The method of the present invention relates to a gas lift operation wherein pressurized injection gas is mixed with pressurized injection liquid prior to introducing the pressurized mixture into a borehole. The pressurized injection gas and liquid mixture is introduced into one portion of the well bore to a point below an initial column of well fluid present in another portion of the well bore conduit. As the mixture of injection gas and liquid travels towards the bottom of the well bore the gas is compressed more and more by the height of the column of liquid thereabove and is subsequently passed to said another portion of the well bore where the gas rises and expands to lift the oil or other well fluid to the surface.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-lift apparatus and process of lifting liquids is described. The apparatus includes a chamber on the downhole end of a production tubing in communication with a sidestring tube. The sidestring tube is in communication with the high pressure gas stored within the casing above and below a packer. A valve in the sidestring permits the entrance of a lifting gas into the chamber to lift the liquids flowing therein to the surface. A surface bleed-down system minimizes the pressure in the production tubing. This increases the pressure differential between the formation and the interior of the casing and lifting chamber during the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus and process are suitable for use in many types of wells including wells of great depth and also those containing long hydrocarbon producing zones and/or deviated wells.

Abstract: A method to recover subsurface heat-liquefiable minerals and viscous oil by jetting steam through orifices set adjacent to subsurface formations and deposits. The steam heat reduces the flow resistance of the mineral or oil and allows the resulting liquid to be removed to the surface by conventional pumping means at any point along the vertical interface of the single well bore and formation or deposit. Removal of the resulting liquid may also be accomplished through the apparatus itself.

Abstract: A well bore is provided with novel and improved apparatus for practice of an improved method for recovery of liquids from the well wherein a quantity of liquid is elevated by repeated discrete steps upwardly through the well bore under the impetus of gas pressure with the size of the elevation steps being determined by the magnitude of gas pressure available in the well and wherein each level or step in the well is substantially continuously exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure whereby no substantial resistance to the stepwise upward flow of liquid is encountered.

Abstract: A fully programmable system for controlling the operation of one or more gas or oil production wells by controlling the intermittent operation of the wells in response to either programmed information or monitored and measured criteria related to the wells themselves. The system includes battery powered solid state circuitry comprising a keyboard, a programmable memory, a microprocessor, control circuitry, means for inputting measured parameters from a plurality of transducers and a liquid crystal display system for displaying information contained within the memory, or one of the measured parameters. In one embodiment, the system monitors pressure, flow, and other parameters of a plurality of wells drawing petroleum products from a common reservoir to control the intermittent operation of either gas injection to the well, outflow of fluids from the well, or shutting in of the well to maximize the overall output of the entire array of wells drawing from the common reservoir.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable completion assembly includes a surface-controllable, safety control valve interposed between the production tubing string and a production seal unit. A gas-lift safety valve is carried within a side pocket mandrel connected in the upper production string. The upper production string, production flow safety valve and gas-lift safety valve are run in and removed as a single unit from a single-bore hanger packer which is releasably anchored within the well casing. Separate concentric flow passages are provided through the packer bore for the upward flow of formation fluid through a production stinger conduit which extends through the packer bore, and for downward flow of lift gas through the annulus between the packer bore and the stinger conduit. The completion assembly is locked into place below the hanger packer by a latch having fixed and movable collets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons and other liquids from underground at sites of refineries, oil, gasoline and other liquid storage and distributing facilities, tie creasoting plants, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, for petroleum origin hydrocarbon recovery, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities that are free of mechanical pumping action, are employed for raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, and under the static pressure of the compressed air.

Abstract: A retrieval device, suitable among other uses for lifting solid and liquid materials from underground locations, comprises a generally cylindrical section, a plurality of projecting members extending from said generally cylindrical section and hinged or otherwise flexibly secured thereto so as to be capable of movement between a first position in which they are aligned with the surface of said generally cylindrical section and a second position in which they are inclined inwards towards the axis of the cylinder, and flexible webs extending between adjacent projecting members.

Abstract: A fully programmable system for controlling the operation of one or more gas or oil production wells by controlling the intermittent operation of the wells in response to either programmed information or monitored and measured criteria related to the wells themselves. The system includes battery powered solid state circuitry comprising a keyboard, a programmable memory, a microprocessor, control circuitry, means for inputting measured parameters from a plurality of transducers and a liquid crystal display system for displaying information contained within the memory, or one of the measured parameters. In one embodiment, the system monitors pressure, flow, and other parameters of a plurality of wells drawing petroleum products from a common reservoir to control the intermittent operation of either gas injection to the well, outflow of fluids from the well, or shutting in of the well to maximize the overall output of the entire array of wells drawing from the common reservoir.

Abstract: A plunger lift is adapted to be disposed in a well tubing string for slidable movement in relation to the tubing string in response to lift pressure. The plunger lift is an integral, one-piece unit that comprises a generally cylindrical, elongated shaft having an external, spirally extending coil machined in fixed relation to the external surface of the shaft. The spiral coil is disposed on the shaft such that an oblique angle is formed by the coil and a line perpendicular to the shaft. The coil is defined by a radially and outwardly projecting web terminating in an outer rim which is directed downwardly in an axial direction away from the web to form an undercut or recessed portion beneath the web. The coil traverses the major length of the shaft for advancement of well fluids therealong. A choke passage is provided in the shaft so that fluid is able to pass upwardly through the plunger lift for the selective withdrawal of fluids from the upper end of the coil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities that are free of mechanical pumping action, are employed for raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, and under the static pressure of the compressed air.

Abstract: Ground water pollutant floating above the water table in a water-bearing formation is removed through a well penetrating the formation by lowering the water level so that pollutant from the region surrounding the well will flow into the well due to gravitational force, and lowering a liquid-retaining vessel into the well to a depth whereby a liquid entry port in the vessel is in the pollutant layer above the water level. The vessel is constructed to receive the liquid pollutant by gravitational flow through the liquid entry port, the displaced gas leaving through a vent. A compressed air line feeds the vessel to purge its interior of accumulated liquid through an exit port on an intermittent basis. Check valves associated with each port are actuatable by the influence of the compressed air to prevent leakage of discharged pollutant back into the vessel and to provide complete and efficient purging when the compressed air is flowing.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus has a housing with a compression chamber defined therein. A fill passage is disposed through the housing for placing the compression chamber in open flow fluid communication with a well annulus so that well fluid may flow into the compression chamber as the apparatus is lowered into a well. An isolation valve selectively closes the fill passage to trap well fluid in the compression chamber. An operating element is operated by the actuating piston slidably disposed in the housing. A first side of the actuating piston is in fluid pressure communication with the compression chamber so that a volume of the compression chamber is decreased when the actuating piston moves between a first and second position thereof relative to the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process whereby heavy, viscous crude oil may be produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing a jet pump without the problems associated with cavitation damage of the jet pump found in the prior art. The jet pump is operated with a power fluid comprising water and surfactant, the power fluid forming an emulsion with the heavy, viscous crude oil in the jet stream of the jet pump.

Abstract: A reverse up flow jet pump used in an oil and gas pumping system having a positive displacement pump on the surface supplying water flow under pressure to the jet pump down the hole. The jet pump is used in a system drawing a vacuum reducing if not eliminating the effect of head pressure within the well resulting in freer fluid flow from the formation pay zone to thereby reduce costs and increase production.

Abstract: A novel gas lift apparatus is described which is particularly useful for the dewatering of gas wells in which the gas pressure is low or for the lifting of oil from wells when mixed oil and gas are produced. Water or oil is allowed to collect in the tubing above the valve of the apparatus. Sensors provide indications of the water level or the hydrostatic head within the tubing, and of the gas pressure in the casing. The outputs of the sensors are fed to an electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic controller which at a predetermined differential pressure opens the valve. Alternatively, a timer can be used to energize the valve at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method of controlling the removal of flowable material from a well using a pump in the well which includes a housing having at least one aperture leading to an interior chamber within the housing so that flowable material from the well can enter the chamber and a pressure responsive valve for opening and closing the aperture. Gas is supplied under pressure through a conduit to the pump to close the valve to terminate entry of the flowable material into the chamber and to force the flowable material out of the pump. The flow of gas under pressure is then terminated, and gas from the conduit is vented. The venting is carried out during the time that the gas under pressure is supplied through the conduit to the pump and following the termination of the flow of gas to the pump to bleed gas under pressure from the conduit and the pump so that flowable material from the well can again enter the chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities, are employed in a well or wells at the site for separately raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, under the static pressure of compressed air and free of mechanical pumping action on the liquids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities, are employed in a well or wells at the site for separately raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, under the static pressure of compressed air and free of mechanical pumping action on the liquids.

Abstract: A split-stream method and apparatus for preventing the accumulation of liquids, such as water or oil, in subterranean gas wells having low shut-in bottom hole pressures is provided. A compressor whose capacity can be less than the theoretical adiabatic horsepower for full wellhead depletion, is used to remove a two-phase liquid-gas mixture through a secondary fluid transmission conduit. Production of dry gas in larger quantities through a primary production conduit is then possible since liquids cannot accumulate to kill the well. An optional mechanism for initiating production in very low pressure wells and a means of preventing the buildup of paraffin is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recovery of liquid hydrocarbons on ground water in which one or more perforate, small diameter (2 to 4 inch) well casings are installed in the ground in or at least adjacent to a contaminated soil area containing the liquid hydrocarbons. A liquid recovery unit is in each well casing and each recovery unit has a hollow housing covered by a semi-permeable membrane which passes liquid hydrocarbons but blocks the flow of ground water into the housing. The liquid hydrocarbons collected in the housings can be moved to a receiver by pressurizing the housings, by suction applied to the housings, by pressurizing the well casings, and by the use of submersible pumps near the housings. Several embodiments of the recovery units are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for converting an oil well with natural effluent rise to one with gas-lift of the effluent column, wherein the oil well has a nipple in the production tube provided with a stop-groove and smooth bearing surfaces between which a hydraulic control line comes out. For conversion an inner tube is lowered inside the production tube, the inner tube being provided with a locking system for locking the inner tube to the nipple, and with a safety valve assembly capable of closing both the passage inside the inner tube and the annular passage between the latter and the production tube, under the action of a control fluid supplied by the control line which opens between two seals on the inner tube and which bear against the smooth bearing surfaces when locking is effected.

Abstract: An assembly including a tubing safety valve and annulus safety valve mounted within nipples incorporated within an inner conduit is disclosed for use in conjunction with the injection of material, such as gas, through the center of the inner conduit. The injected material can be used to stimulate production of fluids from the formation through the annulus between the inner conduit and an outer concentric conduit. This outer concentric conduit normally comprises an existing producting tubing string having existing safety valve nipple and external control fluid lines. Nipples incorporated within the inner conduit provide means for sealing the annulus between the inner and the outer conduit and for positioning the inner conduit relative to the outer conduit to provide communication between the tubing safety valve and the annulus safety valve and the external existing source of control fluid pressure.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly especially suited for oil wells has a wide working pressure range and employs three components which fit together to seal the well casing, hold the tubing against high wellhead pressures, and provide a connection to the tubing through which the sucker rods are operated. The primary casing seal is formed by the mating contact of metal surfaces that are not subject to deterioration. The actuator for the subsurface pump is a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder unit aligned with the sucker rods and forming the uppermost section of an elongated cylindrical housing, which also has a lowermost section on the wellhead that provides the outlets for the fluid pumped from the well, and an intermediate, control section that contains a spool valve for controlling the hydraulic actuator. The spool is shifted by the piston and rod of the hydraulic actuator at the upper and lower limits of their stroke to thereby reciprocate the sucker rods and operate the subsurface pump.

Abstract: A method or system for raising gas and liquid from a well used in in situ heating of a formation. Such heating may be done by radio frequency having an appropriate wave length in the earth e.g. about fifteen meters. The well has a production tube suspended from the well head. And, the method steps include sweeping the annulus with dry gas to drive the products up the production tube, at low flow. Also, another step is that of measuring the pressure differential between the annulus and the outlet of the production tube. And, another step is that of increasing the flow of the dry gas whenever the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined minimum. The increased flow is continued for an interval long enough to clear the liquid product that has risen in the tube and caused the differential pressure increase.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering a gas well in which the level of water in the well may be maintained at a fairly constant low level employing a diverter valve for introducing liquid into the tubing which valve is maintained closed when the liquid level drops below a selected level and employing a fluid responsive gas lift valve utilizing annulus gas to lift the liquid within the tubing from the well. The fluid operated valve may be closed by a constant force exerted on the valve member toward closed position or the force urging the valve member to closed position may be increased in response to a reduction in pressure in the annulus to close the gas lift valve when the annulus pressure reduces to a selected level.

Abstract: A high-strength side pocket mandrel for high pressure service having a full-opening bore throughout its length but having a bore of keyhole shape above its receptacle bore to provide minimal but ample space for operation of a kickover tool for installing devices in the receptacle bore and providing strengthened walls for withstanding greater forces which would tend to burst or collapse the mandrel.

Abstract: A reservoir encountered by a drilling fluid-containing borehole can be sampled and/or a liquid can be removed from within a borehole by arranging conduits and a packer for isolating the reservoir or a selected fluid-removal location and then gas-lifting liquid by injecting an aqueous liquid solution which generates nitrogen gas within the borehole, with the depth of the injection and the rates of fluid inflow and outflow being adjusted to maintain a selected drawdown at the depth of the fluid-removal location.

Abstract: A method for locating gas-lift valves in properly spaced manner within a string of production tubing extending to a production zone within a well. During calculations for valve spacing and set pressures, the spacing and reopening pressures of the valves are corrected to the lowest temperature that is expected to be encountered at any valve while lifting from the next lower valve of the gas-lift valve and piping system. An average between the flowing temperature corresponding to the rate to be produced from the next deepest valve and the geothermal temperature gradient are employed to calculate the reopening pressure of any given valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for production of liquid from wells such as petroleum wells includes well pipe that extends from the surface downwardly to the level of liquid standing within the well. A string of production tubing is positioned within the well pipe with the annulus between the production tubing and well pipe defining gas supply means that is interconnected with a source of compressed gas. At the lower portion of the production tubing is located aspirator means having a gas injection element defining a gas jet passage which is in communication with the gas supply annulus. The gas injection element is oriented to direct an upwardly flowing jet of pressurized gas which is directed into the lower restricted portion of a venturi that extends upwardly from the aspirator means into the production tubing. The aspirator means also defines a liquid flow passage that is in communication with liquid standing within the well.

Abstract: A liquid well-treating chemical composition is injected into the production tubing during gas lift operations by providing a differential pressure operated valve downhole from the lowermost gas lift flow valve and maintaining sufficient liquid head of the chemical composition in the annulus to open the valve and cause the liquid chemical composition to pass into the interior of the production tubing.

Abstract: A Venturi type tube is coaxially connected with the depending end of an oil well pumping string for installation in a producing oil well for increasing the ratio of oil to salt water obtained from the well.

Abstract: A high-strength side pocket mandrel for high pressure service having a full-opening bore throughout its length but having a bore of keyhole shape above its receptacle bore to provide minimal but ample space for operation of a kickover tool for installing devices in the receptacle bore and providing strengthened walls for withstanding greater forces which would tend to burst or collapse the mandrel.