Abstract: Method and apparatus for assisting the flow of production fluid from a hydrocarbon wellbore (4) to a remote host facility (16) including a separation facility (6) situated close to the wellbore (4). Jetting fluid is supplied initially from the host facility (16) to a downhole jet pump (14) via the separation facility (6) for assisting the flow of production fluid from the wellbore (4) to the separation facility (6) where the resulting mixture enters one of two parallel gravity separation chambers (32). Separated jetting fluid (60) is recirculated to the jet pump (14) via a pump (38) and production fluid is routed to the host facility via a production pipeline (18). A jetting fluid supply pipe (20) can be of relatively small diameter and the production pipeline (18) does not have to be enlarged to accommodate jetting fluid returned to the host facility (16).

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: The invention relates to jet devices for extracting oil from wells and intensifying the oil influx rate. An output cone, a packer and a jet pump are mounted on a tubing string. One or several active nozzles are arranged inside the pump body, and a stepped pass channel provided with a mounting seat for a pressure-sealing unit which is disposed between stages and several channels for supplying a pumped-out medium are embodied inside said pump body. The axes of the nozzles are disposed in a parallel position with respect to the axis of the pass channel at a certain distance therefrom. The inventive device is provided with a radiator and a receiver-transducer of physical fields mounted on a cable in such a way that it is replaceable by other instruments. Said cable passes through the axial channel of the sealing unit which is arranged in such a way that it is successively replaceable by functional inserts such as a testing and depression inserts etc.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to efficiently remove liquids—hydrocarbons or water—from a natural producing formation so as to reduce the resistance to gas inflow to the wellbore from the formation. The system will also serve as an efficient mechanism for producing hydrocarbon liquids by operating at a higher wellbore and near-wellbore formation pressure to maintain such liquids in a state of increased mobility due to the retained gas in solution. The system used is a downhole device containing a float-operated valve, said float being sensitive to fluid filling its interior such that it falls with liquid fill, opening a valve to the production tubing string liquids are allowed into the production tubing, while gas is produced up the tubing-casing annulus. A unique combination of artificial lift is incorporated in the tubing string, basically a plunger lift operated by one or more gas lift valves that open when a prescribed column of liquid is sensed above the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to jet device used for extracting oil from wells. The inventive device comprises a packer, a pipe column, a jet pump, a transmitter and a receiver of physical fields. The body of the pump comprises a through stepped channel embodied in a parallel position with respect to the axes of the pipe column and having a seat disposed between steps for arranging a sealing unit, which is provided with an axial channel. Said pump body is also provided with an active nozzle. The axis of the active nozzle is disposed in a parallel position with respect to the axis of the through channel at a distance equal to or higher than 1.1 of the radius thereof. The diameter of the through channel above the seat is 0.5 mm greater than the diameter thereof below said seat. The diameter of the axial channel of the sealing unit is equal to or less than 0.6 of the external diameter thereof.

Abstract: A controllable gas-lift well having controllable gas-lift valves and sensors for detecting flow regime is provided. The well uses production tubing and casing to communicate with and power the controllable valve from the surface. A signal impedance apparatus in the form of induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically isolate the tubing from the casing. A high band-width, adaptable spread spectrum communication system is used to communicate between the controllable valve and the surface. Sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and acoustic sensors, may be provided downhole to more accurately assess downhole conditions and in particular, the flow regime of the fluid within the tubing. Operating conditions, such as gas injection rate, back pressure on the tubing, and position of downhole controllable valves are varied depending on flow regime, downhole conditions, oil production, gas usage and availability, to optimize production.

Abstract: Natural gas produced from a well by executing a multiple-phase gas recovery cycle which includes a phase during which a relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied within three chambers in the well to assist in accumulating liquids at a well bottom, followed by a liquid reduction phase which clears the liquid from two of the chambers while leaving the liquid in the third chamber. The remaining liquid is thereafter lifted in subsequent liquid capture and liquid removal phases. The liquid reduction phase clears the fluid from the well more effectively with less interruption in the production of gas from the well while maintaining the full gas productivity of the well.

Abstract: The disclosed invention comprises an apparatus and method for producing hydrocarbons from an oil well where no production lines are in place, or where the backpressure of existing production lines is higher than the surface pressure of the oil well, preventing flow of the hydrocarbons into the production lines. The apparatus comprises a production assembly which may be mounted on either a flatbed trailer or on a liftable skid unit. The production assembly comprises a two-phase separator for separating liquid and gas phases. The production assembly further comprises a flexible flowline which is wrapped around a spooling drum. A first end of the flexible flowline receives the fluids from the two-phase separator. The second end of the flexible flowline is attached to a production facility or production line. The production assembly may further comprise pumping and compression means, liquid measurement means and gas measurement means.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for extracting, transporting and/or releasing various kinds of material. Generally speaking, such methods and apparatuses involve vacuum-based (or low-pressure-based) components which, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, utilize various combinations of: a gateway that functions as a valve without moving parts, flexible hoses, and/or a separator for separating the solids in the material from the liquids. Such methods and apparatuses are useful in a variety of applications, including landfill-well cleanout and home-based, laboratory-based, commercial-based and manufacturing-based applications. The tools according to the present invention generally are scalable to nearly any size.

Abstract: In systems and methods for production of hydrocarbons fluids from a formation surrounding a wellbore, a production assembly is cemented into place, and excess cement is then cleaned from the production tubing and liner. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced and artificial gas lift assistance is provided. All of this may be accomplished in a single trip (mono-trip) of the production tubing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an oil, water, and gas well using a gas carrier/transport system to remove produced liquids and contained solids by altering the flow regime of the production fluids towards or into a flow regime in which gas is the continuous fluid. This can be accomplished by use of supplemental gas flow (hydrocarbon or non-hydrocarbon) and/or stimulation of the production sand or coal bed gas flow with a reduced pressure drop across the well once near or in a gas-continuous flow regime. This invention can be applied to any well with insufficient formation gas pressure to prevent liquid buildup within the well during production. The present invention utilizes a second production pipe (or the annulus between the casing and the pipe), sized to transport compressed gas from the wellhead area down into the production liquid and into the production pipe. This flow of gas will cause the well fluids to flow up the pipe by approaching or entering a gas-continuous flow regime.

Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a multipart piston that is dropped into the well in separate pieces. When the pieces reach the bottom of the well, they fall into an accumulation of the formation liquid in the bottom of the well and unite. Gas from the formation pushes the unit upwardly, pushing liquid above the piston toward the surface. The multipart piston includes a upper sleeve and a lower component. A decoupler at the surface comprises a separator rod which the sleeve passes onto thereby dislodging the lower component and allowing it to fall into the well. The sleeve is held on the separator rod by the action of well contents flowing around and/or through the sleeve. When well flow around the sleeve is interrupted, the sleeve falls into the well. The length of time the sleeve is held at the surface is varied in response to the amount of liquid produced on each cycle.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A downhole injector (10), (26), (38) and (54) is provided at the lower end of the production tubing string (TS) for passing liquids from a downhole hydrocarbon formation (F) into the tubing string while preventing gases from passing through the injector. The present invention uses the injector with an optimum wellbore annulus (A) back pressure using a regulator (64) and a pressure gauge (62) to enhance total gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon recovery. In wells requiring artificial lift, a downhole pump (P) may be used to efficiently pump formation fluids to the surface or alternatively one or more gas lift valves (LV) for raising slugs of liquid to the surface. The present invention may also be used with multi horizontal borehole technology for increasing hydrocarbon recovery by retaining gases in the formation to act upon liquid hydrocarbons by maintaining an over head pressure for driving the liquids from the formation through the injector for maximum ultimate recovery and hydrocarbon reserve value.

Abstract: A protection system for an artificial lift device including but not limited to electrical submersible pump (ESP) and an electrical submersible progressing cavity pup (ESPCP). The artificial lift device is suspended on a tubing string into a wellbore where the artificial lift device contacts well fluids. The artificial lift device is provided with a barrier such as an intake barrier or output barrier that deters an ingress of well fluids into the artificial lift device. As a result, the artificial lift device may remain idle and submerged within well fluids for an extended period of time without experiencing degradation of the artificial lift device internals. The intake barrier may include a plug, burst disk, dissolvable material, a selectively openable barrier such as a sleeve or a spring biased member or other member that is capable of providing a suitable barrier. The barrier may be removed once the artificial lift device is ready for operation.

Abstract: A method of producing gas through liquid level detection in oil or gas wells uses various types of artificial lift systems that include sub surface gas lift, beam pumps, progressive cavity pump and submersible pumps. The artificial lift systems are controlled in response to a known liquid level within the well bore to prevent the well from pumping off and damaging the artificial lift system or from reducing the liquid level in the well bore to an unnecessarily low level to thereby increase the energy required by the artificial lift system to remove the liquid from the well bore.

Abstract: A method and device for forming a preferred gas liquid flow structure via separation of liquid and gas phases. The method and device relate to the production of gas and oil in wells. The operation and spacing of the devices ensure that the quantity of liquid moved upward exceeds the quantity of liquid running downward. The devices are sequentially installed along a tubing column. A displacement chamber in the form of an upturned cup moves axially in the tubing column. The travel of the cup is defined and controlled by a formula. The cup can have side openings in its lower section and a flange in its upper section. The flange normally blocks gas exhaust openings in a sleeve secured between the ends of the tubing members. The flange can move axially along the tubing.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The main problem area this invention is solving, is concerning reservoirs containing gas with to low well-head pressure. It is therefore desirable to increase the well-head pressure by applying downhole pumps, however this is not possible if gas is present. The core idea in this present invention, is to place a pump (5) in a “bath” of oil (14), in which oil “bath” (14) makes a gas seal (11), assuring the pump only to be imposed to oil without gas. Oil and gas from the reservoir (1) flows trough perforations (2), into a ring-space (3). This creates a significantly pressure drop of the mixture, in which creates turbulence so the gas content will separate from the oil. The pressure drop is regulated by the gas pressure valve (4).

Abstract: A system for pumping water from a well (32) drilled into an underground water source (44) that is operable in association with the windmill (10) having a tower frame (14), a wind driven turbine (12), and a reciprocating pump shaft (16) operably connected to the turbine. The system includes an air pump (20) mechanically linked to the reciprocating pump shaft (16) of the windmill (10) and operable by the direct reciprocating motion of the shaft (16). The air pump (20) operates through the reciprocating motion of the windmill shaft (16) and delivers a flow of compressed air into the well (32) down to a point below the water level within the well (32). An air lift fluid pump (20, 36) is positioned within the well (32) and comprises a submerged mixing chamber wherein compressed air is injected into the mixing chamber forming a buoyant air-water mixture. This buoyant mixture flows towards the surface which in turn draws water up through the fluid conduit (38) to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a gas operated pump having a removable and insertable valve. In one aspect, the invention includes a pump housing having a fluid path for pressurized gas and a second fluid path for exhaust gas. The fluid paths are completed when the valve is inserted into a longitudinal bore formed in the housing.

Abstract: In a plunger lift oil/gas well a prior art plunger is replaced with a metal ball.

Abstract: A hydraulic jet pump comprising: a nozzle housing; a nozzle member disposed within said nozzle housing and including an inlet aperture communicating through a jet nozzle with a mixing chamber along a power fluid inlet flow path; a deflector member including an axial bore formed partially therethrough from an input aperture at a first end thereof towards a second end thereof, said input aperture communicating with said mixing chamber, said deflector member further including a plurality of radially-disposed deflector outlet ports communicating with said axial bore and disposed at an acute angle with respect to said input aperture to form a flow path having an output flow direction disposed at an acute angle with respect to an input flow direction from said input aperture, said deflector member further including a plurality of axially-aligned vacuum inlet ports formed therethrough from said first end to said second end and in communication with said mixing chamber but not with said deflector outlet ports.

Abstract: Natural gas produced from a well by executing a multiple-phase gas recovery cycle which includes a phase during which a relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied within the entire well bore to assist in accumulating liquids at a well bottom. The relatively lower evacuation pressure augments the national earth formation pressure to produce natural gas and liquid more rapidly. The phases of the gas recovery cycle are also coordinated with the phase in which the relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied throughout the well to facilitate a greater natural gas production rate.

Abstract: A wellbore pump comprises a plunger having a passage which may be open or closed by a valve operated by a piston which is biased in the open position by a spring of selected strength such that the wellbore pressure may overcome the spring to close the valve when the accumulated hydrostatic pressure reaches a certain value. When the valve closes the reservoir pressure forces the plunger to the surface and causes the accumulated liquids to be pumped out of the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving plunger seal life on a casing swab system. The apparatus includes a diameter adapter disposed between an upper end of a wellbore casing and a lubricator adapted to receive a plunger therein. The diameter adapter is configured to provide a substantially constant internal diameter between the lubricator and the upper end of the casing. A method is also disclosed which includes retaining a casing swab plunger in a lubricator adapted to receive it for at least an amount of time sufficient to enable entrapped gas and fluids substantially to escape from the plunger seal material.

Abstract: Plunger lift operations are difficult to optimize due to lack of knowledge of tubing pressure, casing pressure, bottom-hole pressure, liquid accumulation in the tubing and location of the plunger. Monitoring the plunger position in the tubing helps the operator (or controller) to optimize the removal of liquids and gas from the well. The plunger position can be tracked from the surface by monitoring acoustic signals generated as the plunger falls down the tubing. When the plunger passes by a tubing collar recess, an acoustic pulse is generated that travels up the gas within the tubing. The acoustic pulses are monitored at the surface, and are converted to an electrical signal by a microphone. The signal is digitized, and the digitized data is stored in a computer. Software processes this data along with the tubing and casing pressure data to display plunger depth, plunger velocity and well pressures vs. time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing water from a gas well to permit efficient production of gas while protecting formation from introduced pressures. The apparatus comprises a one-way-valve that seals the casing from production zone when hydrostatic pressure of water from production accumulates in casing above production perforations and one-way-valve exceeds formation pressure. When the casing is sealed, a compressor pressurizes gas into the casing but not an exhaust conduit, the top of the casing being sealed around the exhaust conduit, permitting communication between the conduit and a suitable destination, such as via liquid separators on into sale pipeline. Accumulated water is caused to flow into the bottom of the exhaust conduit and out at surface to collection. When pressure within the sealed casing to the top end of exhaust conduit is equalized, the one-way-valve opens and regular production can resume.

Abstract: Natural gas produced from a well by executing a multiple-phase gas recovery cycle which includes a phase during which a relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied within the entire well bore to assist in accumulating liquids at a well bottom. The relatively lower evacuation pressure augments the national earth formation pressure to produce natural gas and liquid more rapidly. The phases of the gas recovery cycle are also coordinated with the phase in which the relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied throughout the well to facilitate a greater natural gas production rate.

Abstract: A method and system for the recovery and conversion of subsurface gas hydrates is provided. This is accomplished by accessing a subsurface hydrate formation and treating the formation with a treating system so that gas is released from the hydrate formation. The released gas is then delivered and collected by means of a gas recovery system at a surface location. The gas is converted to liquid hydrocarbons in a conversion system utilizing a synthesis gas unit for producing synthesis gas from the hydrate gas, and a synthesis unit for converting the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons. In at least one embodiment, the synthesis unit utilizes a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Excess energy produced during the conversion of the hydrate gas can be utilized in the treating and recovery of the hydrate gas.

Abstract: A gas-lift well having a controllable gas-lift valve is provided. The well uses the tubing and casing to communicate with and power the controllable valve from the surface. Induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically isolate the tubing from the casing. A high band-width, adaptable communication system is used to communicate between the controllable valve and the surface. Additional sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and acoustic sensors, may be provided downhole to more accurately assess downhole conditions. The controllable valve is varied opened or closed, depending on downhole conditions, oil production, gas usage and availability, to optimize production and assist in unloading. While conventional, bellows-type, gas-lift valves frequently fail and leak—often undetected—the controllable valve hereof permits known precise operation and concomitant control of the gas-lift well.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for improving production from a wellbore. In one aspect, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore is provided. The downhole pump includes two or more chambers for the accumulation of formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the two or more chambers. The downhole pump further includes a fluid passageway for connecting the two or more chambers to a production tube. In another aspect, a downhole pump including a chamber for the accumulation of formation fluids is provided. In another aspect, a method for improving production in a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for improving production in a steam assisted gravity drainage operation is provided. Additionally, a pump system for use in a wellbore is provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole, variously including in preferred embodiments disturbing, particulate solids of fill while RIH, entraining particulates while POOH, jetting downhole while RIH and jetting uphole while POOH, and controlling at least one of a pump rate regime or a POOH rate regime.

Abstract: In a production system for producing oil or gas from a well, the production system including a plunger in well tubing, and a motor valve in a sales line connected to a plunger lubricator which connects to the well tubing, a differential pressure controller system includes: a) a plunger arrival sensor; b) a plunger cycle controller receptive to signals from the plunger arrival sensor and receptive to signals from pressure transducers, for controlling the cycle of the plunger; c) a differential pressure controller; d) a first pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller, for measuring pressure in the well tubing, e) a second pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller for measuring pressure in the sales line; and f) a solenoid valve conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller and connected to the motor valve.

Abstract: The invention provides for injecting of high-pressure miscible natural gas directly into a newly opened or previously produced liquid hydrocarbon reservoir to saturate liquid hydrocarbons to improve their mobility to flow toward and into producing wells. Concurrent injection of gas, miscible or otherwise, into the hydrocarbon zone's gas cap supplies additional pressuring effects to aid the resaturation process. Downhole float operated injectors are improved to operate at high pressures maintained within the wellbore to assure liquid hydrocarbon flow completely out of the formation. The improved injector system then senses the difference between liquid and gas and closes its valve to retain the gas within the wellbore. Rejected gas is redirected into the reservoir's gas cap for its continued benefits.

Abstract: A programmable controller for operating an artificial lift well is provided to monitor and operate a variety of analog and digital devices. An on-cycle of the well is initiated based on a pressure differential measured between a casing pressure and a sales line pressure. When a predetermined ON pressure differential is observed, the controller initiates the on-cycle and open a motor valve to permit fluid and gas accumulated in the tubing to eurged out of the well. Thereafter, the controller initiates a mandatory flow period and maintains the motor valve open for a period of time. The valve remains open as the system transitions into the sales time period. During sales time, the controller monitors the gas flow through an orifice disposed in the sales line. A differential pressure transducer is used to measure a pressure differential across the orifice. When the measure pressure differential is less than or equal to a predetermined OFF pressure differential, the controller initiates the off cycle.

Abstract: A method of producing gas through liquid level detection in oil or gas wells uses various types of artificial lift systems that include sub surface gas lift, beam pumps, progressive cavity pump and submersible pumps. The artificial lift systems are controlled in response to a known liquid level within the well bore to prevent the well from pumping off and damaging the artificial lift system or from reducing the liquid level in the well bore to an unnecessarily low level to thereby increase the energy required by the artificial lift system to remove the liquid from the well bore.

Abstract: A system for unloading fluids from a generally upright tubular member of a wellbore wherein a combustible fuel cell can be placed in the tubular member below the fluid and ignited to generate gasses. The gasses generated by the burning of the fuel cell can be used to force at least a portion of the fluid upward out of the tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas lift valve for use in an oil well producing by means of gas lift, said gas lift valve making use of a central body venturi for both controlling the flow of the injection gas from the annulus between the tubing and the casing of the oil well, and precluding a reverse flow of fluids from said oil well towards said annulus to occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device to stabilize the production of oil wells. The device is used in a tubing of an oil well and it is intended to overcome the harmful effects provoked by the unstable flow of multiphase flows which are produced by some oil wells.

Abstract: A viscosity handling system for facilitating the movement of certain fluids. The system utilizes kinetic energy in the form of a rapidly and repetitively moving component that imparts energy in the form of heat to surrounding fluid. The system is particularly useful in applications, such as downhole pumping systems, used to produce hydrocarbon-based fluids from beneath the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing contaminates, in particular, volatile organic contaminates from groundwater by providing a well that combines air stripping and air sparging apparatus within a single well to provide in-ground treatment of contaminated groundwater.

Abstract: A lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator and method for generating and controlling the electrical output from the electrical generator is disclosed. The electrical generator comprises a housing having a lift fluid port in a sidewall portion thereof for allowing the flow of lift fluids therethrough. A rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing. The rotor converts lift fluid pressure to rotary motion when the lift fluid travels through the lift fluid port and impinges the rotor. The electrical generator also includes an electromagnetic assembly having a first portion that is rotatable with the rotor and a second portion that is stationary with the housing. The electromagnetic assembly converts the rotary motion to electricity as the first portion of an electromagnetic assembly rotates relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly.

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 prodction.

Abstract: An annular suction valve includes a substantially tubular member having an inner surface defining a valve flow passage having an inlet, a nozzle disposed in the inlet and spaced from the inner surface so as to define an annular passage between the inner surface and the nozzle, the nozzle further defining an interior flow passage and having a nozzle inlet to the interior flow passage; and a power fluid inlet in one of the nozzle and the tubular member for receiving power fluid into the annular passage.

Abstract: An apparatus (11a) for introduction of gas into a wellbore containing production tubing (12a) is provided. The apparatus consists of a conduit (30a) for location at least partly within the production tubing (12a), an inlet (32a) providing communication between the conduit (30a) and a wellbore annulus, and an outlet (34a) providing communication between the conduit and a reservoir (16). The apparatus therefore allows gas to be introduced into reservoir fluids at a distance from introduction of gas into the production tubing, so increasing the effective depth of gas introduction. A method of gas introduction is also described.

Abstract: A multi-stage liquid elevator which is assembled from individual stages is a fabricated from ordinary pipe components and has no moving parts. Each elevator stage consists of a reservoir defined by a casing enclosing an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. A coupling connects any two stages of the elevator together. As many stages as required can be joined together to construct a multi-stage liquid elevator of any desired length. Each stage is fabricated to a length compatible with the available gas pressure. Enough pressure must be available to move a column of liquid a vertical distance equal to or greater than the length of one stage of the elevator.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of a petroleum well is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole, a piping structure (24) positioned within the borehole, and a tubing string (26) positioned within the borehole for conveying a production fluid. Production of the well is optimized by determining a flow rate of the production fluid within the tubing string (26) and determining a lift-gas injection rate for the gas being injected into the tubing string. The flow rate and injection rate data is communicated along the piping structure of the well to a selected location (44), where the data is collected and analyzed.

Abstract: A method of producing gas through liquid level detection in oil or gas wells uses various types of artificial lift systems that include sub surface gas lift, beam pumps, progressive cavity pump and submersible pumps. The artificial lift systems are controlled in response to a known liquid level within the well bore to prevent the well from pumping off and damaging the artificial lift system or from reducing the liquid level in the well bore to an unnecessarily low level to thereby increase the energy required by the artificial lift system to remove the liquid from the well bore.