Abstract: A system for oscillating compressible working fluid in a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation includes a fluid supply and a fluid oscillator device. The fluid supply communicates compressible working fluid into a conduit disposed within the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device is configured to reside in the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device includes an interior surface that defines an interior volume of the fluid oscillator device, an inlet into the interior volume, and an outlet from the interior volume. The interior surface is static during operation to receive the compressible working fluid into the interior volume through the inlet and to vary over time a flow rate of the compressible working fluid from the interior volume through the outlet.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body and plunger have longitudinally extending surfaces located at the plunger upper end portion, which surfaces cooperate and limit rotation of the body with respect to the plunger. An upper fluid port is located in an upper end of the body, while one or more lower fluid ports are located in a lower end of the body. The tool is exceptionally strong and is less likely to fail.

Abstract: A technique is provided for pumping fluids in a subterranean wellbore. A submersible pumping system can be deployed in a wellbore for moving desired fluids within the wellbore. The pumping system energizes the desired fluid movement by reciprocating a working fluid between expandable members.

Abstract: One embodiment of a downhole jet pump 10 includes an exterior pump housing 12, power fluid jet nozzle 30, mixing tube 32, and a carrier 40 including a plurality of venturi ports 38. A nose piece 48 is provided fluidly downstream from the mixing tube 32. A diffuser 46 is downstream from the nose piece, and preferably forms a unitary body from the lower end of the nose piece to the side port of the pump housing. An inlet valve 100 passes formation fluid into the pump housing and to the venturi ports.

Abstract: The pump has a barrel with vent ports located therein and a plunger that reciprocates inside the barrel. The barrel has a standing valve and the plunger has a traveling valve. The plunger has a first portion with a seal between the plunger and the barrel and a second portion with a clearance between the plunger and the barrel. On the downstroke, gas contained in the compression chamber between the two valves vents through the clearance and out of the barrel through the vent port into the well bore. When the plunger contacts liquid in the compression chamber, the liquid enters the clearance and forms a seal, wherein the plunger traveling valve opens. The plunger can also be equipped with a second traveling valve and a vent in the plunger between the two traveling valves in order to equalize pressure across the first traveling valve at the bottom of the downstroke. This enables the standing valve to open much faster on the upstroke.

Abstract: An improved oil well pumping unit and method thereof configured for use on new or existing oil wells. The present invention is for mechanical operation of the subsurface pump and replaces existing mechanical pumping units. The present invention multiplies input purchased energy through mechanical links, pressurized fluid and/or gas, moving weights and counterweights and a control system in order to pump produced fluid through a new or existing conventional reciprocating oil well pump.

Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a piston that is dropped into the well and then moved upwardly to lift liquid to the surface from adjacent a hydrocarbon formation. The piston includes a series of pads biased outwardly into engagement with an inside wall of the production string thereby providing an improved seal between the piston and the production string. The pads are biased outwardly by pressure from below or a pressure differential that is moving the piston upwardly. The force moving the pads outwardly are greater during upward movement of the piston than during downward movement. The piston includes a central one-piece mandrel having an upper end higher than any component of the piston and a lower end lower than any component of the piston so that impact forces are applied directly to the mandrel and not through a threaded component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving production from a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the chamber. In another embodiment, a gas operated pump for moving wellbore fluids in a wellbore includes a chamber for accumulating wellbore fluids, wherein the chamber in fluid communication with a production tubular and a surface mounted valve assembly in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the valve assembly adapted to regulate gas flow to or from the chamber. In another embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a removable control valve disposed in a housing.

Abstract: An oilfield pump employing a linear electric motor. The linear electric motor replaces a conventional crankshaft or hydraulic techniques for driving a plunger of the pump. This may reduce the number of equipment parts and amount of maintenance expenses associated with the operation of oilfield pumps. Furthermore, the use of a linear electric motor may also increase the precision and control over the fluid delivery provided by the pump assembly.

Abstract: A plunger mechanism comprises an adjustable bypass valve. Depending on well parameters, a user may desire to adjust the descent rate of a plunger in service. The present device allows the user to vary or adjust the bypass orifice to alter the flow of liquid through the plunger core.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has impellers for pumping low flow, high viscous materials. The impellers have high exit angles greater than 30 degrees and preferably greater than 50 degrees. The impellers and diffusers have specific geometry that varies with viscosity. The pump has zones of impellers and diffusers with the exit angles and geometry in the zones differing from the other zones. The exit angles decrease and geometry varies in a downstream direction to account for a lower viscosity occurring due to heat being generated in the pump. One design employs small diameter impellers and high rotational speeds.

Abstract: There is provided a seat assembly for use in a downhole oil pump ball valve. The assembly includes a seat, a seat rest, and a ball. The seat is used for seating the ball of the ball valve. The seat has an outer wall and a top surface and a curved shoulder surface between the outer wall and the top surface. The seat rest receives the seat, and the seat rest has a curved corner surface so that when the seat is assembled with the seat rest the seat and seat rest are in substantial contact at all points of the curved shoulder surface and the curved corner surface.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a porous subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising the steps of : a) feeding to at least on reverse osmosis unit of a desalination assembly a high salinity water feed stream having a total dissolved solids content (total salinity) of at least 10,000 ppm; b) driving a portion of the high salinity water feed stream across a membrane in the reverse osmosis unit of the desalination assembly at a pressure above the osmotic pressure of the high salinity water feed stream while excluding at least a portion of the dissolved solids from crossing said membrane to produce a treated low salinity water product stream having a total salinity of less than 5,000 ppm and a concentrated waste brine stream wherein the hydrostatic head exerted by the high salinity water feed stream on the feed side of the membrane provides at least a major component of the pressure required to overcome the osmotic pressure; c) injecting the low salinity water product stream into the hydrocarbo

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electric-hydraulic power unit. In one illustrative embodiment, the power unit comprises a body having a movable pressure barrier positioned therein, the movable pressure barrier defining first and second chambers therein, a configurable flow path in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, and at least one valve for configuring the flow path in a first state wherein fluid may flow within the flow path only in a direction from the first chamber toward the second chamber, and a second state wherein fluid within the flow path may flow in both directions between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A plunger in a plunger lift system in an oil and gas well includes shaped grooves spaced along the plunger body, angled fins or below the grooves, an elongated interior cavity open at the bottom, and passages connecting the interior cavity to the grooves. The shape, sizing and spacing of the grooves improves plunger seal and decreases liquid loss during plunger lift. The flutes or fins spin the plunger to clean the tubing string and prevent the plunger from becoming stuck in the lubricator. The interior cavity lightens the plunger and, in combination with the passages, improves the seal created by the shaped grooves.

Abstract: An oil recovery system may comprise a generally hollow pump housing having an interior space, a downstroke powerline and an upstroke powerline, a power piston disposed in the interior space of the pump housing, a connecting rod having a first end attached to the power piston, a production piston attached to a second end of the connecting rod, a seal disposed between the production piston and the power piston, an oil inlet in fluid communication with a reservoir, and an oil inlet valve in fluid communication with the oil inlet. The power piston may be movable between a first position and a second position by power fluid delivered through the upstroke powerline or the downstroke powerline.

Abstract: An improved plunger mechanism apparatus to increase well flow production levels. Efficiency of well flow is increased by a two-piece plunger assembly apparatus that is mechanically latched during lift, separates at the well top, and allows a bottom assembly to efficiently fall to the well bottom. The top plunger piece is held at the well top for a set time or condition and when released, its open internal orifice allows it to fall to the well bottom in an efficient manner, and when at the well bottom it mechanically latches, either via a magnetic or mechanical connection, to the bottom assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump and a separator assembly. The separator assembly is for separating gas from the fluid and includes an intake and a vent above the intake. Fluid enters the separator assembly at the intake and the vent returns a portion of the fluid into wellbore for recirculation into the intake.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for reducing kinetic energy of a plunger within a plunger lift system. In one aspect, a lubricator is provided at a surface of a wellbore, the lubricator having a sealed, pressurized chamber therein to cushion the plunger upon impact. In another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the kinetic energy of the plunger by providing a compressed gas chamber within a lubricator, moving a kinetic energy-reducing surface which is partially bounding the chamber, and compressing the gas within the chamber to reduce kinetic energy of the plunger and cushion the impact force of the plunger.

Abstract: Liquid is accumulated above fluid displacement device which is moveable and sealed within a production chamber defined by a production tubing, and upward movement of the fluid displacement device is initiated to pump liquid and gas from a well, by different magnitudes of differential pressure created at the well bottom. Preferably the different magnitudes of differential pressure are created by fluid passageways having different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: An oil pumping unit is disclosed to include a motor, which has a mover that moves alternately up and down when the motor is electrically connected, and a pump, which has a barrel, an oil suction pipe mounted in the barrel, an inner sleeve, which is connected to the suction pipe and has installed therein a mixing valve, a movable valve and a piston, a bottom one-way oil intake valve, and a one-way mixing flow intake valve respectively arranged in such a manner that when the mover is operated to reciprocate the oil suction pipe, crude oil is alternately pumped through the one-way bottom oil intake valve and the one-way mixing flow intake valve to alternately pass through the movable valve and the mixing valve to the ground.

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: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a piston that is dropped into the well and then moved upwardly to lift liquid to the surface from adjacent a hydrocarbon formation. The piston includes a series of pads biased outwardly into engagement with an inside wall of the production string thereby providing an improved seal between the piston and the production string. The pads are biased outwardly by pressure from below or a pressure differential that is moving the piston upwardly. The force moving the pads outwardly are greater during upward movement of the piston than during downward movement. The piston includes a central one-piece mandrel having an upper end higher than any component of the piston and a lower end lower than any component of the piston so that impact forces are applied directly to the mandrel and not through a threaded component.

Abstract: A bypass plunger having one or more internal shock absorbing elements and a variety of bypass orifice options is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for improving recovery of hydrocarbons through a well is provided. The device creates, regulates and maintains a calculated bottomhole pressure at a desired level and creating above the device a two-phase gas-liquid homogenous flow for efficient lifting of hydrocarbons to a surface. The device has a body having a central through-going opening with a shape corresponding to a shape of a laval nozzle and with a cross section which changes steplessly and gradually, and a mandrel attachable to a tubing and associated with the body without interfering with a flow of fluids.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body has upper and lower fluid ports to allow the ingress and egress of well fluids from the body as the plunger reciprocates. If the tool fails, it typically does so by the body breaking into two parts, namely the upper body and lower body, at the upper fluid ports. The upper end of the plunger is provided with a fishing neck. Thus, upon failure of the body at the upper fluid ports, the fishing neck is exposed and can receive a fishing tool for retrieval of the tool and the pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping fluids from a well utilizing a submersible pumping system. In one embodiment, the pump comprises a pump body operable to be disposed within tubing within a well. The pump body encloses a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the well. A diaphragm is disposed within the pump chamber and forms a boundary between the pump chamber and a diaphragm chamber. A piston is moveably disposed within the diaphragm chamber. The piston may be moved within the diaphragm chamber by a pressure intensifier supplied with a pressure differential from the surface.

Abstract: A well optimizing system and method for lifting fluid that accumulates and retards production in a well. The system includes a plunger having a piston and a detachable plugh. The piston has a sealing section and a retrieval end and defines a passage through the length thereof. One or more pads are radially extendable from the sealing section. The detachable plug is positional in the retrieval end in a position to substantially block the flow of fluid through the passage from below the plunger. The system may further include a production control system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing inert gases injected into the lower level of sloping underground oil-bearing formations as a driving mechanism and water injected into the upper level of the formations as a gas blocking mechanism for increasing and extending the production of oil from underground formations is described. Also described is an inert gas oil production system comprising an exhaust gas processing system, a well inert gas and water injection system, an oil production well system, and a fuel gas generator. A hydraulically operated crude oil pump is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing fluids from a well and for controlling the production of fluids from multiple wells, particularly from a remote location. The well is provided with a winch/cable drum having a cable wound thereon with a swabbing tool on the end of the cable. The swabbing tool is initially located in a riser that is mounted to the wellhead and lowered into the well and down through the fluids in the well under control of a programmable logic controller (PLC 95). Upon reaching a pre-determined depth, the PLC 95 stops the rotation of the winch/cable drum and then reverses the direction of rotation to retrieve the swabbing tool, thereby lifting the fluids in the well bore up out of the well. Flowline connections, with appropriate valves, are provided in the riser for routing any gas and oil that is lifted from the well into pipelines and on to storage tanks or separators as the swabbing tool is retrieved.

Abstract: A plunger for use in a plunger lift system of an oil or natural gas well includes one or more sensor assemblies, each including one or more sensors for measuring various physical and operational conditions during the operation of the well. The data acquired from the sensors is stored in memory within the sensor assemblies and downloaded to the plunger lift system controller when the plunger is located in the catch/lubricator. The data can then be analyzed by the controller or other computer to vary the well's operating parameters to maximize the well's operating efficiency and the data can be used in reservoir management, such as transient testing, reservoir modeling and interference testing.

Abstract: A subsea well pumping system for installing and retrieving a hydraulically actuated down hole pump employed within the tubing suspended within casing extending from above a seabed, the system having a wellhead assembly affixed to the upper end of the casing for supporting the tubing and including provision for hydraulically communicating with the interior of the casing and the tubing, a remotely controllable main valve affixed to the tubing at its upper end, a tubular pump lubricator affixed at its lower end to the main valve, a removable pump latch sealably closing the pump lubricator at its upper end and having a pump catcher extending downwardly therefrom for removably latching onto the pump and a system for guiding the pump suspended form the pump catcher into the pump lubricator whereby the pump can be moved downwardly in the tubing into a pumping position by fluid injected into the tubing and can be moved upwardly in the tubing into a retrievable position for grasping by the pump catcher by fluid inject

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pump for circulating pressurized fluid in a wellbore. A control device controls the pump which a conduit interconnects to the wellbore. A downhole transducer detects changes in fluid pressure at a downhole location and generates signals accordingly. A processor generates actuator commands based on the signals. Actuators activate a downhole tool based on the actuator command. A modulating valve modulates the fluid pressure. A remote transducer detects the pressure remotely from the downhole transducer. The control device causes the pump to generate acoustic signals in the fluid via wave forms which the downhole transducer detects. The modulating valve generates wave forms in the fluid. The control device sends control signals via the fluid to the downhole transducer. Consequently the processor actuates the tools. Following correct actuation the modulating valve generates signals via pressure changes which the remote transducer receives to indicate successful tool deployment.

Abstract: A progressing cavity rod-driven well pump utilizes a tag shoulder above a helical passage of the stator. The pump stator is located at the lower end of a string of tubing. The tag shoulder is more restrictive than a passage through the tubing. A pump rotor is secured to a string of rods and has a stop located above the rotor. The rotor is lowered on the rods until the stop lands on the tag shoulder. Then the operator lifts the rods and the rotor to accommodate for expected stretch during operation. By removing the rods and rotor, monitoring tools can be lowered through the tag shoulder and stator.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for removing liquid from a well. In one embodiment, a cable and subsurface safety valve assembly is used with a downhole pumping system to remove water from the well. The cable and subsurface safety valve assembly allows the cable to run from surface to a pumping unit while maintaining safety valve integrity. In another aspect, the cable and subsurface safety valve assembly may be adapted for use with an existing production tubing.

Abstract: Liquid is lifted from a well by a fluid displacement device which moves within a production tubing and maintains a seal against the production tubing during movement. The fluid displacement device is moved up and down within the production tubing between the well bottom and the earth surface by applying gas to create opposite relative pressure differentials across the fluid displacement device. Preferably the pressure differentials are obtained from gas supplied from the well at natural formation pressure.

Abstract: A motor cooler for an electrical submersible pump (ESP). The ESP is typically deployed within casing and defines an annular space between the ESP and the casing. The ESP includes a pump having an intake, a motor cooler pump having an output port, a seal section below the motor cooler pump, and a motor located below a well inlet. Fluid is directed downwardly from the motor cooler pump output port to cool the motor. In one example, a shroud directs fluid received from the motor cooler pump output port downwardly past the motor and back up an outside of the shroud. In another example, longitudinal ribs direct flow in an annular space between the ESP and the casing. Fluid from the motor cooler pump output port is directed downwardly between adjacent ribs over a surface of the motor and then back up between another pair of ribs.

Abstract: A reciprocating hydraulic slickline pump for use in a wellbore. The pump comprises a pump member. The pump member is reciprocated axially by slickline in order to form an upstroke and downstroke. The pump is configured such that it pressurizes fluid within a workstring assembly during the pump's downstroke.

Abstract: For production of hydrocarbons with high and medium gas-oil ratio from a well with a wellhead and a bottomhole communicating with a formation, and with a casing and a tubing located inside the casing and forming a space therebetween, steps are performed and means are provided for establishing a flow of hydrocarbon-containing fluid inside the tubing from the bottomhole to the wellhead, introducing gas into the space between the casing and the tubing so that the gas passes into the tubing and enhances the flow of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the bottomhole to the wellhead with simultaneous reduction of pressure in the bottomhole resulting in an increase of a pressure differential between the formation and the bottomhole; and introducing in the bottomhole a device which increases the pressure in the bottomhole so that the pressure differential between the formation and the bottomhole decreases and therefore a gas blockage in a near bottomhole zone of the formation is reduced to maintain an oil flow from

Abstract: A method and an apparatus raise samples of liquid such as water from a low level to a higher level, for example for obtaining a sample of groundwater from a borehole. The apparatus comprises a pair of tubes (14 and 16) extending alongside each other, which are introduced into the borehole, linked by a connector (20) at their lower end, a valve (22) communicating between the inside and outside of one of the tubes (16) near its lower end, and a pig (46) insertable into the tube (16). By adjusting the pressure in each tube at their upper end, the pig (46) can be moved from one end to the other of the apparatus (10) and used to transfer samples of water.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for artificially lifting fluids from a formation. The system utilizes a production control unit having a jet pump assembly and valving to both lift the desired fluids and to provide well control.

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: An in-well aeration device which includes a water pumping section disposed within the well for drawing water from the well, an aerating section operatively connected to the water pumping section for drawing air into the well and subsequently injecting the air into the well water above the level of the water pumping section, and a motor operatively connected to the water pumping section and the aerating section for operating both sections simultaneously.

Abstract: The inventive method consists in the following: a drillable packer provided with a channel closed by a back valve is arranged in a well; afterwards a tubing string carrying a jet pump and a stinger is run into said well, the stringer being connected to the packer; the back valve is open; a logging instrument and a sealing unit are introduced into the tubing string with the aid of a cable; a depression is produced on the formation by means of the pump, a bottomhole pressure and the parameters of the formation are measured with the aid of said instrument, the parameters of physical fields being recorded. The results of said investigations being interpreted, the technical state of the well is defined. The instrument and the sealing unit being extracted from the tube string, a blocking insert is dropped therein. The tubing string is uplifted, the stringer is disconnected from the packer and the back valve is closed.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump assembly that is connected to a motor assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump intake having an intake hole, a pump housing connected to the pump intake and a pump discharge head connected to the pump housing. An intake seal device is connected to the pump intake and seals the pump intake prior to the initial use of the pump assembly. To further isolate the pump assembly while dormant, an outlet seal device can be fitted to the pump discharge head to isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir fluid in the production tubing.

Abstract: Liquid is lifted from a well by a traction seal fluid displacement device which is moveably positioned within the production tubing, and which maintains a seal during movement. The traction seal device comprises a resilient flexible toroid shaped structure within outside surface which contacts the inner sidewall of the production tubing and an inside surface which contacts itself to establish seals to these contact points as the outside surface rolls in essentially frictionless contact with in the production tubing. The toroid shaped structure is moved within the production chamber by applying a pressure differential across it. The pressure source is preferably natural gas at formation pressure.

Abstract: A plunger lift tool and method of using the same in a well having tubing comprising a tubular housing, having a top portion, a bottom portion, and said housing further defines a passageway therein; a positioning means attached to said housing for removably installing said housing in said well tubing; and a selective sealing means attached to said housing for creating a seal between said housing and said well tubing.

Abstract: A plunger lift tool and method of using the same in a well having tubing comprising a tubular housing, having a top portion, a bottom portion, and said housing further defines a passageway therein; a positioning means attached to said housing for removably installing said housing in said well tubing; and a selective sealing means attached to said housing for creating a seal between said housing and said well tubing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pumping system for pumping wellbore fluids. The submersible pumping system includes a motor assembly, a pump assembly connected to the motor assembly, and a shroud assembly attached to the pump assembly. The shroud assembly includes a shroud having a connection end and an intake end. The shroud assembly at least partially encloses the motor assembly and includes a sealing ring adjacent the shroud prevents the wellbore fluid from entering the shroud at the connection end. The shroud assembly also preferably includes a retaining ring that holds the sealing ring in place.