A launch point lift gas velocity control system and method of use, the system operating to maintain minimal well bore lift conditions through injection gas regulation. In one aspect, the minimal wellbore conditions enable a gas-liquid mixture or a downhole tool at a selectable well bore launch point to depart from a targeted launch point lift gas velocity and ascend up the well bore. The launch point may be adjusted to account for variability with time and wellbore location.
A multi-stage downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a multi-stage movement control system to control the speed of a set of plunger tools when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. The plunger tools operate in designated stages or zones of a tubing string. In one embodiment, the plunger tools are separated by one or more partitioning tools which transfer accumulated fluid between plungers. In one aspect, the multi-stage downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed of a selected plunger. The system controller settings are based on a set of system parameters and characteristics of the selected plunger.
A downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a movement control system to control the speed of a plunger tool when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. In one embodiment, the downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed, the system controller settings based on a set of system parameters.
A downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a movement control system to control the speed of a plunger tool when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. In one embodiment, the 5 downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed, the system controller settings based on a set of system parameters.
E21B 10/32 - Drill bits with leading portion, i.e. drill bits with a pilot cutter; Drill bits for enlarging the borehole, e.g. reamers with expansible cutting tools
E21B 21/08 - Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure
E21B 21/10 - Valves arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
5.
DOWNHOLE TOOL MOVEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
A downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a movement control system to control the speed of a plunger tool when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. In one embodiment, the 5 downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed, the system controller settings based on a set of system parameters.
E21B 10/32 - Drill bits with leading portion, i.e. drill bits with a pilot cutter; Drill bits for enlarging the borehole, e.g. reamers with expansible cutting tools
E21B 21/08 - Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure
E21B 21/10 - Valves arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
E21B 34/00 - Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
6.
Downhole tool movement control system and method of use
A downhole tool movement control system and method of use, such as a movement control system to control the speed of a plunger tool when operating within a tubing string of a wellbore, such as when rising within a tubing string of a wellbore. In one embodiment, the downhole tool movement control system includes a system controller operating to control a system valve to regulate the plunger tool speed, the system controller settings based on a set of system parameters.
An enhanced geometry receiving element for a downhole tool, such as an enhanced geometry receiving element for a plunger downhole tool used in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, the enhanced geometry receiving element includes a set of axial grooves disposed in the interior of a fishing neck portion of a bypass plunger.
E21B 31/20 - Grappling tools, e.g. tongs or grabs gripping internally, e.g. fishing spears
E21B 23/04 - Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
8.
ENHANCED GEOMETRY RECEIVING ELEMENT FOR A DOWNHOLE TOOL
An enhanced geometry receiving element for a downhole tool, such as an enhanced geometry receiving element for a plunger downhole tool used in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, the enhanced geometry receiving element includes a set of axial grooves disposed in the interior of a fishing neck portion of a bypass plunger.
A lubricator for a gas well that has an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner bore is provided. The inner bore has a plunger engaging surface. A gas well attachment is in fluid communication with a first end of the inner bore, and a production outlet is in fluid communication with the inner bore. One or more flow channels are located between the plunger engaging surface and the outer surface of the lubricator body, and extend axially along at least a portion of the lubricator body. The one or more flow channels are in fluid communication with the production outlet and both an upper end of the inner bore and a lower end of the inner bore.
A plunger for oil and gas wells includes a shaft and a sleeve carried by the shaft. The sleeve defines a passageway located between a surface of the sleeve and a portion of the shaft, and the sleeve is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. In the first configuration the plunger inhibits fluid flow through the passageway, and in the second configuration the plunger permits fluid flow through the passageway. The plunger further includes a force dissipating element interposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The force dissipating element at least partially dissipates forces caused by at least one of (1) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the first configuration to the second configuration; and (2) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the second configuration to the first configuration.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
F04B 39/00 - Component parts, details, or accessories, of pumps or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
F04B 47/12 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
F04B 53/14 - Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
A plunger for a gas producing well having a production tubing string has a plunger body with a pad receiving profile defined by first and second pad retainers. A plurality of pads is engaged between the first and second pad retainers, which permit limited radial movement of the pads sufficient to contact an inner surface of the production tubing string. A sheet of resilient material, acting as a spring member, is positioned within the pad receiving profile and between the plurality of pads and the plunger body. The spring member defines an annular chamber between the spring member and the plunger body in fluid communication with the downhole end of the plunger body and provides an outward force to the pads. In use, the openings and pressure chamber allow for a pressure differential across the pads.
A plunger for a gas producing well having a production tubing string has a plunger body with a pad receiving profile defined by first and second pad retainers. A plurality of pads is engaged between the first and second pad retainers, which permit limited radial movement of the pads sufficient to contact an inner surface of the production tubing string. A sheet of resilient material, acting as a spring member, is positioned within the pad receiving profile and between the plurality of pads and the plunger body. The spring member defines an annular chamber between the spring member and the plunger body in fluid communication with the downhole end of the plunger body and provides an outward force to the pads. In use, the openings and pressure chamber allow for a pressure differential across the pads.
F04B 47/12 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
A plunger for extraction of hydrocarbon fluids from a gas well system wherein the plunger is arranged to move upwardly and downwardly in an arrangement of inner tubing within the gas well system. The plunger comprises an elongated housing sleeve having a longitudinally directed bore, an elongated central chamber within the longitudinally directed bore, the central chamber having a plug nestable seat at each end thereof; and a plug displacably arranged within the central chamber so as to seal the bore during travel of the plug in a first direction in the inner tubing, and to permit flow of fluid through the plunger as the plunger travels in a second direction in the inner tubing.
A plunger installation and retrieval tool that incorporates a magnet which magnetically supports a fluid lift plunger during insertion into or retrieval from a lubricator on a natural gas wellhead. The magnet is housed in a magnet holder suspended from an elongate hanger member the upper end of which is connect to a hanger support. An actuation rod slidably extends through the hanger support and through bores in the magnet and magnet holder, such that a downward force applied to the actuating rod will cause the lower end of the actuation rod to project below the magnet and break its magnetic bond with the plunger, thus releasing the plunger from the tool. The tool may be provided with a cylindrical skirt fitting closely around the upper end of the plunger to prevent laterally leading that could break the magnetic bond during plunger insertion and retrieval.
E21B 33/068 - Well heads; Setting-up thereof having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit. The plunger assembly comprises an elongated central mandrel having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough for transmitting gaseous fluids from a well, through the plunger assembly, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart sets of arcuately shaped wear pads guidably supported on outer portions of the elongated central mandrel, and at least one tangentially directed nozzle arranged to direct gaseous fluids from the bore of the elongated central mandrel against an inner side of at least one of the arcuately shaped wear pads arranged on the outer portions of the elongated central mandrel.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
F04B 47/12 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
16.
Plunger for performing artificial lift of well fluids
A plunger for removing fluid from a gas producing well has a fluid path through the plunger body, a narrow passageway within the fluid path, and a central orifice at an end of the passageway. The plunger may have a lip within the fluid path spaced above the central orifice. The lip can interact with gas and fluid exiting the central orifice when the plunger is rising within the gas producing well. The lip may be provided by an internal fishing neck. The plunger may have a bypass valve to allow the plunger to fall while the well is flowing, and may have a central constriction to regulate the rate of falling.
A plunger system for maximizing the liquid lift potential of a plunger arranged for vertical travel in a conduit in a gas/oil production well. The plunger system comprises an elongated plunger body mandrel having an upper or first end and a second or lower end with a fluid transmitting bore extending longitudinally therethrough, from the second or lower end of the plunger body and into at least a central portion of the plunger body, a plurality of curvilinearly shaped, replaceable wear pads arranged in a controllably radially displaceable manner on the plunger body, and at least one fluid ejecting nozzle arranged extending through a side wall of the plunger body.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
E21B 23/08 - Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
F04B 47/12 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
A plunger lift control system for improving the output efficiency of an oil or gas well by a real-time reporting arrangement, the system comprising: a tubing string having an upper end and a lower end, the tubing string arranged within a well casing for receiving a plunger traveling therethrough, a plunger having a sound generating function therewith, so as to transmit a real-time lower-end location signal from the plunger to a signal sensor and processor arranged in communication with a system controller arranged at the upper end of the tubing.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
E21B 47/16 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves through the drill string or casing
F04B 47/12 - Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
A plunger lift control system for improving the output efficiency of an oil or gas well by a real-time reporting arrangement, the system comprising: a tubing string having an upper end and a lower end, the tubing string arranged within a well casing for receiving a plunger traveling therethrough, a plunger having a sound generating arrangement therein, so as to transmit a real-time lower-end location signal from the plunger to a signal sensor and processor arranged in communication with a system controller arranged at the upper end of the tubing.
E21B 43/00 - Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
E21B 47/14 - Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using acoustic waves
20.
Plunger for performing artificial lift of well fluids
A plunger for removing fluid from a gas producing well has a fluid path through the plunger body, a narrow passageway within the fluid path, and a central orifice at an end of the passageway. The plunger may have a lip within the fluid path spaced above the central orifice. The lip interacts with gas and fluid exiting the central orifice when the plunger is rising within the gas producing well. The plunger may have a bypass valve to allow the plunger to fall while the well is flowing, and may have a central constriction to regulate the rate of falling.
An elongated plunger arrangement for moving up and down in a tubing string and a plunger lift system for an oil well and a gas well, the plunger having an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, all of the portions having an elongated longitudinally directed bore or cavity therewithin, the plunger also having a direction accelerating arrangement therewithin, the direction accelerating arrangement comprising an elongated acceleration inducing valve containing shift rod extending through the elongated bore, wherein the shift rod is longer than the elongated plunger.
A staging tool arrangement for gas well production assistance, comprising an elongated staging tool having an elongated upper portion and an elongated lower portion. The upper portion has a sliding relationship with the lower portion thereof. A displaceable annular seal is arranged about the lower portion. A displaceable enclosure is arranged on the elongated lower portion so as to slidably expose and to slidably enclose the annular seal.
A elongated plunger assembly for pressurized, conduit-enclosed travel utilized in recovery of hydrocarbon deposits in a ground penetrating oil or gas well. The plunger comprises an elongated mandrel, a plurality of radially movable curvilinear wear pads circumferentially disposed adjacent each end of the elongated mandrel, a pad-edge retaining housing extending on at least one end of the elongated mandrel to enclosably retain the longitudinally distal end of a circumferential array of wear pads onto the mandrel, and a centrally disposed wear pad securement ring arrangement to permit release of a worn wear pad, replacement of the worn wear pad at an inner longitudinal edge thereof, thus to permit simple field-accessable removal and replacement of any particular “conduit-worn” “wear” pad from the mandrel of the plunger.
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. A method of controlling fluid flow in a tubing string in the plunger lift system includes the elongated plunger controllably traveling vertically therethrough, including the steps of: arranging an array of side holes through a side wall of the elongated plunger, wherein the side holes create turbulence in gas within the tubing string; and rotating the elongated plunger about a longitudinal axis thereof, as the plunger travels through the tubing string in the plunger lift system.
An oil and gas well production unit for the retrieval of oil and gas from a diminishing oil and gas production field. The unit comprises a well casing within the field attached to a lubricator assembly. A plunger is arranged for reciprocable travel within a tubing in the casing and the lubricator to assist in the production of oil and gas removal from the oil and gas well production unit. A plunger examination port is arranged within the lubricator assembly to permit determination of the amount of wear of the plunger without having to remove the plunger from the lubricator assembly.
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. A method of controlling fluid flow in a tubing string in the plunger lift system includes the elongated plunger controllably traveling vertically therethrough, including the steps of: arranging an array of side holes through a side wall of the elongated plunger, wherein the side holes create turbulence in gas within the tubing string; and rotating the elongated plunger about a longitudinal axis thereof, as the plunger travels through the tubing string in the plunger lift system.
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. A method of controlling fluid flow in a tubing string in the plunger lift system includes the elongated plunger controllably traveling vertically therethrough, including the steps of: arranging an array of side holes through a side wall of the elongated plunger, wherein the side holes create turbulence in gas within the tubing string; and rotating the elongated plunger about a longitudinal axis thereof, as the plunger travels through the tubing string in the plunger lift system.
patents
