Gas lift valves, assemblies, systems, and methods include valves having a valve element for selectively placing a fluid inlet in communication with a fluid outlet, a biasing feature to bias the valve element in one of the open position or the closed position, and a single fluid control line actuator for supplying a force to the valve element to overcome the biasing force of the biasing feature and to move the valve element to the other one of the open position or the closed position.
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, systems, and methods include bearing assemblies having one or more bearing element in a bearing housing for supporting a shaft extending through at least a portion of the bearing housing. The bearing assembly including a recirculation line for delivering fluid into the bearing housing at a location separate from a fluid inlet of the bearing housing to at least partially thermally regulate, lubricate, and/or flush the one or more bearing elements during operation of the shaft.
A plunger having a generally hollow interior between an open upper end of the plunger and a closed bottom end of the plunger. One or more orifices extend through a sidewall of the plunger near the closed bottom surface. The orifices fluidly connect the hollow interior of the plunger with the tubing below the plunger when the plunger is in use. The orifices allow for a transfer of gas from the well bottom into the liquid load above the plunger during plunger ascent. The orifices also allow liquids to pass through the plunger during plunger descent.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
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 process for aging gas lift valves utilizing a controlled decompression to prevent damage to seals of the gas lift valves. The process includes pressuring one or more gas lift valves to a predetermined pressure (e.g., 5000 psig) and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time (e.g. five minutes). After this time period, decompression is performed in discrete steps. For instance, the pressure of the pressure vessel may be reduced in predetermined pressure increments (i.e. reductions). After each pressure reduction, the reduced pressure is maintained for a predetermined time. This allows gasses and fluids within the elastomeric O-rings time to dissipate without causing damage to the seals.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
G01M 3/02 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
Disclosed herein is a collar stop configured for insertion into well production tubing where the collar stop provides an interference fit with a collar recess disposed between two adjacent sections of production tubing. The collar stop may be utilized to provide a bottom hole assembly at a desired location in a well bore. The collar stop device is configured to lock once positioned. Such locking prevents accidental removal during high fluid flows.
E21B 23/02 - Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing
The bypass plungers are disclosed that are configured to provide a mechanical lock between a valve face of plunger and a the valve element of the plunger. More specifically, the valve face and the valve seat are correspondingly configured to allow the valve face to wedge into the interior of the valve seat such that the valve head becomes stuck within the interior of the valve seat.
E21B 34/08 - Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
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 system, method and process (utility) is presented to control a gas injection setpoint of a production well utilizing gas lift. The utility may control a flow valve and/or source of injection gas (e.g., gas injection compressor) to increase or decrease a gas injection flow rate (e.g., setpoint) into the well during a gas injection interval. The utility monitors bottom hole pressure related values for multiple gas injection intervals with each have different gas injection setpoints (e.g., flow volumes). Bottom Hole Pressures (e.g., averages). The differences between the Bottom Hole Pressures are compared to calculate Bottom Hole Pressure Drawdown (BHPD) rates between intervals. A subsequent gas injection setpoint (e.g., direction and/or magnitude of change) is selected based on a comparison of a current BHPD and a previous BHPD.
A chemical/additive injection controller, system and method (i.e., utilities) are provided that control when an injection pump turns on and off in order to inject a predetermined volume of additives into a hydrocarbon production conduit over a predetermined number of cycles per day. The controller determines when to activate and deactivate (i.e., turn on and turn off) an injection pump to provide a desired total additive injection volume over an injection period (e.g. 24 hours). More specifically, the utilities incorporate a flow meter that monitors the actual amount of additive that is injected during a pump cycle. Once an injected volume meets or exceeds a target injection volume the pump is deactivated. The flow meter continues to monitor the injection volume including amounts injected after power to the pump is deactivated to provide an accurate measure of the total injection. Subsequent injections are varied based on the actual measured volume of one or more previous injections.
A chemical/additive injection controller, system and method (i.e.. utilities) are provided that control when an injection pump turns on and off in order to inject a predetermined volume of additives into a hydrocarbon production conduit over a predetermined number of cycles per day. The controller determines when to activate and deactivate (i.e., turn on and turn off) an injection pump to provide a desired total additive injection volume over an injection period (e.g. 24 hours). More specifically, the utilities incorporate a flow meter that monitors the actual amount of additive that is injected during a pump cycle. Once an injected volume meets or exceeds a target injection volume the pump is deactivated. The flow meter continues to monitor the injection volume including amounts injected after power to the pump is deactivated to provide an accurate measure of the total injection. Subsequent injections are varied based on the actual measured volume of one or more previous injections.
The disclosed device provides a high-accuracy plunger arrival detection system comprising a low-power magnetometer with high sensitivity and which is capable of sampling low or high intensity magnetic fields. The device processes gathered data from sensors, stores at least some processed data in memory, executes a trending algorithm which compares the magnetic field of the plunger to the ambient magnetic field or a predetermined set of initialization values, and generates an output which is relayed to a well controller. An output signal may be via hard wire, RF, wireless or other known means. In addition, the implementation of two sensing devices mounted in series and in spaced relation to each other, can provide for an actual plunger average velocity. An actual plunger average velocity, as opposed to approximate average velocity, can be used to better optimize well control and improve safety of the overall well production system.
A shock absorber for use with a lubricator assembly comprises a body made substantially of a polymer material. An end of the body is supportable by a cup. Upon plunger strike, the cup can travel upward in the lubricator assembly and cause the polymer body to deform and dissipate a force of impact caused by the plunger. The body can resiliently compress and expand to substantially an original form. Equalization slots on the body can enable fluid carried to the surface by a plunger to flow from the lubricator assembly.
F16F 1/36 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction
F16F 1/377 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction characterised by having a particular shape having holes or openings
A multiple stage tool for use with plunger lift is disclosed. The disclosed device can be removably positioned at a desired position in a well's tubing, thus providing an upper limit for the travel distance of a first plunger. Subsequent well tubing partitions can be established with the introduction of subsequent plungers followed by the disclosed device.
E21B 33/10 - Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
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
13.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING PRESSURE SIGNATURE IN CONJUNCTION WITH FALL TIME AS INDICATOR IN OIL AND GAS WELLS
Disclosed is a method of utilizing a pressure signature in conjunction with a plunger's fall time as an indicator of plunger location. The disclosed method can also indicate well and/or plunger conditions. A controller that can see and interpret slope change and/or pressure signature and automatically make changes to plunger fall time is also disclosed.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
E21B 47/007 - Measuring stresses in a pipe string or casing
An improved multi-well control system (MWCS) has a centrally based multi-well controller (MWC) acting as a master controller in communication with one or more slave controllers and one or more electronic flow measurement devices (EFMs) for instant data and control monitoring individual wells. Also providing an application host sub-system in communication with the MWC for historical data retention and instant data for override control and monitoring. The system capable of allocating one or more wells assignable to a group and organization of groups dependent on production levels of individual wells. The MWC capable of tracking gas volumes produced by each well independent of groupings and communicating such data to the automated host sub-system. The MWC providing monitoring and tracking data from one or more EFM devices and assigning total flow volume to individual wells. The entire MWCS resulting in reduction of manpower and increase in overall production efficiency.
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
An improved plunger lift mechanism comprises an internal hollow body having bypass orifices that, when exposed, allow fluid to pass through during plunger descent in a downhole tube to the bottom of a production well. A slidable sleeve slides along the hollow body to close the orifices, causing the plunger to rise and carry accumulated fluid to the well surface. In addition, the present apparatus comprises surface interfaces between a slidable sleeve and a mandrel to minimize a probability of mandrel and sleeve separation during the plunger's ascent phase and a risk of plunger stall. By integrating a plunger lift having a slidable sleeve with closer limits between the slidable sleeve and an internal hollow body, and a wider plunger surface area, the present apparatus can minimize radial movement which can occur during plunger drop and when impact occurs.
E21B 34/12 - Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of casings or tubings
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
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 apparatus operates to propel one or more jets of gas through one or more internal orifices and/or nozzles out through an aperture and into a liquid load whereby a transfer of the gas into the liquid load causes turbulent aeration to the liquid load during a plunger rise. This action can boost the carrying capacity of a plunger lift system resulting in improved well production.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
F04F 1/20 - Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium being mixed with, or generated from, the liquid to be pumped specially adapted for raising liquids from great depths, e.g. in wells
A plunger mechanism has an internal shock absorber apparatus that operates to absorb shock during plunger fall and rise, thereby promoting a more reliable plunger lift system. The present apparatus can be used in well applications with or without a bumper spring. With the added reliability of the present system, well applications could be implemented such that fewer restrictions are encountered by a plunger at the well bottom. In addition, added reliability can help reduce plunger damage, whereby plunger life can be extended. Similarly, the present apparatus can minimize damage and extend the life of well components.
E21B 43/12 - Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
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
F16F 7/09 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers with friction surfaces rectilinearly movable along each other in dampers of the cylinder-and-piston type
A plunger mechanism comprising radial peripheral holes extending outwardly from a center core to an outer surface through which a downhole gas may pass to clear an obstruction on the outer surface of the plunger, thereby enabling a self-cleaning action.
E21B 37/00 - Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
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 downhole plunger for a gas/oil well comprises a valve to regulate fluid flow past the plunger and a thermal actuator to control the valve. The thermal actuator of the disclosed device enables the valve to open and close apertures without relying on the physical impact generally required of mechanical valve bypass plungers. In addition, the thermal actuator provides for a brake to reduce a plunger's travel rate as it approaches the bottom or top of a well. The thermal actuator partially opens apertures to slow a plunger down as it approaches the top of a well. Likewise, the thermal actuator partially closes apertures to slow the plunger as it approaches the well bottom. A thermally actuated plunger comprising an expandable outer diameter is disclosed, as is a plunger in combination with a data logger and a thermal activated brake.
E21B 47/12 - 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
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
F16K 31/68 - Operating meansReleasing devices responsive to temperature variation actuated by fluid pressure or volumetric variation in a confined chamber
A downhole plunger for oil and gas wells is fitted with an electronic ambient environmental sensor via a cargo bay. The sensor is preferably a downhole time, temperature, pressure and flow sensor. The sensor has a measured data memory. When the plunger is retrieved from a well, the sensor is removed and connected to a computer for data display and processing. A data logger canister can be affixed to the top, the bottom, or one on the top and one on the bottom, of a plunger. An empty cargo bay can be a fluid sampler. Other items insertable in the cargo bay include corrosion coupons.
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelinesProtecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
E21B 49/08 - Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
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
patents
