Artificial lift for oil wells
OwnerThomas H. Morganinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for retrieving oil from a producing zone after the bottom hole pressure has decreased to such an extent that artificial lift is required for production. An accumulator is positioned in the area of the casing where oil accumulates with the uppermost portion being vented to atmosphere to allow oil flow therein. A floating piston-type device may be located immediately above the accumulator with a bypass from the accumulator to the top of the floating piston. Pressure is subsequently applied through the vent line to the accumulator to force oil from the accumulator through a stinger tube above the floating piston and subsequently raise the oil and floating piston to the surface. Without the piston, a stinger tube and standing valve may be used to accumulate oil in the production tubing.
Claims10
An artificial lift apparatus for a hydrocarbon producing well having a well head and a well casing therein, said apparatus comprising:
- production tubing extending from the well head into the casing to a level below which the hydrocarbon will naturally fill through perforations in the casing;
- accumulator means attached to the bottom of the production tubing for collecting hydrocarbon in the well;
- gas tubing means extending from the well head into the accumulator means for communication therewith from the well head;
- piston means located in said production tubing and normally positioned above said accumulator means, said piston means being free to move up and down said production tubing;
- path means communicating with said accumulator for moving hydrocarbon above said piston means when said piston means is in its normal position;
- first check valve means for only allowing flow of hydrocarbon into said accumulator means;
- means fluidly communicating said accumulator with the lower face of said piston means so that the piston moves up and down in response to the pressure within said accumulator;
- control means for alternately venting and pressurizing said accumulator means via said gas tubing means, hydrocarbon being allowed to collect in said accumulator means via said check valve means during venting, thereafter, in response to said pressurizing, said hydrocarbon is moved through said path means above said piston means in said production tubing and raised to the well head with said piston means as pressure in said accumulator continues to increase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.