Flexible production tubing

Abstract

Flexible production tubing is wound about a reel for easy and convenient transport to and from a well site. A submersible pump is attached directly to the end of the flexible tubing and is lowered through the well casing to a producing formation. Insertion and withdrawal of the flexible tubing is accomplished with a hydraulically powered drive sprocket assembly mounted above the well head equipment. The flexible tubing is reinforced by striker plate assemblies which are engaged by the teeth of the drive sprocket, thereby providing positive traction for insertion and withdrawal without damaging the flexible core. The flexible production tubing includes a high strength injection core, a tubular production conduit embedded within the core, and a series of striker plate assemblies partially embedded within the core. Each striker plate assembly has a grooved face, with the plates being axially spaced with respect to each other along the length of the core, whereby the grooves of the striker plates are engaged successively by the teeth of the drive sprocket as the tubing is advanced or retracted.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.