System and method for the production of oil from low volume wells

A system for maintaining fluid level at a desired pump off level in a well bore extending from the surface of the earth to a producing horizon, the system comprising:

• a. a tubular conduit in the well bore extending from the surface of the earth to a point in the well bore below the desired pump off level;
• b. a down hole positive displacement pump supported by the tubular conduit;
• c. an electric motor coupled to the positive displacement pump;
• d. a microcontroller mounted adjacent to the pump and adapted to control the function of the motor;
• e. a gear reducer between the motor and the pump;
• f. a mandrel between the pump and the conduit, the mandrel having an axial bore therethrough adapted to carry fluid from the pump to the conduit;
• g. a channel in the mandrel;
• h. a level sensor in the channel,
• i. wherein the level sensor is adapted to provide sensed fluid level to the microcontroller;
• and
• j. wherein the microcontroller is programmed to control the function of the motor to maintain fluid level at a substantially constant desired pump off level in the well bore.

A well pumping system comprising:

• a. a down hole motor;
• b. a down hole pump driven by the motor;
• c. a down hole microcontroller adapted to control the operation of the motor;
• d. a level sensor providing level data to the microcontroller;
• and
• e. an electrical coupling adapted to couple the power cable to the motor, to the microcontroller, and to the level sensor, the coupling comprising male and female components adapted for slidable engagement and to conduct electrical power between them.