Well configuration and method of increasing production from a hydrocarbon well

A method of increasing production from a hydrocarbon well having a pre-existing production tube extending from the surface to the production zone, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a composite velocity string having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tube, said velocity string including:
• i) a continuous extruded, polymeric tube;
• and,
• ii) a layer of reinforcement fibers surrounding said tube including a first plurality of reinforcement fibers that extend both axially and radially, and a second plurality of the fibers that extend only axially;
• and,
• b) installing the velocity string in the production tube of the well.

A well configuration, comprising:

• a) a subterranean well bore extending downwardly to a production zone of hydrocarbons;
• b) a production tube lining the bore;
• c) a composite velocity string installed along the length of the production tube down to the production zone, said velocity string comprising:
• i) a continuous extruded, polymeric tube;
• and,
• ii) a layer of reinforcement fibers surrounding said tube including a first plurality of reinforcement fibers that extend both axially and radially, and a second plurality of the fibers that extend only axially;
• d) a hanger suspending the velocity string in the production tube;
• and,
• e) an insulating annular gap intermediate the outer surface of the velocity string and the inner surface of the production tube.