Wells – Processes – Producing the well
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-06-26
Neuder, William (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Producing the well
C166S163000, C166S105200, C166S105400, C166S313000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250392
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a pumping system for producing well fluids from petroleum producing formations penetrated by a well. Once aspect of the present invention includes the use of dual parallel tubing strings having the lower portions connected by a crossover flow connection, one of the tubing strings, i.e., the production tubing string, forming a flow path for flowing production fluids to the surface and the other, i.e., the power tubing string, for providing a conduit for inserting, operating and removing a rod-activated pump plunger used to lift well fluids from the well and to move the well fluids up the well to the surface through the crossover flow connection. A flow control valve for controlling production flow is also provided. A lubricating plunger is provided to direct fluid from the annulus between the power tubing and the rods to an area between the barrel of the pump and the lubricating plunger to increase the efficiency of the pump and to assist in sand control.
Another aspect of the invention relates to the management of course particulate, such as sand, that may tend to accumulate between the plunger and the pump barrel. More particularly, this aspect of the invention relates to techniques for preventing or greatly reducing the amount of course particulate that may accumulate between the plunger and the pump barrel.
2. Description of Related Art
Pumping well fluids from wells penetrating producing formations has been done for many years. This is particularly true where heavy viscous oil must be moved to the surface. Often heavy viscous oils such as produced from California formations which are relatively close to the earth's surface contain sand and are difficult to pump. Steam and diluents have often been used to lower the viscosity of heavy crudes to improve flow and pumping efficiency; however, sand is still a major problem.
Heretofore dual tubing strings for a pumping system for producing petroleum have been suggested. For example, pumping installations utilizing parallel dual tubing strings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,335 to Walter S. Secrest; U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,802 to F. Conrad Greer; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,019 to J. W. Harris.
There is still need, however, for a pumping system having dual production and power tubing strings which permit ease of operation which has movable parts including the pump plunger which may be removed from the power tubing string and replaced in the tubing string without the need for removing the tubing strings from the well, leaving only the pump barrel and tubing in place.
There is also a need for managing the location of course particulate, such as sand, that may exist in the fluids being pumped. Such techniques should be useful with pumping systems having both single and dual tubing strings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides apparatus for producing well fluids from an oil bearing formation penetrated by a well including production tubing means forming a production flow path for production fluids between the earth's surface and a location in the well suitable for receiving well production fluids from a pump located in a parallel power tubing means. Flow control means are preferably located in the lower portion of the apparatus to permit flow of production fluids up the production flow path and to prevent flow of production fluids down the production flow path. Power tubing means extend down the well in parallel relationship with the production tubing means to a location in the well suitable for receiving production fluids into the lower portion of the power tubing means from said well. An insert or tubing-type lubricating plunger is provided, and the plunger is preferably adapted to be inserted and removed from the power tubing means while the power tubing means are located in the well. A standing valve is provided to permit entry of well fluids from the producing formation into the lower portion of the power tubing means. A crossover flow path is formed between the lower portion of the power tubing means and the flow path of the production tubing means for flowing production fluids out of the power tubing means and into the flow path of the production tubing means as the only flow path for transfer of production fluids to the earth's surface. Rod means for operating the tubing-type pump are operatively connected to the pump. Preferably, the means for operating the pump includes a rod string extending down the power tubing means and operably connected to the plunger of the insert or tubing-type pump. The operative elements of the insert or tubing-type pump are preferably located in the well below the location of the flow control means. The pump barrel of the tubing-type pump is a lowest section of the power tubing string. A valve is provided for flowing lubricating fluid from the power tubing string into a hollow pull tube connecting the lower end of the rod string to a lubricating plunger of the pump. The lubricating plunger has flow ports for permitting flow of lubricating fluid from inside the plunger to the annulus between the outside of the plunger and the inside of the pump barrel. The plunger is used in the tubing pump to receive fluids from the pull tube to lubricate the pump, to improve its efficiency and to control sand from entering the area of between the plunger and barrel.
In a more specific aspect the present invention provides apparatus for pumping petroleum from a well penetrating a petroleum producing formation which includes a downhole assembly located in a well at a position adapted to receive petroleum fluids from the well. The downhole assembly includes a parallel anchor having a first passage and a second passage formed parallel to the central axis of the parallel anchor. Means are provided for mounting the parallel anchor in the well at the desired position and a tubular connecting pup is connected to the first passage of the parallel anchor and extends down the well. A flow control means such as a standing valve, or a sliding valve, which permits flow up the connecting pup tubing and prevents flow down the connecting pup tubing is connected in the lower portion of the apparatus, for example, in or near the connecting pup. A crossover flow head is connected between the lower end of the connecting pup tubing below the standing valve and an opening in the pump barrel to provide a flow path for petroleum from the pump barrel through the standing valve into the lower portion of the connecting pup tubing. A production tubing string extends from the earth's surface down the well and is inserted into the first passage of the parallel anchor to form, in combination with the crossover flow head, the connecting pup tubing and a tubular string, a flow path to the earth's surface for petroleum. A power tubing string is positioned in the well parallel to the production tubing string and extends through the second passage in the parallel anchor. Connecting means connect the lower end of the power tubing string to the upper end of the tubular landing nipple. A tubing-type seal off is inserted into the power tubing and landed in the tubular landing nipple. Means are provided to form a flow path for petroleum between the lower portion of the power tubing string and the lower portion of the production tubing string. Means are provided for disconnectably connecting the plunger of the tubing-type pump in operating position in the power tubing and the landing nipple for pumping fluid up the power tubing string to the flow path of the production tubing string. A lubricating plunger is provided for flowing lubricating fluid into the annulus formed between the pump barrel and a pump plunger.
The present invention provides an assembly which includes parallel power tubing and production tubing strings. A lubricating plunger is located inside and at the bottom of the power tubing string. The power tubing string connects to a bottom hole assembly with a crossover flow head which connects with the productio
Muth Pump LLC
Neuder William
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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