Well pumps

Claim 2

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said part means in flow communication with said flow passage; valve-actuating means associated with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means to alternately communicate said chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure to sequentially fill said chamber means with and empty said chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; and backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said chambEr means and from said chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface.

Claim 3

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said port means in flow communication with said flow passage; valve-actuating means associated with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means to alternately communicate said chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure to sequentially fill said chamber means with and empty said chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; and backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said chamber means and from said chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; said valve means, said valve-actuating means, and said backflow control means being removable through said eduction tubing.

Claim 4

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said port means in flow communication with said flow passage; valve-actuating means associated with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means to alternately communicate said chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure to sequentially fill said chamber means with and empty said chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; and backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said chamber means and from said chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; said valve means, said valve-actuating means, and said backflow control means being removable through said eduction tubing.

Claim 5

A well system for lifting liquid from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with an accumulator region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said accumulator region comprising the annular space between said eduction tubing and said well casing above the upper level of the liquid therein, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said port means in flow communication with said flow passage; valve-actuating means associated with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means to alternately communicate said chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said accumulator region of lower pressure to sequentially fill said chamber means with and empty said chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said chamber means and from said chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; and means for repressuring the gas collected in said accumulator region for reintroduction through said valve means into said chamber means.

Claim 6

A well system for lifting liquid from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with an accumulator region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said accumulator region comprising the annular space between said eduction tubing and said well casing above the upper level of the liquid therein, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said port means in flow communication with said flow passage; valve-actuating means associated with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure for actuating said valve means to alternately communicate said chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said accumulator region of lower pressure to sequentially fill said chamber means with and empty said chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said chamber means and from said chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; and means for repressuring the gas collected in said accumulator region for reintroduction through said valve means into said chamber means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well having a well casing penetrating a producing earth formation and having a lower portion thereof communicating therewith and a tubing string disposed in said well, said apparatus including: pump chamber meaNs for accumulating well liquids therein, said pump chamber means having means for connecting it to said tubing string; means for communicating a source of power gas with said pump chamber means; exhaust means from said pump chamber means communicating with a second chamber for collecting therein power gas discharged from said pump chamber means at super atmospheric lower pressure; valve means having port means connected to said pump chamber means and having other port means connected to said means communicating said source of power gas to said pump chamber means and having further port means connected to said exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve-actuating means in said pump chamber means associated with said valve means exposed to and separating the liquid and the power gas in said pump chamber and responsive to power gas in said pump chamber means and to the movement of liquids in said pump chamber means to actuate said valve means to alternately communicate said source of power gas with said pump chamber means and to exhaust said power gas from said pump chamber means through said exhaust means, whereby said pump chamber means is sequentially filled with and emptied of well liquids, said liquids being displaced from said pump chamber means upwardly through said tubing by said power gas, said actuating means separating and closing off power gas from liquid in said pump chamber means for preventing power gas from escaping therepast form said pump chamber means to said tubing.

Claim 8

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well having a well casing penetrating a producing earth formation and having a lower portion thereof communicating therewith and a tubing string disposed in said well, said apparatus including: pump chamber meaNs for accumulating well liquids therein, said pump chamber means having means for connecting it to said tubing string; means for communicating a source of power gas with said pump chamber means; exhaust means from said pump chamber means communicating with a second chamber for collecting therein power gas discharged from said pump chamber means at super atmospheric lower pressure; valve means having port means connected to said pump chamber means and having other port means connected to said means communicating said source of power gas to said pump chamber means and having further port means connected to said exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve-actuating means in said pump chamber means associated with said valve means exposed to and separating the liquid and the power gas in said pump chamber and responsive to power gas in said pump chamber means and to the movement of liquids in said pump chamber means to actuate said valve means to alternately communicate said source of power gas with said pump chamber means and to exhaust said power gas from said pump chamber means through said exhaust means, whereby said pump chamber means is sequentially filled with and emptied of well liquids, said liquids being displaced from said pump chamber means upwardly through said tubing by said power gas, said actuating means separating and closing off power gas from liquid in said pump chamber means for preventing power gas from escaping therepast form said pump chamber means to said tubing.

Claim 9

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well having a well casing penetrating a producing earth formation and having a lower portion thereof communicating therewith and a tubing string disposed in said well, said apparatus including: pump chamber means for accumulating well liquids therein, said pump chamber means having means for connecting it to said tubing string; means for communicating a source of power gas with said pump chamber means; exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve means having port means connected to said pump chamber means and having other port means connected to said means communicating said source of power gas to said pump chamber means and having further port means connected to said exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve-actuating means in said pump chamber means associated with said valve means and responsive to power gas in said pump chamber means and to the movement of liquids in said pump chamber means to actuate said valve means to alternately communicate said source of power gas with said pump chamber means and to exhaust said power gas from said pump chamber means through said exhaust means, whereby said pump chamber means is sequentially filled with and emptied of well liquids, said liquids being displaced from said pump chamber means upwardly through said tubing by said power gas, said actuating means closing off power gas from liquid in said pump chamber means for preventing power gas from escaping therepast from said pump chamber means to said tubing; said exhaust means including a second chamber for collecting therein power gas discharged from said pump chamber means at superatmospheric lower pressure.

Claim 10

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well having a well casing penetrating a producing earth formation and having a lower portion thereof communicating therewith and a tubing string disposed in said well, said apparatus including: pump chamber means for accumulating well liquids therein, said pump chamber means having means for connecting it to said tubing string; means for communicating a source of power gas with said pump chamber means; exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve means having port means connected to said pump chamber means and having other port means connected to said means communicating said source of power gas to said pump chamber means and having further port means connected to said exhaust means from said pump chamber means; valve-actuating means in said pump chamber means associated with said valve means and responsive to power gas in said pump chamber means and to the movement of liquids in said pump chamber means to actuate said valve means to alternately communicate said source of power gas with said pump chamber means and to exhaust said power gas from said pump chamber means through said exhaust means, whereby said pump chamber means is sequentially filled with and emptied of well liquids, said liquids being displaced from said pump chamber means upwardly through said tubing by said power gas, said actuating means closing off power gas from liquid in said pump chamber means for preventing power gas from escaping therepast from said pump chamber means to said tubing; said exhaust means including a second chamber for collecting therein power gas discharged from said pump chamber means at superatmospheric lower pressure.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second chamber is the tubing-casing annulus of the well below the well head and above the liquid level in said casing.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said exhaust means includes an exhaust tube connected with said pump chamber means and extending upwardly therefrom in the tubing-casing annulus to an outlet at a location therein above the liquid level in said annulus.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said source of gas pressure includes: a compressor having suction means connected to the upper portion of said tubing-casing annulus and discharge conduit means for compressed gas connected to said means communicating said source of power gas with said pump chamber means through said valve means.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said exhaust means includes: vent means Connected to said tubing-casing annulus, and back pressure valve means connected in said vent means for maintaining the gas in said annulus at a predetermined superatmospheric pressure.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said back pressure valve means is adjustable to maintain the pressure in the well bore opposite the producing formation at a predetermined value to regulate the productivity of the well.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 4, including check valve means connected with said exhaust means from said pump chamber means to prevent backflow of liquids into or from said pump chamber means.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said compressor discharge conduit means includes a check valve to exclude well liquids from said conduit.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second chamber means includes a relief conduit connected to said second chamber; and a back pressure valve in said relief conduit for releasing excess gas from said chamber automatically.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 4, including: first check valve means operatively connected with said pump chamber means upstream thereof to prevent backflow of well fluids from said pump chamber means to said producing formation; and second check valve means operatively connected with said pump chamber means downstream thereof to prevent backflow of well fluids form said tubing string into said pump chamber means.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said valve means includes: a three-way valve having a housing with a closure member shiftable therein between a first position wherein said exhaust port means communicates with said pump chamber means while said port means communicating with said source of power gas is closed off, and a second position wherein said pump chamber means communicates with said port means communicating with said source of power gas while said exhaust port means is closed; and said valve-actuating means comprises: an elongate operator rod attached to said valve closure member and axially disposed in said pump chamber means; a plunger disposed in said pump chamber means and slidable longitudinally with respect to said valve operator rod; and limit stop means on said operator rod engageable by said plunger whereby filling of the chamber with well liquids moves said plunger in said pump chamber means to engaged said stop means and move said operator rod to shift said valve closure member to said first position to cause emptying of said pump chamber means and moves said plunger to shift the valve operator rod to shift said valve closure member to said second position to cause refilling of the chamber automatically.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said exhaust means vents gas from said pump chamber means into the column of well liquids in the tubing-casing annulus to aid in lifting said well liquids to the surface through said tubing-casing annulus.

Claim 22

A pump for lifting liquids from a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation and having well casing disposed therein and communicating with said formation and eduction tubing disposed in said casing and communicating at its lower end thereof with the bore of said casing, said pump including: an elongate housing connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing and with said casing below the working liquid level therein and having a pump chamber therein for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said pump chamber and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas and outlet port means communicating with an accumulator chamber in the annular space between the tubing and casing above the upper level of the liquid therein, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said inlet port means and said outlet port means in flow communication with said flow passage of said valve means; valve-actuating means in said housing coacting with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure in said pump chamber for actuaTing said valve means to alternately communicate said pump chamber with said source of power gas and with said accumulator chamber in said annular space to sequentially fill said pump chamber with and empty said pump chamber of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such pump chamber are displaced by power gas into the eduction tubing connected thereto and power gas is exhausted from said pump chamber to said accumulator chamber; backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said pump chamber and from said pump chamber to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said pump chamber to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; pressure regulator means connected with said accumulator chamber in said annular space in said well casing for maintaining a predetermined superatmospheric lower pressure on the exhausted power gas in said accumulator chamber; and means for repressuring the power gas collected in said accumulator chamber for delivery to said source of power gas for reintroduction through said valve means into said pump chamber.

Claim 23

A pump for lifting liquids from a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation and having well casing disposed therein and communicating with said formation and eduction tubing disposed in said casing and communicating at its lower end thereof with the bore of said casing, said pump including: an elongate housing connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing and with said casing below the working liquid level therein and having a pump chamber therein for accumulating well liquids therein; valve means having a flow passage connected to said pump chamber and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas and outlet port means communicating with an accumulator chamber in the annular space between the tubing and casing above the upper level of the liquid therein, said valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said inlet port means and said outlet port means in flow communication with said flow passage of said valve means; valve-actuating means in said housing coacting with said valve means and responsive to fluid pressure in said pump chamber for actuaTing said valve means to alternately communicate said pump chamber with said source of power gas and with said accumulator chamber in said annular space to sequentially fill said pump chamber with and empty said pump chamber of well liquids, whereby well liquids accumulated in such pump chamber are displaced by power gas into the eduction tubing connected thereto and power gas is exhausted from said pump chamber to said accumulator chamber; backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said pump chamber and from said pump chamber to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said pump chamber to said eduction tubing are displaced to the surface; pressure regulator means connected with said accumulator chamber in said annular space in said well casing for maintaining a predetermined superatmospheric lower pressure on the exhausted power gas in said accumulator chamber; and means for repressuring the power gas collected in said accumulator chamber for delivery to said source of power gas for reintroduction through said valve means into said pump chamber.

Claim 24

The pump of claim 17, wherein said backflow control means comprises: check valve means in said eduction tubing upstream from said pump chamber for preventing backflow of fluid from said pump chamber to said producing formation; and check valve means in said eduction tubing downstream from said pump chamber for preventing backflow of fluids from said eduction tubing to said pump chamber.

Claim 25

The pump of claim 17 wherein said pressure regulator means includes: a relief conduit having one end connected in flow communication with the accumulator chamber in said annular space and having its other end connected in flow communication with a disposal pipeline; and back-pressure-regulating valve means in said relief line openable when the pressure in the accumulator chamber in the annular space exceeds a predetermined set valve, whereby excess gas accumulated in said accumulator 17, will escape through said relief conduit and the pressure in said accumulator chamber will be regulated to a predetermined value.

Claim 26

The pump of claim 17, including: exhaust tube means having one end connected to the outlet port means of said valve means, said exhaust tube means extending upwardly in the annular space from said valve means and having its upper end located at an elevation above the upper level of the liquid in the annular space, whereby the hydrostatic head of the liquid above the pump means in the annulus will not be exerted in the chamber means when the chamber means is in direct communication with said outlet port means of said valve means.

Claim 27

The pump of claim 20, wherein said exhaust tube is provided at its upper end with check valve means for preventing the flow of fluids from the annular space into the exhaust tube.

Claim 28

The pump of claim 17, including: passage means communicating said inlet and outlet port means of said valve means; and pressure-responsive valve means in said passage means between said inlet and outlet port means of said valve means openable in response to fluid pressure to permit flow of power gas from said inlet port means through said outlet port means and through said exhaust tube into the annular space between the tubing and the casing to expel any liquid in said exhaust tube.

Claim 29

The pump of claim 17, wherein said valve means comprises a valve body having a closure member movable longitudinally therein from a first position wherein it communicates said valve inlet port means with said valve flow passage connected to said pump chamber means and a second position wherein it communicates said flow passage with said outlet port means; and wherein said valve actuator means includes means in said pump chamber movable in response to the movement of fluids in said chamber, and comprising interface separator means between the liquid and the gas therein, and means cooperable with said separator means for actuating said valve closure meMber in response to the movement of said separator means by the fluid pressure in said pump chamber to admit power gas to said pump chamber to displace liquid therefrom and to exhaust power gas from said pump chamber to admit liquid thereto.

Claim 30

The pump of claim 23, wherein said interface separator means in said pump chamber is provided with a central opening and said means cooperable with separator means for actuating said valve closure member includes an elongate central member slidably disposed in the central opening of said interface separator means and having one end thereof operatively connected to said valve closure means, said elongate central member having spaced limit stops thereon engageable by said separator means for limiting the relative longitudinal movement between said elongate central means and said separator means, whereby movement of said interface separator means in said chamber in response to the pressure of fluids therein causes said separator means to engage said stop means of said elongate central member to move said valve closure member between said first and second positions to cause said pump chamber to be alternately filled with and emptied of well liquids, said well liquids being displaced through said eduction tubing to the surface.

Claim 31

The pump of claim 23, including: detent means connected with said valve closure member for restraining said closure member in said first and said second operating positions, for producing snap-action movement of said valve closure member from one to the other of said operating positions.

Claim 32

The pump of claim 25, wherein said detent means comprises: a head member connected with said valve closure member and slidable in said valve body; recess means on one and spring-biased plunger means on the other of said head member and said valve body coengageable when said valve closure member is in either of said first or said second positions, said closure member being movable from one operating position to the other operating position upon being subjected to a longitudinally acting force sufficient to overcome the restraining force of said detent means.

Claim 33

The pump of claim 17, wherein: said valve means, said valve-actuating means and said backflow control means are insertable into and removable from said elongate housing through said eduction tubing without moving said eduction tubing.

Claim 34

A well system for lifting liquids in a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a plurality of producing earth formations; a string of well casing in said well bore, the bore of said well casing communicating with each of said plurality of producing formations; a plurality of tubing strings in said well casing forming an annulus between said casing and said tubing strings, the bore of each tubing string communicating with a separate one of said producing formations; lateral port means in one of said tubing strings communicating the bore of said one of said tubing strings with said annulus; chamber means connected to at least another one of said plurality of tubing strings for accumulating well liquids from at least one of said producing formations therein; valve means connected to said chamber means, said valve means having an exhaust passage and a power gas passage, said exhaust passage communicating with said annulus, said valve means including a valve member movable between a first position wherein said chamber means communicates with said exhaust passage while said power gas passage is closed and a second position wherein said chamber communicates with said power gas passage while said exhaust passage is closed; a source of gas pressure connected to the power gas passage of said valve means; valve actuator means in said chamber means associated with said valve means and responsive to the movement of well liquids in said chamber means for moving said valve member between first and second positions alternately communicating said power gas conduit and said exhaust conduit with said chamber means to sequentialLy fill said chamber means with and empty it of well liquids, said well liquids being displaced from said chamber means to the surface through said another tubing string by said power gas, means conducting used power gas from said chamber means into said one string of tubing to aid in lifting well fluids therein to the surface.

Claim 35

A well system for lifting liquids in a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a plurality of producing earth formations; a string of well casing in said well bore, the bore of said well casing communicating with each of said plurality of producing formations; a plurality of tubing strings in said well casing forming an annulus between said casing and said tubing strings, the bore of each tubing string communicating with a separate one of said producing formations; lateral port means in one of said tubing strings communicating the bore of said one of said tubing strings with said annulus; chamber means connected to at least another one of said plurality of tubing strings for accumulating well liquids from at least one of said producing formations therein; valve means connected to said chamber means, said valve means having an exhaust passage and a power gas passage, said exhaust passage communicating with said annulus, said valve means including a valve member movable between a first position wherein said chamber means communicates with said exhaust passage while said power gas passage is closed and a second position wherein said chamber communicates with said power gas passage while said exhaust passage is closed; a source of gas pressure connected to the power gas passage of said valve means; valve actuator means in said chamber means associated with said valve means and responsive to the movement of well liquids in said chamber means for moving said valve member between first and second positions alternately communicating said power gas conduit and said exhaust conduit with said chamber means to sequentialLy fill said chamber means with and empty it of well liquids, said well liquids being displaced from said chamber means to the surface through said another tubing string by said power gas, means conducting used power gas from said chamber means into said one string of tubing to aid in lifting well fluids therein to the surface.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 28, including: check valve means upstream and downstream of said chamber means to prevent backflow of well liquids into and from said chamber means.

Claim 37

The well system of claim 28, wherein said lateral port means in said one tubing string includes a gas lift valve for controlling the admission of gas from said annulus into the bore of said one tubing string.

Claim 38

The well system of claim 28, including: an exhaust conduit connected to said exhaust passage of said valve means extending upwardly in said annulus to a location above the liquid level in said annulus; and an intake conduit connected to said lateral port means of said one tubing string and extending upwardly in said annulus to a location above said liquid level in said annulus for conducting gas from said space above said annulus to said one tubing string to lift liquids therein.

Claim 39

The well system of claim 28, including: a gas conduit having one end connected to the exhaust passage of said valve means and the other end connected to said lateral port means.

Claim 40

The well system of claim 28, including: relief conduit means connected to the upper portion of said annulus and having back pressure valve means therein adjusted to maintain the pressure in the upper portion of said annulus at a desired superatmospheric value.

Claim 41

The well system of claim 28, including: compressor means having a suction conduit connected to said annulus and a discharge conduit connected to said valve means for compressing gases collected in said annulus to a higher pressure for delivery to said pump chamber means to displace well liquids collected therein to the surface, said gas subsequently being vented from said chamber means into the annulus and collected therein for recompression and reuse.

Claim 42

The well system of claim 34, including: second compressor means having a suction conduit connected to a pipe line carrying gas and a discharge line connected to said annulus, said compressor means including control means responsive to the pressure in the annulus for activating and deactivating said compressor, whereby excess gas is vented from the annulus to the pipe line and shortage of gas in the annulus is made up from the pipeline, said gas from said pipe line being compressed by said second compressor means to a pressure in excess of the pressure in the annulus.

Claim 43

The well system of claim 34, including a check valve in said discharge conduit near the lower end thereof to exclude well liquids from said discharge conduit.

Claim 44

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well bore penetrating a plurality of producing earth formations, one of which produces principally liquids and a second of which produces principally gas, and having well casing therein communicating with each of said plurality of producing formations, and a plurality of tubing strings in said well casing each communicating with a separate one of said producing formations, said tubing strings providing an annular space between said tubing strings and said well casing, and barrier means sealing between the tubing and casing in the annulus between adjacent formations, said apparatus including: gas pump means connected to the one of said plurality of tubing string communicating with the liquid-producing formation, said gas pump means having a fluid passage with an inlet from said liquid-producing formation and a fluid outlet to said one tubing string; valve means in said pump means having a gas inlet passage and a gas exhaust passage; means in said gas pump means responsive to movement of liquid and fluid pressures in said gas pump means for operating said valve means to alternately admit and exhauSt gas from said pump means to admit liquid into said pump means and displace liquid from said pump means to said one tubing string; gas conduit means having one end communicating with the bore of said second of said tubing strings and having its other end connected to said gas inlet passage of said valve means, whereby said gas from said second tubing string is conducted as power gas to said gas pump means to operate said gas pump means.

Claim 45

Apparatus for lifting liquids in a well bore penetrating a plurality of producing earth formations, one of which produces principally liquids and a second of which produces principally gas, and having well casing therein communicating with each of said plurality of producing formations, and a plurality of tubing strings in said well casing each communicating with a separate one of said producing formations, said tubing strings providing an annular space between said tubing strings and said well casing, and barrier means sealing between the tubing and casing in the annulus between adjacent formations, said apparatus including: gas pump means connected to the one of said plurality of tubing string communicating with the liquid-producing formation, said gas pump means having a fluid passage with an inlet from said liquid-producing formation and a fluid outlet to said one tubing string; valve means in said pump means having a gas inlet passage and a gas exhaust passage; means in said gas pump means responsive to movement of liquid and fluid pressures in said gas pump means for operating said valve means to alternately admit and exhauSt gas from said pump means to admit liquid into said pump means and displace liquid from said pump means to said one tubing string; gas conduit means having one end communicating with the bore of said second of said tubing strings and having its other end connected to said gas inlet passage of said valve means, whereby said gas from said second tubing string is conducted as power gas to said gas pump means to operate said gas pump means.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the upper end of the casing is closed around the tubing strings to form an accumulator chamber in the casing above the liquid level therein, and gas discharged from the exhaust passage of said gas pump is accumulated in said accumulator chamber at a superatmospheric pressure lower than the pressure of the power gas.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 38, including: an exhaust tube connected to said exhaust passage of said gas pump and extending upwardly in said annulus to the accumulator chamber above the liquid level in said annulus.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 39, including: a sleeve valve disposed in said another one of said tubing strings at the lateral port therein movable for controlling the flow of fluids through said lateral port.

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 36, including: inlet port means opening through the wall of a third one of said tubing strings and communicating the bore of said third tubing string with said accumulator chamber, whereby gas from said accumulator chamber entering said third tubing string through said inlet port means aids in lifting well liquids in said third tubing string.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 41, including: a vent line connected to said accumulator chamber; and a back pressure valve in said vent line adjusted to hold a predetermined superatmospheric pressure in said accumulator chamber and permitting excess gas to escape from said accumulator chamber.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 37, wherein gas discharged from said exhaust passage from said gas pump aids in lifting well liquids through said annulus.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 37, including: inlet port means opening through the wall of a third one of said tubing strings; and a gas conduit having one end connected to said inlet port means and the other end connected to the exhaust passage of said gas pump.

Claim 53

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; first chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing from accumulating well liquids from said producing earth formation therein; first valve means having a flow passage connected to said first chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said first valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said first valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; first valve actuating means associated with said first valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said first chamber means for actuating said first valve means to alternately communicate said first chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said first valve means to sequentially fill said first chamber means with and empty said first chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids from said producing formation accumulated in such first chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; first backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said first chamber means and from said first chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied form sAid first chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced upwardly in said eduction tubing; second chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing and in flow receiving communication with said first chamber means for accumulating therein well liquids displaced form said first chamber means upwardly in said eduction tubing to said second chamber means; second valve means having a flow passage connected to said second chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said second valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said second valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; second valve-actuating means associated with said second valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said second chamber means for actuating said second valve means to alternately communicate said second chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said second valve means to sequentially fill said second chamber means with and empty said second chamber means of well liquids accumulated in said second chamber means, whereby well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto thereabove; and second backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said second chamber means, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means are displaced through said eduction tubing to said second chamber means and are then displaced from said second chamber means to the surface.

Claim 54

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formation; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communicating at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; first chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing from accumulating well liquids from said producing earth formation therein; first valve means having a flow passage connected to said first chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said first valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said first valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; first valve actuating means associated with said first valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said first chamber means for actuating said first valve means to alternately communicate said first chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said first valve means to sequentially fill said first chamber means with and empty said first chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids from said producing formation accumulated in such first chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; first backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said first chamber means and from said first chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied form sAid first chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced upwardly in said eduction tubing; second chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing and in flow receiving communication with said first chamber means for accumulating therein well liquids displaced form said first chamber means upwardly in said eduction tubing to said second chamber means; second valve means having a flow passage connected to said second chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said second valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said second valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; second valve-actuating means associated with said second valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said second chamber means for actuating said second valve means to alternately communicate said second chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said second valve means to sequentially fill said second chamber means with and empty said second chamber means of well liquids accumulated in said second chamber means, whereby well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto thereabove; and second backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said second chamber means, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means are displaced through said eduction tubing to said second chamber means and are then displaced from said second chamber means to the surface.

Claim 55

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, of the character set forth in claim 45, wherein said inlet port means of said first valve means and the inlet port means of said second valve means communicate with a common source of power gas pressure; and said outlet port means of said first valve means and said outlet port means of said second valve means communicate with a common region of superatmospheric lower pressure.

Claim 56

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formations; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communication at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; first chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids from said producing earth formation therein; first valve means having a flow passage connected to said first chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said first valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said first valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; first valve actuating means associated with said first valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said first chamber means for actuating said first valve means to alternately communicate said first chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said first valve means to sequentially fill said first chamber means with and empty said first chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids from said producing formation accumulated in such first chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; first backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said first chamber means and from said first chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced upwardly in said eduction tubing; barrier means sealing bEtween said eduction tubing and said well casing above said first chamber means; port means communicating said eduction tubing with the annular space between said eduction tubing and said well casing above said barrier means, whereby well fluids displaced from said first chamber upwardly in said eduction tubing enter said annular space above said barrier means; second chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing above said barrier means and in flow-receiving communication with said annular space above said barrier means and with said first chamber means for accumulating therein well liquids displaced from said first chamber means upwardly in said eduction tubing to said annular space and said second chamber means; second valve means having a flow passage connected to said second chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said second valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said second valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; second valve-actuating means associated with said second valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said second chamber means for actuating said second valve means to alternately communicate said second chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said second valve means to sequentially fill said second chamber means with and empty said second chamber means of well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means, whereby well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto thereabove; and second backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said second chamber means and from said second chamber means to said annular space above said barrier means, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means are displaced through said eduction tubing to said annular space above said barrier means and to said second chamber means and are then displaced from said second chamber means to the surface.

Claim 57

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, comprising: a well bore penetrating a producing earth formation; well casing disposed in said well bore and communicating with said producing earth formations; eduction tubing disposed in said well casing and communication at the lower end thereof with the bore of said well casing; first chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing for accumulating well liquids from said producing earth formation therein; first valve means having a flow passage connected to said first chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said first valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said first valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; first valve actuating means associated with said first valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said first chamber means for actuating said first valve means to alternately communicate said first chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said first valve means to sequentially fill said first chamber means with and empty said first chamber means of well liquids, whereby well liquids from said producing formation accumulated in such first chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto; first backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said first chamber means and from said first chamber means to said producing formation, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means to said eduction tubing are displaced upwardly in said eduction tubing; barrier means sealing bEtween said eduction tubing and said well casing above said first chamber means; port means communicating said eduction tubing with the annular space between said eduction tubing and said well casing above said barrier means, whereby well fluids displaced from said first chamber upwardly in said eduction tubing enter said annular space above said barrier means; second chamber means connected in flow communication to said eduction tubing above said barrier means and in flow-receiving communication with said annular space above said barrier means and with said first chamber means for accumulating therein well liquids displaced from said first chamber means upwardly in said eduction tubing to said annular space and said second chamber means; second valve means having a flow passage connected to said second chamber means and having inlet port means communicating with a source of power gas pressure and outlet port means communicating with a region of superatmospheric lower pressure, said second valve means having means operable for selectively alternately connecting said ports of said second valve means in flow communication with said flow passage thereof; second valve-actuating means associated with said second valve means and responsive to fluid movement in said second chamber means for actuating said second valve means to alternately communicate said second chamber means with said source of power gas pressure and with said region of lower pressure connected with said second valve means to sequentially fill said second chamber means with and empty said second chamber means of well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means, whereby well liquids accumulated in such second chamber means will be displaced by gas pressure into the eduction tubing connected thereto thereabove; and second backflow control means preventing backflow of liquids from said eduction tubing to said second chamber means and from said second chamber means to said annular space above said barrier means, whereby the well liquids emptied from said first chamber means are displaced through said eduction tubing to said annular space above said barrier means and to said second chamber means and are then displaced from said second chamber means to the surface.

Claim 58

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, of the character set forth in claim 47 wherein: third backflow check means is provided in said eduction tubing adjacent said barrier means and below said port means from said eduction tubing to said annular space above said barrier means.

Claim 59

A well system for lifting liquids from a well, of the character set forth in claim 47, wherein said inlet port means of said first valve means and the inlet port means of said second valve means communicate with a common source of power gas pressure; and said outlet port means of said first valve means and said outlet port means of said second valve means communicate with a common region of superatmospheric lower pressure.

Claim 62

The method of claim 50, with the additional steps of: venting the power gas from said pump chamber after the well liquids have been displaced therefrom; accumulating the vented power gas from said pump chamber in the region of superatmospheric lower pressure; recompressing the accumulated vented gas from said lower pressure to a desired higher operating pressure for reuse as power gas; and introducing the recompressed power gas into said pump chamber.

Claim 65

The method of claim 52, with the additional steps of: accumulating the power gas vented from said pump chamber in said region of superatmospheric lower pressure in said well casing above the liquid level therein; compressing the accumulated vented gas from said lower pressure to a desired higher operating pressure fore reuse as power gas in said region of superatmospheric higher pressure; and reintroducing the recompressed power gas from said region of higher pressure into said pump chamber to displace well liquids therefrom.