US3894583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial lift for oil wells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-09
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1994-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for retrieving oil from a producing zone after the bottom hole pressure has decreased to such an extent that artificial lift is required for production. An accumulator is provided by casing sealed off with a packer, or an accumulation chamber located in the area of the casing where oil accumulates. The uppermost portion of the accumulator is vented to atmosphere to allow oil flow therein. A floating piston-type device may be located immediately above the accumulator with a bypass from the accumulator to the top of the floating piston. Pressure is subsequently applied through the vent line to the accumulator to force oil from the accumulator through a stinger tube above the floating piston and subsequently raise the oil and floating piston to the surface. Without the piston, a stinger tube and standing valve may be used to accumulate oil in the production tubing. The vent line may be located inside the production line with the upper casing being used as a pressure storage tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 02:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/122; E21B43/123; F; F04; F04F; F04F1/00; F04F1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
An artificial lift apparatus for a liquid producing well having a well head and a well casing therein, said apparatus comprising: production tubing extending from the well head into the casing to A level below which the liquid from a liquid producing zone will fill through perforations in the casing; accumulator means in the bottom of the well casing for collecting liquid in the well; gas tubing means extending from the well head into the accumulator means for communication therewith from the well head; first check valve means for only allowing flow of liquid into said accumulator means; standing valve means at essentially the bottom of said production tubing to allow flow of said fluid only into said production tubing, said bottom of said production tubing being near the bottom of said accumulator means; means for receiving and handling said liquid at said well head; and control valve for alternately venting and pressurizing said accumulator means via said gas tubing means, liquid being allowed to collect in said accumulator means via said first check valve means during venting, thereafter in response to said pressurizing, said liquid is moved through standing valve means into said production tubing and raised to the well head; plate means for sealing said well casing at the well head; first packer means for sealing said well casing to said production tubing above said liquid producing zone, annulus between said plate means and said first packer means being used to store pressurized gas for said pressurizing of said accumulator; a source of compressed air for pressurizing said annulus, said control valve alternately connecting said gas tubing to said accumulator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
An artificial lift apparatus for a liquid producing well having a well head and a well casing therein, said apparatus comprising: production tubing extending from the well head into the casing to A level below which the liquid from a liquid producing zone will fill through perforations in the casing; accumulator means in the bottom of the well casing for collecting liquid in the well; gas tubing means extending from the well head into the accumulator means for communication therewith from the well head; first check valve means for only allowing flow of liquid into said accumulator means; standing valve means at essentially the bottom of said production tubing to allow flow of said fluid only into said production tubing, said bottom of said production tubing being near the bottom of said accumulator means; means for receiving and handling said liquid at said well head; and control valve for alternately venting and pressurizing said accumulator means via said gas tubing means, liquid being allowed to collect in said accumulator means via said first check valve means during venting, thereafter in response to said pressurizing, said liquid is moved through standing valve means into said production tubing and raised to the well head; plate means for sealing said well casing at the well head; first packer means for sealing said well casing to said production tubing above said liquid producing zone, annulus between said plate means and said first packer means being used to store pressurized gas for said pressurizing of said accumulator; a source of compressed air for pressurizing said annulus, said control valve alternately connecting said gas tubing to said accumulator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The artificial lift apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said gas tubing means is inside said production tubing, crossover means inside said production tubing for separately connecting said gas tubing means to said accumulator and said production tubing to said standing valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The artificial lift apparatus as recited in claim 2 further includes a second packer means below said liquid producing zone, said first check valve means located on said production tubing between said first and second packer means to allow the liquid to flow below said second packer means, the area inside said casing below said second packer means forming said accumulator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The artificial lift apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the lower part of said production tubing which contains said standing valve means further includes a stinger tube means which extends to near the bottom of the liquid producing well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |