Tubing string extension

Claim 1

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly in the space between the tubing extension and the casing through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.

Claim 2

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly in the space between the tubing extension and the casing through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.

Claim 4

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension, comprising: a cylinder having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end portion of the cylinder being connected to the upper seal assembly and the lower end portion of the cylinder being connected to the lower seal assembly, the cylinder extending circumferentially about a portion of the tubing string extension and the cylinder extending generally between the upper and the lower seal assemblies, the cylinder being spaced a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly having at least two vent openings extending through the lower seal assembly, the vent openings in the lower seal assembly being in fluidic communication with the space between the cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, and the upper seal assembly having at least two vent openings, each of the vent openings being in fluidic communication with the space between the cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the vent openings in the upper seal assembly and the vent openings in the lower seal assembly cooperating with the space between the cylinder and the tubing string extension to provide a passageway for venting gas from the space generally below the lower seal assembly into the space generally above the upper seal assembly.

Claim 5

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension, comprising: a cylinder having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end portion of the cylinder being connected to the upper seal assembly and the lower end portion of the cylinder being connected to the lower seal assembly, the cylinder extending circumferentially about a portion of the tubing string extension and the cylinder extending generally between the upper and the lower seal assemblies, the cylinder being spaced a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly having at least two vent openings extending through the lower seal assembly, the vent openings in the lower seal assembly being in fluidic communication with the space between the cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, and the upper seal assembly having at least two vent openings, each of the vent openings being in fluidic communication with the space between the cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the vent openings in the upper seal assembly and the vent openings in the lower seal assembly cooperating with the space between the cylinder and the tubing string extension to provide a passageway for venting gas from the space generally below the lower seal assembly into the space generally above the upper seal assembly.

Claim 7

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the tubing string extension comprising: a lower tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the inlet ports being formed through the lower tubular member and the lower end of the lower tubular member forming the lower end of the tubing string extension; an intermediate tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the lower end portion of the intermediate tubular member being connected to the upper end portion of the lower tubular member and the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension being formed in the intermediate tubular member generally between the upper and the lower ends of the intermediate tubular member; and an upper tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the lower end of the upper tubular member being connected to the upper end of the intermediate tubular member and the upper end of the upper tubular member being connected to the depending end of the pump equipped tubing string, the openings in the upper tubular member, the lower tubular member and the intermediate tubular member providing the opening extending through the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.

Claim 8

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the tubing string extension comprising: a lower tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the inlet ports being formed through the lower tubular member and the lower end of the lower tubular member forming the lower end of the tubing string extension; an intermediate tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the lower end portion of the intermediate tubular member being connected to the upper end portion of the lower tubular member and the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension being formed in the intermediate tubular member generally between the upper and the lower ends of the intermediate tubular member; and an upper tubular member having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the lower end of the upper tubular member being connected to the upper end of the intermediate tubular member and the upper end of the upper tubular member being connected to the depending end of the pump equipped tubing string, the openings in the upper tubular member, the lower tubular member and the intermediate tubular member providing the opening extending through the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.

Claim 9

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing, the upper seal assembly defined further to include: an upper mounting plate having a lower surface, the upper mounting plate being connected to the tubing string extension generally near the upper end of the tubing string extension and the lower surface of the upper mounting plate extending a distance radially from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower mounting plate having an upper surface, the lower mounting plate being connected to the tubing string extension generally near the upper end of the tubing string extension and the upper surface of the lower mounting plate extending a distance generally radially from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the upper surface of the lower mounting plate being spaced a distance from the lower surface of the upper mounting plate; and a seal member disposed generally between the upper and the lower mounting plates, a portion of the seal member sealingly engaging the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension and another portion of the seal member sealingly engaging the casing, the upper and the lower mounting plates cooperating to secure the seal member in position; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.

Claim 10

An apparatus adapted for use with a pump equipped tubing string within a casing for use in conjunction with an oil well comprising: a tubing string extension having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof, the upper end of the tubing string extension being co-axially connected to the depending end of the tubing string, the tubing string extension a reduced diameter portion intermediate the upper and the lower ends thereof, and at least two nozzle openings being formed through a portion of the tubing string extension with each nozzle opening having one end intersecting the opening in the tubing string extension in the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension and the opposite end of the nozzle opening intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower seal assembly surrounding the tubing extension and disposed generally below the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the lower seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing, the upper seal assembly defined further to include: an upper mounting plate having a lower surface, the upper mounting plate being connected to the tubing string extension generally near the upper end of the tubing string extension and the lower surface of the upper mounting plate extending a distance radially from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension; a lower mounting plate having an upper surface, the lower mounting plate being connected to the tubing string extension generally near the upper end of the tubing string extension and the upper surface of the lower mounting plate extending a distance generally radially from the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the upper surface of the lower mounting plate being spaced a distance from the lower surface of the upper mounting plate; and a seal member disposed generally between the upper and the lower mounting plates, a portion of the seal member sealingly engaging the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension and another portion of the seal member sealingly engaging the casing, the upper and the lower mounting plates cooperating to secure the seal member in position; an upper seal assembly surrounding the tubing string extension and disposed generally above the intersections of the nozzle openings and the outer peripheral surface tube, the tubing string extension, the upper seal assembly being adapted for sealingly engaging the tubing string extension and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the casing, thereby forming a seal therebetween, the upper seal assembly and the lower seal assembly cooperating with the casing to substantially sealingly isolate the space between the upper and the lower seal assemblies and between the tubing string extension and the casing; and vent means between the upper and the lower seal assemblies for venting gas existing generally below the lower seal assembly through the lower and the upper seal assemblies substantially to reduce such gas presence in the area near the intersections of the nozzle openings with the outer peripheral surface of the tubing string extension, the fluid passing through the reduced diameter portion of the tubing string extension resulting in a pressure reduction near the nozzle openings thereby causing fluid to be drawn through the nozzle openings in the tubing string extension into the opening in the tubing string extension.