Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Federico A Tavarez

Randy C Tolman

Michael C Romer

Krishnan Kumaran

Pavlin B Entchev

Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole piezoelectric pump including methods of removing a wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and/or methods of locating the downhole piezoelectric pump within the wellbore. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the wellbore, a casing, the downhole piezoelectric pump, and a liquid discharge conduit and the systems may be utilized with and/or configured to perform the methods.

Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole piezoelectric pump

A system for removing fluids from a subterranean well. The system includes a housing comprising a hollow cylindrical body, the hollow cylindrical body having a first end and a second end; a pump for removing fluids from the subterranean well, the pump positioned within the hollow cylindrical body; and a battery-powered driver for driving the pump, the driver positioned within the hollow cylindrical body; and an apparatus for releasably securing and sealing the first end of the housing. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.

Battery-powered pump for removing fluids from a subterranean well

Selectively actuated plungers and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The methods include flowing a wellbore fluid stream in fluid contact with a plunger and in an uphole direction within a wellbore conduit while the plunger is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit. The methods further include maintaining the plunger in a low fluid drag state while a variable associated with the wellbore fluid stream is outside a threshold range and transitioning the plunger to a high fluid drag state responsive to the variable associated with the wellbore conduit being within the threshold range. The methods further include conveying the plunger in the uphole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems include the plungers and/or hydrocarbon wells that include the plungers.

Selectively actuated plungers and systems and methods including the same

A system for removing liquids from an inclined wellbore includes a plug member positioned within a heel section of the inclined wellbore, the plug member including an orifice therethrough; a first tubular member having a first end for providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore, a second end positioned at least partially within the second portion of the wellbore and providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore; a second tubular member positioned within the second portion of the wellbore, the second tubular member having a first end for receiving fluid from the second portion of the wellbore, the second end positioned adjacent the surface of the inclined wellbore; and a pump for pumping fluid from the second tubular member to the surface.

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Pearland, TX, United States of America

Federico A Tavarez