Other

Geo Vann, Inc.

Halliburton Company

Vann Tool Company, Inc.

Roy R Vann

Flint R George

Emmet F Brieger

Edward A Colle, Jr

George W Ribble

Hilton B Jones

James C Morrison

Clyde R Vann

Dennis F Warren

An improved gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of improved differential pressure control valves which are easier to maintain and more reliable and which provide the required lift capability with or without a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

Gas assisted lift system

A gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of differential pressure control valves which provide the required lift capability for a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.

A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve and comprises a sliding piston within an outer housing. The device may be opened pulling upwards on the pump drive mechanism thereby allowing fluid within the production tubing to drain back into the formation as long as the pump drive mechanism is held up. The device closes when the pump is returned to normal operation. The method of spotting chemicals requires a pre-measured quantity of chemicals at the surface which is sucked into the tubing string when the valve is opened followed by a pre-measured quantity of make-up fluid which is drawn into the well thereby placing the chemicals at the required point. The technique used for spotting chemicals may be used for flushing flower sand from the wellbore and the device may also be used to dump the hydrostatic head in the production tubing.

Method for using a reciprocating pump vent-dump valve

A reciprocating pump dump valve and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below the standing valve and allows for complete dumping of the hydrostatic head in the production tubing whenever the tubing must be pulled.

Reciprocating pump dump valve and methods of use

A reciprocating pump vent-dump and methods of use for utilization in the hydrocarbon industry. The device is preferably used with barrel pumps although it may be used with tubing pumps. The device is positioned at the bottom of the wellbore immediately above the stinger and immediately below above the standing valve and comprises a sliding piston within an outer housing. The device may be opened pulling upwards on the pump drive mechanism thereby allowing fluid within the production tubing to drain back into the formation as long as the pump drive mechanism is held up. The device closes when the pump is returned to normal operation.

Reciprocating pump vent-dump valve and methods of use

Improvements in method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from marginal oil wells, especially wells that previously used standard pump jacks. Substitution of the present invention for prior art production equipment solves many common problems found in the prior art, such as a well pump that experiences gas lock and pounding, which is a hindrance to efficient production in other known pump systems but is advantageous when using the Smart Pump of this disclosure. Disclosed herein is a pump assembly which senses when fluid is pumped uphole at a rate different than the rate that fluid is produced from the formation, by continually adjusting the time interval of one cycle of operation to coincide with the production history of the well. Stored data related to the production history of the well enables determination of the quantity of fluid that should be contained within the pump barrel each cycle of operation and changes the time interval for successive cycles of operation so as to continually adjust the next time interval to coincide with the rate of production of the formation whereby the optimum rate of production is always attained by this method of operation of the apparatus disclosed herein. These and many other unforseen advantages are realized by this disclosure that can change an unprofitable well into a profitable well, often at no additional cost.

Cable actuated downhole smart pump

A circular check valve with a central aperture is disclosed. The preferred use as a standing head valve for reducing hydrostatic pressure in a wellbore being produced by a reciprocating pump is discussed. In this application the circular check valve allows the a sucker rod, or equivalent source of pumping energy, to pass. The device is attached to the pump barrel in communication with pump chambers and the production tubing. The check valve device isolates the pump internals and the formation from the hydrostatic head of the produced fluid. The device eliminates pump-off and thus fluid pounding resulting in more efficient pumping and less maintenance. Other uses for the circular check are described.

Reciprocating pump standing head valve

Method and apparatus by which a gun firing head is maintained free of debris. An upper tubing string runs downhole in a cased borehole to a packer device. A jet gun, having a firing head located at the upper end thereof, is connected to a lower tubing string. A vent assembly is connected in series relationship within the lower string, and underlies the packer device. A barrier is contained within the lower tubing in underlying relationship to the vent and isolates the tubing interior immediately above the gun from contact with well fluids. A gun firing device is run from the surface, downhole through the packer device, and penetrates the barrier to gain access to the gun firing head, whereupon the gun is detonated, thereby perforating the casing and penetrating the payzone. Production occurs back through the perforations, up through the lower annulus, into the vent, and up the lower tubing string, through the packer, and up through the upper tubing string to the surface of the earth where the production is gathered.

Gun firing system using fluid filled pressure balance tubing

Two or more spaced formations located downhole in a borehole are completed by employment of a string of perforating guns and by making a single trip to the wellbore. An upper and a lower gun device are tied together by a connecting tubing. The length of the tubing spaces the guns apart a selected amount. The gun string is run downhole and actuated, whereby the casing is perforated adjacent to the two spaced formations. Detonation of the upper gun forces an upper movable member associated with the connecting tubing to generate a pressure wave which is received by a lower movable member located at the upper end of the lower gun. The lower member is connected to cause detonation of the lower gun.

Single trip completion of spaced formations

An improved downhole pressure measuring apparatus includes a flow tube conveying pressurized fluid from a fluid source on the surface into a borehole. The fluid flow and pressure is measured at the surface and the downhole pressure is determined. A perforating gun firing mechanism may be attached to a lower end of the flow tube and positioned in the borehole respective to a perforating gun for the firing thereof. The gun is fired by manipulating the flow tubing and the downhole pressure is simultaneously recorded.

Method and apparatus for firing a perforating gun and simultaneously

A perforating gun has a charge carrier assembly housed therein comprised of a plurality of charge holders connected together in tandem. Shaped charges are supported within each of the charge holders, such that the corresponding charges of each holder are circumferentially and vertically spaced apart from one another to forn a predetermined pattern. The individual charge holders describe a polyhedron whose bases or ends describe equal polygons, and whose lateral faces are rectangular and include a centrally located aperture which is adapted to receive a shaped charge in supported relationship therewithin. Each shaped charge is provided with a boss at the forward end thereof which abuttingly engages a lateral face of the polyhedron, and each corner or lateral edge formed between adjacent lateral faces of the charge holders have tabs extended in opposite directions therefrom which are arranged to engage the outmost face of the shaped charge, so that the shaped charge is uniquely captured in mounted relationship within the charge holder only by the action of the action of adjacent charge holders.

Perforating gun charge carrier improvements

A pipe string with a valve, pressure responsive member, packer, firing mechanism and perforating gun are suspended within a well to complete the well. The packer is set to form an upper and lower annulus, and the valve and pressure responsive member are disposed above the packer in the upper annulus. A signal transmission member extends from the pressure responsive member to the firing mechanism in the lower annulus. The valve is initially closed to prevent fluid flow through the flow bore of the pipe string. The upper annulus is pressurized to open the valve and create a pressure differential across the pressure responsive member. The pressure responsive member then transmits a signal through the signal transmission member to the firing mechanism to actuate the firing mechanism and detonate the perforating gun. Hydrocarbons from the formation then flow through the perforations and up the flow bore of the pipe string to the surface.

Well completion method and apparatus

A hold down apparatus for a wireline operated perforating gun which prevents the gun from being thrust uphole when the gun is fired. The hold down apparatus enables the gun to be run downhole in a tubing or casing string, without the necessity of filling the pipe with liquid. The hold down apparatus includes a releasable anchor apparatus which is selectively set when the gun is manipulated vertically in a particular manner by the wireline. The gun is run downhole and positioned at the zone where the perforations are to be formed. The gun is lifted a finite distance, then lowered a finite distance, and then lifted again, thereby setting a pair of slips which are located in underlying relationship with respect to the gun. The gun remains anchored downhole so long as tension is maintained on the wireline. The gun is fired and subsequently released by lowering the gun a finite distance whereupon the anchoring device releases the slips from engagement with the piping. The gun can then be lifted uphole. Another zone can be perforated by again lowering the gun and then lifting the gun whereupon the anchor apparatus is again set. This manipulation of the gun with the wireline in order to release or set the anchor apparatus can be continued as many times as desired.

Hold down apparatus for wireline operated gun

A vent assembly is positioned downhole in a borehole in underlying relationship with respect to a packer device. The vent assembly is connected within a production tubing string and a perforating gun is supported by the lower end of the string. A bar of special design is dropped down through the interior of the tubing and falls through the vent assembly and continues to fall down the tubing string to impact against a gun firing head. The action of the bar passing through the vent assembly moves structures associated therewith to cause a port to assume an open position. The subsequent impact of the bar against the gun firing head detonates the shaped charges of the gun. Formation fluid is then free to flow into the perforations, up the lower annulus, into the port of the vent assembly, and up the production tubing to the surface of the ground.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Roy R Vann