Plunger lift systems and methods
US8833467B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0491
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a gas well. Some embodiments include a plunger apparatus configured to fall through a continuous water phase (including water slugs) in a gas producing well by overcoming pressure and drag forces from the water by having a sufficient mass, hydrodynamic profile, and sufficiently large area for passage of the continuous water. In one embodiment, a plunger body and plug mechanism are provided, wherein the plug mechanism has open and closed positions, which may be automatically changed or controlled by a surface or other control system, and wherein the plunger body and plug may be a physically integrated one-piece system, or an interoperable two piece system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.