US2041803A - Well pumping unit - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 1936.

Fild Deo. 6, 1933 c. J. wou-" WELL PUMPING UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 RNEYS.

M85' 26, 1936- c. J. wom-Fv y WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Dec. 6; 1933 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

GJM/01H7.. @www Patented May 26, 1936 PATENT OFFICE -WELL PUMPING UNIT Charles J. Woll, San Antonio, Tex. Application December 6, 1933, Serial No. '101;203

11 Claims. (Cl. 10B-260) This invention relates to novel improvements in casing ow pumps and more especially to an improved pump utilizing liquid under pressure as the actuating medium for raising liquids from wells through the annular space between the well casing and the string of tubing therein. t

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a single unit casing flow pump especially adapted to be used in very deep oil wells but having distinct advantages for shallower oil wells of relatively small volume of production.

Another object is to furnish a multiple unit casing flow pump for oil wells of relatively large volume of production.

Another object is to supply an improved pump whereby a novel method of casing ow for oil wells may be practiced.

Other purposes of this invention are: To provide efficient. equipment for raising liquids from wells; to use a flow method employing a substitute for the power which other methods must use to lift the well liquid to the surface; and to entirely eliminate high air or gas pressures and their 4 accompanying hazard risks. l

My improved pump makes possible the use of a unique and new method of casing flow of wells, more especially oil wells. The invention uses the same general principle of operation as used with the pump covered by my prior Patent No.

1,939,751 of Dec, 19, 1933; said patent, however,4

covering an invention designed specifically for tubing flow and not for casing ilow.

With the foregoing.objects outlined and with other objects in -view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more especially `pointed out in the appended -claims:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a Vertical diametrical sectional view, partly in elevation of my improved pump.

Fig. 2 is a similar enlarged View of a portion Aof the structure shown in Fig. 1 but with the induction tube and eduction tubes shown in vertical section, sa1d View being taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. p

Figs. 3, 4, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 3 3, 4--4, 5-5 and 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of the upper or surface portion of my improved apparatus. p

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but taken at a different angle to moreclearly illustrate parts not fully shown in Fig. 2.

To facilitate an understanding of the following detailed description, it may be stated that the tubing string will be referred to as an induction conduit; the annular space between the induction conduit and the well casing, as an eduction conduit"; and the operative force being a liquid under pressure, as an actuating liquid.

It may be also stated that it is a commonly known fact an oil well may produce either or both water and gas with the oil, therefore, whatever the well produces, whether one or both of the above specied liquids with or without accompanying gas, will be referred to as well production.

Referring to the drawings, I designates the pump shell having internal threads at both ends thereof. 2 designates a swaged nipple also havinginternal threads at both ends thereof. The upper end of the shell and the lower enlarged end of 'said nipple have a screw threaded connection with external threads on a cup 3 from which liquid may flow upwardly through elongated ports II provided in the nipple.

Another swaged nipple 5 has an enlarged upper end screwed into the lower end of the shell. An induction tube 6 is provided for leading the actuating liquid into a chamber 1 which is formed by an inverted cup consisting of a top 8 and a cylindrical wall 9, and by a bottom Il). The bottom It consists of a. plate having a portion screwed into the inverted cup. The upper Surface of the part Ill may be flat, saucer-shape or saucer-shape with a conical concave sided elevation .'Ia in the center thereof. The last mentioned shape is preferred because a conical concave curved surface on the elevation 1a facilitates in deecting the actuating liquid upwardly.

An annular ball valve cage I I depends from the part ID and cooperates with a ball valve I2.

Eduction tubes I3 lead from the chamber 'I to the interior of the cup 3 for conducting the l actuating liquid andwell production upwardly into said cup, whence said actuating liquid and well production pass through said slots 4 into the eduction conduit.

A disc I4 is screwed into the lower end of the shell I and has a cen'trally disposed port I5 controlled by the valve I2 which seats upon the seat y against the bottom of the part I0 for reinforcing the latter and holdingthe same in position.

It will be noted that the induction tube 6 has a threaded connection at I8 with the bottom of the cup 3 and that said induction tube extends downwardly through the top 8 of the chamber 1, so as to cooperate, through chamber 1, with the eduction tubes I3. Each of the tubes I3 may be made in one piece but a three-piece construction is much preferred, in order that a thimble I9 having a small hole 28a in its top may be threadedly connected to the lower end of the tube for the purpose of accurately adjusting the thimble relatively to the lateral ports 20 of the tube as well as to the flared portion I3a of the bore of the tube. Lock washers 34 are screwed into the lower ends ofthe tubes I3 for the purpose of holding the thimbles I9 in adjustment. To facilitate assembling and dismantling, each eduction tube i3 has shoulders 2| and 22 at its upper and lower end portions respectively to abut against the parts 3 and 8. In order to effectively hold the tubes in place screws 23 (best shown in Fig. 8) connect the parts 3 and 8, and it may be seen from Fig. 2 that the induction tube 6 has a shoulder 24 which is held in tight engagement with the part 8 when the screws 23 are tightened. 'I'he nut 25 may be screwed onto the lower end of the tube 6 to further assure tight joints, and at this point it will be observed that packinggaskets may be employed wherever necessary to prevent leakage.

In the accompanying figures, the relatively large open ends of thimbles I9 (which open ends connect with chamber 1) are shown to be truly cylindrical in shape, that is having circular walls with flat tops. 'I'he circular Walls are always retained ,but the tops may be cone shaped, that is tapered upwardly from the lateral circular walls to the small holes 28a in the tops thereof; or the said tops may be curved cycloidally, convexing downward from the small holes 28a.

The upper end portion of the tube 6 passes through a packing gasket 26, and packing gland 21 is screwed into the reduced upper end portion of the swaged nipple 2 to prevent leakage around tube 6.

It will be noted that the actuating liquid in passing from chamber l to the flared portions I3a of the bores of the tubes I3 must go through relatively large passageways 28 in the thimbles I9, through the small holes or orices 28a in the tops o`f the thimbles, and then through ports or throats 29 positioned at the lower ends of the flared portions I3a.

39 designates ports which permit the well pro-l duction to pass from the ball valve chamber into the annular space just within the shell I, and surrounding parts I'|, i0, and 8, which annular space leads to the relatively large open spaces surrounding tubes I3, thereby providing unobstructed open passages to the lateral open ports 20, which open ports provide entrance way for the well production into the throats 29 of eduction tubes I3.

3| designates the well tubing and 32 a conventional packer for shutting off the space between the tubing and casing below the pump proper.

The lower end of the tubing string or induction conduit is secured to the part 2 by screw threads as shown at 33.

35 designates the well casing, and from Fig. 1 it will be noted that the actuating liquid may be forced by a pump 36 through a pipe 40 into the induction conduit 3 I. From Fig. 1 it will be noted that said liquid will be forced from induction conduit 3| through tube 6, into chamber 1, from which chamber it is forced through thimbles I9, into and through tubes I3, into swaged nipple 2,

through openings 4 in said nipple, into the eduction conduit, out of which said eduction conduit said liquid will be forced through pipe 38 (Fig. 7) into supply tank 39. A valved bypass pipe 32a will allow the actuating medium to bypass the pump when feasible.

'Ihe pump proper in accordance with this invention may be readily assembled or dismantled. From Fig. 2 it may be seen that the cup 3 may be first screwed into position on the tube 6 by means oi' the threads I8. The eduction tubes I3 with their thimbles I9 properly positioned in relation to the lateral ports 20 are then introduced into the holes in the bottom of the cup 3 until the shoulders 2| come into engagement with said bottom. The inverted cup 8 9 is then positioned, the lower ends of the tubes I3 being inserted into holes provided therefor in head 8, and then the clamp bolts 23 are inserted in order to secure the parts 3 and 8 9 firmly together. Nut 25 is then screwed on to the lower end of the part 6 thus further providing against possible leakage, and adding rigidity to the partial assembly. Part I0 is then screwed into position and the shell I is connected to the part 3, then ball valve I2 is placed in its cage II and the valve seat member I4 is screwed into the lower end of the shell. Then the lower swaged nipple 5 and the upper swaged nipple 2 are screwed respectively into connection with the parts I and 3, and finally the stuffing box packing 26 is put in place and the packing gland 2'I is rmly tightened to prevent leakage therethrough. Afterwards the assembly may be readily introduced between sections of the tubing string.

Obviously the pump is designed to be connected into the tubing string of an oil well and generally at such place in the tubing string that the pump will be below the static head of the well when the tubing string is positioned in the well. 'I'he tubing string is either set on a lead (or other suitable) seal or a packer (32 Fig. l) is used, or both packer and lead seal may be used, to seal oil' all communication between the inside of the induction conduit'and the eduction conduit except as provided forv through said pump. The tubing string extends through the casing head at the top of the well with the usual and approved low pressure leak proof fittings.

With the above connections made and the bypass 32a open, it is necessary before operation is started that liquid be supplied into the tank 39 until said liquid stands above the casing head level and/or the pipe connecting tank 39 to circulating pump 33. As liquid is supplied into the tank it is evident that said liquid will, by the force oi' gravity, iill the induction and eduction conduits in the well.

To initiate flowing operations, with the pump installed, surface connection made, and liquid Supplied into tank as specified, the gate valve in the bypass 32a must be closed and the circulating pump 36 started. Said circulating pumpv will force actuating liquid into the induction conduit 3| in the well thus causing simultaneous downward movement of liquid throughout the length of the induction conduit, force said liquid into and through said pump, but within said pump (in throats 29 opposite the inner ends of lateral Openings 20 in tubes I3 of said pump) the actuating liq'uid combines with Athe well production and the force applied by the circulating pump acting on said liquid aided by the rock pressure of the well forces the combined actuating liquid and well production upwardly out of said pump intp the eduction conduit and on up and out of the well. ,The weight of the liquid being forced downwardly in the induction conduit balances the inating a possible few feet of lift between the level of the liquid in the tank and the end of the dis-V charge pipe at the top of the tank if I discharge pipe be so installed) the only energy thatV is required to flow a well with my invention is the "lost energy of motion, lost ,in friction anddisl vsipated atthe discharge.. AThese losses are inevitable in any method of flowing wells. But in addition to the lost-energy of motion which must be supplied by all methods of flowing wells,

methods other than mine must supply energy to` lift the well liquid. This lifting energy, which is stupendous in amount, is not required when my invention is used.

The method I use for getting the well production out of an oil well is novel and unique in that it does not lift the liquid out of the well by means of extraneously supplied power. The surface equipment, already explained, operative with my invention supplies a descending liquid stream into the well through the induction conduit 3| within the well, and said liquid balances an ascendingv stream of` liquid coming up out of the well through the eduction conduit therein. That is, in a well producing no gas, the two streams of liquid have the same per square inch. weight, one balancing the other, and the operating power required is the power necessary to produce the desired movement, not to lift. ducing gas, the gas will reduce the amount of power required to flow the well, and the reducf tion will be in proportion to the amount the gas reduces the per square inch weight of the col of liquid coming up out of the well.

The explanation in the foregoing paragraph is to clearly set out that my method of flowing an oil well makes to liquids a novel application Vof the principle of the lever; the pump is the fulcrum; the arms of the lever are the induction and the .eduction columns of liquid and are equal in length; the sq. in. weight' of liquidV in the eduction conduit on one side of the fulcrum and the sq. in. weight of the liquid in the induction conduit on the other side of the fulcrum areV the weights. When neither liquid is aerated, assuming the same specific gravity, the weights are equal and the lever is balanced. If the liquid in the eduction conduit is'` aerated by gas from the well the lever is unbalanced because the sq. in. weight lof the liquid in the veduction conduit is reduced. Any application of power to the liquid in the induction conduit also unbalances the lever and in 'either of these two unbalanced conditions at least a slight movement would be started from the induction to the eduction conduit. By the application of power (pressure) through means of the circulating pump, this movement of liquid from the induction to the eduction conduit, can be perfectly controlled and regulated to obtain the greatest efficiency in operation. The combining of the actuating liquid and the well .production is accomplished in throats 29 of tubes I3 by the hydraulic principle that the actuating liquid (liq- In a well pro- I uid under pressure) being forced through orifices 28a produces somewhat contracted jets (vena contractas) in throats 29 opposite the inner ends of passages 29, and creates low pressure areas between said jets and the walls of throats 29 at 5 inner ends of passages 20. These low pressure areas act through open passages 20, thence downwardly. relieving the pressure above valve I2. The rock pressure oi the well from below valve I2 then raises said valve and supplies wellpro-4l 1n duction into the low pressure areas in throats 29 where said well production contacts the actuating liquid, and together with said liquid passes intol flared bore Iaa oi' tubes I3, on through swaged nipple 2 into the eduction conduit, and on up and l5 out of the well. It should be noted in this connection that the said low pressure areas within the throats 29, passages and downwardly therefrom, would approach infinitely near an absolute vacuum if no well production was supplied by the 20 rock pressure of the well, consequently thiscondition would pull (by the principle of vacuum suction) Athe well production from several feet below valve I2, if the rock pressure of the well was not suiiicient to elevate the well production to the levelof the throats 29, and the well production so "pulled would combine with the circulating liquid in tubes I3 and be taken out of the well, similarly toy themanner already described.

When my apparatus is used to raise liquids from wells, the flow starts gently, is continuous throughout the flowing period, and is without any semblance of violence; resembling in appearance the natural flow of an artesian water well.

From the foregoing it is believed that the con- 1 struction of. my improved apparatus and the steps from the spirit of the invention as expressed in 4o the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well pumping apparatus, comprising a tubing string, an induction chamber into which an actuating liquid from said string discharges,

a casing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubes placing said induction chamber in communication with said eduction conduit, eachv of said tubes having a Venturi shaped vbore and lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means for forcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string, means for discharging combined actuating liquid and Well production from the upper end portion of said eduction conduit, and valve controlled means for feeding well production from the well to said lateral ports.

2. A well pumping apparatus, comprising a tubing string, an induction chamber into which an actuating liquid from said string discharges, a casing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubes placing said induction chamber in communication with said eduction conduit, each of said tubes having a, Venturi shaped bore and lateral ports for leading Well productionY into the throat thereof, means for forcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string, means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from thc upper endportion of said eduction conduit, and adjustable thimbles. positioned between said chamber and the throats of saidbores. f

3. A well pumping apparatus, -comprising a tubing string, an induction chamber into which 75 an actuating liquid from said string discharges, a casing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubes placing said induction chamber in communication with said eduction conduit, each of said tubes having a Venturi shaped bore and lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means for forcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the upper end portion of said eduction con-.- duit, said chamber having a bottom provided with a saucer-shaped upper surface provided at its center with an upwardly projecting cone having its peak coaxial with the axis of the tubing string.-

4. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing oif the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit.

5. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit, said eduction chamber comprising a cup secured to the upper end portion of said shell.

6. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports'for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit, said eduction chamber comprising a` swaged nipple connected at its upper portion to the tubing string and provided with apertures leading into said eduction conduit.

7. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pumping' unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing Well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit,

each of said eduction tubes being provided at its lower end with a vertically adjustable nipple having an aperture in its top.

8. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the .portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit, said induction chamber consisting of an inverted cup having a removable plug closing its lower end.

9. A well pumping apparatus comprising a, tubing string forming an induction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string and forming an eduction conduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing means for sealing oif the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing'string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means yfor discharging combined actuating liquid and well production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit, said valve chamber having a perforated wall and a valve cage.

10. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming an induction conduit, a

casing string surrounding the tubing string andv forming an eduction conduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing .means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a Valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing string above said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and means for-discharging-combined actuating liquid and well production from the eductlon conduit at a point above said unit, said valve chamber having inlet and outlet ports and a ball valve, closing the inlet port.

11. A well pumping apparatus comprising a shell, a cup detachably connected to the upper end oi the shell, a swaged nipple detachably connected to the cup and provided with apertures for discharging iiuid from the cup, an inverted cup arranged in the shell below the rst mentloned cup, tubes arranged between said cups and t having Venturi shaped bores placing the interiors of the cups in communicationmeans securing the cups together for holding the tubes in assembled relation therewith, a plug closing the -lower end of the inverted cup and forming with chamber, said wall, plug and inverted cup being

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