US 12,385,370 B2
Plunger lift with a variable flow mechanism
Jack Rogers, Kemah, TX (US); Travis Bayer, Conroe, TX (US); and Ryan Gernentz, Stanton, TX (US)
Assigned to Endurance Lift Solutions, LLC, Gainesville, TX (US)
Filed by Endurance Lift Solutions, LLC, Gainesville, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/377,847.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/414,319, filed on Oct. 7, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0117720 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/12 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/121 (2013.01) 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
5. A method of lifting fluids from an oil and gas well, the method comprising:
employing an adjustable plunger to lift fluids from the oil and gas well wherein the adjustable plunger has a desired fall rate in the well, the adjustable plunger comprising:
a mandrel;
a hollow body with radial directed ports disposed therein;
a variable flow mechanism that can be adjusted to achieve a fall rate for the plunger for a particular oil and gas operation;
an adjustable plug slidably disposed within the hollow body, the plug having a first position in the hollow body when the plunger is descending in the well and a second position in the hollow body when the plunger is ascending in the well, the adjustable plug blocking the flow of fluid through the radial directed ports when the adjustable plug is in the second position; and
wherein the adjustable plug includes a primary plug component that engages a first seat in an uphole part of the hollow body when the adjustable plug is in the second position and a secondary plug component adjustably supported by the first plug component such that the size of the adjustable plug can be altered.