US 12,454,881 B2
System, apparatus and method for artificial lift, and improved downhole actuator for same
Ed Purcell, Canadian, TX (US)
Filed by Universal Downhole Technologies, Inc., Canadian, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/433,809.
Application 18/433,809 is a continuation of application No. 17/840,606, filed on Jun. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,927,083.
Application 17/840,606 is a continuation of application No. 15/968,345, filed on May 1, 2018, granted, now 11,365,614.
Application 15/968,345 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/471,189, filed on Mar. 28, 2017, granted, now 10,526,878, issued on Jan. 7, 2020.
Application 15/471,189 is a continuation of application No. 15/133,891, filed on Apr. 20, 2016, granted, now 9,617,838, issued on Apr. 11, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/150,147, filed on Apr. 20, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0328291 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/12 (2006.01); E21B 17/02 (2006.01); F04B 47/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/129 (2013.01) [E21B 17/02 (2013.01); F04B 47/00 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Hydrocarbon fluid produced by performing a method for removing hydrocarbon fluid from a hydrocarbon production well by operation of an artificial lift system in relation to the well, the well including production tubing, the artificial lift system including:
a plunger pump located in fluid communication with hydrocarbon fluid in a geologic formation accessed by the well, the hydrocarbon fluid entering the artificial lift system at a fluid entry of the plunger pump;
a production fluid accumulation space located above at least a portion of the plunger pump to accumulate hydrocarbon fluid lifted from the fluid entry by reciprocating translation stroke movement of the plunger pump;
a hydraulic actuator assembly supported in the well in actuating relationship with the plunger pump, the hydraulic actuator assembly extending above the plunger pump;
the hydraulic actuator assembly comprising an open production fluid passage extending through the hydraulic actuator assembly, the production fluid passage having a lower end in open fluid communication with production fluid entering the lower end from the production fluid accumulation space, the production fluid passage having an upper end in open fluid communication with production tubing for production fluid to exit the upper end into the production tubing above the hydraulic actuator assembly, the production fluid passage extending from the lower end to the upper end to convey production fluid upward through the hydraulic actuator assembly;
the hydraulic actuator assembly comprising at least one hydraulic fluid pressure chamber configured to drive reciprocating translation stroke movement of an actuator piston assembly in relation to an actuator housing assembly thereof;
a hydraulic system containing pressurized hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic system in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator assembly to deliver hydraulic fluid to said at least one hydraulic fluid pressure chamber;
said actuator piston assembly supported for reciprocal translation stroke movement in relation to said actuator housing assembly;
said actuator piston assembly having an actuator piston assembly production fluid passage extending through the actuator piston assembly from a lower end in fluid communication with production fluid entering said actuator piston assembly production fluid passage, said actuator piston assembly production fluid passage extending through the actuator piston assembly from said lower end to an upper end to pass production fluid upward through said actuator piston assembly production fluid passage, said upper end in fluid communication with production fluid exiting said actuator piston assembly production fluid passage through said upper end into the production tubing above said actuator housing assembly;
said actuator piston assembly including an actuator piston body joined in mating threaded engagement with an upper actuator tube and a lower actuator tube,
said actuator piston assembly production fluid passage defined by cooperation of said actuator piston body joined with said upper actuator tube and said lower actuator tube;
said hydraulic actuator assembly comprising said actuator housing assembly, said actuator housing assembly comprising an actuator housing interior configured to support said actuator piston assembly in mating relationship therewith, said actuator piston assembly supported for reciprocating translation stroke movement in relation to said actuator housing assembly;
said actuator housing assembly including an elongated cylindrical tubular housing sidewall having a first end and second end, an upper end cap configured for mating threaded engagement with the first end, a lower end cap configured for mating threaded engagement with the second end, cooperation of the upper end cap, lower end cap and housing sidewall defining an actuator housing interior;
said method comprising:
operating the hydraulic system to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid pressure chamber, thus driving reciprocating translation stroke movement of the actuator piston assembly to:
produce reciprocating translation stroke movement of the plunger pump to lift production fluid to the production fluid accumulation space; and
lift production fluid into the production tubing above the hydraulic actuator assembly.