March 26, 1946. G. A.

HUMASON 2,397,419
PRODUCTION LIFT DEVICE
Filed March 20, 1943 4. Sheets-Sheet l

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March 26, 1946. G. A. HUMASON 2,397,419
PRODUCTION LIFT DEVICE
Filed March 20, 1943 4. Sheets-Sheet 2

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Attorn EY,
 Patented Mar. 26, 1946 2,397,419

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,397,419
PRODUCTION LIFT DEVICE
Granville A. Humason, Houston, Tex., assignor
of ten per cent to L. C. Christian, Houston,
Tex., and i eleven per cent to H. H. McGilvray,
and eleven per cent to T. J. Faver, both of Har
ris County, Tex.
Application March 20, 1943, Serial No. 479,823
12 Claims. (C. 103-5)
The invention relates to a combination produc periodically, continuously, or completely shut off
tion lift and well cleaning tool of the type to be during the using of the tool in producing a Well.
removably positioned within a well bore, It is also another object to provide a com
It is, of course, well understood that in some bination string of pipe and sucker rod assembly
instances when a well is completed that there so that a combination gas lift and pump action
may be sufficient gas pressure in the formation to may be utilized by the provision of a single tool.
cause the oil to flow to the surface, whereas in Another and further object of the invention will
other instances or formations, the gas may ac be readily apparent when the following descrip
cumulate and only partially discharge oil from the tion is considered with the accompanying draw
well. In still another instance, the fiow of the well O ings wherein:
must be initiated by effecting a reduction of pres Figures 1, 2, and 3, form an assembly of one
Sure in the well to start the flow. In another form of the equipment as applied to a well and
instance, the oil may enter the well but must be illustrate the construction thereof in section.
lifted to the surface by the introduction of a pres Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified
Sure fluid in the well, and in still further instances, 5 form of the well head assembly and showing the
the well may have to be pumped continuously to Separator and the pump construction as Well as
draw the oil from the formation. the Well head connections for use in recycling
It has been the practice in the past to provide pressure fluid.
different types of tools and equipment for each Figures 5 and 6 are connecting vertical sectional
of these different methods of production, but the 20 views of a modified form of the swab, pump, and
present invention contemplates the provision of paraffin Scraper construction. Figure 7 is a Sec
a single tool capable of adaptation for use in any tion taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.
one or all of the foregoing instances of production. Figures 8, 9, and 10 form a continuous vertical
Another object of the invention is to provide a Sectional view of another form of the combination
combination production and cleaning out tool for
Wells. 25 gas lift, Swab, and pump assembly.
Figure 11 is a vertical broken sectional view
Still another object of the invention is to pro showing still another modification of the tool for
vide a cleaning-out tool which can be run into the admitting gas or pressure fluid from the casing.
Well for the purpose of removing paraffin and Figure 1 shows the well head or casing head 2, as
which can then be utilized to effect production 30 being Supported upon casing 3 which extends into
of the well without removal of the tool. and is engaged by the earth formation. This cas
Still another object of the invention is to pro ing has the usual side outlets, one of which is
vide a combination pump, swab, and packer for closed by a bull plug 5, and the other of which has
Wells which can be used for gas lift swabbing or a flow line 6 connected thereto.
pumping as the circumstances may require. 35 A liner or production pipe T is shown as an
Another object of the invention is to provide a chored with a seal or packer 8 in the lower end
recycling head for wells so that the gas from the of the casing 3. It is to be understood, however,
W: may be recycled thereto to assist in produc that if desired, this production string 7 may ex
O. ?)
tend up to the surface and be suitably supported
Still another object of the invention is to pro 40 or otherwise anchored in the casing head 2.
vide a combination swab, pump, and parafin Disposed inside of the production string or liner
cleaner for wells. is a string of pipe O, which will be known as
Still another object of the invention is to pro the operating pipe. This string of pipe has a con
vide a clean-out tool for wells which will Scrape nection i? on the upper end, which may be suit
the paraffin therefrom and provide for circulation 45 ably engaged in any desired type of hoisting de
of a flushing fluid to carry the paraffin particles
to the surface.
vice So that it may be raised or lowered or may
be reciprocated with a pumping action. A pipe 2
Still another object is to provide a swab and a is connected to a string of pipe O above the cas
gas lift tool to be used for production in a well. ing head So as to provide an inlet for pressure
Still another object is to provide a control tool 50 fluid to be forced into the well through this op
for Well tubing so as to admit pressure fluid par erating pipe.
ticularly to effect a gas lift in combination with Figure 1 shows this operating pipe as extending
a reciprocating pump action. down into the well and having an outlet 3 there
Another object is to provide a combination swab on which carries a Spring-pressed back pressure
and gas lift tool where gas may be admitted, 66 valve 4 which normally closes the string of pipe.
f
 2. 2,897,419
against any up-flow therethrough but which opens fact that the bottom nipple 38 of the standing
downwardly when a pressure in the pipe over valve assembly is shown in the lower end of Figure
comes the spring of the valve. 3 as having engaged the lower end 39 of the tubing
A flow nipple 5 is shown as being connected in or liner .
the lower end of the coupling 3, and this nipple Below the packer 35, an inlet coupling 40 has
has a plurality of ports 6 therein, so that a flow the inlet passages 4 therein to admit material
of pressure fluid down through the pipe O can from the earth formation outside of the liner
be discharged in an upward direction from this after such material has passed through the per
nipple. It seems obvious that the discharge of forations or other openings 62 in the tubing or
this pressure fluid into the liner T will assist in 0. liner T. The standing valve 44 is carried by the
the elevation of any liquid therein, either up upper end of this coupling 40 and Will Open up
wardly through the liner T or the casing 3 as the wardly due to a predominant pressure from below
case may be. .… which may be due either to the natural pressure
With the construction thus described, if the from the formation or from a reduction of pres
well will flow, then the flow can be through the sure from above the standing valve due to the
liner 7 and the flow pipe or fitting 6. If the for operating of the Swab or gas lift.
mation pressure is insufficient to effect this natu It seems obvious that this entire assembly can
ral flow, then gas or other fluid under pressure be run into the well bore at one time, the stand
may be discharged from the nipple 5 So as to ing valve assembly set in position. So as to compel
aerate the column of the liquid in the liner or 20 the flow of fluid to pass therethrough and upward
casing. ly through the swab connection due to natural
In any instance, however, there is insufficient pressure or to the operation of the gas lift, or that
formation gas pressure to cause a natural flow, the swab connection may be released to swab
... and in some instances, there may be no flow into the well and initiate production or to pump the
the well at all, and it may be desirable then to well, if need be. If the assembly is to be removed,
initiate the fiow. To accomplish this, a swab as the swab can be reconnected by the J latch 32,
sembly 20 is shown as threaded at 2 into the the slips 34 released and the standing valve as
lower end of the nipple 5. This swab assembly sembly brought out of the well along with other
may include a traveling valve 22 which is con equipment.
nected to the upper end of a mandrel 23 which in 30 Figure 4 shows a modified form of the well head
turn carries a swab rubber 24 of usual construc 2 which is adapted for use in the operations de
tion. As seen in Figure 2, this swab rubber will scribed as to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, but in ad
form a seal with the inside surface 25 of the liner dition thereto, provides for using the casing as a
". . It seems obvious that when the piping O is reservoir for pressure fluid to be applied in flow
moved upwardly that the traveling valve 22 will 35 ing the well. This construction includes the cas
: close, the rubber 24 will form a seal With the liner ing head 50 which has a set of slips 5f therein
and an upward movement will elevate any liquid to support the tubing or liner 7 previously de
above the Swab and cause a reduction in pressure scribed which has an enlarged section 52 there
in the liner or tubing T below the swab. In this on which is received in these slips 5. A packing
manner, a flow into the well from the formation 40 53 is carried by the casing head to form a Seal
will be encouraged. On the downstroke of this about the section 52. An outlet Connection 54
reciprocation, there will be a flow upwardly forms a part of the conduit 55 controlled by a
through the passage 26 in the hollow mandrel 23 valve 56 so that a flow from the casing may be
which will cause the traveling valve 22 to open had. This valve may be operated intermittently
and permit the flow of material therethrough. 45 in any desired manner to flow the Well periodical
With this construction flow may be initiated ly. An inlet opening or pipe 57 leads from the
with the swab and thereafter assisted with the pump 58 by which gas or other fluid is placed un
gas lift heretofore described so that a combina der pressure in the reservoir 59 inside the Casing
tion swab and gas lift has been arranged. 3. The valve 56 may be used for the application
If it is found that the Swabbing action does not 50 of pressure fluid from an outside source or to clean
initiate a sufficient flow from the formation, then, the well.
: of course, the swab can be reciprocated periodi Mounted on the section. 52 is a control head 60
cally or continuously to effect a pumping action which has the production string to passing there
to pump the well. through.
In order to facilitate the operation of the Con 55 The production string may be supported in the
struction heretofore described, a standing valve, head 60 by the slips 6, and the packing 62 forms
and packer assembly is shown inside the tubing a seal to prevent the escape of pressure. The
or liner in the lower end of Figure 2 and in Fig connection may be used to reciprocate the Op
Ure 3. ? ? ??????? erating string.
This assembly is shown generally at 30, and in In order to permit the inflow of pressure flui
60
cludes a coupling 3, having a J latch connection into the operating string fo to effect the gas lift
32 for engagement with the lug 33 on the lower end operation, the conduit 55 forms an entry passage
of the swab 2.0. In this manner, the standing 63 into the chamber 64 inside of the head. A per
valve assembly 30 can be lowered into the Well forated nipple 65 is provided in the operating pipe
bore by means of the cperating pipe 0 and Swab O whereby pressure fluid may enter the pipe as
20. It can be suitably anchored in the tubing or indicated by the arroWS.
liner by setting the slips 34 so that they will In order to provide a seal about the production
engage the inside of the tubing or liner and firmly string to while it is being reciprocated, a packer
anchor the assembly into position. A telescoping assembly 67 is arranged for sliding movement in
packer 35 is shown in the lower end of Figure 3 70 the sleeve 68 extending downwardly from the head
as having been expanded by the application of 60 into the Section 52.
weight to the standing valve assembly so that the The fioW upwardly through the tubing or liner
upper collar 36 thereof has been moved down 7 will follow the path of the arrows 69 and dis
wardly along the inside sleeve 37. This compres charge from the outlet i O into a separator f.
sive or sliding action is accomplished due to the 5 This separator may be of any desired type and
 2,897,419 3
may have the connection 72 to take of the oil at has been replaced by a packer assembly 90 which
different gravities while the pipe 3 leads the gas has a traveling valve 9 thereon. -
from the separator into the pump 58. Figures 9 and 10 show another form of the
Figures 5 and 6 show a slightly modified form tool whereby pressure fluid can be admitted from
of the construction described in Figures to 3 5 the reservoir 56 in the casing. To accomplish
inclusive, and show the entire assembly made up this, the packer 83 of Fig. 5 is on the tubing 77
in Such a size that it may be placed in the well. and the tubing has been provided withinlet ports
bore through the usual string of tubing such as 92 so that there may be a flow of pressure fluid
75 which may be, for instance, a 2A inch pipe. to the tubing. To control this flow of fuid, the
This may be disposed inside of the larger pipe O reciprocating or slide valve assembly 95 has been
76 which may be the liner of Fig. 1 or it may provided in lieu of the swab of Fig. 5 or the
be the casing 3 of Fig. 4. packer 90 of Fig. 8. Or this slide valve construc
This tubing 7 is shown as having a section 77 tion may be also incorporated in the assembly
therein of reduced size which may be, say, two with the omission of the swab or packer. In
inches in diameter so as to receive the Swab 78 15 either event, this slide valve assembly includes
therein. The gas lift coupling 5 may be pro the upper head 97 and the lower head 98 which
vided at the lower end of the operating pipe O are in the form of Sealing members to form a
as previously described, and the swab construc seal on the inside of the tubing 77. Each of
tion may be the same as heretofore shown except these heads is provided with oppositely faced
that the inlet 79 may be arranged in the lower 20. packing cups 99 and OO respectively, so as to
end of the Swab which also has a threaded con close in ports 92 against any inflow when the
nection 80 which connects the string of sucker ports are in position of Fig. 9. Thus, if it is de
rods 8. In this manner, the swab may be posi sired to introduce the flow of pressure fluid above
tioned at any desired elevation along the tubing the assembly 95, the assembly can be moved down
and at considerable distance from the bottom 25 by manipulation of the rods 8 so that the head
of the well, if desired. In order to close the 97 moves below the ports 92. There will then
bottom of the reservoir, a packer 83 is shown be a flow of fluid upwardly through the tubing.
as being carried by the tubing and sealing with This construction may be used if a column of
the casing or production string 76. liquid has accumulated in the tubing and a high
This assembly of Figures 5 and 6 has a travel 30 er pressure is desired to kick off this column of
ing valve 84 thereon, and a pump plunger '85 liquid or to unload the Well when production is
which can be reciprocated by the sucker rods 8. to be initiated or at periodic intervals.
A standing valve 8S closes the lower end of the The heads 97 and 98 are spaced apart so as
tubing and OpenS in response to the flow of ma to span the inlet port 92 and if desired this space
terial from the formation through the openings 35 may be sufficient to permit of a pumping action
4 and 42 as described in connection with Fig. 1. without uncovering the port at all.
The bull plug 38 serves as a sand-trap in the On the other hand, if a flow of pressure fluid
lower end of the tube. With this construction, is desired below the control valve 95, then this
a double lift action may be obtained due to the assembly will be raised to move the head 98 above
fact that pump 85 will draw in a charge of ma 40 the opening 92 to allow an inflow below the as
terial from the formation and force it into the sembly and upwardly therethrough. This flow
area. 87, in the tubing T 7 below the Swab, where of pressure fluid tends to clean the valve on top
upon the Swab can pick up the fluid and boost of the head 97. . ?
it upwardly in the tubing and the gas lift can The pump plunger 85 seen in Figure 10 is the
then be applied to it as it passes the nipple 5. 45 same as described in Figure 6 except that the col
In this manner, a combination pump, Swab and lar Of is not shown as constituting a paraffin
lift action is applied. scraper. A paraffin scraper may, however, be
It is to be understood that one application of provided if desired. The rest of the construc
the tool of Figures 5 and 6 is to place the tool tion of Figure 10 is the same, as the lower end of
in wells which have theretofore been in produc 50 Figure 6. This plunger 85 of Figure 10 can be
tion and possibly have ceased flowing or need used if the packer or swab pump 90 of Figure 8
to be put up upon a pump to further produce is omitted. Thus a flowing or pumping or com
oil. A great many wells of this sort have con bination flowing and pumping action may be
siderable accumulation of paraffin on the inside had.
of the tubing which interferes with the flow and 55. Figure 11 shows the valve assembly 95 as
to assist in the removal of this paraffin while having been raised above the ports 92 to permit
inserting the production tool into this well and the inflow of pressure fluid. This arrangement
to accomplish a paraffin cleaning operation in of the slide or control valve permits the admis
the lower end of the pump plunger 85 in Fig. 6 sion of pressure fluid or gas to assist in flowing
is shown as having a Scraper, or paraffin cut 60 the well either on each stroke of the pump, or
ting construction 88 on the lower end thereof. at periodic intervals, at any desired timing, or
This tends to scrape loose any paraffin from the the ports 92 may be left open to admit a con
inside of the tubing and the tubing may be recip stant flow of pressure fluid, or they may be closed
rocated to pump the paraffin upwardly thereto, with the parts in position of Figure 9.
or the gas lift may be exercised to emulsify the 65 This Construction facilitates the unloading an
paraffin and carry it to the surface, flowing of a well as desired or may be used inde
From the foregoing, it seems obvious that a pendently or in combination with the other
combination cleaning and production tool is pro structures heretofore described.
What is claimed is:
vided which can be run into the well bore to clean 70 1. A combination pump, Swab and packer de
the Well and to then produce without removal vice for wells comprising a well casing, a produc
of the tool. Fig. 7 shows the construction of the tion string of pipe or liner therein having open
flow nipple 5. ings at the producing formation, a packer seal
Fig. 8 shows a modification of the construc ing said liner in the casing, an operating string
tion of Fig. 5 wherein the Swab construction 8 75 of pipe extending into said liner, a check valve
 4
in said operating pipe, discharge openings from
said pipe adjacent the well bottom to discharge
a lift fluid into the liner, a combination pinp
and swab carried by said operating pipe below
said openings and including a traveling valve, a
standing valve and packer assembly, means to
anchor said assembly and confine said packer,
and a releasable connection between said Swab
and said assembly whereby the well may be
flowed, pumped, swabbed or gas lift applied.
2. A combination swab and pump and gas lift
device comprising a well liner or tubing, a stand
ing valve assembly, means to anchor said as
i sembly in the well, a swab, a releasable con
nection between said swab and assembly, a string
of pipe extending to the surface to actuate said
swab or to effect the connection of the wab to
said assembly, and discharge ports to release
gas into the liner or tubing from said pipe at
a point above said Swab.
3. A combination swab and pump and gas lift
device comprising a well liner or tubing, a stand
ing valve assembly, means to anchor said as
sembly in the well, a swab, a releasable connec
tion between said swab and assembly, a string of
pipe extending to the surface to actuate said Swab
or to effectdischarge
the connection
assembly, ports to ofrelease
the swab to said
gas into the
liner or tubing from said pipe at a point above
said swab, a well head supporting said liner or
tubing in the well bore, said head including a gas
outlet, a separator connected to said outlet, a
pump connected to the separator, and means in
said head to reintroduce the gas from the pump
into said pipe to provide gas under pressure.
4. A production device for wells having a tub
ing or liner therein, a pump plunger there
for including an operating pipe to reciprocate
the pump plunger, means to discharge gas from
said pipe into the tubing above the pump plung
er, an inlet port through the tubing or liner
from the casing at a point below the pump plung
er, and a valve device carried by the pump plung
er to open, or close; said inlet to control the in
let of pressure fluid to assist in the elevation of
the well liquid.
5. A production device for wells having a tub
ing or liner therein, a pump plunger therefor in
cluding an operating pipe to reciprocate the
plunger pump, means to discharge gas from said
pipe into the tubing above the pump plunger, an
inlet port through the tubing or liner from the
casing at a point below the pump plunger, and a
valve device carried by the pump plunger to open,
or close, said inlet to control the inlet of pressure
fluid to assist in the elevation of the well liquid,
said pump plunger and valve device being spaced
apart in the well so that gas from said means
tends to aerate the column of liquid above the
pump plunger.
6. A production device for wells having a tub
ing or liner therein, a pump plunger there
for including an operating pipe to reciprocate
the pump plunger, means to discharge gas from
said pipe into the tubing above the pump plunger,
an inlet port through the tubing or liner from the
casing at a point below the pump plunger, a
valve device carried by the pump plunger to open,
or close, said inlet to control the inlet of pres
sure fluid to assist in the elevation of the well
liquid, and a string of sucker rods connecting
said valve device and pump assembly. .
7. A combination clean-out and production
tool for well tubing including a Swab pump
having a plunger, a string of operating pipe to
move said pump plunger, means to discharge gas
into the tubing above the pump plunger, a pres
sure fluid reservoir formed about the tubing in
10 the well casing, an inlet to the tubing from said
reservoir and below the pump plunger, and valve
means to open or close said inlet so as to either
flow, swab, or aerate the well.
8. In a well flowing assembly for wells, a tub
ing, an inlet port for pressure fluid from the
well outside of the tubing, a slide valve assembly
in the tubing including spaced heads to span said
port, and means extending to the surface through
the tubing to move said assembly to Open or close
20 said port so as to admit presure fluid to flow the
well either continuously or intermittently.
9. In a well flowing assembly for wells, a tub
ing, an inlet port for pressure fluid from the well
outside of the tubing, a pump plunger slide valve
assembly in the tubing including spaced heads
25 to span the port, and means extending to the
surface through the tubing to move said assembly
to open or close said port so as to admit pres
sure fluid to flow the well either continuously, in
termittently,
30 pump.
or to operate said plunger as a
10. A recycling well head assembly including a
well casing, a casing head connected thereto, a
tubing and a pipe string in the well, a separator,
a conduit to conduct gas from said tubing to said
35 separator, means to pump gas from the separa
tor into the area in the well casing around the
tubing, additional means to bleed gas from such
area into said string of pipe, and means for ad
4) mitting the gas from said pipe to said tubing at
a predetermined level whereby the gas bled by
said additional means is recycled and flows the
well.
11. A recycling well head assembly including a
well casing, a casing head connected thereto, a
tubing in the well, a pipe string in said tubing,
a separator, a conduit to conduct gas from Said
tubing to said separator, means to pump gas from
the separator into the Well casing, a dictitional
means to bleed gas from the casing into said
string of pipe, means for admitting the gas from
said pipe to said tubing at a predetermined level
in the well, pump means on said string of pipe,
inlet and outlet means therefor, and still addi
55
tional means for reciprocating said string of pipe
to actuate Said pump means.
12. In a flowing assembly for wells, a tubing, a
plunger adapted to be reciprocated within the
tubing, a standing valve within the tubing below
60
said plunger, and an inlet coupling below said
valve, said coupling having at least one inlet
thereto extending inwardly and downwardly from
its periphery whereby gaseous fluids from the well
rise about the tubing and the liquid fluids are
65
admitted through the inlet to the interior of the
tubing, and a passage in Said coupling leading
directly from the inner lower end of said inlet
to said Valve.
GRAN VILLE A, HUMASON.