US2017247989A1PendingUtilityA1

Plunger to Form a Liquid Ring to Seal Against Gas Bypass

37
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 29, 2016Filed: Feb 28, 2017Published: Aug 31, 2017
Est. expiryFeb 29, 2036(~9.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Danny M. Casey
F04B 47/12F04B 9/1273F04B 53/144F04B 53/126F04B 53/14E21B 43/122
37
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Claims

Abstract

A plunger for moving up and down in a tubing string in a plunger lift system includes an elongated body having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis, an upper passage extending axially in the body from a top opening located toward the upper end, and a liquid cross-hole extending from the upper passage to an outer circumferential surface of the body. The upper passage is closed to the exterior of the lower end at least when the plunger is located at or proximate to the bottom end of the tubing string. In some embodiments the upper passage extends from the top opening to a terminal end or position located inside the body and not in communication with the exterior of the lower end. The upper passage may extend from the top opening to a bottom opening toward the lower end and include a valve element to selective close the bottom opening.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plunger for moving up and down in a tubing string in a plunger lift system, the plunger comprising:
 an elongated body having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis;   an upper passage extending axially in the body from a top opening located toward the upper end; and   a liquid cross-hole extending from the upper passage to an outer circumferential surface of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole extends radially from the upper passage. 
     
     
         3 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole extends tangentially from the upper passage. 
     
     
         4 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole extends outward from the upper passage at a downward angle. 
     
     
         6 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole extends outward from the upper passage at an upward angle. 
     
     
         7 . The plunger of  claim 1 , the liquid cross-hole comprises a plurality of liquid cross-holes arranged circumferentially and axially on the body. 
     
     
         8 . The plunger of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of liquid cross-holes extends tangentially from the upper passage. 
     
     
         9 . The plunger of  claim 7 , wherein at least three liquid cross-holes of the plurality of liquid cross-holes are spaced circumferentially apart along the same horizontal plane. 
     
     
         10 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid cross-hole comprises an array of liquid cross-holes arranged on the same horizontal plane. 
     
     
         11 . The plunger of  claim 10 , wherein each liquid cross-hole of the array of liquid cross-holes extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The plunger of  claim 10 , wherein at least one liquid cross-hole of the array of liquid cross-holes extends tangentially from the upper passage. 
     
     
         13 . The plunger of  claim 10 , further comprising an additional liquid cross-hole spaced axially from the array of liquid cross-holes, wherein the additional liquid cross-hole extends tangentially from the upper passage. 
     
     
         14 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the upper passage extends from the top opening to a terminal end located inside of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the upper passage extends from the top opening to bottom opening toward the lower end; and
 further comprising a valve element to selective close the bottom opening.   
     
     
         16 . The plunger of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing mechanism located on the outer circumferential surface. 
     
     
         17 . The plunger of  claim 16 , wherein the sealing mechanism comprises one selected from a circumferential groove and a pad. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 locating a plunger proximate a bottom end of a tubing disposed in a wellbore, the plunger comprising an elongated body having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis, an upper passage extending axially in the body from a top opening located toward the upper end, and a liquid cross-hole extending from the upper passage to an outer circumferential surface of the body;   ascending the plunger in the tubing in response to a gas pressure acting on the lower end of the plunger; and   passing, while ascending, a liquid from above the body through the upper passage and the liquid cross-hole into an annulus between the body and the tubing.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the liquid cross-hole comprises a plurality of cross-holes positioned circumferentially about the body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the body comprises one or more circumferential grooves on the outer circumferential surface.

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