Downhole Pump Gas Eliminating Seating Nipple System

Abstract

A downhole pump gas eliminating seating nipple system for preventing and eliminating the collection of gas such as a foam barrier during operations of a downhole pump assembly. The downhole pump gas eliminating seating nipple system generally includes a seating nipple including an upper end, a lower end, and a channel extending between the upper and lower ends. The channel includes a beveled edge below the upper end and a locking lip above the lower end. A plurality of upper gas eliminators are positioned below the beveled edge. A plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the locking lip. A plurality of central gas eliminators are positioned between the upper and lower gas eliminators. Each of the gas eliminators is angled upwardly from inlet to outlet so as to prevent accumulation of gasses within or below the seating nipple, which can lead to gas locking and/or gas interference.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seating nipple for a downhole pump, comprising:
 a body comprising an upper end, a lower end, an upper opening, a lower opening, and an outer circumference;   a channel extending through the body between the upper opening and the lower opening, wherein the channel comprises an inner surface;   a beveled edge formed on the inner surface of the channel below the upper end of the body;   a plurality of upper gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators comprises an upper gas eliminator inlet and an upper gas eliminator outlet, wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators is angled upwardly between the upper gas eliminator inlet and the upper gas eliminator outlet; and   a plurality of lower gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, wherein the plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the plurality of upper gas eliminators.   
     
     
         2 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators is positioned below the beveled edge. 
     
     
         3 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking lip formed on the inner surface of the channel above the lower end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of lower gas eliminators is positioned below the locking lip. 
     
     
         5 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of lower gas eliminators comprises a lower gas eliminator inlet and a lower gas eliminator outlet, and wherein each of the plurality of lower gas eliminators is angled upwardly between the lower gas eliminator inlet and the lower gas eliminator outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of lower gas eliminators is vertically aligned with one of the plurality of upper gas eliminators. 
     
     
         7 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of central gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, and wherein the plurality of central gas eliminators are positioned between the plurality of upper gas eliminators and the plurality of lower gas eliminators. 
     
     
         8 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of central gas eliminators comprises a central gas eliminator inlet and a central gas eliminator outlet, and wherein each of the plurality of central gas eliminators is angled upwardly between the central gas eliminator inlet and the central gas eliminator outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 7 , further comprising a locking lip formed on the inner surface of the channel above the lower end of the body, and wherein each of the plurality of central gas eliminators are positioned between the locking lip and the plurality of upper gas eliminators. 
     
     
         10 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of central gas eliminators is vertically aligned with one of the plurality of upper gas eliminators. 
     
     
         11 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of central gas eliminators is vertically aligned with one of the plurality of lower gas eliminators. 
     
     
         12 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the body comprises an upper connector and wherein the lower end of the body comprises a lower connector. 
     
     
         13 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 12 , wherein the upper connector and the lower connector are each comprised of a threaded connector. 
     
     
         14 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 12 , wherein the upper connector is comprised of a female connector, and wherein the lower connector is comprised of a male connector. 
     
     
         15 . A seating nipple for a downhole pump, comprising:
 a body comprising an upper end, a lower end, an upper opening, a lower opening, and an outer circumference;   a channel extending through the body between the upper opening and the lower opening, wherein the channel comprises an inner surface;   a plurality of upper gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators comprises an upper gas eliminator inlet and an upper gas eliminator outlet, wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators is angled upwardly between the upper gas eliminator inlet and the upper gas eliminator outlet;   a plurality of lower gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, wherein the plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the plurality of upper gas eliminators; and   a plurality of central gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outer circumference of the body, wherein the plurality of central gas eliminators are positioned between the plurality of upper gas eliminators and the plurality of lower gas eliminators.   
     
     
         16 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 15 , further comprising a beveled edge formed on the inner surface of the channel below the upper end of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators is positioned below the beveled edge. 
     
     
         18 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 15 , further comprising a locking lip formed on the inner surface of the channel above the lower end of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of lower gas eliminators is positioned below the locking lip. 
     
     
         20 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of upper gas eliminators, the plurality of central gas eliminators, and the plurality of lower gas eliminators are vertically aligned.