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 including one or more elongate upper gas eliminators. A plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the locking lip. 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 outermost circumference;   a channel extending through the body between the upper opening and the lower opening, wherein the channel has an inner surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion intermediate the upper portion and the lower portion;   a plurality of upper gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outermost 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 wherein at least one of the plurality of upper gas eliminators comprises an elongate upper gas eliminator having a elongate length substantially equivalent to a length of the central portion of the channel; and   a plurality of lower gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outermost 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 , further comprising a beveled edge formed on the inner surface of the channel below the upper end of the body and 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 , wherein the upper end of the body comprises an upper connector and wherein the lower end of the body comprises a lower connector. 
     
     
         8 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 7 , wherein the upper connector and the lower connector are each comprised of a threaded connector. 
     
     
         9 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 7 , wherein the upper connector is comprised of a female connector, and wherein the lower connector is comprised of a male connector. 
     
     
         10 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the channel has a diameter different from a diameter of the upper portion of the channel. 
     
     
         11 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the central portion of the channel is different from a diameter of the lower portion of the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , wherein a first beveled edge extends between the upper portion of the channel and the central portion of the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 12 , wherein a second beveled edge extends between the central portion of the channel and the lower portion of the channel. 
     
     
         14 . 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 outermost circumference;   a channel extending through the body between the upper opening and the lower opening, wherein the channel has an inner surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion intermediate the upper portion and the lower portion;   a plurality of upper gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outermost 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 downwardly between the upper gas eliminator inlet and the upper gas eliminator outlet, and wherein at least one of the plurality of upper gas eliminators comprises an elongate upper gas eliminator having a elongate length substantially equivalent to a length of the central portion of the channel; and   a plurality of lower gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outermost circumference of the body, wherein the plurality of lower gas eliminators are positioned below the plurality of upper gas eliminators.   
     
     
         15 . The seating nipple for a downhole pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a beveled edge formed on the inner surface of the channel below the upper end of the body and wherein each of the plurality of upper gas eliminators is positioned below the beveled edge. 
     
     
         16 . 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. 
     
     
         17 . 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. 
     
     
         18 . 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 downwardly between the lower gas eliminator inlet and the lower gas eliminator outlet. 
     
     
         19 . 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. 
     
     
         20 . 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 outermost circumference;   a channel extending through the body between the upper opening and the lower opening, wherein the channel has an inner surface, an upper portion, a lower portion, and a central portion intermediate the upper portion and the lower portion;   a plurality of upper gas eliminators extending from the inner surface of the channel to the outermost 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 wherein at least one of the plurality of upper gas eliminators comprises an elongate upper gas eliminator having a elongate length substantially equivalent to a length of the central portion of the channel.