By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 3 -- Six new technologies developed to boost oil and gas production from stripper wells have been commercialized or are near commercialization, reported the Stripper Well Consortium, Washington, DC.
The consortium is an industry-directed group whose research, development, and demonstration efforts are funded in part by the US Department of Energy.
The technologies are:
--Brandywine Energy & Development Co., Frazer, Penn., developed a gas-operated automatic plunger lift tool to remove fluids from stripper wells. The system operates automatically using an on-tool, pressure-activated valve.
--Vortex Flow LLC, Englewood, Colo., developed a vortex flow regime that accelerates water and reduces the friction that causes pressure drops as fluids flow through a pipe, resulting in greater efficiency when moving fluids.
--Pumping Solutions, Inc., owned by a subsidiary of Smith International Inc., Houston, developed a pump based on a hydraulic-driven diaphragm, which allows placement of the pump inlet below the perforations in sandy wells.
--W&W Vacuum & Compressor Inc. is developing a variable capacity compressor and pump. The pump is substantially smaller and lighter than existing products.
--Composite Engineers Inc. developed a chemical system that reduces wellbore corrosion and maintenance costs.
--Tubel Technologies Inc., The Woodlands, Tex., developed a new downhole wireless gauge to automate and optimize hydrocarbon production.