US2188656A - Means for flowing wells - Google Patents

Description

Jan 30, l940 s. A. caunaERsoN, an 2,188,656

' MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS I Filed sept. 2s, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 1 Jan- 30 1940 s. A. GUIBERsoN, 3D 2,188,656

MEANS 'FOR FLowING WELLS Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snowman Jan. 30, 1940. s. A. GUIBERsoN, 3D 2,188,656

MEANS lFOR FLOWING WELLS Filed sept. 28, 193e 4 sheets-sneer 3' Jan 30, 1940- s. A. GUIBERSON. :an y2,188,655

MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS man Juso, 194 2,183,656

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

MEANS` FOR FLOWING WELLS Samuel Allen Guiberson, III, Dallas, Tex.,' assignor to The Gulberson Corporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application September 2B, 1936, Serial No. 102,863

' 11 claims. (c1. 10a-zas) This `invention relates to new and useful im- A stili further 'object of the invention is to provements 1n means for flowing wells. provide an improved flow device including a One object of the invention is to provide an lower packing assembly and an upper packing improvedv system -of flowing wells by means of assembly, withva plurality of flow devices mountan auxiliary lifting fluid. n ed therebetween, whereby the well liquid enter- 6 Another object of the invention ls to provide ing the space between the packers is lifted to an improved system of flowing wells, whichis the surface by means of an auxiliary fluid and particularly adapted for use in wells which are the ow devices. alternately producingfor a comparatively short A construction designed to carry out the in-l period each day. being shut down the remainvention will be hereinafter described, together 10 der thereof; said system serving to conserve the with other features of the invention. lifting fluid by trapping the same in the well 'I'he invention will be more v'readily understood casing, whereby it is immediately available when from a reading of the following specification and production is again started after a shut down;4 by reference to the accompanying drawings, ln the conservation of the lifting fluid resulting in which an example ofthe invention is shown, and l5 a great saving, especially in wells having a low wherein: standing liquid level. Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and An important object of the invention is to partly in section, and showing the upper porprovide an improved system of flowing wells tion of a well flowing apparatus. Constructed in which consists in, packing ou the well tubing accordance with the invention@v from the well casing at substantially the stand- Figure 2 is a view, partly in elevation and ing well liquid level in said casing, introducing partly in section, and being a continuation of a lifting fluid into the casing below the packer, the parts Shown in Figure 1, and controlling the introduction of the lifting Figure 3 is an enlarged view, partly in elevaf fluid by the pressure of the fluid in the casing tion and partly in section showing the upper 2 5 above the packing medium. packer assembly,

A further object of the invention is to provide Figure 4 is a continuation of Figure 3 and an improved system of owing wells wherein the showing the pressure valve structure, well tubing is packed oil? from the weil casing at Figure 4a is an enlarged detail view showing.A two spaced points, and a lifting fluid is introthe pressure valve structure, 30 duced into the well casing between the packing Figure 5 is acontinuation of Figure 4 showing mediums, whereby the well liquid in this space the lowermostv end of the device, is lifted through the well tubing; the lower Figure 6 is anl enlarged view, partly in elevapacking medium preventing the pressure of the tion and partly in section, of the pressure valve $6 lifting fluid from contacting the producing sand, structure and the upper end of the lower packing 35 while the other packing medium traps the lifting assembly, fluid in the casing above the same when the Figure 7 is a continuation of Figure 6, pressure of thelifting fluid above the upper Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view packing medium falls below aV predetermined taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 3,

point. Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view 40 sull another object of the invention is to proteken on the line 9-9 of Figure 6, vide improved means for flowing wells including Figure 10 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view,

a packing medium at substantially theliquid taken on the line I0-I0 of Figure 6, level in the wen casing, means for introducing Figure 11 is a horizontal; cross-sectional view,

the lifting fluid into the wellcasing below said taken on the line iI-Ii of Figure 6, and 45 "medium, and a pressure valve actuated by the Figure 12 is a vertical, sectional view of one pressure of the lifting `fluid for controlling the of the iiow'valves. introduction of the lifting uid, wherebywhen In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates the pressure of the lifting fluid falls to a predethe usual well casing which extends downwardly termned point, the valve closes to trap the lifttothe .lower end of the well hole and which has 50 ingiluid within the casing above said packing a casing head Il mounted on its upper end at mdium; the valve remaining closed until the a point above the ground level. Extending downpressure of the lifting fluid exceeds a predeterwardly through the casing head and well casing mined point,v thereby conserving the fluid until is the usual well tubing I 2. It is noted that the v the next operation. well tubing is suitably supported axially within the casing head in any desired manner. An inlet pipe I3 extends radially into one side of the casing head IIv and this pipe has its other end connected with a suitable lifting fluid supply (not shown), such as gas or air. A manually operated control valve I4 may be connected in the line I3. All of these parts are of the usual construction and form no part of the present invention, and are, therefore, subject to variation.

In carrying out the invention, an upper packing assembly A is connected in the tubing string I2. This packing assembly is preferably located at approximately the standing liquid level in the well casing, although it is to be noted that such location is not essential. Below the upper packing assembly A, a plurality of flow valves B are connected in the tubing string and these valves may vary in number according to the depth of the well. Suspended from the lower end of the well tubing and below the ilow valves B is a lower packing assembly C which, when the apparatus Ais within the well casing, is located near the bottom of the well. Thus, it will be seen that broadly the apparatus comprises a pair of packing assemblies which are spaced from each other and are connected in the tubing string. Between the packing assemblies, a plurality of flow valves B, of any desired construction, are connected in said tubing.

Any desired type of packing assembly may be employed, but I prefer to construct the upper packing assembly A as is clearly shown in Figure 3. This type of packing assembly includes a tubular mandrel I5 having a collar I6 threaded on its upper end. The upper end of the collar I6 is internally threaded to receive the well tubing I2, whereby the mandrel is connected to said tubing. The collar is provided with an annular bevelled valve I1 at its lower end and this valve l is arranged to engage an annular seat I3 formed on the upper end of a sleeve I9 which is 'slidably mounted on the mandrel I5. A coil spring 20a exerts its tension to hold the valve I'I ofi the seat. 1

An elastic packing element 20 has its upper end confined within the lower end of the sleeve I9, while its lower end is mounted within an annular retaining member 2I which is also slidable on said mandrel. It is noted that the upper end of the retaining member 2| .is spaced from the lower end of the sleeve I9. A second annular elas'tic packing element 22 is conned between the lower end of the retaining member 2I and a collar 23 which is also slidable on the mandrel I5. The collar 23 normally rests on the upper end of a sleeve 24 which surrounds the mandrel I5. The sleeve is provided with an enlarged bore 24', and a recovery ring 25, welded to the outer surface of the mandrel I5 is located within this enlarged bore 24'. It will be obvious by observing Figure 3 that normally the sleeve 24 is suspended on the ring 25 which is fastened on the outer periphery of the mandrel I5.

The lower end of the sleeve 24 is made integral with a slip head 26 which head is provided with a plurality of inclined faces 21, whereby gripping slips 28 may be slid vertically on said faces. It is noted that each face is provided with a vertical dove-tail 21 which engages grooves 23 in the rear side of each slip, whereby said slips are held on the faces.

'I'he lower ends of the slips 28 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of links 29, which links have their lower ends pivoted to a ring 30 which is' slidable onthe mandrel I5. The ring normally rests on a supporting collar 3| which is welded or otherwise secured to the mandrel. 'l'.'he

. ring 30 also engages the upper end of an'enlargedsleeve 32 which encircles the mandrel I5 and collar 3I. This sleeve has a greater diam- 5 eter than the diameter of the mandrel or collar and has no connection therewith. The sleeve 32 has the upper end of at friction springs 33 secured thereto and the lower end of the springs are fastened to a collar 34 which surrounds the mandrel. It is noted that the springs 33 are bowed so thatI their outer surface is in frictional contact with the wall of the well casing I0. The collar 34 is provided with a hook 35 which normally engages a radially extending pin 35 which is secured to the mandrel I5. l When the hook is engaging the pin as is shown in Figure 4, it will be obvious that the collar 34 is fastened to the mandrel I5 so that it moves therewith. When the mandrel is rotated to disengage the pins 36 from said hook, it will be obvious that theV mandrei may slide with relation to the friction springs 33, collar 34 and sleeve 32 secured to said spring. 'I'he lower end o f the mandrel I5 is threaded, whereby the upper end of a pressure yvalve housing 31 may be fastened thereto. 'I'he lower end of the valve housing is provided with an internaly screw-threaded axial bore 38, whereby the well tubing I2 may be screwed therein. The construction `of the pressure valve housing 31 is a0 clearly shown in Figures 4, 4a and 6, and this housing'has a general cylindrical' shape, being f provided with an extension 39 at one side therev`thereof to a radial cross passage 4I located near the upper end of the extension 39. A port 42 extends from the outer surface of the extension 39 and communicates with the upper portion of f the vertical bore 40, said port being positioned below the passage 4I in a horizontal plane. A valve seat 43 is formed at the intersection of the port 42 with the vertical bore 40, and this seat is arranged to be engaged by a valve assembly 44, which valveis slidable in the bore 40. As 5 clearly shown in Figures 4, 4a and 6, the lower end of the bore 40 is'internally threaded and enlarged at j 40', whereby an internal annular shoulder is formed. The valve assembly 44 includes a valve pin 4I having a tapered upper end for engaging the seat 43. The pin is shorter in length than the bore and an annular elastic packing sleeve 42' is located' in the lower end of said bore. The packing sleeve is closed at its upper end and has an external shoulder or iiange at its lower end, whichY shoulderV is arranged to seat against the internal shoulder "between the bore 40and enlarged portion 40'. The sleeve is held in position by a ring 43' threaded into the lower enlarged portion 40'.

For holding the valve pin 42 in its normally seated position, an elongate headed shank 45 j extends through the packing sleeve and has an integral stud at its upper end. 'I'he stud passes through the closed upper end of the sleeve and is threaded into the lower end of the valve pin, whereby the pin is carried thereby. The shank has a sliding ilt within the sleeve and.has its intermediate portion reduced at 45.- A coiled spring 49 is confined within the lower portion 40' of the bore and has lits upper end engaging the head of the shank 45, while its lower end engages an adjusting nut 46 threaded within the bore 40'. It is obvious that the spring exerts its presi sure to hold the valve pin 4I' in engagement with "5 its seat, and by moving the nut within the bore 40', the tension of saidspring may be varied, whereby a greater or lesser pressure against the pin is necessary to unseat the same. The extreme lower end of the bore 40 may be closed by a suitable plug 41'. When the pin is seated no communication between the interior of the casing and the radial passage 4| is possible. For actuating the valve 44 to permit a communication between the passage 4| in the valve housing 31, and the interior of the well casing I0 at a pointbelow the upper packing -assembly A, an elongate tube 41'has its lower end threaded into a vertical port 48 in the valve housing (Figure 6). The port 48 has a direct communication with the inner end of the y radial passage 4I. The tube 41 extends upward-U ly from the valve housing 31, through the tubular mandrel I5 and upwardly to the collar I6 at the upper end of said mandrel. The upper end of the tube 41 is bent outwardly and extends through an opening 48 in the side wall of the collar I6 and the outer end of this tube is opened to theinterior of the well casing I8 at a point above the upper packing assembly A. It will be obvious that when gas or other fluid is introduced into the casing above the upper packing assembly A,`and said packing assembly is in its set or packed off position, such gas or other fluid may pass downwardly through the tube 41 into the cross passage 4| in the valve housing 31. If the pressure of this gas or other iuid is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 46, said gas will'unseat the valve pin 4I' which will open the port 42, whereby the gas may escape from the passage 4I into the interior of thewell casing I0 below the upper packing assembly A. Therefore, it is obvious that the vertical tube 41 provides a by-pass around the packing assembly A when said assemblyis set or packed off. The valve 44 is a pressure valve and may be adjusted so that a predetermined pressure must be present in the passage 4I, tube 41 and space in the well 'casing I0 above the packing assembly, before said valve is unseated to permit the escape of such gas into the well casingbelow said assembly. The tubing I2 extends downwardly from the valve housing 31 and has a plurality of the flow valves B connected therein. The particular type of flow valve which is employed is not essential to the invention and, therefore, any suitable type of valve may be employed. The details of the particular ow valve employed are clearly shown in Figure 12. Each valve comprises a casing 50 which is connected in the tubing I2. A spring controlled ball valve 5I is arranged to engage a seat 52 adjacent the inletopening 53, whereby a predetermined pressure must be present in the well casing outside the valve B before the ball 5I is unseated to permit the well liquid standing within the well casing to flow into the tubing I2.

The lower section of the tubing string is formed with an annular flange or ring 54` (Figures 4 and 6) A perforated sleeve 55 extends downwardly from the'tubing and is provided with an internal annular shoulder 56 which. engages ony the flange or ring 54, whereby the sleeve is suspended from the lower end of the tubing string. The lower end of the sleeve 55 is connected by a coupling collar 51 with the upper end of the valve member 58 of the lower packing assembly C. A coil spring 59 is confined within the per- Iorated sleeve 55 and has its upper end engaging the underside of the flange 54 on the lower end of the tubing I2, `while its lower end bears against the upper end of the valve member 58 of `the lower packing assembly C. This spring, therefore, constantly exerts its pressure to hold the annular shoulder 56 of the sleeve 55 in contact with the flange 54 of the tubing I2.

'I'he lower packing assembly is constructed substantially the same as the upper packingv assembly except that its upper valve member 58 is provided with an axial valve seat 60. This seat is suitably mounted within a valve cage 6I and a ball 62 arranged to engage said seat is conflned within the cage.

axial bore 58 communicating with the seat 68. The valve member 58 is carried by the mandrel I5' of the lower packing assembly. An enlarged sleeve I9 having a valve seat I8 at its upper end is slidable on the upper portion of the mandrel I5'. A spring 20a' surrounding the mandrel within the bore .of the sleeve I9' engages the underside of the valve member 58. A pair of annular elastic packing elements 20' and 22' surround the mandrel I5' being held thereon by the lower end of the sleeve I9', a retaining member 2|', and a lower collar 23'. It is pointed out that the various parts of the lower packing assembly are similar to the parts of the upper packing assembly A.

The collar 23' normally rests on the upper edge of an elongate perforated sleeve 63. This sleeve is provided with an internal annular shoulder 64 which rests on a recovery ring 65 which is welded, or otherwise secured, to the outer periphery of the mandrel I5'. The perforated sleeve 63 has a greater inner diameter than the outside diameter of the mandrel and also the lower end of this sleeve extends some distance below the lower end of the mandrel. The lower end of the sleeve 63 is formed with an annular flange 66, which flange is arranged The upper end of the valve member 58 is, of course, provided with an.

to rest on the bottom of the hole, when it is desired to set the packer as will be explained.

In operation, the device is lowered into the well casing II), the lowerfpacking assembly being 4ln its retractedposition as shown in Figure 5 and the upper packing assembly A also being in its retracted or normal position as shown in Figure 3. During this lowering operation, the pressure valve 44 within the valve housing 31 just below Ithe upper packing assembly, is in its closed position, being held so by the coil spring 46. As the parts are lowered within the well casing, the flange 66 at the lower end of the perforated sleeve 63 which is at the bottom of the entire appa ratus, will strike the bottom of the hole (Figure 2) to arrest further downward movement thereof. As the perforated sleeve 63 becomes stationary, the mandrel |5 will be moved downwardly Within the perforated sleeve 63, whereby the recovery ring 65 on 'the mandrel I5' Will leave .the annular internal shoulder 64 within said"'sleeve. This downward movement of the mandrel I 5' will be caused by the weight of the valve member 58 secured to its upper end as well as by the weight of the tubing string I2. It is noted that theweight of the tubing string I2vis placed upon the mandrel I5 by means of the coil spring 59 which is mounted within the perforated sleeve 55 secured to the upper end of the valve member 53 of the lower packing assembly C.

As the mandrel I5 moves downwardly, it will u portion of said mandrel. When this occurs, the u lation to the lowermost collar 23 which is resting on the perforated sleeve 63, will cause the elastic packing element 20' and 22' to be expanded into engagement with the wall of the well casing III. Thus, it will be seen that the lower packing assembly C is thus moved into its set position, whereby the mandrel I5 is packed ofi from the well casing I. An upward flow of fluid through the well casing is thereby prevented.

It is noted that upon the downstroke or lowering of the entire assembly into the well casing I0 and prior to the setting of the lower packer, the

valve 58 of the lower packing assembly C is held open by the coil springs 20a. Also the valve I1 of the upper packing assembly A is held open by its coil spring 20a. At the same time the standing valve 62 located at the upper end of the lower packing assembly C is also unseated by the fluid passing upwardly through the mandrel I5' and tubing as the device is 4being lowered. 'I'herefore, it will be seen that there is an ample bypass space for the well liquid-to flow through the assembly as the same is being lowered into the woll, whereby resistance to said lowering is \re duced to a minimum.

During the setting of the lower packing assembly C, as above. explained, the gripping slips 28 of the upper packing assembly A are held in their retracted positio-n due to the engagement of the hook 35 (Figure 4) with the pin 36 of the mandrel I5. Therefore, it is impossible to set the upper packing assembly while the lower packing assembly is moving into its packing position. After the lower assembly C has been set, the tubing string I2 and mandrel I5 connected therewith is rotated so that the pin 36 is disengaged from the hook 35 carried by the collar 34. When this occurs, further downward movement of the tubing string and mandrel will cause the lower end of the tubing I2 below the ow valves to compress the coil spring 59 within the perforated sleeve 55 located above the lower packing assembly. Therefore, the flange 54 on the lower end of the tubing I2 will leave the annular shoulder 56 (Figure 6) of the perforated sleeve. This downward movement of the tubing will cause the mandrel I5 to move downwardly with relation to the friction springs 33 because said springs en-` gaging the wall of the well casing will hold the collar 34 and sleeve 32 towhich they are fastened stationary. As the mandrel moves downwardly through the sleeve 32 (Figure 3) it will be obvious that the slips 28 will be held stationary because they are supported on the sleeve 32.

Continued downward movement of the mandrel I5 will cause the valve I1 at its upper end to overcome the tension of the spring 20a and to engage the seat I8 at the upper end of the sleeve I9. When this occurs the weight of the mandrel and tubing string I2 is transferred to the sleeve I9, packing element and collar 23 (Figure 3). Since the collar 23 is resting on the sleeve V2li which carries the slip heads 26 it will be obvious that the weight of the mandrel I5 and tubing string I2 will cause the head 26 to move downwardly with relation to the slips 28 which are held stationary by the friction springs 33. This movement of the head will, of course, expand the slips 28 into engagement with the wall of the well casing, whereby further downward movement of the head 26 or collar 23 is arrested.

After the slips have engaged the casing wall, the weight of the mandrel I5 and the tubing string I2 is exerted entirely upon the packing elements 20 and 22 through the sleeve I9, causing distortion of said packing element into engage.s ment with the wall of the well casing. After this upper packing assembly A has been set in this manner, it will be seen that the well casing is packed off from the well tubing at spaced points. The lower packing assembly C is preferably located near the lower end of the well, While the upper packing assembly A is located substantially at the normal standing liquid level in the well casing. Between the two packing assemblies, it is obvious that the pressure valve housing 31 and the flow valves B are located. It is noted that this space will, of course, vary with the particular well and, therefore, thel number of flow valves which are employed. is subject to variation.

After the assembly has been lowered into the well casing Ill, and the two packing assemblies A and C have been set as above described, it will be 1 obvious that the well liquid from the bottom of the well will flow through the perforations in the lowermost sleeve 63 and will enter the interior of the mandrel I 5 of the lower packing assembly. This liquid will flow upwardly. through said mandrel and will unseat the standing valve 62 at the upper end of said assembly. From this point', the Ywell liquid will escape outwardly through the perforated sleeve 55 which is located above the lower packing assembly and thus, the well liquid will enter the casing between the two packing assemblies. Since the upper packing assembly A is located at substantially the liquid level within the/casing, it will be obvious thatthe entire space between the packers will be filled with well liquid.

When the liquid has reached its normal level the valve 62 will automatically close and thev .pressure is introduced the well will not flow. In

order to produce this flow, gas, air, or other lifting fluid is introduced into thel upper end of the well casing above the upper packing assembly A, through the inlet pipe I3 (Figure 1). This lifting fluid is, of course, under a given pressure and is forced into the well casing. The lifting fluid will flow downwardly in the well casing and will enter the vertical by-pass tube 41 and will pass downwardly therein around the set packer A. 'I'his lifting uid will enter the cross passage (Figure 6) 4I in the valve housing 31 and the pressure of this fluid will be exerted against the valve pin 4I. fluid reaches a predetermined point, it will unseat the valve pin under tension of the-spring 46, whereby the lifting fluid may escape'past the valve seat 43 through the port 42 and into the interior of the well casing below the upper packing assembly A. As soon as this lifting fluid under pressure contacts the standing or trapped liquid in this space it will be obvious that the in.

As soon as the pressure of the lifting be actuated whereby additional well liquid is raised. The remaining kick-off or ow valves 'B will then operate in order until substantially the entire space between the twopackers empties itself of the well liquid.

The incoming gas or other lifting fluid is then` cut olf and as soon as the pressure in the well casing above the upper packing assembly A falls belowva predetermined point, the spring 46 will immediately close the valve 44 whereby the lifting uid cannot enter the space between the packing assemblies A and C. Therefore, the lifting fluid which is within the well casing between the upper packing assembly and the top of said casing is thereby trapped therein and cannot escape. As soon as this lifting iiuid is cut oif, and the pressure below the standing valve 62 exceeds the pressure within the space between the packing assemblies, the well liquid will again unseat the valve 62 and flow into said space. As soon as this space is again filled with well liquid, the lifting fluid is again introduced through the line I3 and the pressure of said `fluid within the casing above the upper packing assembly is raised to a predetermined point, the valve 44 is again opened andthe lifting uid introduced into the space between the packers, whereby the kick-olf valves B are again operated and the well liquid raised to the surface. The lifting fluid may be introduced through the line I3 and its introduction controlled by a manually operated valve which is yopened and closed at intervals. If desired, an

intermitter D may be mounted in the line I3 whereby the lifting iiuid 'is introduced at the desired interval.

` packing assembly and causes the recovery ring It is noted that with this arrangement the lifting iiuid above the upper packing assembly A must reach a predetermined pressure before it is l admitted to the space between the two packers where the well liquid is trapped. After the well liquid has been lifted through the well tubing l2, and the lifting :duid being introduced into the upper end of the well casing is cut off, the pressure of said lifting fluid will immediately drop whereby the valve 44 is closed. As this occurs, the-lifting fluid is trapped in the space between the valve 44 and the top of the well casing. This .is particularly -advantageous because the lifting iiuid so trapped is conserved until the next operation when the valve 44 -again reopens. It is obvious that when using the device in a well where the standing liquid level is comparatively low there is a large space above the packing assembly A and the top of the well casing and thus, a large 'amount of gas or other lifting iiuid which would be otherwise wasted is trapped within the well casing and is utilized upon the next operation of the device. Attention is called to the fact that only. the lifting fluid which enters the space between the packing assemblies A and C while the valve 44 is open, escapesthrough the well tubing'. All other gas which nils the space between the upper packing assembly A and the casing head II is conserved and, therefore, waste I of the lifting fluid is reduced to a minimum.

When it is desired to remove the device from the well casing, it is only necessary to lift the well tubing I2 upwardly. This causes'an upward movement of the 'mandrel I5 of the upper 26 welded thereon (Figure 3) to lift the sleeve 24 and slip heads 26, whereby the slips 26 are retracted. When the weight of the tubing string and mandrel Il is taken of! the valve I1 at the upper `end of the packing assembly A. the coil unseated position. Further upward movement of the tubing I2 andmandrel I5-Wi1l raise the entire upper packing assembly so that the pin 36 on the mandrel (Figure 4) will strike the underside of the collar 34 to which the friction springs 33 are attached. Rotation of the mandrel and tubing string will cause the pin 36 to again ride into the hook 35 on said collar whereby the friction springs are again fastened to the mandrel. Continued upward. movement of the tubing string will cause the iiange 54 at its lower end to rise upwardly Within the perforated sleeve 55 until said collar engages the internal annular shoulder 56 at the upper end of said sleeve. From this point on, it Will be obvious that the collar engaging said shoulder Awill serve to raise the valve 58 of the lower packing assembly C together with the mandrel I5 thereof. The recovery ring 65 on said mandrel will strike the internal shoulder 64 of the lower perforated sleeve 63 and thus, the entire assembly will be raised.

It is pointed out that the lower packing assembly C serves to prevent the pressure of the lifting fluid which is introduced into the space between the two packers, when-said packers are set, from contacting the oil sand at the bottom of the well. 'This is true because when the lifting fluid is introduced into this space, the pressure thereof will immediately seat the standing valve 62 if said valve has not already been seated. It is pointed out, however, that the lower packing assembly C could be eliminated and the operation of the flow valves B and upper packing assembly A would be exactly the same. 'I'he only difference would be that the oil producing sands at the bottom of the well would be subjected to the pressure of the lifting iiuid which is introduced below the upper packing assembly A. It is again pointed out that although I have shown a particular type of packing assembly, the invention is notto be limited to the particular type shown. Also the particular type of flow valve B is subject to variation as any type suitable for the purpose and known asaI stage lift kick-oft valve may be employed.

What I claim and desire to secure by letters Patent, is:

1. A well flowing device including a tubing string, a packing assembly adapted to be connected to the lower end of the tubing string, ya second packing assembly connected in the tubing string and spaced above the first assembly, means for setting said assemblies in the well whereby a packed off space is provided therebetween,A said tubing string being provided with apertures to permit the well liquid which flows through the tubing string through the lower packing assembly to enter said space, means for introducing a pressure lifting uid into said space and a series of stage valves between the packers to permit the pressure lifting fluid to enter the tubing to raise' the well liquid to the surface in stages through the tubing, and means for controlling the introduction of the lifting fluid by the pressure thereof.

tubing string through the lower packing assem- Ably to enter said space, means for introducing a lifting fluid under pressure into the well casing above the upper packing assembly, a by-pass extending through said assembly for permitting the introduction of the iiuid to the space between the packingvassemblies, and a series of stage valves between the packers to permit the pressure lifting fluid to enter the tubing whereby the well liquid therein is raisedk to the surface in stages through the tubing.

3. In combination witha well casing, a tubing string within the casing, an upper and lower packer engaging the casing and tubing string at spaced points forming a chamber.. the tubing string being provided with openings above the lowermost packer whereby uid passing upwardly through said tubing string may flow into said chamber, a series of stage valves between said packers to admit pressure fluid into the tubing and means to introduce a pressure lifting fluid into said chamber, said means including a one way valve, said valve and packers preventing the egress of said lifting fluid except through said stage valves.

4. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packer packing oil the space between the tubing and the casing, a pressure controlled valve through which an auxiliary lifting fluid may be introduced into the casing at a point belowthe packer and a plurality of stage valves below the packer adapted to be successively opened by the action of the auxiliary lifting fluid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing in stages.

5. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packer packing off the space between the tubing and the casing and positionedat substantially the standing level of the oil in the Well casing, a pressure controlled valve through which an auxiliary lifting fluid may be introduced into the casing at a point below the packer and a plurality of stage valves below the packer adapted to be successively opened by the action of the auxiliary lifting uid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is liftedto the surface through the tubing in stages.

6. In combination with a well tubing and cas` ing, a packer packingwoff the space between the tubing and the casing; means whereby an auxiliary lifting fluid is introduced under pressure into the casing above the packer, means including a pressure valve whereby the auxiliary lifting uid is conducted around said packer and to a point ,A below the same, and a plurality of valves below the packer whereby the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing at a plurality of spaced points and is lifted to the surface in stages.

sure of the gas exceeds a predetermined amount, and a plurality of stage valves below the packer adapted to be successively opened by the action of the auxiliarylifting iiuid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing in stages. i 8. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packer packing oi the space between the tubing and the casing and positioned at substantially the standing level of the oil in the well casing, a by-pass extending from asource of compressed gas above the packer to a point below the same, a one way valve in said by-pass so that the compressed gas may iiow to a point below the packer into a space below the packer and a return flow thereof prevented, and a plurality of stage valves below` the packer adapted to be successively opened by the action of the auxiliary lifting uid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing in stages.

9. In combination with a well\tubing and casing, a packer packing oir the space between the tubingand the casing, a pressure controlled valve through which an auxiliary lifting uid may be introduced into the casing at -a point below the packer, a plurality of stage valves below the packer adapted to be successively opened by the Vaction of the auxiliary lifting fluid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing Ain stages, and a second packer positioned beneath `besuccessively opened by the action of the' auxiliary lifting iluid'so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing in stages,l and a second packer positioned beneath the lowermost stage valve and acting as a means to prevent the pressure below the upper packer from being exerted on the bottom of the well.

11. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a 'packer between the` tubing and casing -at substantially the normal ,standing level of the well liquid, a second packer placed a substantial distance below the nrst packer, a plurality of stage valves in the tubing between the packers, means to introducev an auxiliary lifting fluid be- Y tween said packers, a one way pressureV valve in said means, said pressure valvel and packers serving as a means to prevent the escape of the aux- 'l iliaryA lifting uid except through v said 'stage valves. f

Y SAMUEL ALLEN GUIBERSON, HI.

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