Importance

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Abstract

A plunger tool is provided having a nose assembly to slow the descent of the tool into the well, a valve assembly, and a piston cylinder assembly. When the tool is dropped into the well, the gas and liquids in the well flow through restrictions in the nose assembly, thereby braking the fall. The fluid flows along a fingered collet which retains an angled valve. The fluid flows around the opened valve and out of the upper end of the plunger lift tool. The valve is connected to the piston which is exposed to ambient pressure on one side and a predetermined pressure on the other. Thus, the piston is set to close the valve at a predetermined pressure. As the pressure builds up, the piston moves the valve so that a lower portion of the valve is gripped by a detent mechanism, in this case collet fingers. When adequate pressure is built up to unsnap the valve, the piston forces the valve out of the detenting collet fingers and into its seat. Formation pressure from below the seal increases the sealing force. When the valve closes, the collet fingers remain on a shoulder portion of the valve body, thereby allowing the piston to stroke back with minimal resistance. When the tool reaches the top of the well, it pushes the liquid into a sales line. It then strikes the well head and the pressure below the tool is bled off so the tool can be dropped into the well again.

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First Claim