Kenneth M Isaacks

US Patent:

42112796, Jul 8, 1980

Filed:

Dec 20, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/971537

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Isaacks - North Glenn CO

Assignee:

Otis Engineering Corporation - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E21B 4300
E21B 4316

US Classification:

166 64

Abstract:

A plunger lift system used in wells having a tubing string disposed within casing. An improved plunger catcher and trip assembly is provided within the wellhead to hold the plunger in its upper position while lift gas escapes from the tubing string through the wellhead and formation fluids form a new slug in the lower end of the tubing string. The new system incorporates a conventional mechanical timer or controller to allow simple adjustments to obtain the most efficient product rate from each individual well. The controller determines the time interval during which lift gas is injected into the annulus between the casing and tubing and the time interval during which the plunger is held within the wellhead by the catcher and trip assembly.