Stationary slick line pumping method

Abstract

An alternative apparatus and pumping method for retrieving liquids from a wellbore without the use of a pumping unit as customarily used in oil field operations.

1 . An apparatus for recovering liquids from a well containing a tubular member having an inside and extending from an earth surface to penetrate a liquid producing subterranean formation, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a body having a body top and a body, a round exterior surface, openings in the body top and a valve in the body;   b) a flexible support member extending from a system for releasing and retrieving the flexible support member in the wellbore and connected to the body top   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve is a ball valve. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve is a flapper valve. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is a production tubing. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body top includes at least one hole. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flexible support member comprises at least one of a braided wire line, slick line and polymer line. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clearance between the outside of the body and the inside of the tubular member is a tight mechanical tolerance such that minimal fluid will pass by the outside of the body. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein seals are positioned on the exterior surface of the body to reduce leakage of fluids between the outside of the body and the inside of the tubular member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is a casing. 
   
   
       10 . A method for producing fluids from a well containing a tubular member having an inside and extending from an earth surface to penetrate a fluid producing subterranean formation, the method comprising:
 a) positioning an apparatus comprising a body having a body top and a body, a round exterior surface, openings in the body top and a valve in the body in the well;   b) connecting the apparatus to a flexible support member to lift and lower the body;   c) producing liquids from the well by raising the body; and,   d) lowering the body into the well.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the fluid comprises at least one of petroleum, distillates, water and natural gas. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the well is a low fluid production well producing at least petroleum, natural gas, distillates and water. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the tubular member is a production tubing and wherein liquids are produced by lifting the body through the production tubing. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the tubular member is a casing and wherein liquids are produced by lifting the body through the casing. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the well is a low pressure gas well which also produces liquids wherein the liquids are removed to enable the production of gas. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the body is lowered by opening the valve and allowing liquids to flow into the body and out of the body through the valve and at least one hole in the body top. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein natural gas is produced from the well by periodic removal of liquids. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the flexible support member comprises a wire line, slick line or polymer line.