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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Rod string sonic stimulator and method for facilitating the flow from petroleum wells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5922402
This patent describes a petroleum well pumping system for pumping liquid out of the well having a tubing string running down the well, a rod string of an elastic material within and running along the tubing string, vibration generator means for providing vibrational energy to the rod string at a frequency such as to effect resonant standing wave vibration thereof, and a plurality of sonic impeller elements mounted on the rod string at spaced intervals. The improvement is means for unclogging and removing contaminants from the earthen formation surrounding the well and from perforations in the tubing string. This consists of a piston member attached to the bottom end of the rod string, the piston member being immersed in the liquid and the well and being driven by the vibrational energy, the piston member radiating the energy into the liquid and thence to the formation to free contaminants therein, the piston member being dimensioned so as to operate as a monopole in the liquid at the frequency of the vibrational energy.
Assignee:
NOV; EDB-89-107356; NOV-89-063012
Patent Number(s):
US 4817712
OSTI ID:
5922402
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English