Lubricator with orifice
Described herein are embodiments of an improved bypass lubricator. The lubricator may include a body having a bore, where the bore may include at least an upper exit bore and a lower exit bore. The lubricator may also include an exit flow path that also has a bore, wherein the bore of the exit flow path is in fluid communication with the upper exit bore, the lower exit bore, and an exit valve. The upper exit bore and the lower exit bore may be sized relative to one another to create a pressure differential between the upper and lower exit bores to assist in maintaining an artificial lift device in the lubricator's body. Shutting the exit valve shuts in the well.
1. A lubricator for use with a well, the lubricator comprising:
a body having a first bore through which gas from the well travels, wherein the first bore includes at least an upper exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore and a lower exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore, wherein the lower exit bore includes a removable orifice having a bore and the orifice is removable through an orifice access port in the body;
an exit flow path having a second bore, wherein the second bore is in fluid communication with the upper exit bore, the lower exit bore, and an exit valve;
wherein the second bore includes an output for delivering gas received through the upper exit bore and through the lower exit bore to the exit valve;
the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore sized relative to one another to create a pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore; and
the exit valve having an open and a closed position such that gas will flow through the exit valve when it is in its open position and gas will not flow through the exit valve when it is in its closed position;
wherein the lubricator shuts in the well when the exit valve is in its closed position.
2. The lubricator of claim 1 wherein the pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore is sufficient to maintain an artificial lift device in the first bore.
3. The lubricator of claim 2 wherein the lower exit bore and the orifice bore are the same bore.
4. The lubricator of claim 3 wherein the orifice access port is located on a side of the body opposite the lower exit bore.
5. The lubricator of claim 4 wherein the orifice access port includes a plug for sealing the orifice access port.
6. The lubricator of claim 5 further including an output flange connected to the exit valve.
7. The lubricator of claim 6 further including an inlet flange for connecting to a wellhead.
8. The lubricator of claim 7 wherein the body includes a centerline through the first bore and wherein the distance between the centerline of the first bore and the output flange is API complaint.
9. The lubricator of claim 8 wherein the pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore is sufficient to maintain an artificial lift device in the first bore above the lower exit bore.
10. A lubricator for use with a well, the lubricator comprising:
a body having a first bore through which gas from the well travels, wherein the first bore includes at least an upper exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore and a lower exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore, wherein at least the upper exit bore or the lower exit bore includes an orifice removable through an orifice access port in the body;
an exit flow path having a second bore, wherein the second bore is in fluid communication with the upper exit bore, the lower exit bore, and an exit valve;
the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore sized relative to one another to create a pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore; and
the exit valve having an open and a closed position such that gas will flow through the exit valve when it is in its open position and gas will not flow through the exit valve when it is in its closed position;
wherein the lubricator shuts in the well when the exit valve is in its closed position.
11. The lubricator of claim 10 wherein the orifice access port includes a plug for sealing the orifice access port.
12. The lubricator of claim 11 further including an output flange connected to the exit valve.
13. The lubricator of claim 12 further including an inlet flange for connecting to a wellhead.
14. The lubricator of claim 13 wherein the body includes a centerline through the first bore and wherein the distance between the centerline of the first bore and the output flange is API complaint.
15. The lubricator of claim 14 wherein the pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore is sufficient to maintain an artificial lift device in the first bore above the lower exit bore.
16. A lubricator for use with a well, the lubricator comprising:
a body having a first bore through which gas from the well travels, wherein the first bore includes at least an upper exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore and a lower exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore, wherein at least the upper exit bore or the lower exit bore includes an orifice removable through an orifice access port in the body;
an exit flow path having a second bore, wherein the second bore is in fluid communication with the upper exit bore, the lower exit bore, and an exit valve;
the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore sized relative to one another to create a pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore; and
the exit valve having an open and a closed position such that gas will flow through the exit valve when it is in its open position and gas will not flow through the exit valve when it is in its closed position.
17. The lubricator of claim 16 wherein the orifice access port includes a plug for sealing the orifice access port.
18. The lubricator of claim 17 further including an output flange connected to the exit valve.
19. The lubricator of claim 18 further including an inlet flange for connecting to a wellhead.
20. The lubricator of claim 19 wherein the body includes a centerline through the first bore and wherein the distance between the centerline of the first bore and the output flange is API complaint.
21. The lubricator of claim 20 wherein the pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore is sufficient to maintain an artificial lift device in the first bore above the lower exit bore.
22. A lubricator for use with a well, the lubricator comprising:
a body having a first bore through which gas from the well travels, wherein the first bore includes at least an upper exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore and a lower exit bore for gases traveling through the first bore, wherein either the upper exit bore or the lower exit bore includes an orifice removable through an orifice access port in the body;
the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore sized relative to one another to create a pressure differential between the upper exit bore and the lower exit bore;
an exit flow path having a second bore, wherein the second bore is in fluid communication with the upper exit bore, the lower exit bore, and an exit valve; and
the exit valve having an open and a closed position such that gas will flow through the exit valve when it is in its open position and gas will not flow through the exit valve when it is in its closed position.
23. The lubricator of claim 22 wherein the orifice access port includes a plug for sealing the orifice access port.
24. The lubricator of claim 23 further including an output flange connected to the exit valve.
25. The lubricator of claim 24 wherein the body includes a centerline through the first bore and wherein the distance between the centerline of the first bore and the output flange is API complaint.
26. The lubricator of claim 22 wherein the orifice is located in the lower exit bore.
27. The lubricator of claim 22 wherein the orifice is located in the upper exit bore.
28. The lubricator of claim 22 wherein the lubricator shuts in the well when the exit valve is in its closed position.