ALII (ARTIFICIAL LIFT INTAKE ISOLATION) TOOL, A NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR ISOLATING THE PRODUCTION TUBING ON PUMPING WELLS FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT ROD AND PUMP CHANGES

The Artificial Lift Intake Isolation (ALII) tool is a new technology for rod pumping wells that when activated isolates the production tubing. The tool provides positive well control prior to breaking wellhead containment providing significant cost savings, safety and environmental protection. The tool is a simple two-part system, the first being the valve portion which is run just below the client’s pump-seating nipple in the production tubing string. The second is the actuator, which runs on the bottom of the insert rod pump. Tool activation is accomplished by simply running a rod pump with the actuator attached. When the pump is seated, the valve is opened for production; and when unseated the valve closes, isolating the tubing. The tool can be cycled multiple times. No additional equipment is required for tool operation and 100% positive shut off is provided which eliminates the need for kill fluids and eliminates the chance of formation gases or other fluids being released at the surface. There is no need for control lines to open and close the tool and there is the capability for utilizing the pump jack to cycle the tool open and closed. The tool also provides the capability for pressure testing the tubing when in the closed position. A number of benefits accrue through application of the tool to pumping wells and includes cost savings from reduced rig time to surface and re-run rod pumps, reduced trucking costs, reduced storage costs for kill fluids and minimizes the number of non-pumping days. Increased safety is realized as the tool provides positive well control prior to a well workover eliminating the chance of formation gases or other fluids being released at the surface. Environmental advantages include reducing the environmental footprint by decreasing water usage saving the local water supply.