A method of balancing a beam pumping unit can include securing counterweights to crank arms, thereby counterbalancing a torque applied at a crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to a polished rod load and any structural unbalance. A well system can include a beam pumping unit including a gear reducer having a crankshaft, crank arms connected to the crankshaft, a beam connected at one end to the crank arm and at an opposite end to a rod string polished rod, and counterweights secured to the crank arms, and in which a torque applied at the crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to weights of the crank arms, the counterweights and wrist pins equals a torque applied at the crankshaft at the maximum torque factor position due to a load applied to the beam via the polished rod and any structural unbalance.

A method of balancing a beam pumping unit can include securing counterweights to crank arms, thereby counterbalancing a torque applied at a crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to a polished rod load and any structural unbalance. A well system can include a beam pumping unit including a gear reducer having a crankshaft, crank arms connected to the crankshaft, a beam connected at one end to the crank arm and at an opposite end to a rod string polished rod, and counterweights secured to the crank arms, and in which a torque applied at the crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to weights of the crank arms, the counterweights and wrist pins equals a torque applied at the crankshaft at the maximum torque factor position due to a load applied to the beam via the polished rod and any structural unbalance.

A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.

A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower and a counterweight assembly movable along the tower. A belt includes a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string. A prime mover is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. A sensor detects the position of the counterweight assembly, and a load cell measures the force exerted on the rod string. A motor is provided to adjust an effective weight of the counterweight assembly during reciprocation thereof along the tower. A controller communicates data with the sensor and the load cell and controls the adjustment force exerted by the adjustment motor.

A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower and a counterweight assembly movable along the tower. A belt includes a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string. A prime mover is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. A sensor detects the position of the counterweight assembly, and a load cell measures the force exerted on the rod string. A motor is provided to adjust an effective weight of the counterweight assembly during reciprocation thereof along the tower. A controller communicates data with the sensor and the load cell and controls the adjustment force exerted by the adjustment motor.

A prime example of an application for a head with contiguous counterweight is a sucker rod reciprocating pump whose circular arc head is contiguous with a counterweight and is pivotably connected to the pitman arm, crank arm weight, and speed reducer. The pitman arm is substantially horizontal and the crank arm to wrist pin phase angle is about 70-90 degrees. Auxiliary counter weight extends from the head weight on a stinger and the head weights are adjustable. The head weight diameter is either constrained within the circular arc head's outer diameter or can be larger. The upper pitman bearings are outboard on the equalizer which is integral with the head. The center bearing of the head is outboard on the rectangular sampson post. The head counterweight increases permissible load on a speed reducer. This example use of a head with contiguous counterweight has can be configured to utilize beneficial embodiments for adjusting sampson post height and pitman arm length; and for changing the stroke length without removing the wrist pin from the crank weight hole.

A prime example of an application for a head with contiguous counterweight is a sucker rod reciprocating pump whose circular arc head is contiguous with a counterweight and is pivotably connected to the pitman arm, crank arm weight, and speed reducer. The pitman arm is substantially horizontal and the crank arm to wrist pin phase angle is about 70-90 degrees. Auxiliary counter weight extends from the head weight on a stinger and the head weights are adjustable. The head weight diameter is either constrained within the circular arc head's outer diameter or can be larger. The upper pitman bearings are outboard on the equalizer which is integral with the head. The center bearing of the head is outboard on the rectangular sampson post. The head counterweight increases permissible load on a speed reducer. This example use of a head with contiguous counterweight has can be configured to utilize beneficial embodiments for adjusting sampson post height and pitman arm length; and for changing the stroke length without removing the wrist pin from the crank weight hole.

Cushioning dampers are beneficial for preventing stress cracks on a sucker rod reciprocating pump whose circular arc head is contiguous with a counterweight and is pivotably connected to the pitman arm, crank arm weight, and speed reducer. The pitman arm is substantially horizontal and the crank arm to wrist pin phase angle is about 70-90 degrees. Auxiliary counter weight extends from the head weight on a stinger and the head weights are adjustable. The head weight diameter is either constrained within the circular arc head's outer diameter or can be larger. The upper pitman bearings are outboard on the equalizer which is integral with the head. The center bearing of the head is outboard on the rectangular sampson post. The head counterweight increases permissible load on a speed reducer. This invention has embodiments for adjusting sampson post height and pitman arm length; and for changing the stroke length without removing the wrist pin from the crank weight hole.

Cushioning dampers are beneficial for preventing stress cracks on a sucker rod reciprocating pump whose circular arc head is contiguous with a counterweight and is pivotably connected to the pitman arm, crank arm weight, and speed reducer. The pitman arm is substantially horizontal and the crank arm to wrist pin phase angle is about 70-90 degrees. Auxiliary counter weight extends from the head weight on a stinger and the head weights are adjustable. The head weight diameter is either constrained within the circular arc head's outer diameter or can be larger. The upper pitman bearings are outboard on the equalizer which is integral with the head. The center bearing of the head is outboard on the rectangular sampson post. The head counterweight increases permissible load on a speed reducer. This invention has embodiments for adjusting sampson post height and pitman arm length; and for changing the stroke length without removing the wrist pin from the crank weight hole.