A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber and configured to be coupled to a pressurized air source, and a pump chamber valve coupled to the bottom end of the pump chamber. In addition, the pneumatic pump control system includes a discharge chamber having a top end and a bottom end, a discharge fitting coupled to the top end of the discharge chamber, a discharge check valve coupled to the bottom end of the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber valve, and an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

A plunger for moving up and down in a tubing string in a plunger lift system includes an elongated body having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal axis, an upper passage extending axially in the body from a top opening located toward the upper end, and a liquid cross-hole extending from the upper passage to an outer circumferential surface of the body. The upper passage is closed to the exterior of the lower end at least when the plunger is located at or proximate to the bottom end of the tubing string. In some embodiments the upper passage extends from the top opening to a terminal end or position located inside the body and not in communication with the exterior of the lower end. The upper passage may extend from the top opening to a bottom opening toward the lower end and include a valve element to selective close the bottom opening.

Systems and methods for controlling operation of a well, of which the method includes receiving an operation setting for operation of a system that provides lift gas into and produces gas from the well, monitoring operation of the system using a first controller, determining, using the first controller, that the system is not operating at the operation setting, and in response to determining that the system is not operating at the operation setting, sending, using a two-way communication link from the first controller to a second controller, a control signal to the second controller. The control signal is configured to cause the second controller to modify an operation of a compressor of the system.

Systems and methods for controlling operation of a well, of which the method includes receiving an operation setting for operation of a system that provides lift gas into and produces gas from the well, monitoring operation of the system using a first controller, determining, using the first controller, that the system is not operating at the operation setting, and in response to determining that the system is not operating at the operation setting, sending, using a two-way communication link from the first controller to a second controller, a control signal to the second controller. The control signal is configured to cause the second controller to modify an operation of a compressor of the system.

Systems and methods for controlling operation of a well, of which the method includes receiving an operation setting for operation of a system that provides lift gas into and produces gas from the well, monitoring operation of the system using a first controller, determining, using the first controller, that the system is not operating at the operation setting, and in response to determining that the system is not operating at the operation setting, sending, using a two-way communication link from the first controller to a second controller, a control signal to the second controller. The control signal is configured to cause the second controller to modify an operation of a compressor of the system.

A pneumatic pump control system includes a pump chamber having a top end and a bottom end, an air valve coupled to the top end of the pump chamber and configured to be coupled to a pressurized air source, and a pump chamber valve coupled to the bottom end of the pump chamber. In addition, the pneumatic pump control system includes a discharge chamber having a top end and a bottom end, a discharge fitting coupled to the top end of the discharge chamber, a discharge check valve coupled to the bottom end of the discharge chamber in fluid communication with the pump chamber valve, and an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

A closed loop pneumatic pumping system is provided. The system uses a gas compressor and a high pressure gas tank to exert pneumatic pressure against a reciprocating piston over a wellbore. The piston is connected to a rod string and downhole pump for pumping formation fluids from a wellbore. The system includes an electronic controller that controls movement, including pump speed of the piston as it cycles between upstrokes and downstrokes within a cylinder over the wellbore. In one aspect, speed is controlled by adjusting a speed of the compressor. In another aspect, speed is controlled by adjusting the position of an upstroke control valve and a downstroke control valve. In one aspect, the pump stroke controller is configured to adjust a speed of the upstroke and a speed of the downstroke in response to signals indicative of pump fillage. A method for optimizing pneumatic pumping speed at a wellbore is also provided herein.

Systems and methods for controlling operation of a well, of which the method includes receiving an operation setting for operation of a system that provides lift gas into and produces gas from the well, monitoring operation of the system using a first controller, determining, using the first controller, that the system is not operating at the operation setting, and in response to determining that the system is not operating at the operation setting, sending, using a two-way communication link from the first controller to a second controller, a control signal to the second controller. The control signal is configured to cause the second controller to modify an operation of a compressor of the system.

A closed loop pneumatic pumping system is provided. The system uses a gas compressor and a high pressure gas tank to exert pneumatic pressure against a reciprocating piston over a wellbore. The piston is connected to a rod string and downhole pump for pumping formation fluids from a wellbore. The system includes an electronic controller that controls movement, including pump speed of the piston as it cycles between upstrokes and downstrokes within a cylinder over the wellbore. In one aspect, speed is controlled by adjusting a speed of the compressor. In another aspect, speed is controlled by adjusting the position of an upstroke control valve and a downstroke control valve. In one aspect, the pump stroke controller is configured to adjust a speed of the upstroke and a speed of the downstroke in response to signals indicative of pump fillage. A method for optimizing pneumatic pumping speed at a wellbore is also provided herein.