CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/231 ,315, filed August 10, 2021 , which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sucker rod pumps are often used when the natural pressure of an oil and gas formation is insufficient to lift the oil to the surface of the earth. Sucker rod pumps operate by admitting fluid from the formation into a tubing and then lifting the fluid to the surface. To accomplish this, the sucker rod pump contains, among others, four elements: a pump or working barrel, a plunger which travels in an up and down motion inside the pump barrel, a standing valve positioned near the lower end of the pump barrel, and a traveling valve that is attached to and travels with the plunger. A chamber is formed inside the pump barrel between the standing valve and the traveling valve. The standing valve allows fluid to flow into the chamber but does not allow fluid to flow out of the chamber. The traveling valve allows fluid to flow out of the chamber, but not into the chamber.

[0003] When the fluid that the sucker rod pump is pumping is substantially all liquids, the plunger is mechanically made to move up and down in a reciprocating motion. On the upstroke of a pumping cycle, where the plunger is moved upward, the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid above the traveling valve causes the traveling valve to close. The upward motion of the plunger also causes a negative fluid pressure to develop inside the chamber causing the standing valve to open and to admit fluid from the formation into the chamber.

[0004] At the end of the upstroke, the chamber is filled with liquid from the formation. When the plunger begins the downstroke, the pressure in the chamber becomes positive which causes the standing valve to close. Because liquids are substantially incompressible, the pressure in the chamber rapidly increases to a pressure greater than the fluid column pressure above the traveling valve. When the fluid pressure in the chamber becomes greater than the fluid column pressure above the traveling valve, the traveling valve opens and fluid passes by the traveling valve where it can be lifted by the sucker rod pump on the upstroke.

[0005] With many production systems that use a downhole pump, problems can arise when the pump is shut down after a period of pumping fluid up the production tubing to surface. On pump shutdown, flow ceases quickly as the fluid levels in the production bore and the annulus equalize. Gravity acting on the sand particles present in the column of fluid above the pump (which could be several thousand feet) causes the sand and any other solids to fall back towards the pump. Due to the complex configuration of the interior features of the pump, there is no direct path for the sand to pass through the pump, and therefore it settles on top of the pump. This can cause damage to the premature wear to the pump and even cause the pump to seize. Such failure of the downhole pump requires work-over involving pull-out and reinstallation of the completion. This is an expensive and time-consuming operation.

[0006] To this end, a need exists for an improved sand collector for use with reciprocating rod pumps for preventing or reducing the number of solids from reentering into the pump. It is to such an improved sand collector that the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sucker rod pump assembly with a downhole sand collector constructed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein incorporated with the sucker rod pump assembly.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the sand collector.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a diverter section of the sand collector.

[00010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a diverter section of the sand collector.

[00011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a diverter section of the sand collector.

[00012] FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway, elevational view of a collector section of the sand collector.

[00013] FIG. 7 is an elevational view and sectional view of a coupling. [00014] FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway, elevational view of a filter section of the sand collector.

[00015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plug.

[00016] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a screen.

[00017] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a sand collector constructed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

[00018] FIG. 12 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a sand collector constructed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

[00019] FIGS. 13A-13C are sectional views of another embodiment of a sand collector shown different phases of operation.

[00020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a diverter section.

[00021] FIG. 15A is a sectional view of a lower portion of another embodiment of a porous section.

[00022] FIG. 15B is a sectional view of a lower portion of another embodiment of a porous section.

[00023] FIG. 15C is a sectional view of a lower portion of another embodiment of a porous section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[00024] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments, or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein in any way.

[00025] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within th369e instant disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

[00026] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

[00027] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B is true (or present).

[00028] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[00029] As used herein, qualifiers like “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and combinations and variations thereof, are intended to include not only the exact amount or value they qualify, but also some slight deviations therefrom, which may be due to manufacturing tolerances, measurement error, wear and tear, stresses exerted on various parts, and combinations thereof, for example.

[00030] Finally, as used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[00031] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 , a sucker rod pump or downhole pump assembly 10 is shown in a wellbore 11 of a well. The wellbore 11 may be provided with a casing 13 that may be perforated at one or more positions along its length. The perforations allow fluids from the surrounding formation to enter the casing 13. The fluids may include liquids and gases. [00032] The downhole pump assembly 10 is secured within in a tubing string 12 and used with a pump jack unit 15 and a sucker rod string 14 including a plurality of sucker rods for elevating fluids, such as hydrocarbons, to the earth's surface. The downhole pump assembly 10 includes a pump barrel 20, a standing valve 22, a plunger 24, and a traveling valve 26. The pump barrel 24 supports the standing valve 22 in a lower end thereof. The standing valve 22 is illustrated as a conventional ball check valve.

[00033] The plunger 24 is disposed in the pump barrel 20 and is adapted for reciprocating movement through pump barrel 20. The traveling valve 26 is in a lower end of the plunger 24 to permit one way flow of fluid into the plunger 24. The traveling valve 26 is shown to be a ball check valve and a seat.

[00034] On the upstroke of a pumping cycle, the plunger 24 is moved in an upward direction. The hydrostatic pressure of the fluid above the traveling valve 26 causes the traveling valve 26 to close. The upward motion of the plunger 24 further causes a negative pressure to develop inside a chamber 28 below the plunger 24 causing the standing valve 22 to open and admit fluid from the formation into the chamber 28.

[00035] At the end of the upstroke, the portion of the chamber 28, the traveling valve 26, and the standing valve 22 are filled with liquid from the formation. When the plunger 24 begins the downstroke, the pressure in the chamber 28 becomes positive which causes the standing valve 22 to close. Because liquids are substantially incompressible, the pressure in the chamber 28 rapidly increases to a pressure greater than the pressure above the traveling valve 26. When the fluid pressure in the chamber 28 becomes greater than the pressure above the traveling valve 26, the traveling valve 26 opens and fluid passes through the traveling valve 26 where it can be lifted by the plunger 24 on the subsequent upstroke.

[00036] As further stated above, problems can arise when the pump assembly 10 is shut down after a period of pumping fluid up the production tubing to the surface. On pump assembly 10 shutdown, flow ceases as the fluid levels in the production bore and the annulus equalize. Gravity acting on the sand particles present in the column of fluid above the pump causes the sand and any other solids to fall back towards the pump assembly 10. Due to the complex configuration of the interior features of the pump assembly 10, there is no direct path for the sand to pass through the pump assembly 10, and therefore it settles on top of the pump assembly 10. This can cause damage to the premature wear to the pump assembly 10 and even cause the pump assembly 10 to seize.

[00037] A sand collector 50 constructed in accordance with inventive concepts disclosed herein is shown incorporated into the sucker rod string 14 so the sand collector 50 is positioned above the plunger 24 to collect sand and other solids falling toward the pump assembly 10 and thereby reduce the amount of sand and solids entering the pump assembly 10 when the pump assembly 10 is shut down.

[00038] Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, non-limiting in one embodiment, the sand collector 50 includes a diverter section 52, a collection section 54, and a filter section 56.

[00039] Referring to FIG. 3, the diverter section 52 includes a tubular portion 58 with an upper end 60, a lower end 62, and a sidewall 64 defining a chamber 66 extending between the upper end 60 and the lower end 62 and having at least one aperture 68 extending therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber 66. The diverter section 52 further includes at least one collector 70 extending outwardly from the sidewall 64 to cooperate with an exterior side of the tubular portion 58 to form a channel 72 in which solids falling along the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 from the upper end 60 toward the lower end 62 are guided to the aperture 68 wherein the sand and solids pass into the chamber 66 of the tubular portion 58. The upper end 60 of the diverter section 52 is configured to be connected to a portion of the sucker rod string 14 with a suitable coupling.

[00040] In FIG. 3, the collectors 70 of the diverter section 52 are shown to extend from the upper end 60 of the tubular portion 58 toward the lower end 62 of the tubular portion 58 in a spiral configuration. The tubular portion 58 has a plurality of apertures 68 extending therethrough. The channels 72 guide sand and other solids that fall into the channels 72 to the apertures 68 and in turn into the chamber 66 of the tubular portion 58 of the diverter section 52. The collector 70 may be dimensioned to be in contact with the inside surface of the tubing string 12 or nearly in contact so a significant portion of the sand and solids fall into the channel 72. [00041] To permit fluid to pass upwardly past the diverter section 52 during the production of fluids, the diverter section 52 may have a plurality of collectors 70 extending outwardly from the sidewall to cooperate with the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 to form a plurality of channels 72 in which solids traveling along the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 from the upper end 60 toward the lower end 62 are guided to at least one of the apertures 68. The collectors 70 are spaced from one another so vertical slots 74 are formed between adjacent collectors 70. The vertical slots 74 provide a passageway for fluid to travel upwardly past the diverter section 52 when the pump assembly 10 is activated. The vertical slots 74 may be staggered so sand and solids falling downwardly and passing through one of the vertical slots 74 may fall into another channel 70 thereby increasing the amount of sand and solids captured by the sand collector 50.

[00042] The upper end 60 of the tubular portion 58 may be provided with one or more openings (FIG. 2) 75 to facilitate the passage of fluid to and from the chamber 66 of the tubular portion 58.

[00043] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate other embodiments of diverter sections 52a and 52b. The diverter section 52a may have a plurality of collectors 70a extending outwardly from the sidewall 64 to cooperate with the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 to form a plurality of V-shaped channels 72a in which solids traveling along the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 from the upper end 60 toward the lower end 62 are guided to at least one of the apertures 68. The apertures 68 are formed at a vertex of the V-shaped channels 72a.

[00044] To permit fluid to pass upwardly past the diverter section 52a, the collectors 70a are spaced from one another so vertical slots 74a are formed between adjacent collectors 70a. The collectors 70a may be arranged in a plurality of horizontal pairs of collectors 70a wherein the collectors 70a of each of the horizontal pairs of collectors 70a are spaced from one another to form two vertical slots 74a between the collectors 70a.

[00045] The horizontal pairs of collectors 70a may be vertically spaced from adjacent horizontal pairs of collectors 70a so the vertical slots 74a between the collectors 70a are vertically aligned with the vertices of the V-shaped channels 72a of the adjacent horizontal pairs of collectors 70a, thereby staggering the vertical slots 74a so sand and solids falling downwardly and passing through one of the vertical slots 74a may fall into another channel thereby increasing the amount of sand and solids captured by the sand collector 50.

[00046] The diverter section 52b may have a plurality of collectors 70b extending outwardly from the sidewall 64 to cooperate with the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 to form a plurality of channels 72b in which solids traveling along the exterior side of the tubular portion 58 from the upper end 60 toward the lower end 62 are collected and/or guided to at least one of the apertures 68. The collectors 70b differ from the collectors 70a because the collectors 70b have a flatter profile than the collectors 70a. [00047] The collectors 70, 70a. and 70b may be at least partially fabricated of a rubber or plastic material so contact with the interior side of the tubing does not cause excessive wear. The remainder of the diverter section 52 may be fabricated of a suitable metal, such as steel. Alternatively, the collectors 70, 70a, and 70 may be formed of a suitable metal, such as steel. In one version, the diverter section 52 may have a length of approximately twelve inches, by way of example.

[00048] From the chamber 66 of the tubular portion 58 of the diverter section 52, the sand and solids pass into the collector section 54. As best shown in FIG. 6, the collector section 54 may be a solid tubular member having an upper end 80, a lower end 82, and a sidewall 84 defining a chamber 86 extending between the upper end 80 and the lower end 82. The upper end 80 of the collector section 54 is connected to the lower end 62 of the diverter section 52. In one embodiment, the upper end 80 of the collector section 54 is connected to the lower end 62 of the diverter section 52 with a coupling 88, such as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the collector section 54 and the diverter section 52 may be formed as a unitary tool. In one version, the collector section 54 may have a length of approximately twenty feet. However, it will be appreciated that the length of the collector section 54 may be varied. In one version, the chamber 86 of the collector section 54 may have a diameter of about .5 inches to about 2.0 inches, for example. However, like the length, the diameter of the chamber 86 may be varied.

[00049] Referring now to FIG. 8, in one non-limiting embodiment, the filter section 56 includes a tubular portion 90 having an upper end 92, a lower end 94, and a sidewall 96 defining a chamber 98 extending between the upper end 92 and the lower end 94. In one non-limiting embodiment, the filter section 56 has a plurality of apertures 100 extending through the sidewall 96. The upper end 92 of the filter section 56 is connected to the lower end 82 of the collector section 54 and the lower end 94 of the filter section 56 is adapted to be connected to the upper end of the plunger of the pump assembly 10. Alternatively, the collector section 54 and the filter section 56 may be formed as a unitary tool, or the diverter section 52, the collector section 54, and the filter section 56 may be formed as a unitary tool. In one non-limiting embodiment, the lower end 94 of the filter section 56 is closed. The lower end 94 of the filter section 56 may be closed with a plug 102, such as illustrated in FIG. 9. A lower end of the plug 102 is connectable to a portion of the sucker rod string 14 or the upper end of the pump assembly 10. In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower end 94 of the tubular portion 90 may be provided with one or more openings 103 to facilitate the passage of fluid to and from the chamber 96 of the tubular portion 90.

[00050] A screen, such as screen 104 illustrated in FIG. 10, is positioned across the apertures 100 of the filter section 56 on the inside surface of the tubular portion 90 of the filter section 56. The sand and other solids initially collection in the chamber 98 of the filter section 56. The screen 104 is positioned across the apertures 100 of the tubular portion 90 of the filter section 56 and is sized to prevent the sand and solids from passing through the apertures 100 while allowing fluids to pass through the apertures 100 so fluids may pass to and from the filter section 56. In one version, the filter section 56 may have a length of two feet, and the chamber 98 may have a diameter of about .5 inches to about 1.5 inches, for example. However, each dimension may be varied. In one version, the apertures 100 may have a diameter in a range of approximately .3 inches to about .5 inches, for example. In addition, any number of apertures 100 may be formed through the tubular portion 90, and the apertures 100 may be arranged in a variety of ways.

[00051] In use, when the pump assembly 10 is activated to cause production fluids to flow upwards through the tubing string 12, fluid flows past the sand collector 50 by passing through the vertical slots 72 or 72a. Additionally, fluid can pass through the apertures 100 of the filter section 56, up through the chamber 98 of the filter section 56, up through the chamber 86 of the collector section 54, up through the chamber 66 of the diverter section 52, and exit the apertures 68 of the diverter section 52.

[00052] When the pump assembly 10 is deactivated so that fluid is no longer being pumped upwards through tubing string 12, sand or solids in the fluid travel downwardly under the force of gravity. The collectors 70 or 70a of the diverter section 52 or 52a guide the sand and solids through the apertures 68 of the tubular portion 58 of the diverter section 52. The solids pass through the chamber 66 of the diverter section 52, through the chamber 86 of the collector section 54, and into the chamber 98 of the filter section 56 where the screen 104 and the closed lower end 94 cause the sand and solids to be contained in the filter section 56. As the sand and solids continue to accumulate, the sands and solids accumulate in the chamber 86 of the collector section 54.

[00053] When the pump assembly 10 is reactivated, production fluid is caused to flow upwards through the tubing string 12. This upward flow of fluid causes a portion of the fluid to pass into the filter section 56 via the apertures 100 to lift the sand and solids accumulated in the filter section 56 and the collector section 54. The sands and solids are entrained in the flow upwards through the sand collector 50 and out of the apertures 68 of the diverter section 52 and into the tubing string 12. Therefore, the accumulated sands and solids are purged from the sand collector 50 during the production phase.

[00054] The sand collector 50 may be positioned in any desired location within the sucker rod string 14. Additionally, more than one of the sand collectors 50 may be employed in the sucker rod string 14.

[00055] Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15C, other embodiments of filter sections are illustrated. FIG. 15A illustrates a lower portion of a filter section 56a. The filter section 56a is similar to the filter section 56, except as described below. The filter section 56a has a lower end 92a that includes a check valve 150. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15A, the sidewall 96 does not include the apertures 100, but in some embodiments the filter section 56a could include the apertures 100, the screen 104, and the check valve 150.

[00056] The check valve 150 includes a one-way valve member 152, such as a ball. When the pump assembly 10 is activated, the check valve 150 moves to an open position to permit the flow of fluid up through the filter section 56a. When the pump assembly 10 is deactivated, the check valve 150 moves to a closed position and sand and other solids collect in the chamber 98 of the filter section 56a.

[00057] FIG. 15B illustrates a lower portion of a filter section 56b. The filter section 56b is similar to the filter section 56a, except as described below. The filter section 56b has a lower end 92b that includes a check valve 150a. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15B, the sidewall 96 does not include the apertures 100, but in some embodiments the filter section 56b could include the apertures 100, the screen 104, and the check valve 150a.

[00058] The check valve 150a includes a one-way valve member 152a, such as a ball. The filter section 56b further includes a cage 154 positioned around the check valve 150a to guide the valve member 152a. As with the filter section 56a, when the pump assembly 10 is activated, the check valve 150a moves to an open position to permit the flow of fluid up through the filter section 56b. When the pump assembly 10 is deactivated, the check valve 150a moves to a closed position and sand and other solids collect against the screen 154 and in the chamber 98 of the filter section 56a.

[00059] FIG. 15C illustrates a lower portion of a filter section 56c. The filter section 56c has a lower end 92c that includes a screen 156. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15C, the sidewall 96 does not include the apertures 100, but in some embodiments the filter section 56c could include the apertures 100, the screen 104, and screen 156.

[00060] As with the filter section 56b, when the pump assembly 10 is activated, the screen 156 permit the flow of fluid up through the filter section 56b. When the pump assembly 10 is deactivated, and other solids collect against the screen 156 and in the chamber 98 of the filter section 56a.

[00061] FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a sand collector 50a. The sand collector 50a is similar to the sand collector 50 described above, except the sand collector 50a includes no filter section 56. The sand collector 50a includes a diverter section 52 and a collector section 54. The lower end of the collector section 54 is closed with the plug 102, which is connectable to a portion of the sucker rod string or the upper end of the pump assembly 10. [00062] The sand collector 50a operates similarly to the sand collector 50, except when the pump assembly 10 is reactivated, the upward flow of fluid flow past the apertures 68 and 75 of the diverter section 52 causes the sand and other solids accumulated in the collector section 54 to be drawn out through the apertures 68 and 75 and into the tubing string 12.

[00063] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a sand collector 50b. The sand collector 50b is similar to the sand collectors 50 and 50a described above, except the sand collector 50b includes no collector section 54. The sand collector 50b includes a diverter section 52 and a filter section 56. The upper end 82 of the filter section 56 extends from the lower end 62 of the diverter section 52. Similar to the sand collector 50, the lower end of the filter section 54 is closed with the plug 102, which is connectable to a portion of the sucker rod string 14 or the upper end of the pump assembly 10.

[00064] The sand collector 50b operates similarly to the sand collector 50.

[00065] FIGS. 13A-13C and 14 illustrate another embodiment of a sand collector

100 constructed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The sand collector 100 is shown incorporated into a tubing string 12a and a sucker rod string 14a so the sand collector 100 is positioned above the plunger 24 to collect sand and other solids falling toward the pump assembly 10 and thereby reduce the amount of sand and solids entering the pump assembly 10 when the pump assembly 10 is shut down.

[00066] The sand collector 100 includes a diverter section 102 and a collection section 104.

[00067] As best shown in FIG. 14, the diverter section 102 may include a cylindrical body portion 106 with an upper end 108 and a lower end 110. The diverter section 102 further includes at least one collector 112 extending outwardly from the sidewall to cooperate with an exterior side of the body portion 106 to direct sand and solids falling downwardly away from the body portion 106. The upper end 108 and the lower end 110 of the body portion 106 are configured to be connected to a portion of the sucker rod string 14a with a suitable coupling.

[00068] The collectors 112 of the diverter section 102 are shown to be at least one annular member extending from the upper end 108 of the body portion 106. In one embodiment, a plurality of collectors 112 is provided with the collectors 112 being vertically spaced. In one version, the collectors 112 are sufficiently flexible to permit fluid to flow upwardly past the collectors 112, yet sufficiently rigid enough to direct sand and other solids away from the body portion. The collectors 112 may be formed of a suitable rubber. In another version, the collectors 112 have slots or slits (not shown) formed therein to facilitate the passage of fluid during operation of the pump assembly. The slots or slits may be staggered relative to the slots or slits of an adjacent one of the collectors 112 for collecting sand and solids. The collectors 112 may be dimensioned to be in contact with the inside surface of the tubing string 12a or nearly in contact so a significant portion of the sand and solids are diverted.

[00069] The collector section 104 comprises a body 120 formed from a top sub assembly 122, a pressure retaining housing 124, and a bottom sub assembly 126. The body 120 defines a through bore 128 between an upper end 130 and a lower end 132. The lower end 132 is coupled to the tubing string 14a above the pump assembly 10. The collector section 104 may be located immediately above the pump assembly 10 or in another desired position.

[00070] The collector section 104 also comprises an inner tubular 140, which extends along a part of the body 120. The inner tubular 140 is concentric with the body 120 so as to provide a continuation of a main bore of the tubing string 12a. In one embodiment, the inner tubular 140 has an inner diameter approximately equal to the main bore of the tubing string 12a. The inner tubular 140 divides the through bore into a first flow region 142 on the inside of the inner tubular 140 and a second flow region 144 in an annular space between the inner wall of the housing 124 and the inner tubular 140. The inner tubular 140 is includes one or more apertures such that the first flow region 142 and the second flow region 144 are in fluid communication. The inner tubular 140 is also provided with a screen 146 to prevent the passage of solids having a size larger than the apertures in the screen 146 from passing between the first and second flow regions.

[00071] At the upper end of the inner tubular 140 is an opening 148 through which the diverter section 102 diverts the flow of fluid and solids in a manner described below. [00072] FIG. 13A illustrates the sand collector 100 in a production phase with the sucker rod string 14a and the pump assembly 10 in an up position to cause production fluids to flow upwards through the tubing string 12a, entering the lower opening and exiting the upper end and/or flowing past the collectors 112. As fluid flows into the sand collector 100, it enters the first flow region 142. The fluids also enter the second flow region 144 through apertures in the inner tubular 140 such that fluid also flows upwards in the annular space between the housing 124 and the inner tubular 140. The upward pressure created by the pump assembly 10 acts against the collectors 112 and may cause the fluid to flow past the collectors 112.

[00073] FIG. 13B shows the pump assembly 10 deactivated so fluid is no longer pumped upwards. The pump assembly 10 is deactivated in an up position so the collectors 112 are positioned adjacent the opening 148. This prevents a majority of fluid, together with sand and solids from entering the first flow region 142 from an upper part of the sand collector 100. Fluid flows downwards in the apparatus 100 and is diverted to the second flow region 144. Sand and solids entrained in the fluid are also diverted into the second flow region 144. The fluid may pass into the first flow region 142 through the apertures in the inner tubular 140, and out through the lower end. The screen 146 functions to contain the sand and other solids in the second flow region 144.

[00074] FIG. 13C shows a subsequent production phase, after operation of the pump assembly 10 has been resumed. Production fluid is caused to flow upwards through the sand collector 100. As fluid flows upwardly in the first flow region 142, fluid also flows into the second flow region 144. This induces fluid flow in the second region 144 which lifts and carries sands and solids, which have accumulated in the second flow region 144 during the shutdown phase. The sands and solids are entrained in the flow upwards through the sand collector 100 and out of the upper end, into the tubing string 12a.

[00075] Although the presently disclosed inventive concepts has been described in conjunction with the specific language set forth herein above, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the presently disclosed inventive concepts. Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements, and assemblies described herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed inventive concepts.