Patent ID: 9470073
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A method for lifting fluids within a subterranean wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an elongated self-propelled plunger in the wellbore, the plunger having a thruster and a power supply, the power supply being operatively connected to the thruster; (b) causing the plunger to descend to a lower region of the wellbore; (c) actuating the thruster, the thruster accelerating a wellbore fluid in a downward direction to urge the plunger upward toward the surface of the earth; (d) displacing wellbore fluid toward the surface of the earth as the plunger moves upward in the wellbore; and (e) catching and supporting the plunger in a plunger receiver.