Patent ID: 8727749

Claim:
A method for extending an operating life of a hydrocarbon well having a walking beam apparatus operatively connected thereto for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a rod of a sucker-rod pump having a pump stroke disposed in the well, the method comprising: disconnecting the rod from the walking beam apparatus, and operatively connecting the rod to a cranked rod pump (CRP) apparatus, the CRP comprising: a cranked mechanical actuator arrangement, having a substantially vertically movable member directly attached to the rod of the sucker-rod pump for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the rod of the sucker-rod pump; and a motor having a rotatable shaft directly connected to a gear box, the gear box directly connected to a crank element, the crank element directly connected to an articulated link element which is directly connected to the substantially vertically movable member of the linear mechanical actuator arrangement in a manner establishing a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the rotatable element of the motor and the vertical movement of the vertically movable member.