| 摘要 |
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for reducing kinetic energy of a plunger within a plunger lift system. In one aspect, a lubricator is provided at a surface of a wellbore, the lubricator having a sealed, pressurized chamber therein to cushion the plunger upon impact. In another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the kinetic energy of the plunger by providing a compressed gas chamber within a lubricator, moving a kinetic energy-reducing surface which is partially bounding the chamber, and compressing the gas within the chamber to reduce kinetic energy of the plunger and cushion the impact force of the plunger.
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