Fluid is lifted from a well with a continuous loop of fibrous material, such as rope. The rope loop is formed around a drive sheave on the surface with a return sheave down inside of the well. The drive sheave has ridges along the side surfaces of a groove. The rope lays in the groove in contact with the ridges. A motor rotates the drive sheave so as to lift the oily rope from the well. Guides and wipers are provided to direct the rope into the drive sheave and to the wipers. The wipers are slotted cards that scrape a quantity of oil from the outside surface of the rope. The oil falls down into a bottom of a housing for collection purposes.