A variably operable oil recovery system having a variable motor and reducer in mechanical communication with one another where each shares a common axis of rotation. The reducer receives the drive on a high side where each has the same rotational speed, and the reducer maintains a spooled cable on its low side, which rotates at reduced speed and increased torque. The drive and reducer combination move between a first (forward) mode and a second (reverse) mode to alternatingly release and wind a spooled cable extending between the reducer low side and a below surface reciprocating pump. The system is further characterized by an electronic component combination that can continuously manage operational parameters such as stroke length, stroke speed, and power consumption.