Alex Perri and Angela Sultanian, SLB
Justin Conyers, California Resources Corp.
Building upon the successes of cathodically protected rod strings in rotary applications, this study extends the evaluation to reciprocating sucker rod pump operations using anode-coated coiled rod strings. The paper presents results from a pilot project involving four wells for a major California oil and gas producer, achieving a remarkable 11-fold improvement in Mean Time to Failure (MTF) compared to historical performance. Prior to the trial, wells with high water-cut and elevated CO₂ content experienced frequent failures—typically within six months—despite optimized rod compositions, use of both rod and tubing rotators, and corrosion inhibition treatments. These conditions had led to wells being classified as non-viable. The introduction of anode-coated rod strings combined with lined tubing reversed this trend, revitalizing field operations and prompting the deployment of over 20 additional installations.