Artificial Lift

Slow strokes per minute, open pump clearances in a deep well have impacted the shape of the pump card and frequently results in the question: "Is my tubing unanchored?".  The Coefficient of Tubing Stretch, Kt, and the downhole pump dynamometer card can be used to help identify unanchored tubing.  The Unanchored Kt and Anchored Kt lines plotted on the left side of the pump card shape are the first...

OBJECTIVES/SCOPE: As gas lift utilization increases as a form of artificial lift for many assets in the Permian Basin, optimization through gas allocation remains a challenging problem. Operators are often limited on the amount of gas that can be injected downhole due to infrastructure capabilities and added operational cost. In addition to how these constraints impact production, wells may have a...

Design and analysis of sucker rod systems in deviated wells has challenged industry practitioners. Historical adaptations of the wave equation solution struggle with 3-dimensional wellbore trajectories and other system complexities. A unique finite element model, embodied in an easy-to-use software, simulates rod-dynamics in 3 dimensions. The model can predict or analyze motion of the rod string...

Inaccurate rod string spacing on rod pumped wells may result in significant maintenance costs and well productivity issues. To avoid unnecessary pump damage and optimize pump performance, precise placement of the rod string is key. This session will explore how a dual purpose well spacing tool /rod rotator addresses the need to adjust the rod string while harnessing benefits of a rod rotator. 

This paper explains the configuration, design, and mechanisms of an advanced gas regulator system installed underneath the ESP sensor to decrease downtime and stabilize the operational parameters of the pump. The gas regulation principle is based on the changes in the flow regimes found in unconventional wells where typically, gas slugging and high GLR frequently cause shutdowns and motor...

Gas and solid separation continue to be a significant challenge for operators. Gas interference causes unnecessary shutdowns in rod pumped wells, leading to difficult pumping conditions and lost production. Additionally, damage from solid abrasions leads to mechanically-incurred erosion failures. 

With a well-designed Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA), downtime as well as gas and solids passing through...

An ongoing challenge for industry is the maintenance of stuffing boxes used in rod pump wellhead applications. This important component is the primary interface between the well and the environment and the correct functioning of this system is crucial for operators. Traditionally, the maintenance and adjustment of these devices has been performed manually, with field operators visiting wellsite...

The workover process provides a unique opportunity to directly measure wellbore friction as the rods effectively probe out the wellbore. Measuring this effect is challenging as no sensor exists that can provide an accurate, high resolution, high frequency measurement during the entire workover process. This presentation will analyze data gathered from a custom load & position sensor placed in-line...

The main constraint in a gas lift system is a limitation on injection volume and surface injection pressure due to the packaging and compressor capabilities available. In an ideal world, the system would have unlimited injection gas volume and unlimited injection pressure. This is often not the case with compressor availability and/or already-existing facilities. These constrains can limit the...

In 2015 a proprietary quenched and tempered sucker rod product line was introduced to the North American market. Field results showed a considerable improvement of reliability and performance of the two proprietary rod grades (Critical Service, CS, and High Strength, HS versions) versus previously installed rod grades. The performance and reliability of over 300 installs are tracked and used to...