Artificial Lift

Much work has been done on the operation of beam pump pump-off controllers, but the downtime is normally a simple timer and the optimum downtime is usually set by rule of thumb or trial and error. This paper uses a complete well model coupled with a transient reservoir  model to show that the optimum downtime in terms of total energy used per produced barrel of oil is equal to the wellbore storage...

To increase recovery rates – the greatest challenge facing the industry – operators must not only look to step-change technologies, but improvements to existing technology. Even incremental increases in recovery rates can impact economics when multiplied across numerous wells. For example, approximately two-thirds of onshore wells use beam operated pump jacks with reciprocating rod pumps. Our...

The performance of Harbison-Fischer’s patented Sand Flush Plunger (SFP) was assessed relative to the average runtime for standard API plungers in the HWY 80 field, operated by Pioneer Natural Resources (PNR). The field case study captured information from Harbison-Fischer’s pump-tracker for 5,283 wells and 32,804 workover records dating back to 1989. As of the record date, 1,934 different wells...

In some of today’s unconventional wells, sucker rod pumping systems are facing challenges related to excessive wear, affecting production and increasing operational costs. One of the reoccurring damages in a sucker rod pumped well occurs near the kick-off point in a deviated well between the coupling and the tubing or between the sucker rod and the tubing; the metal-to-metal contact causes hole-in...

How and where ground wires are connected determines the runtime and successful withstanding of switching and lightning surges. This is extremely evident with lightning protection of electric submersible pumps (ESP).  Electric surge suppressors on the same ground wire can and will interact bidirectionally in a lightning storm. Instances of ESP failures due to improperly installed surge suppression...

Slippage is required for lubricating the plunger/barrel within beam pumping systems. Increasing pump clearance increases the amount of slippage, which may lead to inefficient operations. Operators could run their field more efficiently through decreasing failure rate and increased electrical cost savings by calculating the optimum design using the Patterson Slippage equation for individual well...

In 2016, a recommendation was made in EOR to begin utilizing Grade “C” when replacing rods in San Andres wells or wells less than 5,000’ deep. The advantage of the Grade “C” rods believed to be better corrosion resistance, tubing leak reduction, and lower material cost. It was also recommended that “T” coupling be considered as an alternative to Spray Metal (“SM”) couplings as they are softer and...

Evolution of annular gas lift candidates and early results of application in the Delaware Basin. 

There are a large number of unconventional wells coming on line every month in the Permian Basin.  Most of these wells will have high bottom-hole pressures and initially flow on their own. However, after the initial flow back phase, pressures and rates decline and the well will begin to liquid load. At this point some type of artificial lift choice needs to be considered. This paper will lay out...

This paper will discuss the two API pump designations the rod pump and the tubing pump. The rod pump is occasionally referred to as an insert pump and has three variations; stationary barrel top anchor, stationary barrel bottom anchor, and traveling barrel bottom anchor. Available modifications that are not covered under API but are commonly used to improve run time or efficiency will be discussed...