For the past few years there has been a lot of effort expended on examining potential electrical cost savings in the oil field. This paper presents efforts to examine the electrical savings in rod pumping operations by: 1. Motor changes and downsizing 2. Reversing the direction of rotation 3. Changing well operation run times and frequency 4. The effect of installing a down hole gas separator All of these operational changes are inexpensive and the electrical cost savings compared to cost of making the changes are discussed.

A gas separator has been developed and successfully field tested in several beam pumped wells which were subject to severe gas interference. The new design is based on several innovations: l Decentralization of the gas separator in the casing, insures that a minimum amount of gas enters the separator. l The presence of two or more ports located on the narrow side of the annulus where the gas separator touches the casing wall. l Sizing the OD of the outer tube of the separator so that it is equal to or greater than the OD of the tubing collars. l The addition of a diverter at the bottom of the separator to direct most of the gas flow towards the wide side of the annulus. These innovations have resulted in a gas separator efficiency much greater than that of conventional designs.

This paper includes a description of the dynamometer instrument used, discussion of its application in a typical hydraulic pumping installation, presentation of actual dynamometer cards with pertinent hydraulic pumping data, and interpretation and analysis of actual dynamometer cards considering pump operation and well conditions.

With more and more emphasis on reducing expenses for beam units, most operators are examining all areas to try to cut costs. One of the biggest costs in beam unit operations is the associated electrical charges. Examining the pumping units to determine and adjust to the optimum counterbalance will reduce the electrical bill. Several fields have been checked with a PC software program, which allows the operator to determine how far out of balance the units are and what it will take to properly balance them. Properly balanced pumping units will result in savings both in kilowatt hours demand and also in consumption, reducing the electrical costs. Examples from several fields are discussed, including the actual power costs and the reduction in expenses that occurred.