When using artificial lift, namely sucker rod pumps, there are three major factors to consider when trying to control and optimize production: elasticity, viscous friction and mechanical friction. The Modified Everitt-Jennings uses an iteration on dual damping factors to approximate the correct amount of viscous friction to be removed to mimic the energy lost through the viscous forces imparted on the outer diameter of the rods by the fluids. A precise Fluid Load Line Calculation provides a concavity test to diagnose the presence of mechanical friction.
Many operators in the Permian Basin have moved from drilling vertically to developing leases with horizontal drilling. After implementing a horizontal drilling program, three critical challenges emerge: 1) selecting the most efficient means of initial production; 2) using a rod pump design without experiencing gas interference or losses in volumes; and 3) handling a horizontal well at pumped-off conditions. Drawing the well down as quickly as possible is ideal for generating the best economics.
Wireless high-frequency motor power-current-voltage measurements are used to analyze the electrical and mechanical performance of pumping units. The sensors can be mounted permanently in the electrical box with a water-tight connection on the side of the electrical box for attachment of a small plug-in radio for wireless communication to a PC base station. These measurements can be performed without opening the electrical box. In addition, starter boxes without internal sensors can be analyzed using portable sensors that require opening the box and attachment of two curren
Typical production profiles using a decline curve are then used with IPR equations to predict IPR expressions with time into the future. Then using application rules such as limiting depths and rates, gas separator feasibility for pumps and flowing well and gaslift calculations from Nodal programs, Artificial Lift possibilities are mapped out into the future. The techniques are not limited to the production profiles used as an example.
The benefits of the Beam Gas Compressor® for rod pumped wells has now been modified to a standalone version. Allowing the technology to facilitate a broader range of operations and objectives. Historically, the Beam Gas Compressor® has been installed on pumping units and utilizes the prime mover of the pumping unit to drive a piston inside a proprietary designed cylinder.
Sucker rod pumping applications are the oldest and most widely used means of artificial lift for oil wells. The pumping performance and the longevity of the pumping systems with their corresponding pump parts have improved significantly throughout the years, but the failures remain inevitable. These failures are costly and time consuming for operators, but analyzing those enables us to improve the part design and the decision process of part selection for certain well conditions, and minimize future failures.
Improved rod tongs have recently been introduced for rod connection make-up and break-out in the field, with the purpose of reducing sucker rod failure rates. This paper will compare one of these tongs to the present industry standard sucker rod tong, comparing and contrasting each tong’s capabilities, advantages, drawbacks, and effect on rod string performance in the wellbore. In addition, basic job time studies, best practices, and suggested well selection criteria will be discussed.
A companion paper is being made to show the graphical analyses for the wells that Sandia measured surface and downhole loads at various depths with a special downhole load cell.
The full potential and benefits of the fiberglass sucker rod (FSR) are not being realized. FSR manufacturers are toned to meet the requirements for increased operating ranges and one-time pull loads of FSR. Increasing the operating load requires the redesign of the end fitting to ensure reliability. This paper outlines the standard design of an end fitting and how it interfaces with the pulltruded fiberglass rod.
Fluid Extraction Technology can improve down hole gas separation by employing material and fluid flow properties in ways that are not now effectively utilized. Downhole pumps that handle fluids are adversely affected by free and entrained gas entering the inlet of the pump. To separate the gas ahead of the suction of pumps in the bottom of a well, operators typically configure a path for the fluid to be redirected downward to allow the gas to rise while the liquid falls to the intake of the pump. Virtually all of the gas separators use single pass serial separators based o
Pumps are the heart of a rod pump system, but as operators, how much do you know about the pumps that are being run into your wells and how they are being repaired. This paper will briefly describe pump repair procedures, best practices that the shop should be following, and a pump shop inspection report that helps identify if those procedures are being followed. It will cover what pump failure data should be captured, why it is important, and what type of information may be available in report form.
Analysis and control of reciprocating rod lifted (RRL) wells has changed drastically over the past 20 years. Advanced diagnostic tools first started appearing on desktop applications, and over time have shifted to the wellsite to provide more accurate control of an RRL system in real-time. All of these tools depend on a dynamometer card in order to properly analyze and control an RRL system.
During recent discussions with operating company field and engineering personnel, it was discovered that some companies may not have a failure tracking process nor know the benefits of establishing one.
Tank lining failures are not an uncommon occurrence in the oilfield. Sometimes we chalk it up to bad luck, poor application, lying paint salesmen, or just bad coating. But isn't there some science and testing behind tank lining formulations? This paper will describe some of the testing procedures for qualifying tank linings and the science behind them. There will also be some discussion about how failures seen in the lab correlate to failures in the field.
Tank lining failures are not an uncommon occurrence in the oilfield. Sometimes we chalk it up to bad luck, poor application, lying paint salesmen, or just bad coating. But isn't there some science and testing behind tank lining formulations? This paper will describe some of the testing procedures for qualifying tank linings and the science behind them. There will also be some discussion about how failures seen in the lab correlate to failures in the field.
Hydrofacturing with 100% recycled water is very desirable in highly sensitive clay formations to mitigate swelling and production impairment. Recycling of produced water can also save operators thousands of dollars per well in fresh water, Trucking, and disposal costs. Yet one obstacle to reuse for many produced waters in the Permian Basin is high hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations.
In all successful tubular management programs NDT is used to know the real condition of pipe proposed for projects and to gain knowledge of used tubing at the well site. There are several testing methods available such as electromagnetic, ultrasonic, magnetic partible, eddy current and gamma-ray applied to various testing apparatus. There is an assumption made every day about new tubular production are defect free so know your material and its source, inspected until a failure occurs.
High concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) are typically problematic in fracture fluid development due to interactions with the buffers and crosslinkers used for waters of higher quality. High hardness and high temperature usually cause loss of viscosity in the fluid; however, proper frac fluid design can successfully keep viscosity and pump the job. This paper will discuss the successful design of a borate crosslink frac fluid design that reuse produced water treated with electrocoagulation (EC).
Cementing has been an important part of wellbore isolation and stability for decades. Cementing, though, if not implemented properly can also be costly, resulting in wrong densities, incorrect displacement, flowback, micro annulus, etc. However, these issues can be avoided with experienced quality control practices. This paper outlines a practical approach to cementing quality control to ensure that the operator has the best opportunity to achieve successful cement mixing and displacement.
Since the late 1940's, proppants have been the primary construction material for a conductive hydraulic fracture. However, it was not until the late 1970's that critical properties were indentified and performance examined under guidance from the American Petroleum Institute (API). By the early 1980s SPI proppant testing recommended practices (RP56, 58, & 60) to be applied at the website were scribed and introduced.
COG Resources has drilled and completed over 1500 commingled YESO wells in Southeast New Mexico. Over the past 6 years, COG Resources and Catalyst have developed strategies to address the producing conditions and known fluid incompatibility. These strategies can help other operators in the area, in addition to operators producing in multiple horizons where fluid compatibility is an issue.
Water management is one of the largest expenses associated with the production of oil and gas (O&G) resources. Water recycling and reuse can save time, costs, and resources for exploration and production (E&P) companies resulting in enhanced operating efficiencies and improved bottom line results.
It has become increasingly attractive and necessary to reuse treated produced water for frac fluids, especially in remote locations or limited water sources regions to minimize freshwater usage. Eletrocoagulation (EC), a traditional water remediation technology, was recently introduced to oilfield application. However, the complicated components in produced water are challenging for traditional EC systems.
A field in OK previously used incompatible water for waterflooding with an inadequate inhibition program and the flood was subsequently shut down due to barium sulfae scale. The waterflood was reactivated years later using the same water but with a much more effective treating program with has been successful fore several years. This paper documents the program.
Organizations with geographically dispersed assets in the field, such as those in the oil and gas industry, would typically select one technology, one source, or one vendor to collect, retrieve and report critical data. Therefore, building large, elaborate wireless communications networks with a single technology was a way a company might demonstrate its decision-makers to consider better manageability, expandability, cost and speed.