Plunger Lift

Development of AI controllers has allowed abnormal pumping conditions to be accurately identified remotely. Due to the geometry of most rod lifting systems corrective actions need to be undertaken manually at the well location. This paper introduces an automated approach to implementing corrective actions with the use of a non-fixed stroke length rod pumping system. The focus includes case studies...

The oil and gas industry has used Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for decades to match production to inflow. In sucker rod pump applications, it is well understood that optimizing pumping speed dramatically improves pump efficiency and failure rate. However, the same technology provides the opportunity to make multiple speed changes in a pumping cycle. The effects of speed changes within a...

This study evaluates a 3-1/2 in. tubing well converted from continuous gas lift to plunger-assisted gas lift (PAGL) using a bypass plunger that initially failed to complete cycles under flowing conditions. The objective is to diagnose the root cause, determine operational boundaries for PAGL in 3-1/2 in. tubing, and assess the feasibility of PAGL relative to tubing replacement and higher gas...

Operators of marginal plunger lift wells face significant challenges in optimizing performance while managing tight economic constraints. These wells, characterized by lower flow rates, are often highly sensitive to operational costs, making it difficult to justify investments in advanced digital automation and control systems. Yet, these wells represent a substantial portion of production assets...

Large-scale plunger lift operations demand surveillance methods that can balance proactive optimization with targeted field intervention. To replace route-based monitoring, Occidental Petroleum developed an integrated closed loop control program as well as SCADA based exceptions for its 2,000+ plunger lift wells. Plunger Lift Artificial Intelligence (PLAI) delivers proactive plunger lift...

The plunger lift process can be divided into four distinct cycles: buildup, upstroke, after flow, and liquid discharge. One key parameter that can be measured for optimizing oil production is the total gas flow rate produced during the liquid discharge cycle. Typically, the only known parameters are the controller’s on and off time, so post-processing is required to identify the liquid discharge...

Plunger lift, gas lift, (GAPL)(PAGL), and sucker rod pumping are a few common forms of artificial lift that are heavily reliant on valves to maintain a seal in the system to extract fluids efficiently from the wellbore. 

This paper will outline the increase in well production performance when using a horizontal check valve on wells with Gas Liquid Ratios (GLR’s) conducive to plunger lift systems...

The I-Plunger is designed for Gas Wells and is an Instrumented Plunger that records pressure, temperature, depth, and plunger velocity. Information from the tool is collected and graphically presented for detailed analysis as well as a quick reference guide. Typical information that can be gathered from the I-Plunger is useful in determining plunger lift optimization, dual-stage plunger setup...

QSO Inc. has developed a product to provide a unique and simple solution to problematic or inefficient plunger lift systems installed in horizontal wells in the USA. QSO’s Patented* Horizontal Check Valve (HCV) has removed the limitations that once burdened the industry in not being able to hold fluid properly in a horizontal well. Our HCV has proven to hold fluid in wells where conventional check...

Plunger Assisted Gas Lift (PAGL) in the Permian Basin Over the last few years Gas Lift has become a popular artificial lift choice for producing unconventional wells in the Permian Basin. Gas Lift is a good choice for producing wells with high bottom-hole pressures (BHP) and high gas liquid ratios (GLR). Gas Lift is also a good choice for wells that produce solids or have deviated wellbores. Gas...