Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Email Addresses:
John G. Svinos - President: jsvinos@gotheta.com
Terry Treiberg - XSPOC Dev. Manager: terry@xspoc.com
Software Support: Rudy Nesmith: rudy@gotheta.com
Orders: Sandy B. Rodriquez - Off. Manager: sandyb@gotheta.com
© Theta Oilfield Services, Inc., 2006.
All Rights Reserved. This manual may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written per-
mission of Theta Oilfield Services, Inc.
Contents
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Program Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Advanced Capabilities and Program Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Help System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 RODSTAR CD and Software Sentinel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Software Installation 5
2.1 RODSTAR Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Questions About Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Installing the Software Sentinel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Running RODSTAR 21
4.1 RODSTAR’s User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.1.1 RODSTAR’s Help System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2 Entering Rod Pumping System Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2.1 Entering Well Information Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.2.2 Entering Production Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.2.3 Entering Pump and Tubing Information Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2.4 Entering Rod String Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.2.5 Entering Wellbore Deviation Data (RODSTAR-D). . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.2.6 Entering Pumping Unit Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
iv | Table of Contents
Phone Support:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM PST.
(562) 694-3297
E-Mail Support:
support@gotheta.com
System Requirements
Processor:
1-GHz Pentium III-class processor recommended.
Operating System:
Windows XP
Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2 recommended)
Memory:
512 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended.
1 Introduction
This allows you to redesign pumping systems with- RODSTAR comes with a large pumping unit
out having to reenter system data. RODSTAR can data base so that you can easily select and com-
display and print the measured dynamometer card pare pumping units without having to get the unit
overlaid on the same plot as the predicted surface dimensions yourself. RODSTAR can model any
dynamometer card. This feature has many uses pumping unit geometry including long stroke units
that include finding the correct rod-tubing friction, such as the Rotaflex. Also, you can enter your own
or determining whether the load cell used to record pumping unit data in case your unit is not in the
the dynamometer card may be out of calibration. program’s database. Advanced error trapping and
warning messages help prevent errors and make
By being able to read CBALANCE files, ROD-
you aware of special requirements necessary for
STAR can get the existing maximum counterbal-
proper system operation.
ance moment based on the existing position of
the counterweights. This eliminates the need for a RODSTAR-D also allows you to enter a deviation
field measurement of counterbalance effect. Also, survey and calculates side load, dogleg severity, rod
you can enter the calculated balanced maximum guide spacing recommendations, etc.
counterbalance moment back into CBALANCE
to find out how to balance the pumping unit in one
step.
RODSTAR can simulate any pumping system and
1.2 Advanced Capabilities and
can accurately predict its performance. For a sys-
tem you specify, the program predicts the surface
Program Limitations
and downhole dynamometer cards. Also, it calcu- RODSTAR has many advanced features that
lates the peak gearbox torque and gearbox loading, enable you to accurately predict system perfor-
structure loading, rod loading, pump stroke, mini- mance for any rod pumping system. It can simulate
mum required pump length, plunger length, pump wells of any depth including very deep or shal-
spacing, expected production rate, the counterbal- low wells. It is the only program of its kind that
ance needed to balance the unit, the prime mover models fluid inertia effects that are present in wells
size, overall system efficiency, daily energy con- that pump incompressible fluids with larger than
sumption, monthly electricity bill, and other useful 2.00” plungers from depths of less than 4000 feet.
information. Also, RODSTAR allows you to enter RODSTAR-D can simulate deviated wells, while
inflow performance data so that you can easily de- RODSTAR-V can only be used for wells that are
sign a pumping system for any pump intake pump vertical or have little deviation.
intake pressure, calculate the expected production By calculating the minimum stress at the bottom
rate, pump intake pressure and pump condition for of each rod section, RODSTAR shows whether
any rod pumping system, find out the maximum the rods are in compression or not. This is vital for
production rate you can get, and more. fiberglass rods which must never be in compression
Also, in contrast to the conventional trial and error to avoid premature failures. This is also important
system design, with RODSTAR you can enter a for steel rods since excessive compression can cause
target production and ask the program to simulta- buckling failures.
neously calculate the strokes per minute, plunger RODSTAR-V can model the effect of prime
size, and rod string design. It even recommends mover speed variation and pumping unit inertia
the pumping unit size you need. Or, you can enter and can accurately calculate electricity consump-
IPR data and have RODSTAR calculate the target tion and the monthly energy bill. Because ROD-
production and design the system for that target STAR uses actual motor efficiency curves, the
production based on any pump intake pressure or results are very accurate. You can use this capabil-
fluid level you want. ity to compare the energy consumption of systems
RODSTAR |
with different rod designs, plunger sizes, or pump- RSWIND.Exe The program file for
ing unit types. RODSTAR-D. It is
the file that your Desk-
RODSTAR’s Inflow Performance Relationship top Icon runs when you
(IPR) capabilities allow you to select the IPR double-click it.
relationship you want RODSTAR to use (Vogel or RODSTAR.CDB Contains the costs for
Fetkovich), your can enter one to ten test points, both rods and pumping
and can integrate IPR and rod pumping system units. Once you create
models to predict the maximum production rate this file by entering rod
possible, the fluid level and pump condition for a and pumping unit cost
data, you can provide
given pumping speed, or the target production for copies to other users in
any fluid level or pump intake pressure you want. your company.
Because of all these features, RODSTAR has vir- CUSTOM32.PUD This file contains the
tually no limitations and is the most advanced and measured pumping
easiest to use program of its kind. unit information you
entered in Setup. Once
you create this file, you
can distribute copies
to other users in your
1.3 Help System company.
RODSTAR takes full advantage of Microsoft Files ending in .PUD The program’s pumping
unit database. When
Windows to bring you state-of-the-art context- updates are announced
sensitive help for any input field by simply press- on our Website for new
ing the ! key. Also, you can search help for any pumping units that
have been added, you
other item. can download a zipped
file that contains addi-
tional PUD files to add
to your folder.
1.4 RODSTAR CD and Software Files beginning with Several files are in-
demo_ cluded that are example
Sentinel cases to demonstrate
the program functions.
The RODSTAR program installation CD con- During installation,
tains many compressed files that the installation there are copies of these
program copies to the hard disk of your computer. files placed in the folder
Some of these are useful to know about. These are used when opening
case files.
located in the same folder where you elected to
install RODSTAR. The default is “C:\Program Files ending in .RST Case files saved by
RODSTAR release
Files\Theta Enterprises\RODSTAR-V” or “C:\ prior to 3.0.
Program Files\Theta Enterprises\RODSTAR-D”.
Files ending in .RSVX Case files saved by
RODSTAR-V.
Files ending in .RSDX Case files saved by
RSWINV.Exe The program file for RODSTAR-D.
RODSTAR-V. It is the
file that your Desktop Files ending in .RDG Case files saved by
Icon runs when you RODDIAG.
double-click it. Files ending in .XDG Case files saved by
XDIAG.
| Introduction
2 Software Installation
Before you install the program, make sure you Rodstar is in another directory, you can specify to
have the hardware and software you need to run install over it. It will not replace any of your case
RODSTAR for Windows. files, just the old version of the program.
The installation defaults to setting “C:\THETA”
as the common folder for your case files. Using a
2.1 RODSTAR Installation common folder is a good idea since several of the
Theta Enterprise applications that you might have
RODSTAR is installed from the Theta Software can all share the same case files.
Suite installation CD that you received. Load the
CD onto your PC and the installation program Although a new version of RODSTAR can read
should load automatically. After the “Welcome” files created with older versions, an older version of
screen you will have three options for whether RODSTAR cannot read files created with a new
you are using a Network or Standalone license version of the software.
and whether you have a USB Sentinel bitlock or a What happens to files I have created with older
Parallel Port Sentinel. After selecting the proper versions of RODSTAR?
choice, the next screen will prompt you for the
Nothing. When you install or reinstall ROD-
programs to install. That screen also has a button
STAR for Windows, only program files are re-
that lets you display and print the detailed Installa-
placed. The latest version of RODSTAR saves files
tion Guide for your specific installation.
in the XML file format but can read files created
After installing the program, put your original CD with older versions of RODSTAR as well.
away in a safe place. If the Software Installation
What happens to the Setup Settings from previ-
Suite CD becomes damaged or lost, please call
ous versions?
Theta Oilfield Services, Inc. at (714)526-8878 for a
If the previous version is not very old (before the
replacement.
new setup options were developed) then your set-
tings will be preserved.
3.1 Starting RODSTAR from the File Manager, simply double click on it.
The RODSTAR installation program will put an RODSTAR has a “getting-started” window,
Icon on your Desktop and an entry in your Start shown in Figure 3.1, that appears whenever you
Programs for access to RODSTAR. To start the start the program. The window shows the most
program, simply double-click on its icon. common toolbar icons you need to know to begin
using RODSTAR.
You can also start RODSTAR from the File
Manager by double clicking on RSWIND.EXE
for RODSTAR-D, or RSWINV.EXE for ROD-
STAR-V. Also, the Windows File Manager allows 3.2 Exiting RODSTAR
you to associate files with applications. When you
To exit RODSTAR, double click on its Control-
associate a file with an application, you open the
menu box (upper left hand corner) or select File
file and start the application at the same time.
and then Exit. Another way to exit RODSTAR
For example, to associate RODSTAR-D files (with is to press A+ $. Before exiting RODSTAR
an “.RSDX” file name extension) with RSWIND. make sure you have stored your data to disk
EXE, do the following: (RODSTAR asks you if you want to save the data
1. From the File manager, go to a directory that when you exit, if you have changed your data since
contains RODSTAR files and double-click on the last time you saved it). Otherwise it will be
one of these files. lost.
2. If the file is not already associated with ROD-
STAR-D, windows will let you know and ask
you to select the program from a list. Make The RODSTAR Window
sure this option is selected and click on the OK Figure 3.2 shows the RODSTAR window that
button. appears when you start the program. RODSTAR
3. Click on Browse, go to the directory where behaves like any other standard Windows pro-
RSWIND.EXE resides (typically, it will be in gram. You can use the mouse to move and size
C:\Program Files\
Theta Enterprises\
RODSTAR-D, and
double click on it.
4. Choose the OK but-
ton.
After you do the above
steps then to load and
run a RODSTAR file Figure 3.1 - The “Getting Started” Window
| Starting and Setting Up RODSTAR
windows, move and restore icons, select text, the name of the file currently in memory. If more
choose commands from menus, and dialog boxes, than one window is open, the title bar for each
and complete almost any other task in RODSTAR active window (the one that you are working with)
aside from typing text. is a different color or intensity than the other title
bars.
Following is an explanation of the parts of the
RODSTAR window as shown in Figure 3.2. The menu bar lists the available menus. A menu
contains a list of commands, or actions, you can
The control-menu box is in the upper-left corner
carry out with RODSTAR. For example, click on
of each window. The control menu is most useful
the Help menu to see a list of helpful choices.
if you use the keyboard. You can use the control
menu commands to resize, move, maximize, mini- The Minimize button reduces RODSTAR to an
mize, and close windows. Also, you can use it to icon. After you minimize RODSTAR, you can
switch to other applications. (If you use a mouse, reopen it by double clicking on the RODSTAR
you can perform these tasks by clicking and drag- icon at the bottom of your screen.
ging.) Double-clicking on the control menu box The Maximize button causes the RODSTAR win-
closes RODSTAR. dow to fill the entire screen. After you maximize
The title bar shows the name of the application and the RODSTAR window, the maximize button
RODSTAR |
shows a double box and is called the restore but- and shows the standard open file icon used by most
ton. Clicking on the restore button re-sizes the Windows programs. Click on this button to read
RODSTAR window to the size it was before you a RODSTAR, RODDIAG, or XDIAG file that
maximized it. was previously stored on disk.
Using the mouse you can resize RODSTAR’s Save file - This is the third item on the toolbar and
main windows. When you resize RODSTAR’s shows a picture of a diskette. Click here to save the
window to a size smaller than required to display data in memory to disk. If this is the first time you
all information, it will display vertical or horizon- are saving this case, RODSTAR asks for a new
tal scroll bars as necessary. You can use these scroll file name. After you save a file, or after you load
bars with the mouse to view unseen portions of a file from disk and make changes to it, click on
entry windows that do not fit in the allotted space. this button to quick-save the data under the same
file name. To save it under a different file name
The Close button causes RODSTAR to exit. It’s
click on File on the menu bar and then select Save
easier to click the Close button once than to select
As....
Exit from the File menu.
Setup - This is the fourth item on the toolbar.
The Status bar shows useful messages during data
Click here to see RODSTAR’s Setup window.
entry, when you load a case from disk or when you
This allows you to specify inputs and preferences
point to a toolbar icon.
that normally do not change often such as: your
The toolbar gives you quick access to menu com- company name, electricity cost, units of measure,
mands using your mouse. When you first load standard sucker rod length, custom sucker grades,
RODSTAR, only some of the buttons on the measured pumping unit data, pumping unit and
toolbar are active. When you enter data or read a sucker rod cost, batch run options, printed report
file from disk, then the print button and all the options, and custom summary spreadsheet formats.
buttons that correspond to input windows become
Well information - This is the fifth item on the
active. If you load a file that contains output then
toolbar and shows a picture of a file cabinet. Click
the report icon also activates. Otherwise, if the
here to open the well information window. When
file contains only input then the report icon re-
you first load RODSTAR this icon (and the next
mains inactive until you run the case. For a quick
five icons) is inactive until you enter well informa-
reminder of what each toolbar button does, simply
tion data or until you load a file from disk. The file
place the mouse pointer on it. A small message box
information window contains data such as pump
called a “tool tip” appears that tells you what the
depth, run time, pump condition, tubing and cas-
toolbar icon does (see Figure 3.2). Also, the status
ing pressures, fluid gravity, etc.
bar shows more information about the same tool
bar item. Production information - This is the sixth item on
the toolbar and shows a picture of a barrel. Click
Following is a more detailed explanation of each
here to open the production information window
button on the toolbar from left to right:
that has data for items such as fluid level, pump
New file - This is the first button on the toolbar intake pressure, target production, IPR data, etc.
and shows a picture of a blank page. Click on this
button to start entering data for a new case.
Pump and tubing information - This is the seventh
Open file - This is the second button on the toolbar
item on the toolbar and shows a picture of a down-
hole pump . Click here to see data for tubing size, screen. If this button is inactive (dimmed) it means
pump type and size, tubing anchor depth, rod-tub- that there is no output report in memory. To make
ing friction, and fluid inertia effects. it active, run the case, or load a case with saved
output.
Rod string information - This is item eight on the
toolbar and shows a picture of a sucker rod. Click Email Icon - Click on this icon to email one or
here to open the rod string information window. more cases to Theta Oilfield Services, in case you
This is where you specify what kind of rod string have questions.
you want RODSTAR to design for you. Also, you Print - This button follows the Report button on
can enter your own rod string design, specify the the toolbar and shows a picture of a printer. Click
service factor you want to use, etc. it to send the output to the printer.
Deviation Survey Input - This is the ninth item on If you have entered data for a case, but haven’t run
the toolbar and shows a picture of a deviated well- the calculations yet, you can get a printout of your
bore. It is only available in RODSTAR-D, since input data by itself. You get the same one-page
this is the input window for the deviation survey output, except that only the input data appears on
of the well. Click here see the deviation survey and the page.
also to see the 3-D plot of the wellbore.
The Print… command on the File menu allows
Pumping unit information - Click here to open you to select exactly which parts of the output you
the pumping unit information window that has want printed. For more information, see section
data for pumping unit type, crank rotation, stroke 3.3.4, Output Options under Setup.
length, structural unbalance and counterbalance
data. Export CBM - This item is second from last on
the toolbar and shows a picture of a crank and
Motor information - This icon shows a picture of counterweight. This button becomes active after
a motor. Click here to open the motor information RODSTAR runs or after you load a file with saved
window that has data for electricity cost, power output. Click it to place the maximum counter-
meter type, motor type and size, moments of iner- balance moment for balanced conditions on the
tia and whether to include motor speed variation. clipboard for use in CBALANCE for Windows.
Previous window - This icon shows an arrow Help - This is the last item on the toolbar and
pointing to the left. Click it to go back to the pre- shows a picture of a question mark. Click this but-
vious input window. ton at any time to get help.
Next window - This shows an arrow pointing to
the right. Click here to advance to the next win-
dow when entering data for the first time or when
you are changing data. 3.3 Setting up RODSTAR
Run - This item follows the arrow icon on the Click on the Setup button on the toolbar to open
toolbar and shows a picture of surface and down- RODSTAR’s Setup window. Another way to
hole dynamometer plots. Click here to run ROD- access Setup is to open the Tools menu and then
STAR after entering all your data or after you select RODSTAR Setup. This window as shown
change an input. in Figure 3.5 allows you to enter items that do
not normally change from run to run. Also,
Report - This item follows the run icon on the
Setup allows you to customize RODSTAR by
toolbar and shows a picture of a printed page.
entering your company name, default electricity
Click here to view the output in memory. This
cost, custom rod grades, measured pumping units,
allows you to view the output saved in a file you
rod and pumping unit cost data, and a lot more.
just loaded from disk, or to return to the output
RODSTAR | 11
• IPR correlation ing limits discussed above, you can also specify the
type of rod guides you want to use and how much
• Motor type
side load each rod guide can take, according to the
• Oil gravity manufacturer of the rod guide.
• Plunger size
• Pump condition 3.3.4 Output Options
• Pump efficiency RODSTAR gives you full control over what is
• Pump fillage shown on the printed output. Using the Output
Options tab in Setup, shown in Figure 3.7, you
• Pump load adjustment
can select the items you want included on the
• Run time output. The options you select here are the items
• Standard steel sucker rod length printed by default when you select Print… from
the File menu, or use the Print toolbar button.
• Steel rod service factor You can choose from among the following:
• Stuffing box friction ♦ Input data and calculated results.
• Tubing pressure This option prints one page showing all the input
• User name data and the results of the calculations, as well
as miniature predicted dynamometer and torque
• Water cut
plots.
• Water specific gravity
♦ Cost analysis.
The program uses the standard steel sucker rod
This option prints both the rod string and the
length (typically 25 or 30 ft.) to calculate steel
pumping unit costs. You must already have entered
rod string section lengths that are evenly divisible
the costs into RODSTAR’s cost database (see sec-
by it. This works whenever RODSTAR designs
tion 3.3.6, “Cost Database,” on page 23 for more
the rods string (when RODSTAR calculates a
steel rod string taper
design, whether for a
steel rod string, or a
tapered steel rod sec-
tion beneath a fiber-
glass.) For Corod rod
strings, RODSTAR
ignores this number.
For fiberglass rods,
the program uses the
standard length of
37.5 feet.
Figure 3.6d Shows the
Defaults input win-
dow for RODSTAR-
D. Here, in addition
to the default values
and rod stress load- Figure 3.6 - Setting up default quantities for RODSTAR-V
RODSTAR | 13
RODSTAR’s pumping unit list, do the following: additional information about the pumping unit
as shown in Figure 3.10. This is especially use-
1. Click on the “+” symbol on the left of “Pump-
ful for manufacturers (for example, American
ing Unit Options.” Then, click on “Custom
conventional) who have more than one unit
pumping unit list”. This opens the window
with the same designation but different crank
shown in Figure 3.8.
types. In such a case, the Other: field shows
2. Drop down the manufacturer list by clicking the crank type of the unit or other information
on the down arrow next to “Manufacturer:” that helps identify the pumping unit type. This
3. Select a manufacturer you want to add to your is not the only way to customize the pump-
custom pumping unit list as shown in Fig- ing unit database. As discussed in the section
ure 3.9. If this is a new manufacturer for the dealing with the pumping unit information
custom list, all available pumping units will screen, you can also select a unit you want to
appear in the window on the right side of the add to the customized unit list by first selecting
screen. it from the full database and then selecting to
use the custom pumping unit list. At that point
4. You can select the units to include in the cus- RODSTAR will ask you if you want to add
tom pumping unit list using drag and drop. To this unit to the custom pumping unit database.
add a unit from the list of available units to the If you do, then select Yes.
custom database list, you simply drag (click on
it with the mouse and hold the left mouse but- 6. After you are done customizing the pumping
ton while moving it) the units you want from unit list, click on OK.
the list on the right to the custom list on the ♦ Measured Pumping Unit List
left. Or, you can click on a unit once to select
Here you can enter data for pumping units that are
it, and then click on the <<Add button (in the
not in RODSTAR’s main database. If you have the
middle of the screen). The program automati-
dimensions you need for these units you can enter
cally arranges the units in the proper order
them here to make them a permanent part of your
(largest stroke length and largest gearbox size
RODSTAR software. To enter dimensions for a
first).
pumping unit, do the following:
5. To remove a unit from
the customized list,
simply drag it from
the list on the left, and
drop it in the list to
the right. Or, you can
click on a unit once
and then click the Re-
move>> button (in the
middle of the screen).
To make sure you se-
lect the correct pump-
ing unit, highlight it
(click on it once with
the mouse) and the
Name: and Other:
fields on the bottom of
the screen will show Figure 3.7 - Selecting output options
RODSTAR | 15
1. Click on “Measured
Pumping Unit List”.
2. Click on the “+”
symbol (on the left of
the pencil symbol).
This will open the
window shown in
Figure 3.11.
3. Enter the data in
this window starting
with the pumping
unit manufacturer
name.
4. Enter the pumping Figure 3.8 - Customizing the pumping unit database
unit data for your
pumping unit. that is not in the program’s database, do the fol-
5. When you are done entering data click on lowing:
“OK”. 1. From the setup window, click on “Custom
If you need help with one of the items you have to Rod Grades.”
enter, press ! to get context sensitive help on that 2. To add a new rod grade, click on the “+” button
(to the left of the pencil icon). This opens up a
item. For example, if you press ! when you are
new window where you can enter the name of
in one of the pumping unit dimension input fields,
the rod you want to add, the tensile strength,
the program will show you an outline drawing of
and the stress analysis method you want ROD-
the pumping unit with a visual explanation of the
STAR to use for this rod as shown in Figure
pumping unit dimensions (see Figure 3.12). To get
3.13.
more information on any of the dimensions you
see, simply click on it with the mouse. For exam- 3. You can also specify that this is a sinker bar
ple, you can click on the
“P” box to see detailed
help on the P dimen-
sion. Also, you can click
on the “See Also” hot
button to get help for
any other pumping unit
related item.
by clicking on the
“Sinker bar” option
at the lower left
hand corner of this
window.
4. Enter the rest of the
information for the
rod you want to add
and then click on
the “OK” button.
RODSTAR allows
you to select any of the
available stress analysis
methods. Once you
enter a special rod Figure 3.10 - Customizing the pumping unit database
grade to the program,
it becomes part of the unit manufacturer. As shown in Figure 3.15, after
program’s equipment database and it works exactly you select the manufacturer, RODSTAR dis-
the same way as RODSTAR’s built-in rod grades. plays a mini-spreadsheet that you can use to enter
pumping unit costs. To enter the cost for a pump-
For example, once you enter a special rod grade, ing unit, click on the cell to the right of the pump-
you can enter cost information for it, and you can ing unit and enter the cost.
select it from the same rod grade menu that ROD-
STAR uses for the built-in rod grades. When you are done entering pumping unit costs
for the pumping units you want, click on OK. Or,
The modify (Pencil Icon) and delete (“X” Icon) if you want to enter rod string cost data, Select
options allow you to change or erase custom rod “Rod string costs” and then select the rod type
grades you have already entered. and rod grade. RODSTAR will display a mini-
4 Running RODSTAR
To start RODSTAR, double click on its icon. programs have a menu bar with drop-down menus
After a few seconds you will see RODSTAR’s and a control menu box at the top left corner. You
introductory window and then the RODSTAR can access all menu items using either the mouse or
main window. When RODSTAR first loads, only the keyboard. Using the mouse is by far the easiest
the new file, open file, setup, and help buttons are way.
active on the toolbar. If you have not set up ROD-
When selecting an item from a menu, visual clues
STAR then do so before entering a new case (see
tell you what will happen next.
Chapter 1 for information on setting up ROD-
STAR). ♦ An item followed by no markings starts an
action. (For example, click on File and then click
on New.
the Recent Files sub-menu will show you up to diagram, press “P” and then click on Permissible
nine of the most recently accessed files. A file is load diagram.
placed at the top of the list whenever it is loaded, RODSTAR has context sensitive help for each
or saved with a new name. This list can also be ac-
cessed by clicking on the drop-down button on the input item. To access the help, simply press !
toolbar to the right of the open file icon. while in the input field in question.
with the calculated pump intake pressure. RODSTAR to simulate. For example, if you
want to simulate water in the casing-tub-
The Production Information window also gives
ing annulus instead of oil, then enter an API
you the option of having RODSTAR calculate the
gravity of 10 (which corresponds to a fluid
required pumping speed based on a target produc-
specific gravity of 1.0).
tion you enter. However, the option of calculat-
ing the SPM from your target production is
only available if you select a full pump. For fluid
Percent water cut
pound or gas interference, you must enter a pump-
ing speed in the Production Information window. The percent water cut input along with oil API
gravity allows RODSTAR to calculate a default
specific gravity for the produced fluid. Also, it uses
this data to calculate $/bbl (or $/m3) electricity
Other input data in the Well Information window: costs.
Comment
You can enter a comment about the case. You can Oil API gravity
type up to 100 characters in the comment field.
The comment string you enter is included on the RODSTAR uses the oil API gravity to calculate
screen and printed outputs. fluid load on the plunger and the default specific
gravity of the produced fluid. Also, as discussed
above, RODSTAR uses this number to calculate
Pump Load Adjustment (RODSTAR-V Only) the specific gravity of the fluid in the casing-tubing
annulus which it assumes to be 100% oil.
The pump load adjustment allows you to increase
the fluid load picked up by the plunger. Usually
this is unnecessary. However, this input allows you Fluid specific gravity
to account for extra downhole loads due to exces-
sive downhole friction (for example due to wellbore RODSTAR uses the oil API gravity and per-
deviation), or due to the “plunger effect” of large cent water cut you entered to calculate the default
sinker bars. It is recommended that you use zero specific gravity of the produced fluid. The program
for this number unless you have more than 1000 will display this value when it prompts you to enter
feet of large sinker bars such as 15/8’’ or 1¾’’ bars the fluid specific gravity. RODSTAR calculates
in 2’’ tubing. The value of this number in pounds the default specific gravity without considering free
is typically 5% to 10% of the pump depth in feet. gas. This is okay for designing new wells since we
For example, for a pump depth of 6000 feet, enter prefer to be more conservative. However, if you
a value of 300 to 600 pounds (but only if you use want to simulate an existing system that produces
more than 1000’ of large sinker bars). RODSTAR gas, you must enter a lower number than the one
will not allow you to enter a value that is larger calculated by RODSTAR. With some experience
than 15% of pump depth. Also, you can use this and with “history-matching” between predicted
input to add pump load for more conservative and actual dynamometer cards you can come up
predictions. with effective specific gravities that will accurately
model your rod pumping systems. If you use a
Please note that RODSTAR assumes that the specific gravity that only considers liquids, it will
tubing-casing annulus is full of oil. It calcu- result in higher predicted loads, power consump-
lates the specific gravity of the oil from the API tion, etc.
gravity you enter. If you do not agree with this
assumption then change the oil API gravity If you are designing a new system and you are not
to correspond to the specific gravity you want sure what the specific gravity is, use the higher
RODSTAR | 25
value you expect to have to make sure that your and bubble point pressure. Also, you can enter
system will not be overloaded when in operation. from one to 10 test points. If you select to use the
However, when matching measured dynamometer Vogel method for the oil IPR calculations then
cards, use a specific gravity that is as close as pos- you only need one point. If you use Vogel and enter
sible to the actual value. more than one point, then only the first point is
used. You can enter more than one test point if you
After you finish entering data for the Well Infor-
use the Fetkovich method. The pressure that cor-
mation window click on the next screen button
responds to each production test point can either
(right arrow) on the toolbar to open the Production
be pump intake pressure or flowing bottomhole
Information input window. To move back to the
pressure (in the middle of the perfs). To add a new
previous window, simply press the left arrow icon
pair of Pi and Fluid production data, click on the
on the toolbar.
add button (top right) icon. To delete a set of data
Remember that pressing @ converts to the op- points, click on the remove icon (bottom right).
posite system of units. For example, if you selected
You can get help for any input item by pressing !
English units but want to enter the pump depth
when in the input field or by clicking on the ques-
in feet, press @ before entering the value. If the tion mark icon on the toolbar.
value for any field with units has already been
If you do not know what the bubble point pres-
entered, pressing @ will show it in the opposite sure is, but you know the well is producing below
units. the bubble point pressure, then leave the bubble
point pressure field blank and click on “Producing
below bubble point” or in the check box next to
4.2.2 Entering Production Information it. After you enter the last piece of IPR data, click
The Production Information input window allows to a different input field, press T or click on the
you to enter a fluid level or pump intake pres- “Update prod.” button to allow RODSTAR to
sure as shown in Figure 4.4. Also, you can select calculate the maximum oil, water, and fluid pro-
to enter a pumping speed,
enter a target production
(the program will calculate
the pumping speed to get
the target production), or
you can select to calculate
the target production from
inflow performance data.
If you choose to enter IPR
data, the Production In-
formation window expands
to reveal the data you must
enter. This includes the cor-
relation you want to use for
the inflow performance re-
lationship (IPR), the depth
from surface to the middle
of the perforations, the
static bottom hole pressure, Figure 4.4 - The Production Information input window
26 | Running RODSTAR
for deviated wells when the deviation is close to the molded rod guides.
the bottom of the wellbore. Rod guide manufacturers need to provide you with
3. For deviated wells with the deviation close friction ratio values for the different rod guides
to the surface you may need to enter a larger they make.
number such as 4-6 times as high as the values
calculated by the program. Also, it may be
appropriate to use different values for upstroke Buoyancy effects
and downstroke frictions to better match your
downhole conditions. The option to include buoyancy effects should
be left unchecked in most cases. This is because
The above comments refer to RODSTAR-V. buoyancy does not cause buckling of the rod string.
RODSTAR-D can calculate the effect of deviation However, for fiberglass-steel rod strings, after the
(such as side load) from the deviation survey. design is finalized, It is recommended that an ad-
ditional run be made including buoyancy effects to
ensure that the fiberglass portion of the rod string
RODSTAR-D Friction Coefficients is not in compression. If it is in compression, then
more sinker bars must be used, the pumping speed
In RODSTAR-D, the upstroke and downstroke
need to be reduced, or both.
rod-fluid damping coefficients on the pump and
tubing information window are only for fluid When buoyancy is not included, the bottom of
damping on rods. RODSTAR-D also allows you each rod section except the last section should have
to enter rod-tubing friction (drag) coefficients for a positive stress. Otherwise the rods may be going
each rod string section in the rod string input win- into buckling. It is normal for the very bottom of
dow. The default bare rod rod-tubing drag friction the rod string to be in compression if you enter a
coefficient is 0.2. The range for this value is from pump friction that is not zero (a minimum pump
0.1 (for oil lubrication between smooth rods and friction of 200 lbs is recommended).
tubing) to 0.3 (for high water cut wells and rough For more information on the theory behind these
rod and tubing surfaces). Again, the best way to recommendations, please read SPE paper number
determine what to use is by plotting a measured 25416 “Interpretation of Calculated Forces on
dynamometer card on the same plot as the pre- Sucker Rods” by J. F. Lea and P. D. Pattillo. Pre-
dicted dynamometer card and changing the values sented at the Production Operations Symposium
of the rod-tubing friction coefficients for each sec- in Oklahoma City, March 1993.
tion of the rod string. You can do this by loading a
RODDIAG or XDIAG file into RODSTAR.
To simulate the effect of rod guides, you need to Fluid inertia effects
adjust the friction coefficients for each section
of the rod string. You can use the ratio of guide If the well depth is less than 4250 feet and the
friction to bare rod friction to adjust the default pump plunger size is larger than 2.00 inches,
friction coefficient. For example, the friction ratio RODSTAR allows you to consider fluid inertia
default value for molded rod guides is 1.5. This effects. These dynamic effects become important
means that if you use molded rod guides, you need in wells with plungers larger than 2.0” and pump
to increase the rod-tubing friction coefficient by depths of 4000 feet or less. However, there is no
50% to accurately simulate the additional rod- exact “magic” depth for which fluid inertia be-
tubing drag. So, if you use molded rod guides, comes important. Therefore, RODSTAR allows
you need to enter a friction coefficient of 0.3 you to include these effects for wells up to 4250
(0.2*1.5=0.3) for the section of the rod string with feet deep and with a plunger size equal to or larger
than 2.0”. Another important factor is fluid com-
RODSTAR | 29
rod grade or type. For example, you can have fiberglass section (for two or more rod sections) so
RODSTAR design a Corod rod string for semi that there is equal stress loading at the top of each
elliptical “Ultra” Corods using a maximum diam- section as shown in Figure 4.11.
eter of 17/16”, a minimum diameter of 13/16”, and This Figure shows a fiberglass-steel rod string
a 375’ section of 1 5/8’’ sinker bars on the bot- designed with RODSTAR-V. RODSTAR-V can
tom. RODSTAR uses only the rod sizes it needs. design tapered steel rod strings under the fiber-
For example, if the loads are not high enough to glass section for any type of steel rod, including
require the use of the 17/16” rod diameter then non-API high strength rods, and Corods. If you
RODSTAR will go to the next size (16/16”). If want to fine-tune a RODSTAR design, select to
this is still too big, it will use the 15/16”. enter your own rod string design by clicking on
The maximum rod loading used by RODSTAR the manual rod string entry icon. RODSTAR will
to decide when the next larger diameter rods show you the current rod string design in memory
are needed is 95% by default. However, you can as if you entered it yourself. Then, you can make
change this number if you like by going to the any changes you want to the rod string without
Setup “Defaults” window. having to reenter everything.
Also, you can have RODSTAR design the rod
string while calculating the pumping speed and
Fiberglass/steel RODSTAR design plunger size, to get the target production. How-
If you select the option to have RODSTAR-V de- ever, because of the complexity of the calculations,
sign a fiberglass-and-steel rod string, you will see simultaneous use of all or most of RODSTAR’s
the data input screen in Figure 4.10. For example, “smart” options will result in longer run times.
let us say you want to use a design with fiberglass This is especially true if you also select to include
rods on top followed by a tapered steel section with the effect of prime mover speed variation. Also,
1” and 7/8” rods, and then 375 feet of 1” sinker depending on the case, RODSTAR’s run time may
bars. RODSTAR is able to design this rod string be longer if you enter a target production that is
for you. Also, it balances the steel design under the too large for the pumping system.
If you select only sinker bars on the bottom (with- tapered steel section under the fiberglass, and a
out regular steel rods between the fiberglass and 500 foot 1.5 inch sinker bar section on the bottom.
sinker bar) then RODSTAR will calculate the RODSTAR will determine the fiberglass diameter
length of the sinker bar section for you. If you and length you need, and the steel rod section and
select both sinker bars and a tapered steel design tapers you need. If RODSTAR cannot balance the
between the sinker bars and the fiberglass rods, steel rod string design because the 3/4’’ section is
then you must enter the length of the sinker bar (or not needed, it will not use any 3/4” rods.
sinker rod) section. RODSTAR will determine the Another interesting capability of RODSTAR is
length and diameters of the tapered steel portion that if you use continuous rods (Corod or Prorod)
Entering Your Own (Manual) Rod String can be up to 50 feet shorter than the pump depth.
However, it cannot be longer than the pump
This option is primarily used for entering rod
depth. For example, if the pump depth is 5000
string data for an existing system you want to
feet, you can enter a rod string that is between
simulate, or to modify a design that RODSTAR
4950 and 5000 feet. When entering rod string
itself came up with (when you select to have the
data for the first time, RODSTAR shows a default
program design the rod string for you). This is
length for the last rod section equal to the differ-
not a good option to use when you first design a
ence between the pump depth and the rod string
new system because it requires the most work and
length you entered so far.
experience.
Selecting the option to enter your own rod string
When you select this option, you can enter data for
gives you maximum flexibility. However, it re-
either steel or fiberglass rods as Figure 4.12 shows.
quires the most expertise to come up with a good
You can enter the number of rod sections, the ser-
rod string design. You can use this option to select
vice factor you want to use, and rod string data for
different rod grade or manufacturer for each rod
up to eight rod sections. For each section, you can
section. In general, this option allows you to enter
select the rod type or grade, diameter, and length.
any rod string design, no matter how unusual. The
For Fiberflex fiberglass rods you can also specify
minimum length you can enter for any rod section
the sucker rod length.
is 25’ (length of a single sucker rod).
If you select one of the fiberglass manufacturers
When entering the rod string data manually,
listed on the drop down list next to the rod grade
RODSTAR allows you to add and remove rod sec-
input field, the program knows the weight per
tions from anywhere in the rod string, instead of
foot and modulus of elasticity and will not prompt
only at the bottom. The window has icons on the
you for them. The program warns you about rods
left side for inserting a rod section, for removing
that do not fit in the tubing. Also, it warns you if
a rod section, or for moving a section up or down.
the rod string length is shorter or longer than the
For example, if you want to remove a rod section,
pump depth. The total length of the rod string
first click on it and then click on the Delete Rod
RODSTAR | 33
Step 1 prompts you to select the file to be imported Selecting a pumping unit manufacturer
as shown in Figure 4.18.
RODSTAR allows you to easily select a pumping
Step 2 allows you to select the Workbook and unit manufacturer and unit size with drop-down
Spreadsheet to use in cases where there are more list boxes. To display the menu with all pumping
than one in the Excel file as shown in Figure 4.19. unit types available, click on the drop arrow next
Step 3 automatically locates the columns in the to the “Manufacturer” field (see Figure 4.24).
spreadsheet where the values are stored for the This is a scrollable list of all units in the program’s
Measured Depth, Inclination, and Azimuth as database in alphabetical order. You can go to the
shown in Figure 4.20.
The next step loads the data and then finishes as
top of the list by pressing}. You can jump to
shown in Figure 4.21. the bottom of the list by pressing ~. You can
Click “Done” and view the imported deviation also move up or down by pressing O (Page up)
survey data as shown in Figure 4.22.
or N (Page Down). A convenient way to move
Please keep in mind that for program to be able to through the list is to press the first letter of the
load the deviation data from an Excel spreadsheet, unit name you want to use. For example, to locate
it must see three columns with the deviation data. the National “E” Series pumping unit entry, you
These columns need to be labeled as follows:
can press n and the highlight bar will jump to
“Measured Depth (ft)” or “MD (ft)”, or “MD (m)”
the first name in the list that starts with N. Then
“Inclination” simply click on the National “E” Series entry. At
“Azimuth” the top of the list of pumping unit manufactur-
ers is the item (Measured pumping units). This
Clicking the “Plot Survey” tab on the right side
of the window will display the Deviation Plot as option allows you to select a unit for which you
shown in Figure 4.23. From this screen, you can entered geometric data in Setup.
rotate the plot to better understand and visualize
the wellbore deviation, you can zoom in, etc. When you select the (Measured pumping units)
option, RODSTAR will display a list that only
shows the measured pumping units, as Figure 4.25
shows.
4.2.6 Entering Pumping Unit Data
As Figures 4.24 and 4.25 show, there is a check
The pumping unit input screen allows you to select
box that allows you to use the custom pumping
a pumping unit from the database that comes with
unit list instead of the main pumping unit list. If
RODSTAR, or from your measured pumping unit
you check this option, before you select a unit,
database (if you entered your own pumping unit
the Manufacturer list will show a shorter list that
dimensions in Setup).
contains only the manufacturers you selected in
Another option is to enter a pumping unit ID. Setup in your custom unit list as shown in Figure
The pumping unit ID is a unique string of letters 4.26. When the “Use custom pumping unit list”
and numbers. RODSTAR displays the pumping option is checked, when you select a pumping unit,
unit ID along with other unit information after you will see a short list containing only the unit
you select a unit. If you make a note of this unit sizes you selected for your customized list for this
ID (in the well file for example), you can use it manufacturer.
to specify the pumping unit instead of having to After you select a manufacturer you can use the
select it from the list. This is a unique ID for each same procedure to select the unit size you want
pumping unit in the program’s database. from the pumping unit drop-down list box . You
RODSTAR | 39
can move through this list the same way as with How to add units to the custom pumping unit list
the pumping unit manufacturer selection menu.
You can use the “Use custom pumping unit list”
The pumping units on this menu are ordered from
check box to add units from the main list to your
largest to smallest stroke length, gearbox size, and
custom list. For example, if you run across a pump-
structure size. However, if the window shows the
ing unit that is not in your custom list yet, clear
pumping unit name (for old units) the units are
the “Use custom pumping unit list” check box so
listed alphabetically.
that you can use the general pumping unit list.
When you enter a unit, the Unit ID, the program
After you select the pumping unit then click on
automatically displays the unit that the ID cor-
the “Use custom pumping unit list” check box.
responds to. RODSTAR displays the information
RODSTAR asks if you want to add this pumping
necessary for you to correctly identify your unit.
unit to the custom pumping unit database. Select
For example, for American conventional units you
Yes to add this unit to your custom list. The pro-
will see that certain unit sizes appear more than
gram will add this unit to the custom list and also
once on the selection list. However, they have dif-
switches to the custom list.
ferent cranks.
This option only allows you to add units to your
custom list without having to do it from Setup. To
remove units from your custom list or to add more
40 | Running RODSTAR
than one unit, go to the setup window and cus- TIP: If your unit is not listed in RODSTAR
tomize the list of units as described earlier in this and you do not have the unit dimensions, then
manual. use a unit that is closest to it. As long as you use
the same unit geometry and a unit with the same
stroke length and gearbox rating, the results should
Selecting to enter a pumping unit ID be close to actual as long as the pumping unit is
The unit ID option is the fastest way to enter the same unit type as the one you selected.
pumping unit information if you already know If after you enter a pumping unit ID RODSTAR
the pumping unit ID for your unit. You can see displays “The pumping ID you entered is not valid”
the pumping unit ID on the pumping unit entry this means that ID you entered is not recognized
window after you select a unit. Once you locate by RODSTAR. This can happen for two reasons:
your unit, you can make a note of its ID in the well
1) You entered the wrong ID such as R0 (which
file. Then, the next time you want to use this unit,
does not exist), or CL901 instead of CL91.
you can select to enter its ID. For example, for a
Lufkin Mark II M-456-305-144, the unit ID is 2) You have erased the pumping unit file by acci-
ML32. dent, or the pumping unit files are not in the same
directory as the program.
To identify some units correctly, it is necessary
to know the crank number since they may have RODSTAR Recommended unit size
the same API designation but different geometric If you enter a target production instead of pump-
dimensions depending on crank number (primarily ing speed, RODSTAR will display a recommended
units made by American International Manufac- pumping unit size to help you select a pumping unit.
turing Company). This recommendation can be very helpful if you are
RODSTAR | 41
designing a new pumping system and must decide another one. The recommended unit size is a push
what size unit you need. RODSTAR recom- button, as shown in Figure 4.27. So, whenever you
mends sizes that are closest to conventional units want to return to the pumping unit size recom-
as Figure 4.27 shows. Therefore, if you plan to use mended by RODSTAR, just click the button and
uncommon unit geometries such as the Rotaflex, RODSTAR will automatically select the unit size
then this recommendation may not be as useful. that is closest to the recommended size.
RODSTAR makes this recommendation with- In general, the size recommended by RODSTAR
out running through the predictive calculations. will be close to the minimum required conventional
Therefore, it may not necessarily recommend the unit. RODSTAR recommends only the API unit
best pumping unit size for your application. How- size. You must decide what manufacturer and
ever, in most cases it should be pretty close to the unit type to use. If you select a conventional unit
size you need. and RODSTAR predicts that the gearbox will
There are other important factors that you must be overloaded, then try using the same size Mark
consider when deciding what unit size you need. II or enhanced geometry unit. In some cases you
These include: available used pumping units, ex- may be able to use a smaller unit by selecting a
pected changes in well conditions, desired pump- geometry that is better suited for your application.
ing speed, etc. When you enter data for a case There are several factors that determine what unit
for the first time and you are at the pumping unit is best. They include, cost, gearbox loading, system
selection screen, RODSTAR will not only display efficiency, rod compression, minimum polished rod
the recommended unit size, but will automatically load (indicates separation of the polished rod from
select the unit closest to the recommended size the carrier bar if close to zero), etc.
from the available list. If you do not want to use
the unit recommended by RODSTAR then select
42 | Running RODSTAR
Selecting crank hole number and crank rotation Entering your own pumping unit data
After you select a pumping unit you must select If the pumping unit you want to simulate is not
the crank hole number, and the direction of rota- in RODSTAR’s database, you can enter your own
tion with the well to the right (if you are using a pumping unit dimensions. To enter the data in the
unit that can rotate either way). For units with a program you have to first access the setup screen
required direction of rotation, like the Mark II , of RODSTAR (click on fourth button on toolbar).
Torqmaster, Lufkin Reverse Mark, or American Then, double-click on “Pumping Unit Options”
Producer II, the program will not allow you to tab and select “Measured Pumping Unit List” as
change crank rotation. For units that can rotate explained in section 3.3.5 in this manual. Then,
either clockwise or counterclockwise, RODSTAR select to add a new unit to enter data for a new
defaults to the direction of rotation that will usu- pumping unit.
ally give the lowest torque. However, this default The data you must enter consists of geometric
direction of rotation may not always be ideal for dimensions as defined in the API 11E publication.
your system design. To find out for sure which You can get these dimensions from the pumping
rotation is best for your system you must make unit manufacturer or measure them yourself. Or,
two runs: one with clockwise crank rotation and you may be able to find most of the dimensions
one counterclockwise. Then look at the effect of you need from catalogs or blue prints. For old units
rotation on gearbox torque, system efficiency, rod without an API designation on their nameplate,
loading, etc. you may be able to put together an equivalent API
designation. Look at the gearbox nameplate for the
gearbox rating in thousands of in-lbs. Measure the
RODSTAR | 43
stroke length, and try to decipher additional infor- 11E defines the above dimensions as follows:
mation from the unit’s nameplate for the structure
rating, stroke length, and structural unbalance.
If the nameplate is legible then write down the Dimension: Description:
unit’s serial number or order number. If the unit’s R Radius of the crank (inches)
manufacturer is still in business, you may be able A Distance from the centerline of the
to get the data you need from the serial number saddle bearing to the centerline of
or order number. For help in locating dimensional the polished rod (inches)
data for pumping units not in the manual call C Distance from the centerline of the
Theta Oilfield Services, Inc.. saddle bearing to the centerline of
the polished rod (inches)
RODSTAR allows you to enter data for Conven-
tional, Mark II, Air Balanced, Enhanced Geom- I Horizontal distance from the
centerline of the saddle bearing to
etry, or Long Stroke units. When you enter your the centerline of the crankshaft
own pumping unit dimensions, RODSTAR cal- (inches)
culates and displays the stroke length based on the P Effective length of the pitman
dimensions you enter. For all pumping unit types arm, in inches (from the center of
you must first enter the name of the manufacturer, the equalizer bearing to the center
the unit name or model number, the gearbox rating of the crank-pin bearing)
in thousands of inch pounds, the structure rating K Distance from the center of the
in hundreds of pounds, and the maximum stroke crankshaft to the center of the
length in inches. From these numbers RODSTAR saddle bearing (inches). Some-
times, instead of the K dimen-
puts together the API pumping unit designation. sion, pumping unit manufacturers
The API pumping unit designation is a standard supply data for dimensions H and
way of describing the size and capacity of pumping G instead (described below). From
units as the following example explains: these dimensions and dimension I
(defined above) you can calculate
The first number is the gearbox rating in thousand
inch-pounds. In this example the gearbox rating is ) 2
K as follows: K= ( H-G + I
2
Air Balanced Pumping Unit Data Long Stroke Pumping Unit Data
For these units you must also enter pumping unit For these units you must enter the sprocket diam-
dimensions R, A, C, I, P, and K in inches. In ad- eter (D), the centerline distance between the top
dition, you need data for M, S and V0. and bottom sprockets (distance C), the pitman arm
length (P) if one exists (usually this is zero), and
The API spec. 11E defines the above dimensions the top drum diameter ratio (usually equal to 1).
as follows: You can see a diagram of the dimensional data you
Dimension: Description: need by pressing F1 in any input field, or you can
R Radius of the crank (inches) take a look at Figure 4.28.
A Distance from the center of the You can also use this pumping unit model to sim-
Sampson Post bearing to the cen- ulate any non-beam pumping unit with a long,
terline of the polished rod (inches) slow stroke. You can do this by entering data that
C Distance from the centerline of will produce the same stroke length as the unit you
the Sampson Post bearing to the want to model. The stroke length of a long stroke
center of the equalizer bearing unit is given by:
(inches)
Stroke = C + D
For example, to simulate a hydraulic pumping unit
RODSTAR | 45
from the walking beam to balance a beam bal- motor performance and efficiency data for NEMA
anced unit. D, Sargent Ultra High Slip, Reliance Ultra High
Slip motors, and Rotaflex Multi-HP NEMA
C motors. If you select a NEMA D motor you
4.2.7 Entering Motor Information and Energy Cost can enter a motor size, or you can choose to have
RODSTAR recommend a NEMA D motor for
RODSTAR can simulate NEMA D or ultra high you. If you select an ultra high slip motor then you
slip motors and calculates power consumption must select the motor size and torque mode. If you
from actual motor efficiency curves. The program select a motor size or mode that is too small for
uses the electricity cost you enter to predict the the well conditions then RODSTAR will display
monthly electricity bill, $/bbl fluid, and $/bbl oil a warning message and will give you the option to
(based on water cut). RODSTAR defaults to the change your data.
cost number you specify in Setup. The $ symbol
here is meant to represent currency (not just US RODSTAR warns you if you select an ultra-high-
dollars). As Figure 4.31 shows, under the electric- slip motor when you have selected an air-balanced
ity cost input box there are option buttons that you or long stroke pumping unit. These units have little
can use to select the power meter type. You have or no rotating moment of inertia, so using an ultra-
two options: Detent, or Non-detent. A Detent high-slip motor does not result in any significant
KWH meter can rotate only in one direction. A differences in the calculations. Therefore, for these
ratchet prevents it from turning the other way. units, do not select an ultra high slip motor or to
Therefore, if your unit is generating electricity, you include speed variation effects.
do not get credit for it. The non-detent meter can If you select a NEMA D motor type for a new
rotate either way and so it credits you for electricity case, or switch from an ultra-high-slip motor to
the pumping unit generates. a NEMA D motor, RODSTAR automatically
selects the option to recommend the motor size.
Prime mover type selection
Using drop-down list boxes you can select the Motor speed variation
motor type you want to simulate. RODSTAR has The option to include the effect of motor speed
variation is only available for conventional, en- of a body is a measure of its resistance to accelera-
hanced geometry, and Mark II units. Inertia ef- tion. In other words, the higher the moment of
fects are negligible for long stroke and air balanced inertia of a body, the more difficult it is to quickly
units. speed it up or slow it down.
If you select not to include speed variation effects The rotating and articulating moments of inertia
then RODSTAR assumes constant prime mover are important in accurately simulating the behavior
speed and will not model the effect of pumping or the pumping unit and in calculating net gearbox
unit inertia. If you choose to include speed varia- torque when you use a high speed variation prime
tion then RODSTAR gives you the option to enter mover. The rotating moment of inertia that ROD-
a percent speed variation or have the program STAR needs is the total rotating moment of iner-
calculate the speed variation for your prime mover. tia. This includes the individual rotating moments
of inertia of the cranks and counterweights about
the slow speed shaft of the pumping unit, the total
Pumping unit moments of inertia gear reducer inertia, and the motor rotor inertia.
If you select to include the effect of motor speed The articulating moment of inertia of the pumping
variation then you can enter a rotating moment unit around the saddle bearing includes the inertia
of inertia in lbs-ft2, or have the program estimate of the walking beam, horsehead, and pitman arms.
this number for you. For the articulating moment As mentioned above, you can either enter a rotat-
of inertia RODSTAR defaults to a number that ing moment of inertia, or you can have ROD-
is either the actual articulating moment of inertia STAR estimate it for you. To calculate accurately
supplied by the pumping unit manufacturer, or the rotating moment of inertia you must have
an estimate based on unit size. Therefore, unless moment of inertia data for the cranks and coun-
you have an even more accurate number for the terweights, gearbox, motor rotor, etc. Also, the
articulating moment of inertia, it is recommended rotating moment of inertia depends on the position
that you use the default number displayed by the of the counterweights on the cranks. Since this
program. data may not be known, it is recommended that
For more accurate results, have RODSTAR cal- you let RODSTAR estimate the rotating moment
culate the prime mover speed variation. However, of inertia for you.
you can also enter a speed variation value if de- Since the articulating moment of inertia depends
sired. If you select to enter speed variation, ROD- on the walking beam size, horsehead and pitman
STAR shows a default value of 8% which corre- arms, it is a fixed number for any given pumping
sponds to a recommended average speed variation unit. Therefore, it is easier to calculate than the
for NEMA D motors. You can get more conser- rotating moment of inertia. RODSTAR’s pump-
vative results by entering a speed variation that is ing unit data base contains accurate articulating
less than the maximum expected speed variation moment of inertia values that were either obtained
for your prime mover. Selecting to include prime from unit manufacturers, or were estimated based
mover speed variation will approximately double on unit size. The articulating moment of inertia
RODSTAR’s run time. from the pumping unit database appears as the
default number when the program prompts you for
the articulating moment of inertia.
What is moment of inertia?
Including speed variation and moments of inertia
Although this manual is not intended to teach will usually result in lower predicted peak gearbox
engineering or physics, it is important to briefly torque, lower peak polished rod load, and higher
explain moment of inertia and how it can affect minimum polished rod load. This is because a
RODSTAR’s results. The mass moment of inertia
RODSTAR | 49
5.1 Visual Input then choosing Save As... This brings up a stan-
dard Windows dialog box that allows you to save
Figure 5.1 shows RODSTAR’s “visual” input facil- your file with the file name you want. RODSTAR
ity that makes it easy to locate a system parameter shows the default file name it creates from the well
you want to change. As you are entering the data name and by adding an “.RSVX” file name exten-
for a new case, or after you have loaded a case from sion for RODSTAR-V or “.RSDX” for ROD-
disk, the visual input window can be displayed by STAR-D. If you enter data for a case in ROD-
clicking on the Visual Input button on the toolbar.
This shows an interactive picture of the pumping
system.
As you move your mouse over the picture of the
system, tool tips appear naming various parts of
the system. Whenever a tool tip is showing, you
can right-click with the mouse to get a pop-up
menu listing input variables associated with that
part of the system. This visual way of changing
data is more useful when you are changing data
in existing files or when you are making “what
if...” runs. If you are entering a case from scratch,
menu items that correspond to data you haven’t yet
entered will be disabled.
Left-clicking when a tool tip is displayed opens the
data entry window associated with the part of the
system you clicked on. Another way to change data
is to click on the “Alphabetical list…” button at
the bottom of the visual input window. This brings
ups an alphabetical listing of all variables you can
change. You can locate the variable you want to
change by scrolling down using the mouse.
STAR-D but do not enter deviation survey data, output then you can view and print the output
the program will save the file with an extension of without having to rerun the case.
“.RSVX” instead of “.RSDX”. You can change the
file name by typing over it, but you cannot change
the file name extension. When you type your own
file name, you do not have to type the file name 5.3 Running and Viewing the
extension. RODSTAR automatically adds this
extension for you. Output
You do not have to store your data every time After you enter all your data and you press the
you make a change. It is recommended that you Next Screen button from the motor information
save the original data and then wait until you get window, the Run button on the toolbar becomes
a good design before storing data to disk. After active. To run the program simply click on the
saving data once, RODSTAR makes it very easy Run button on the toolbar (the dynamometer card
to update the file with the data in memory with a icon to the right of the right arrow icon). Another
single mouse click on the Quick Save button on way to run the program is to click on Run on the
the toolbar. menu bar. After RODSTAR runs, it displays the
output report, as Figure 5.2 shows. At the bottom
If you save your data after running RODSTAR of this screen there are buttons that allow you to
and the output is displayed on screen, then ROD- view the dynamometer, torque, or IPR plots and
STAR saves both the input and output in the file. the report. When you select to see the dynamom-
This is advantageous because once you save the
To look at different parts of the output you can RODSTAR can calculate two possible ways to
click the appropriate buttons at the bottom of the balance a unit: for minimum torque, or for mini-
screen (Dynamometer, Torque, IPR Plot, Dev. mum energy consumption.
Plots when using RODSTAR-D, or Report). The most common way to balance a unit is for
When you click on Report, you can scroll up or minimum torque. However, if the gearbox is not
down with the mouse, or you can click and drag on overloaded, you may want to balance the unit for
the report itself. Figure 5.3 shows the bottom sec- minimum energy consumption instead.
tion of the summary report. The summary report
After viewing the output you can decide which
looks exactly the same as the printed report.
value of balanced counterbalance moment you
If you have CBALANCE for Windows on your want to export to CBALANCE (so that CBAL-
computer, you can have RODSTAR export the ANCE can calculate the counterweight positions
balanced maximum counterbalance moment it required to balance the unit). When you click on
calculates to CBALANCE. You can do this any the Export CBM... button RODSTAR displays
time the calculations have been run (whether or the window shown in Figure 5.4 (if there are two
not you are actually viewing them) by clicking on possible ways to balance the unit). Click on the op-
tion you want and click on the OK button. ROD-
54 | Changing, Loading and Saving Data
You can use RODSTAR to quickly design any rod ful features help you design rod pumping systems
pumping system, compare pumping units, sucker faster than ever before. Also, because RODSTAR
rod designs, insert versus tubing pumps, clockwise uses state-of-the-art design algorithms, it is very
versus counterclockwise crank rotation, include accurate and reliable.
IPR modeling in your predictions, etc. ROD-
Because RODSTAR can predict energy consump-
STAR can calculate the pumping speed, pump
tion very accurately, you can use it to select the
plunger size, and rod string design for you. Also,
most economic system designs. The following
it can recommend motor size and pumping unit
sections explain how to apply RODSTAR to solve
size based on your target production. These power-
common design problems. As you become more
eter card from a RODDIAG or XDIAG file (if and gearbox loading, look at the torque analy-
you selected that option), and the permissible load sis section of the printout. The permissible load
diagram. RODSTAR uses a permissible load diagram corresponds to existing conditions if you
diagram that shows if the gearbox or structure entered a counterbalance moment. If you did not
of the pumping unit are overloaded or if the enter an existing max. CB moment then the pro-
minimum polished rod load is negative. This gram shows a permissible load diagram for bal-
is different than the traditional permissible load anced condition (for minimizing gearbox torque).
diagram that only shows whether the gearbox is Note!: The above discussion about ROD-
overloaded. This extended permissible load dia- STAR’s permissible load diagram refers to
gram can be made up of curved lines only, combi- beam pumping units. The permissible load dia-
nation of curved and straight lines, or straight lines gram for long stroke units such as the Rotaflex
only. If the upstroke part of the predicted surface will have straight line segments that corre-
dynamometer card exceeds the curved line of the spond to gearbox loading or structure loading.
permissible load diagram this indicates that the Please look at the structure loading number
gearbox is overloaded at that point. If the dyna- on the first page of the output and the percent
mometer card cuts into the straight line section of gearbox loading under torque analysis for the
the permissible load diagram on the upstroke, this exact percent unit loading.
indicates that the structure of the pumping unit is
overloaded because the polished rod load is larger In addition to showing whether the gearbox is
than the structure rating of the unit. overloaded, the permissible load diagram also
shows how well the pumping unit matches the
For the exact numbers of peak net gearbox torque load requirements of your system. If the predicted
polished rod dynamometer card fits nicely in the match between the dynamometer card and permis-
permissible load envelope, this indicates a good sible load diagram.
agreement between the pumping unit and the rest Including prime mover speed variation and inertia
of the system. effects will alter the shape of the permissible load
However, if the predicted surface dynamometer diagram. The lines will be smoother if you do not
card shows a trend that is opposite that of the include prime mover speed variation. If you in-
permissible load diagram, this shows that design clude speed variation the permissible load diagram
changes are necessary to avoid overloading the will tend to reflect changes in polished rod load.
pumping unit and to better match it to the rest of This is because the permissible load diagram in
the system. If the permissible load has a trend that RODSTAR includes the effect of rotating and ar-
is opposite than the predicted dynamometer card, ticulating moments of inertia. As the prime mover
it may indicate that the pumping unit you selected speed changes, this causes changes in polished rod
is not the best geometry for this application. Or, velocity and acceleration which in turn changes the
that you may have to change the spm, plunger size, polished rod load and the distance between the dy-
rod string design, or stroke length to get a better namometer card and the permissible load diagram.
The output window has new buttons that allow 6.1.3 IPR Plot
you to animate the calculated dynamometer cards.
When you click on the “IPR Plot” button, ROD-
Figure 6.2 shows a “play” button (the one with the
STAR displays separate oil, water, and fluid pro-
double arrow) which causes small dots to move
duction versus flowing bottomhole pressure plots
around the surface and downhole dynamometer
as Figure 6.4 shows. Also, it shows a line with the
cards; a “stop” button which makes the movement
current bottom hole pressure and the test points
stop; and a “step” button (the one with the single
you entered. The line below the title of the plot
arrow) which lets you move the dots one time-step
shows the correlation you selected to use for the
at a time, while holding the button down moves
oil IPR and if you selected the Fetkovich method,
the dots in slow motion. This facility can be used
it shows the value of n. If you only enter one test
to get a better understanding of rod stretch effects
point, n is set to one. If you enter two or more test
and other phenomena such as the position and
points then RODSTAR calculates the value of n
speed of the pump plunger and how this relates to
by doing a log-log plot. For water, RODSTAR
the surface dynamometer card.
uses a straight line IPR.
From this screen you can look at any other part of
the output by clicking the appropriate option at
the bottom of the screen. For example, to view the 6.1.4 Report
torque plots click on Torque. Also, you can select
to view the report on screen, or you can send the To see the report, click on the “Report” button.
output to the printer. After you are done viewing You can scroll this window using the mouse by
the output, close the screen by clicking on Close. clicking or the up or down arrows at the top or
bottom of the range bar on the right edge of the
window.
6.1.2 Torque Plot Or, you can click and drag the range bar or the
report itself with the mouse.
When you click on the “Torque Plot” button
RODSTAR displays the net gearbox torque plots
for existing and balanced conditions. If you entered Input and Output Summary
an existing maximum counterbalance moment,
then you may see a plot with up to three curves: The summary report that appears when you first
one for existing conditions, one for balanced con- run RODSTAR shows input data on the left side
ditions for minimum torque, and one for minimum of the page and calculated numbers on the right
energy consumption. If there is no difference be- size. The top part of the printout shows the com-
tween the curve for minimum torque and the one pany name, well name, user name, date of the run,
for minimum energy, then the program shows only and comment. Following is a detailed explanation
two curves (existing and balanced). If you selected of each item on the output.
“unknown” max. CB moment then RODSTAR
will only show one curve if there is little difference
between balanced for min. torque vs balanced for Polished Rod Loads and Horsepower
minimum energy consumption (see Figure 6.3). The peak and minimum polished rod loads show
Otherwise, it will show two balanced curves: one the polished rod load fluctuation predicted by
for minimizing torque and one for minimizing RODSTAR. The polished rod horsepower shows
energy consumption. how much work the pumping system is putting
into the rod string to lift the predicted production
from the present fluid level to the surface.
If you entered a target production or used IPR data
64 | Rod Pump System Design
For low Fo/Skr numbers (below 0.25) fiberglass- Pumping Unit Data
steel rod strings will have very low system efficien- This section (see Figure 6.5) shows the pumping
cies and should be avoided. For fiberglass rods try unit you selected, the pumping unit ID, the calcu-
to keep Fo/Skr above 0.3 and below .8 for best lated stroke length, the structural unbalance, the
results. Also for fiberglass rod strings, you should crank offset angle, crank rotation with the well
keep N/No’ below 1.0 and above .4 for best results. to the right, and the crank hole number. If you
entered your own pumping unit dimensions for a
unit not in the program’s database, if the calculated
Prime Mover Speed Variation
stroke length is different from what you think it
If you select to have RODSTAR calculate the mo- should be, check the pumping unit data to make
tor speed variation for you then this section shows sure you entered the right dimensions. If you se-
what this number is. For NEMA D motors this lected to include speed variation and inertia effects
number will vary from 2% to 14% depending on in the calculations, RODSTAR will also print the
motor size. For correctly sized ultra high slip mo- rotating and articulating moments of inertia.
tors it can be as high as 50%. If motor speed varia-
tion is not considered then this will be indicated
on the output report. Torque Analysis and Electricity Consumption
In this section, the program prints the predicted
peak gearbox torque, percent gearbox loading,
cyclic load factor, maximum counterbalance mo- To maximize gearbox life you must keep gearbox
ment, and counterbalance effect. Also, it calculates loading less than 100%. The cyclic load factor
electricity consumption. RODSTAR predicts the indicates how smooth the gearbox torque is. The
KWH consumed per day, the estimated monthly smaller this number is, the more uniform the net
bill, and cost per barrel of fluid and per barrel of gearbox torque is. Also, a smaller cyclic load factor
oil per day. Use the cost per barrel numbers when will result in higher system efficiency because of
comparing system performance to ensure a valid less thermal losses in the motor.
comparison. This is because a system that shows
a lower monthly bill may also be producing less
fluid. Tubing, and Pump Information
If you enter a non-zero maximum counterbalance Here you see the tubing inside and outside di-
moment the program calculates the above num- ameters, the anchor depth, the calculated tubing
bers for both existing and balanced conditions. If stretch, the upstroke and downstroke rod-tubing
the existing max. CB is unknown, it will calculate friction factors you entered or that were calculated
the above numbers for balanced conditions only. by RODSTAR, pump load adjustment., etc. Also,
RODSTAR has the capability to balance pumping this section shows the pump depth, the pump
units for minimum torque and minimum energy. If type, and plunger size.
the maximum counterbalance moment for mini- RODSTAR uses the pump volumetric efficiency
mum energy equals the one for minimum torque you enter to calculate the expected production rate.
then the program shows only one recommendation When you ask the program to calculate the spm
for balanced conditions. However, if the two values by entering a target production, it will calculate a
are more than 2% different then it shows two bal- larger spm if you enter 80% pump efficiency than
anced columns: One for minimum torque, and one when you enter 90% pump efficiency.
for minimum energy. The torque plots show how
net gearbox torque changes throughout the pump-
ing cycle for existing and balanced conditions.
Tubing, Pump and Plunger Calculations any other rod section other than the sinker bar sec-
tion on the bottom of the rod string.
This section shows tubing stretch and production
loss due to tubing stretch, gross pump stroke, the If you are using fiberglass rods you would not want
pump spacing recommendation, minimum re- to use a design with a negative bottom minimum
quired pump length, and recommended plunger stress on the fiberglass section even with buoyancy
length. The pump spacing recommendation should effects included. Compressive loading will cause
be used as follows: fiberglass rods to part. Also, to maximize rod
life, stress loading must be less than 100% in all
After working on the well and before you
cases. For sinker bars, RODSTAR calculates stress
are ready to restart the pumping unit, make
loading, top maximum and top minimum stresses
sure the tubing is full of fluid. Then lower the
based on the elevator neck or pin undercut diam-
rod string slowly until it tags bottom. Then
eter of the sinker bars. However, RODSTAR still
raise the rod string a distance equal to the one
uses the full body diameter in the calculation of
recommended by RODSTAR next to: “Pump
stress at the bottom of the sinker bar section.
spacing (in. from bottom): ” Then, attach the
polished rod to the bridle with the unit stopped
at the very bottom of the downstroke. Rod String and Pumping Unit Cost Analysis
Please note that the working fluid level makes a This section shows the cost of each rod section as
big difference in pump spacing and pump length. well as the total rod string cost (see Figure 6.6).
This is especially true for fiberglass rods since the Also, below the rod string cost is the pumping
plunger travel is strongly dependent on fluid load unit cost. RODSTAR shows the cost information
on the plunger. only if you select this option in Setup. You must
first enter rod string and pumping unit cost data in
Setup before RODSTAR can show you accurate
Rod String Design and Stress Analysis
cost information here.
This section shows the rod string design and ser-
vice factor you selected, the calculated percent rod
loading for each rod section, the maximum and Inflow Performance Relationship Information
minimum stresses at the top, and the bottom min- This section shows the correlation used for oil
imum stress for each rod section. To ensure your IPR, mid-perf depth, the static bottomhole pres-
rods are in tension, do not include buoyancy effects sure, and the bubble point pressure (if entered) or
(this should always be the case for steel rods). whether the well is producing below the bubble
Then, make sure there are no negative stresses on
68 | Rod Pump System Design
point pressure. Also, it shows a table of input test 6.2.1 Deviation Plots
point data of flowing bottomhole pressure versus
measured production, and a table of pressure vs. After RODSTAR-D runs, it will display the
production table. As Figure 6.7 shows, this table summary output page as shown in Figure 6.8.
shows separate oil, water, and fluid production When you click on the “Dev. Plot” button on
rates for different pump intake pressures. the bottom. It will display the first deviation
related plot as shown in Figure 6.9. This plot
shows side load as a function of measured depth.
All deviation plots show colored lines that
6.2 RODSTAR-D Output correspond to different sections of the rod string.
The calculated side load affects is used by the
In addition to the output quantities discussed
program to determine the number of rod guides
above, RODSTAR-D calculates and prints num-
and their spacing, using rod guide manufacturer
bers and plots that are related to wellbore devia-
recommendations. Click on the “Next” button
tion. Following is an explanation of these outputs
on the bottom of this plot to see the rest of the
that are unique to RODSTAR-D.
deviation-related plots.
The next plot is the maximum and minimum axial
28.9 feet long. As these examples show, the only them in tension.
way to be sure the rods will not buckle is to keep The Dogleg severity in degrees per 100 feet, rep-
stroke length, using a smaller pump, or by install- To minimize energy consumption and stress load-
ing a percentage timer or pump off controller. ing, use the largest plunger diameter and slow-
Because RODSTAR can simulate fluid pound, est pumping speed combination possible without
you can use it to see what will happen if the well overloading the rod string and pumping unit. If
pumps off. you have to make a choice between stress loading
and power consumption, opt for lower stress load-
6.3.1 Shallow, High Rate Well Simulation ing especially if you are close to 100% since rod
RODSTAR can simulate any pumping unit geom- breaks are more costly than a slightly lower system
etry and gives accurate results for any pump depth efficiency.
or production rate. This is especially significant Note that these are only general guidelines. Eco-
for shallow well applications because conventional nomics and local field conditions may require a
design computer programs such as the API RP different design philosophy than the one described
11L and other wave equation programs give poor above. Regardless of your objectives and design
results. This is because at shallow depths, polished philosophy, with RODSTAR you can design rod
rod load is increasingly dependent on the dynamic pumping systems faster and more accurately than
effects of fluid in the tubing. This is especially with any other computer program.
true for high production rate shallow wells (pump
depth less than 4000 feet with larger than 2.00”
plunger). 6.3.3 Avoiding Rod Compression
To accurately simulate these wells, RODSTAR uses RODSTAR calculates rod stresses at the top and
two wave equation models simultaneously, one for the bottom of each rod section. It calculates the maxi-
rod string and one for the fluid in the tubing. This mum and minimum stress at the top of each rod
unique capability allows very accurate predictions. section in order to calculate the percent stress load-
RODSTAR can predict the expected surface and ing. It also calculates the minimum stress at the
downhole dynamometer card shapes common to bottom of each rod section. The bottom minimum
shallow, high rate wells. When designing shal- stress shows if the rods are in compression.
low high rate wells it is recommended that you
use pump efficiencies of 90%-95% to avoid un- Steel rods can tolerate some compressive force but
der-predicting peak polished rod load, torque, etc. fiberglass rods cannot tolerate any compression
This higher pump efficiency will result in higher at all. This is why fiberglass rods must have steel
fluid velocity in the tubing and higher fluid iner- rods or sinker bars at the bottom. The weight of
tia forces on the plunger. However, when you are the sinker bars overcomes the opposing hydrostatic
trying to “history match” an existing system, you force and pump friction. If correctly designed, the
may need to use a pump efficiency of less than 90% sinker bars or steel rods ensure that the fiberglass
to better match the actual pump slippage of your rods are always in tension.
system. Although steel rods can be subjected to some com-
pression without adverse effects, excessive negative
stresses can cause buckling problems. The recom-
6.3.2 Selecting the Target Production mended way to use RODSTAR to determine if
To avoid severely over-sizing the displacement your rods may be subjected to compression is to
capacity of your pumping system, design it with a run the program without including buoyancy
pump efficiency of 80%-85% or even 75% if you effects. Then, add sinker bars or sinker rods to
expect the downhole pump to wear out quickly. overcome the negative stresses at the bottom
This ensures that you will get your production section of the rod string (above the sinker bar
without grossly over-designing the system. section) . Other ways of minimizing buckling
RODSTAR | 73
problems include using smaller pumping speeds 6.3.6 Using RODSTAR for Correct Equipment Sizing
and avoiding use of small diameter rods such as
When designing a new rod pump system you must
5/8” or even ¾”.
ensure that the system you select has sufficient ca-
6.3.4 Minimizing Power Consumption pacity to produce the well under the heaviest loads
possible during its operating life. For most systems
In general, the slower the pumping speed and the this will occur when the fluid level is at the pump.
larger the pump plunger size, the less energy the Therefore, even if you do not expect the fluid level
pumping system will use. However, minimizing to be at the pump, it is a good idea to design the
energy consumption must not be the sole purpose pumping system (especially when using steel rods)
of system design because a large pump plunger for fluid level at the pump. This ensures that the
diameter will result in large polished rod load and equipment you plan to use will not be overloaded if
gearbox torque. This will require the purchase of a the fluid level drops in the future.
larger unit, larger rods and bigger prime mover. To
come up with the best pumping system design you For systems with fiberglass-steel rod strings, you
must consider the economics of the whole system may get higher gearbox torque loads and higher
and whether you plan to use existing equipment or polished rod horsepower when the fluid level is
buy new ones. above the pump. This occurs because fiberglass rods
are very sensitive to fluid load. When the fluid
RODSTAR’s power and ease of use allows you level is above the pump, the fluid load on the pump
to get the most economic pumping system based is reduced. This causes a longer pump stroke which
on your economic criteria. Because RODSTAR in turn affects the shape of the surface dynamome-
calculates the predicted energy consumption, rod ter card making it fatter. This in many cases brings
sizes, rod loading, and recommends a pumping the predicted surface dynamometer card closer to
unit size, it provides you with the data you need for the permissible load diagram causing the gearbox
sound economic decisions. load to increase. Also, when the area of the surface
dynamometer card increases, the system requires
a larger motor size. This means that when you use
6.3.5 Reducing Gearbox Torque fiberglass rods you should run system simulations
Sometimes, using the largest unit stroke may not using different fluid levels (within the expected
be the best way to maximize production since it fluid level range) to see which fluid level results in
can result in severe gearbox overload. If this oc- the highest loads and largest required motor size.
curs you may be able to use the next smaller unit Using different fluid levels also affects the calculat-
stroke and speed up the unit to get your produc- ed pump stroke length and therefore the required
tion without overloading the gearbox. Another way pump length and pump spacing . RODSTAR can
of reducing gearbox loading is by using a smaller recommend a NEMA D motor size based on the
pump plunger. Another way is to use a lighter rod fluid level or pump intake pressure you enter.
string by using either high strength steel or fiber-
TIP: You can speed up your system design consid-
glass rods.
erably by asking RODSTAR to design a rod string
Also, you can reduce gearbox torque with an ultra for you. Even if you do not plan to use the design
high slip motor. RODSTAR-V can predict the RODSTAR recommends, it is easy to “grab”
gearbox torque depending on the pumping unit RODSTAR’s recommended design and modify
size and ultra high slip motor size. Also, ROD- it. To do this, after the program runs, go to the
STAR-V can calculate the motor speed variation rod string entry screen and select the “Manual rod
and power consumption very accurately. string entry” option. The program will default to
the rod string it calculated, and it will display this
74 | Well Information
data as if you had entered it yourself. So, you can affin, scale, etc.), the measured dynamometer card
simply change only the data you want to modify. will be fatter than normal. The theoretical polished
Please keep in mind that RODSTAR expects the rod dynamometer card predicted by RODSTAR
length of the rod string you enter to be within 50 (for average friction calculated by the program)
feet of the pump depth. However, it cannot be will be smaller than the measured dynamometer
longer than the pump depth. card. By entering a larger rod-tubing friction coef-
ficient you can get a better match between actual
and predicted dynamometer cards. This technique
6.3.7 Using RODSTAR for Diagnostic Analysis helps you figure out what rod-tubing friction factor
to use for better simulation of your rod pumping
Although RODSTAR is primarily a design tool it wells.
can be a very powerful diagnostic aid, when used
in conjunction with RODDIAG or XDIAG. This Rod-tubing friction is especially important
is due to the powerful overlay feature that allows for fiberglass rods. Higher friction than
direct comparison of predicted versus measured normal may actually reduce the area of the
dynamometer cards. predicted surface dynamometer card because
it causes the rods to stretch which results in a
Using RODSTAR’s Dynamometer Overlay Feature small stroke at the pump.
This feature has many different uses. For example, RODSTAR-D allows you to change the rod-tub-
it can help you figure out if your load cell is out ing damping coefficients for upstroke and down-
of calibration, if the fluid level you measured was stroke and also the friction coefficient between
incorrect, etc. RODSTAR can help you find these rods and tubing for each section in the rod string.
problems by comparing the shape and load range This allows you to better simulate use of different
of the measured dynamometer card versus the one rod guides, or more exactly match the correct fric-
predicted by the program. Also, it can help verify tion between rods and tubing for a better match
downhole problems such as a worn pump, leaking with the measured dynamometer card.
traveling or standing valves, deep rod parts, stuck
pump etc. You can simulate a worn out pump or a
deep rod part by entering a fluid level of zero feet 6.3.8 Using RODSTAR-D for better Wellbore Designs
from surface. This will result in zero fluid load on
the pump plunger. RODSTAR-D can be a very useful tool in helping
you optimize the wellbore trajectory of your
RODSTAR cannot simulate a traveling valve leak, deviated wells to minimize side loads, rod-tubing
a hole in the pump barrel, or a sticking pump. wear and buckling, and to reduce lifting costs by
But, it can predict what the dynamometer card improving system efficiency.
should look like if there were no problems. Then,
by comparing the actual dynamometer card shape The optimum wellbore path will be different for
with the theoretical shape, you can have more each well, but by using RODSTAR-D you can
confidence in your diagnosis of the problem. For determine which is the best wellbore trajectory
example, if you have a traveling or standing valve by trial and error. Normally, wellbores that avoid
leak or a worn out pump, then the pump will be sharp turns and abrupt builds to the deviated sec-
doing less work and the surface dynamometer card tion will produce better results.
will have less area than the theoretical polished rod With careful planning and wellbore path control,
dynamometer card. deviated well design can be improved with ROD-
If the pump is sticking, or if there is more friction STAR-D.
than normal between rods and tubing (due to par-
Theta Oilfield Services, INC., 1901 E. Lambert Rd. Suite 108 La Habra, CA 90631 USA
Telephone #: (562) 694-3297, Fax #: (562) 694-8641 www.gotheta.com