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Major forms of Artificial Lift

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INFLOW AND OUTFLOW
SURFACE PRESSURE
PERFORMANCE PRODUCED FLOWRATE
At Wellhead

• If Po < Pwf, the well will flow naturally


– (~6% of wells by number)

• If Po ≥ Pwf, the well will require Artificial Lift


– (~94% of wells worldwide)
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WELL OUTFLOW
RELATIONSHIP
Po
Required Po to produce desired rate

Reservoir Pressure- Pr Pwf WELL INFLOW (IPR)

Available Pwf as function of the flowrate


WELL FACE
PRESSURE
The concept of Artificial Lift
• Artificial Lift is needed when reservoir
pressures do not sustain acceptable flow rates
or there is no fluid flow at all.
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• Lift process transfers energy downhole or


decreases fluid density in the wellbore to
reduce hydrostatic pressure on formations.
MAIN ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS
Gas Lift (SLB) Beam pump
DuraLift HydroLift
PC Pumps Hydraulic Pumps

ESP’s (SLB)
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Artificial Lift Market 94% of Wells are on AL
Wells Revenue
Spears 2004 Spears 2004
% WW Wells WW MM$
Rod Pumps 79% 669,716 Rod Pumps 717
Electric Submersible Pumps 12% 98,065 Electric Submersible Pumps 1725
PCP's 4% 30,144 PCP's 369
Gas Lift 3% 26,892 Gas Lift 130
Canada
Hydraulic Pumping 5,000
<1% North Sea Hydraulic Pumping
Russia 30
Others48,200 2% 14,856
600 Others 121,000 320
Total Systems 100% 844,673 W.Europe Total Expenditures 3291
US
9,000 China
541,000
Libya 76,000
Egypt
1,760
1,200 Oman India
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Venezuela 2,600 3,000


15,000 Indonesia
9,500
Brazil
Peru 7,400
4,600 Australia
1,300
Argentina
13,800
World: 890,000
wells
ARTIFICIAL LIFT – Application
Ranges
Typical Artificial Lift Application Range
Ft./Lift
12,000
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
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5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 BPD

Rod Pumps PC Pumps Hydraulic Lift Submersible Pump Gas Lift


ARTIFICIAL LIFT – System
Efficiency; includes all mechanical
losses
100

90

80

70

60

50
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40

30

20

Overall System Efficiency (%)


10

0
PCP Hydraulic Piston Beam Pump ESP Hydraulic Jet Gas Lift Gas Lift
Pumps Pump (Continuous) (Intermittent)
Artificial Lift Type
Artificial Lift
Selection

Making artificial lift


decisions is primarily a
process of choosing the lift
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method most applicable to


expected surface, reservoir,
fluid and operational
conditions
AL Methods Applicability – not ‘one size
fits all’
Condition Rod Pumps Hydraulic PumpsPCP's Gas Lift ESP's
Scale fair fair/good* fair good poor
Sand fair very good/poor* good very good fair
Paraffin poor fair/good* good poor good
Corrossion good fair fair fair fair
High GOR poor fair fair excellent fair/good*
Deviation poor excellent poor/good very good good
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Rate poor good fair very good good


Depth fair very good fair good good
Flexibility very good very good good very good good (with VSD)
Temperature very good very good poor good fair/good*
Efficiency good poor/very good* very good*fair good
Reciprocating
Displacement Rod
Pumps

Transfer of mechanical energy from


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surface via rod string to downhole pump


Rod Pumps combine a cylinder (barrel)
and piston (plunger) with valves to
transfer well fluids into the tubing and lift
the fluid to the surface.
Rod Pumping System
Walking Beam Saddle Bearing
Equalizer
Bearing Horsehead

Samson
Post

Bridle
Pitman Arm Ladder

Hanger

Wrist
Prime Pin
Crank Arm
Brake Mover
Counterweight
Lever
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Brake Polished Rod


Cable Stuffing Box Seal

Flow Line

Rod String
Flow Tee
Base Production Tubing

Production Casing

Downhole Pump

Drawings Courtesy of Lufkin Industries, Inc. Lufkin, Texas


Types of Pumping Units

Mark II Beam Balanced


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Low
Profile Air Balanced

Drawings Courtesy of Lufkin Industries, Inc. Lufkin, Texas


Beam Balanced
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Low
Profile Air Balanced

Drawings Courtesy of Lufkin Industries, Inc. Lufkin, Texas


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THUMBS – Long Beach California


How a Downhole Pump Works

Tubing
Plunger Moving Up

Plunger Moving Down


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Traveling valve open

Barrel

Standing valve closed


Seating nipple

Ball & seat

Cage
How can we change the flow rate ?
• Change the pump stroke length
– Typical range 54 – 306 inches

• Change the number of strokes


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– Typical range 5 –15 spm


Downhole Pumps

• Insert Pump - fits inside the production tubing and is


seated in nipple in the tubing.

• Tubing Pump - is an integral part of the production


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tubing string.
Insert Pumps

• Pump is run inside the tubing attached to sucker rods


• Pump size is limited by tubing size
• Lower flow rates than tubing pump
• Easily removed for repair
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Insert Pump

Tubing

Plunger
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Traveling valve

Barrel

Standing valve
Seating nipple

Ball & seat

Cage
Tubing Pumps

• Integral part of production tubing string


• Cannot be removed without removing production
tubing
• Permits larger pump sizes
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• Used where higher flow rates are needed


Tubing Pump
Tubing
Connection
w/tubing

Plunger
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Traveling
valve
Barrel
Cage
Standing
valve

Ball & seat


Prime Mover HorsePower -
estimations
• Hydraulic Horsepower = power required to lift a given volume of fluid
vertically in a given period of time

= 7.36 x 10-6 x Q x G x L
where Q = rate b/d (efficiency corrected), G= SG of fluid,L = net lift in
feet

• Frictional Horsepower
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= 6.31 x 10-7 x W x S x N
Where W=weight of rods in lb, S=stroke length,N=SPM

• Polished Rod Horsepower (PRHP)= sum (hydraulic, frictional)

• Prime mover HP = PRHP x CLF / surface efficiency

where CLF = cyclic load factor dependent on model


of motor typical range 1.1 to 2.0
Sonolog Fluid Level Survey

Charge ignited

Sonolog
Sound reflection
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Tubing collars

Fluid level

Fluid level
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Rod Pump Animation


Beam Pumps
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Most widely used AL method • Restricted flow and depth
• Best understood by field personnel • Susceptible to free gas
• Usually the cheapest (where • Frequent maintenance
suitable)
• Deviated wellbores are difficult (rod
• Low intervention cost and tubing wear)
• Remote locations without electricity • Reduced tubing bore
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• Readily accommodates volume • Susceptible to corrosion


changes
• Potential wellhead leaks
• Reliable diagnostic tools available
• Can often pump below perforations
Progressing Cavity
Displacement Pumps

Progressing cavity pumps are


based on rotary fluid displacement.
This spiral system consists of a rotor
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turning inside a stationary stator.


Mechanical energy transfer via
rotation sucker rods (top drive) or
electricity (bottom drive).
Introduction to PC Pumps
History
• Invented by Rene Moineau
in 1932.
• Initial uses in industrial
pumping applications.
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• Used as power sections for


directional drilling since mid
1950’s.
• First artificial lift applications
in early 1980’s.
Application Range
THEORECTICAL PC PUMP LIMITS
90% Volumetric Efficiency
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000 6.875"Dia
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2500
5.25" Dia
2000
4.2" Dia.
1500

PRESSURE (PSI)
1000
500
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500
DISPLACEMENT @ 425 RPM (BFPD)
Characteristics

• Interference fit between


the rotor and stator
creates a series of
isolated cavities
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• Rotation of the rotor


causes the cavities to
move or “progress” from
one end of the pump to
the other
Flow Characteristics

• Non Pulsating
• Pump Generates Pressure Required To
Move Constant Volume
• Flow is a function of RPM
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PCP Description
D = Minor Diameter of Stator D
Major Diameter of Stator

P = Stator Pitch length


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E 4E
Pumping Principle
• The geometry of the helical gear formed by the
rotor and the stator is fully defined by the
following parameters:
– the diameter of the Rotor = D
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– eccentricity =E
– pitch length of the Stator = P
• The minimum length required for the pump to
create effective pumping action is the pitch
length. This is the length of one seal line.
Pumping Principle
• Each full turn of the Rotor produces two cavities
of fluid.
• Pump displacement = Volume produced for
each turn of the rotor
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PD = C *D*E*P
C = Constant (SI: 5.76x10-6, Imperial: 5.94x10-1)
• At zero head, the flow rate is directionally
proportional to the rotational speed N:
Q = PD*N (remember to account for Bo)
Stages
• Manufacturers rate the pressure capability of a pump as
a function of the number of pump stages. Pressure
capability is determined by the number of stator pitches
• One stage is defined as the pump length required to
offset 100 psi of differential pressure.
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1 Stage = 1.5 Stator Pitches


Rotor Pitch (or 3 Rotor Pitches)

Stator Pitch
Progressing Cavity Pump Basics
Stage Ratings
• Lifting capacity is typically referred
to in feet of water, rather than
stages.
– 1 stage = approx. 100 psi
– 1 stage = approx. 231 ft of lift
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– 1 stage = approx. 70 meters of lift


– 1 stage = approx. 690 Kpa
• An 18 stage pump (1800 psi) is
commonly referred to as a 4000 ft
(1200 meter) pump.
PCP performance
• Positive displacement pump theoretically not
affected by pressure across the pump
• But with higher pressure differential the seal
between cavities is not adequate and slippage of
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pumped fluid results


• Pump efficiency is a function of
– the “fit” between rotor and stator
– Viscosity of the fluid
Efficiency, Pressure and Slip
S40G65

70

60 20% Slip @ rated


Pressure
50

40
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30

(BFPD)
20

10

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Feet of Lift

So for a head of 4000 feet the


production is 52 bfpd
Progressing Cavity Pump Basics
Horsepower Requirements
• The horsepower requirements for a PC pump can be
broken down into two categories:
– Hydraulic: Work to lift fluid to the surface, directly
proportional to pressure and speed.
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– Frictional: Work to overcome losses in the pump due to


rotor/stator compression fit and speed.
• One of the reasons PC Pumps are such an efficient
artificial lift method is because the frictional horsepower
is very low.
Progressing Cavity Pump Basics
Horsepower Requirements
2500 70
H
V 60 O
2000
O 50
R
L S
1500 40
U E
M P
1000 30
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E O
20 W
500
10 E
R
0 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
DEPTH IN FEET
Elastomer Characteristics

• The Elastomer Reacts with its Environment


– Temperature changes cause large dimensional
changes
– CO2 and aromatic compounds cause swelling and
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softening
– Sulfur causes hardening and embrittlement
• These Factors are Considered When Designing a
Pumping System
Elastomers
Selection Guide

Max Temp Max Max Physical Abrasion Aromatic


Compound Deg. F API H2S Properties Resistance Resistance
Standard Nitrile 180 20 2% Excellent Acceptable Low
Soft Nitrile 180 20 2% Excellent Superior Low
Super-saturated Nitrile 200 38 2% Good Poor Good
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HNBR 225 25 4% Excellent Fair Fair


Enhanced HNBR 250 38 6% Excellent Poor Good
Failure Modes – High Pressure

• Cause: Production
Flow Line Valve Closed /
Plugged Pump
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• Result: Over Pressure


Failure Modes – Abrasion
• Identification:
– Roughened, worn or scuffed surfaces usually
on the minor diameter of the stator.
• Cause:
– Due to normal wear and abrasion. Influenced
by quantity and abrasiveness of fluid solids
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content, pump speed, elastomer type.


• Remedy
– Reduce particle velocity through the pump,
running pump at lower speeds, and by adding
more stages to the pump.
Failure Modes – Chemical Attack
• Identification:
– Signs of chemical attack or fluid incompatibility
include elastomer swelling, softening or
blistering
– Results in a loss in pump efficiency and an
increase in the torque to turn the pump.
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• Cause:
– Light end hydrocarbons and aromatics result in
an increase in volume of the elastomer and
softening of the surface.
• Remedy
– Proper elastomer selection.
– Pump sizing practices.
Failure Modes – High Temperature
• Identification:
– Surface of the elastomer will be hard, brittle and
extensively cracked.
• Cause:
– High temperatures result in an increased rate of
oxidation causing loss of tensile strength and
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increase of hardness of elastomer.


– High temps result from pump being run dry or
high operating temperature.
• Remedy
– Monitor fluid levels and adjust pump speed.
– Select proper elastomer for operating
temperature.
Failure Modes - Rotor Failures

• Abrasive wear along seal lines.


• Fluid incompatibility.
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Rare Occurrence
Rod design
• Consider
– Weight of rod and rotor
– Maximum stress in rod (torque and load)
– Yield strength
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– Environment
– Fatigue loading
Drivehead Design
• Provides safe controlled release of the stored
energy in rod string
– Backspin energy components include:
• Elastic rod string energy
• Fluid level equalization
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Standard PC Pump - Topdrive
• Down-hole pump
components:
– Rotor.
– Stator.
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• Sucker rod string.


• Surface drive head.
• Accessories:
– Torque anchor.
– Rod protectors / centralizers.
– Etc.
Top Drive System Design
• Has to:
– Suspend rod & carry axial loads
– Deliver torque to rod
– Rotate rod
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– Prevent backspin
– Prevent escape of fluid
• Typical HP range = 10 – 100 HP
• HP = 1.904 x 10-2 x Rod torque (ft.lbs) x N (rpm)/ Drive
efficiency
PC Pumps Applications
• Heavy & viscous oils.
• Production of solids-laden
fluids.
• Medium to sweet crude.
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• Coal bed methane / gas


well de-watering.
• Urban areas.
• Agricultural areas. Lower surface footprint than Beam Pumps
Alternative PC Pump – BottomDrive*
Tubing

• Down-hole • FCE Casing Progressing


Cable Rotor
pump Cavity Pump
• VSD Stator
components:
• Junction Box Intake
– Rotor. Gear Box & Intake
• Transformer Gearbox
Flex Drive
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– Stator.
• Rotor Adapter Protector
• Intake. Protector
• Stator Adapter FCE
• Gearbox.
Motor Motor
• Protector.
*mark of Schlumberger
• Motor. Perforations

• Cable.
PC Pumps
Application
• Top Drive
– Target wells with minimal deviation
– Low volume
– Shallow pump setting depth
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• Bottom Drive
– Target wells
• Severe dogleg
• Horizontal
• Higher Rate
• Deeper
• Environmentally Sensitive
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PCP Animation
Progressing Cavity Pumps
Advantages Disadvantages
• Simple two piece design. • Sensitive to overpressure
• Excellent for viscous crude • Sensitive to pump off
• Resistant to abrasives and • Restricted flow rate (< 5000 bpd)
solids • Restricted setting depths (<
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• Non-pulsating. Does not gas 8000 ft)


lock or emulsify fluid. • Limited operating temp
• Oil Gravities from 5 to 42 API (normally < 250 F)
• Fairly flexible application • Not compatible with some
method chemicals, H2S 6%, CO2 30%
• Efficient power usage Aromatics 12% and high API
Gravity Oils
Gas Lift
Gas Lift uses additional
high pressure gas to
supplement formation
gas. Produced fluids
are lifted by reducing
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fluid density in
wellbore to lighted the
hydrostatic column, or
back pressure, load on
formations.
APPLICATIONS OF GAS LIFT
• TO ENABLE WELLS THAT WILL NOT FLOW NATURALLY TO PRODUCE

• TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING WELLS

• TO UNLOAD A WELL THAT WILL LATER FLOW NATURALLY

• TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS


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• TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS

• TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS

• CAN BE INTERMITTENT OR CONTINUOUS


TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000


INJECTION GAS
CHOKE CLOSED

2000

TOP VALVE OPEN


4000 CA
SI
N
G

T
PR

UBI
ES
6000 NG SU
SECOND VALVE RE
PR
E

OPEN
S SU
RE

8000
THIRD VALVE

DEPTH FTTVD
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN

2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000
SECOND VALVE
OPEN

8000
THIRD VALVE

DEPTH FTTVD
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000
SECOND VALVE
OPEN

8000
THIRD VALVE

DEPTH FTTVD
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000

DEPTH FTTVD
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE CLOSED


4000

6000
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000

DEPTH FTTVD
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000

4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

6000

SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000

DEPTH FTTVD
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000

4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

6000

SECOND VALVE
CLOSED
8000

DEPTH FTTVD
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
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10000

FOURTH VALVE
12000
OPEN

14000 DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
CONTINUOUS FLOW
UNLOADING SEQUENCE
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FIGURE 3-8: Example of the Unloading Sequence
Casing Operated Valves and Choke Control of Injection Gas
2000

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000
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Pressure psi
800

600

400

200

0
12:00 AM 03:00 AM 06:00 AM 09:00 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 06:00 PM
Time

PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE TUBING


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RUNNING AND PULLING
GAS LIFT VALVES
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GAS LIFT VALVE MECHANICS
3 basic types of gas lift valve, each available in 1” & 1-1/2” sizes:

Dummy valves Unloading valves Orifice valves

• Injection pressure (casing) • Square edged


operated valves • Venturi (nova)
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• production pressure (fluid)


operated valves
• Throttling/proportional
response valves
UNLOADING GAS LIFT VALVE

• Normally required during unloading phase only


• Open only when annulus and tubing pressures are
high enough to overcome valve set pressure
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• Valve closes after transfer to next station


• May be spring or nitrogen charged
Diaphragm/
Atmospheric Bellows

Spring

Stem Upstream/
Casing
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Stem Tip
Upstream
Downstream

Port

Downstream/Tubing

Pressure Regulator Spring Operated Gas Lift Valve


VALVE OPENING & CLOSING PRESSURES
F=PXA

WHEN THE VALVE IS CLOSED


TO OPEN IT…..
Pd 1 Pd
Pd x Ab= Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap
2
Pc
1
Pc
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WHEN THE VALVE IS OPEN


TO CLOSE IT…..
2
Pd x Ab = Pc (Ab)

Pt
GAS LIFT VALVES CLOSE IN SEQUENCE
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

2000

4000

6000
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8000

DEPTH FTTVD
10000

12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
NORMAL GAS LIFT VALVE
• Bellows
• Check valve
• Stem travel
• Metallurgy
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• Elastomers
• Max fluid rate
ORIFICE GAS LIFT VALVE

• Typically an ‘orifice’ type Gas lift valve

• always open - allows gas across Passage whenever correct


differential exists
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• Gas injection controlled by size and differential across


replaceable choke

• Back-check prevents reverse flow of well fluids from the


production conduit
ORIFICE VALVES
THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF ORIFICE VALVES:
• SQUARED EDGED ORIFICE
• VENTURI (NOVA)
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OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF THE VENTURI
200
180

160

140
CHARACTERISTICS OF A
120
The Square-edged orifice SQUARE-EDGED ORIFICE
100
performance curve
80

60
• Large sub-critical flow

Flow Rate (MCF/d)


40 regime
20

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 • Gas passage dependent on
Tubing Pressure
downstream pressure until
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40 - 50% pressure lost


• Poor pressure recovery =
large pressure drop & large
energy loss
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NOVA VALVE
NOVA VALVE

CRITICAL FLOW SUB-CRITICAL


FLOW

CRITICAL FLOW
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GAS INJECTION RATE (MMSCF/D)


PTUBING = 55% PTUBING = 90%

PRESSURE (PSI) PCASING


GL Typical System
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INFLOW
Gas Lift
Advantages Disadvantages
• Fairly low operational cost • Must have a source of gas

• Flexibility - can change rates by • If gas is corrosive it will require


adjusting injection rates and/or treatment
pressures. Also, easy to change • Possible high installation costs
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gas lift valves without pulling


• Top sides modifications to
tubing
existing platforms
• High volume lift method 35,000
• Compressor installation &
bpd typical
maintenance
• Very good for sand / deviated
• Limited by available reservoir
wells
pressure
Hydraulic-Lift
Pumping Systems
Hydraulic systems transfer
energy downhole by
pressurizing special power
fluid, usually water or a light
refined oil or pumped through
well tubing or annulus to a
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subsurface pump, which


transmits the potential energy
to produced fluids. Common
pumps consist of jets (venturi
and orifice nozzles),
reciprocating pistons, or less
widely used rotating turbines.
Two Types of Hydraulic Pumps

• Jet Pump
• Piston Pump
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Jet Pump - Principles of Operation
• Jet pumps can be used as an alternate to Piston
pumps
– They can fit interchangeably into BHA’s
– Shorter BHA’s can be used
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• Jet pump assemblies can be shorter and higher


flow
• Referred to as far back as 1852
• First patents for oil wells usage in 1930
Jet Pump Overview
• Pumping action achieved with energy transfer
• High pressure fluid passed through the nozzle
– Potential energy (pressure) is converted to kinetic
energy in form of high velocity jet stream
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• Well fluids intermix at the exit (in throat)


– Momentum entrains well fluid
• Mixture passes through expanding area (diffuser)
slows down the liquid
• Pressure of the mixture must be sufficient to
reach the surface
Well in Flowing Condition
through BHA with no
Communication with Casing
Annulus
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Well no Longer Flowing
Standing Valve Drop down
Tubing until Seated
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Pressure is exerted against the
standing valve & gate is open
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Pump is then Drop and placed
in bottom hole assembly
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Injected power fluid goes into
nozzle converting to pressure
head to a velocity stream,
pressure is lower at the
discharge of nozzle allowing
pressure from formation to flow
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and mixed in with jet stream,


allowing production & power fluid
to circulate to surface
Bernoulli’s Equation of State

2
P v
h + ρ + g = Constant
g 2
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If pressure goes up, velocity….


If velocity goes up, pressure….
Pressure
Head
Well
Fluids

Power
Fluid Mixture
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Velocity
Head
Jet Pump Overview Cont'd
• No moving parts
• Flow passages can use exotic materials for:
– Heavy oils, paraffin, gas, sand and corrosives
• Reservoir needs relatively ‘strong drive’
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– 100 psi / 1000 ft as a guideline


• Has to be sufficient tubular space in well
– To avoid excessive friction loss
• Offer ruggedness, reliability and volume
Jet Pump Overview Cont'd
• Guidelines:
– PF pressure 2000 – 4000 psi (5000 psi max)
– Maximum well depths 3000 – 12,000 ft
• Higher lifts = higher pressure
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– Production capacities from 50 – 10,000 bpd


– Abrasion resistant nozzles in ceramic, SS or
Tungsten Carbide
– Total length of jet pump section can be ~1.5 ft
– Gas can lead to reduced return flowing gradient
= less HP
Nozzle and Throat Sections
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Performance - Nozzle to Throat
Area
• Ranges from 20 – 60% ratio
• Different N to T combinations provide range
of lift capacity
• Selection defines defines:
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– Effectiveness of power fluid injected


– Power fluid to lift
– Input horsepower
• Higher lift = more pressure = more efficiency
(up to 5000 psi max)
Area Ratio

Fad= An/At
Where:
Fad= dimensionless area ratio
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An= area of nozzle, sq. in.


At= area of throat, sq. in.
E.G. Large throat to nozzle ratios have higher flow capacities

OBJECTIVE IS TO MINIMIZE HP TO MAXIMIZE


EFFICIENCY
N/T Characteristics Examples
• High head, low flow pump • Low head, high flow pump
– When nozzle is 60% of the – When nozzle is 20% of the
area of the throat area of the throat
• LESS flow area around • MORE flow area around the
nozzle for well fluids to nozzle for well fluids to enter
enter • High production rate
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• Low production rate capacity compared to power


capacity compared to fluid rate
power fluid rate • Higher injection pressures
– Deep wells with high lift may required to meet defined lift
need this configuration – Shallow wells with low lift

Velocities are typically 200 - 300 fps in throat area!


Equipment Selection –
Balancing the Following:
• Jet pump components
– Nozzle too small
• Will only circulate PF
• PF pressure could be too high for required lift
– Throat area is too small = cavitation
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• Defining minimum annular area is a key part of


the design
• Power fluid supplied
– Goal = minimal HP and maximum production
• Friction considerations
– Goal = keep losses to a minimum for application
Jet Pump Application Range
Tubing
Size Max Production (B/D) Capacity (Ft.)

1-1/4” 1,000 B/D 10,000 Ft.


2-3/8” 2,500 B/D 15,000 Ft.
2-7/8” 8,000 B/D 15,000 Ft.
3-1/2” 10,000 B/D 15,000 Ft.

Advantages of Hydraulic Jet Pumps


 Reverse flow retrievable  Flexible production capacity
 Deviated & crooked wells  Deep wells
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 Multiple wells  Offshore platforms


 Remote & urban locations  Environmentally friendly
 Multiple zones  Economical
 Unitized & transportable  Complex well completions
 Low Profile  Field repairable
 No-moving parts  Sand & solids
 Gas & water  Paraffin & heavy oil
 Corrosive fluids  DST, well cleaning & testing
 Low maintenance
Standard Wellhead and
Downhole Pump
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Advantages of Jet Pumping
• No moving parts, can tolerate solids & deviated
wellbores
• No rig required to replace pump (due to wear or
productivity changes)
• Simplifies completions significantly
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• Chemicals can be injected with power fluid


• Low capital cost per unit production
Disadvantages of Jet Pumps
• Low system mechanical efficiencies (5 to 30%)
• High fuel/energy running costs
• High GOR impacts performance
• High surface maintenance costs if using piston
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power fluid pumps


• Cavitation can occur with high GOR
Hydraulic Piston Pumps

• Offered as an alternative to jet pumps


– Higher efficiencies (up to 95%)
– Reciprocating piston to lift product to surface
– Hydraulically retrievable
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– Similar flexibility in design and application


Piston Pump
• Same reciprocating action as rod pump

• Ideal for low flow rates

• Low intake pressure

• Higher efficiency
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• Maximum drawdown
Piston Pumps
Free Piston Pump Application Range
Tubing Max Production (B/D) Max Head
Size at Depth Capacity

2-3/8” 1317 B/D at 8700 ft. 18,000 Ft.


2-7/8” 2400 B/D at 8700 ft. 18,000 Ft.
3-1/2” 4007 B/D at 8700 ft. 18,000 Ft.
4” 5005 B/D at 5005 ft. 18,000 Ft.
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Advantages of Piston Pumps


 Hydraulic retrievable  Flexible production capacity  Deviated & crooked wells

 Deep wells  Multiple wells  Offshore platforms

 Remote & urban locations  Environmentally friendly  Multiple zones

 Economical  Unitized & transportable  Complex well


completions

 Low profile  High Efficiency (95%)  Low fluid levels


Typical Hydraulic System
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PD Pump Set Up
Optional Hydraulic Pumping
System

HPS + Surface System


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Electric Submersible
Centrifugal Pump
Systems
Electric submersible
systems use multiple pump
stages mounted in series
within a housing, mated
closely to submersible
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electric motor on the end of


tubing and connected to
surface controls and
electric power by an armor
protected cable.
Transfers electrical
energy that is converted to
torque.
Electrical Submersible Pump
• The Electric Submersible Pumping (ESP) System
transfers electrical energy from the surface to a
down hole motor that converts it into a mechanical
force (torque). This rotational movement turns the
pump’s impellers and lifts the well fluids to the
surface.
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• The ESP was introduced as a means of Artificial lift


by REDA in the late 1920s.
• There are a wide variety of pump sizes, capacities,
motor horsepower, and voltage ranges for different
applications
R Russian

E Electrical
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D Dynamo

A Artunoff
ESP Pump
The multistage centrifugal
pump consists of numerous
impellers and diffusers
(application dependent) to
provide the lift (pressure)
required. The pump has a
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discharge head that the


tubing screws into.
ESP - Pumps
A Centrifugal Pump is a machine that
moves fluid by spinning it with a
rotating impeller inside a stationary
diffuser that has a central inlet and a
tangential outlet.
The pressure (head) develops
against the inside wall of the diffuser
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as the curved wall forces fluid to


move in a circular path upwards and
into the impeller and diffuser above.
One impeller and diffuser make one
pump stage.
Maximum Head-Capacity for Pumps

20000

4.5" Casing
15000 5.5" Casing
7" Casing
10000
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5000

Total Dynamic Head -Feet


0
0 10000 20000 30000
Flow Rate - BPD (60 Hz)
Pump
Performance
Curves

ESP's operate
at 3,500 rpm
on a 60-cycle
power supply
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or 2,900 rpm
on a 50-cycle
power supply.
ESP Gas Separators
In some applications, there
may be gas produced along
with the oil and water
liquids.

If gas is present, then a gas


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separator can be installed


and becomes the pump’s
intake. This assists in
eliminating some of the gas
that might be produced
through the pump.
ESP Protector
The protector is
located directly
above the motor.
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ESP - Motor

The motor is a three


phase, squirrel cage,
two pole induction
design.
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It’s the “heart” of the


system since it
provides the torque
required by the
downhole pump.
ESP - Motor Selection
Motors are available
in a number of
different Sizes,
Voltages, and
Horsepower ranges
depending on the
application
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ESP - Power Cable
And Motor Lead Extension
Electric power is
transferred to the motor
through an electrical
cable banded to the
tubing. MLE
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Cable

Power
Cable
ESP - Power Cable
Power Cable consists of three copper
conductor wires extending from the top
of the motor flat cable lead to the
wellhead.
The size of the cable selected is based
on amperage and voltage drop.

Bottom Hole Temp and fluid


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properties are critical for the


selection of cable.
The electrical cable has been
refined over the years to be used
specifically for oilwell applications.
ESP – Power Cable
Components

•The conductor - electrical properties


•Insulation material - protects and covers the conductor
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wire
•Barrier Jacket - protects and covers the insulation.
•Jacket Material - rubber compound designed for
temperature, chemical, and gas considerations.
•The exterior armor - the outer shield that holds it all
together
ESP - Surface Equipment
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Transformers

VSD’s J-Boxes
Wellhead Connectors
ESP - Surface
Equipment
The Wellhead is the device
that is installed at the surface
on the wellbore casing.
Purposes: to support the tubing
string, cable & ESP and contain
high pressures conditions often
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present within the casing.

Special wellheads are required


to allow for cable and/or
connector passage.
ESP – J Box
A Junction box or vent box:
Provides a connection point for the surface
cable from the motor control panel or VSD
to the power cable in the wellbore.

Allows for any gas to vent that may have


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migrated through to the power cable.


Provides easy/safe accessible test point
for electrically checking downhole
equipment.
ESP - Surface Equipment
Electrical transformers are
required to deliver the correct
voltages at the motor
terminals.

- Step-down transformers:
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- Step-up transformers:

Transformers can be either


single phase or three phase.
ESP Switchboards
The switchboard is used to energize
the motor

It contains a motor controller which


monitors running parameters and
provides protection to the system.
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The controller also provides the


capability to monitor the REDA
Production system with the use of a
recording instrument.
VSD’s

The variable speed controller


allows for flexibility of the
downhole system for flow control
capabilities.
It provides a constant ratio of
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between voltage and frequency


for proper operation.
Transformers
Motor
controller
Wellhead
Junction
box
Production

Casing
Primary cable
Drain valve
Check valve
1 joint Tubing
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Motor flat cable


Pump
Pump intake
Protector

Pothead
Motor Perforations.
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ESP Animation
ESP ‘s Advantages
• Good efficiency over the widest range of production rates
• Can achieve high production rates
• When VSD operated, can offer flexibility to
accommodate changing conditions in time (PI, water cut,
Pwf, Pr, etc.)
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• Can be used at low bottom hole pressures.


• Can operate reliably in deviated and offshore wells.
• Can sometimes operate below perforations.
• Can operate under conditions such as higher bottom hole
temperate with the use of alternative materials.
• Can be utilized to test wells by using a portable VSD
ESP ‘s Disadvantages
• A pulling unit is required to retrieve the failed ESP,
regardless of failed component.-expensive intervention
costs.
• High temperatures affect cable and motor insulation.
• High dog leg severities are a problem.
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• Available electrical power for required horsepower.


• Use of Switchboards (constant speed) limits the flexibility
of production rates.
• Higher gas content can limit system capabilities.
• High solids may cause rapid wear and premature failure.
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END of MODULE Two

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