,

SPE 18828

Methods To Improve the Efficiency of Rod-Drawn

Subsurface Pumps
by B.R. COX*and B.J. Williams, Harbison-Fischer Mfg. Co.
●SPE Member

Copyright 1989, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper waa prepared for preaentatlon at the SPE Production Operations Symposium held In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 13-14, 1989.

Thla paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Commlttw following review of information contained In an abslract submitted by the author(a). Contents of the paper,
aa presented, heve not been reviewed by the society of Petroleum Englneera and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect
any poaltlon of the Soclefy of Petroleum Engkhsara, Ita offlcera, or members. Papers presented at SPE meelln9s are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society
of Petroleum Englnasm. Permle40n to COPYla restricted toanabstract of not more than300 words. Illuetraliona
maynot becopied. The abstract ahouid contain oonspicuoua acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper la praaanled. Write Publlcetlona Manager, SPE, P.O. Box 633636, Rlchardaon, TX 75083-3S36. Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTSACT delivered to the surface versus the actual

displacementof the pump down hole.
A modified sub-surface pump is presented with
improved gas handling characteristics,and with The factors affecting the efficiency of
the ability to flush sand and small particulate sub-surfacepumps are classifiedinto four groups:
matter away from the leading edga of the plunger.
The pump daaign utilizes a tubular hollow valve 1. Fluid characteristics, i.e.; viecosity,
rod and precisionsizing of the guide to create a temperature,amount of gas in solution,gravity
low pressure chamber above the plunger on the of fluid.
down-stroke. 2. Well characteristics, depth, bottom-hole
pressureand productivityindex.
The two stage gas and sand chack valve inetalled 3. Characteristic of design and state of repair
at the top open cage reduces buckling tendency on of the pump.
long str.)ke down-hole pumps, and actually 4. Characteristics of the pumping operations,
eliminates the buckling on shorter strokes and i.e.; submergence of pump, pumping cycle,
shallowwells. length ~of stroke and number of strokes per
minute.
Buckling of valve rods ia discussed and a method
rf calculatingthe buckle point for the various of all of these factors the gaa, which must be
plungerand valva rod sizes, and the longer stroke handled by the pump, has t<e most pronounced
Iengchsare presanted. effect on the volumetric efficiencyof the pump.

The modified hollow valve rod pump with the two Steps taken to prevent or minimize adverse effects
stage gas and sand check valve has actually of gas on volumetric efficiency tnay be divided
performedin high gaa-oil ratio rod pumpad wells, into two groups:
under a packer. Brief :aee historiesare discussed
in support of the application of thie pump 1. Method and equipmentused to separate oil and
to wells where total fluid is produced through the gas so that gas can be vented through the
putap ● casing-tubingannulua and does not have to be
handledby the pump.
A review of the basic API pumps with de.~ign 2. Method and equipment used to minimize the
advantages and disadvantages in down-hole effects of gas which does enter the pump
conditionsis given. Accessory items to help the barrel.
basic pumps in handling gas-sand and corrosion
ara reviewed.These are economicaldevices, proven Gas-oil separationdown-holeis essential to pump
over a period of years, that can be readily efficiency improvement. Under bottom-hole
appliedto standardsub-surfacepumps. condition, a barrel of stock tank oil will occupy
a greater volume due to the gas in solution,thus
iNTRODUCTION a larger volume must be pumped to obtain one
barrel of stock ?ank oil. Pualp efficiency
The volumetric displacement efficiency of a rod increaseswhen all of the gas can be vented and
drawn sub-surfacepump is described ae the volume the pump intake pressureis reduced:
Referencesand illuatration&at end of paper.
 2. NETNODS TO INPROVSTNE EFFICIENCYOF ROD DRAWN SUE-SURFACE PUMPS
=-
.—.
—
—= Very little gae is vented from the casing at
.—
pressures approaching or abovs the bubble point.
Since at the higher pressure the gas bubbles are
small, and easily entrained, they are carried in
the same direction as the oil. Gae anchors are
effectiveat lower pump intake pressyres of bubble
point or less. As shown by Clegg , the rising
velocity depends on the bubble size and ahape and
the physical characteristics of the liquid.
Also, when the pressure is decreased, bubble size
increases and gas separation begins to improve.
Relatively good pump efficiencies can often be
obtained in the lower pressure range with an
effective type gas anchor. The efficiency will
decrease, however, with higher production rates.
But higher production rates are needed in many
wells due to higher water cut and the need
continuesfor a pump design that will operate in a
high volume mode with the presence of gaa
interference.A pump design has evolved from the
demand of deeper setting depths, high volume
productionand with gas interference.The pump is
referred.to genericallyae a two-stagehollow valve
rod pump.
SACRGRODND
The early history of the development of the
Two-Stage (2S-HVR)Hollow Valve Rod Pump begins in
West Texas, Gaines County, Adair Field, by a major
oil company.
The water flood project required long strokes and
large pumps - 1-3/4” and 2“ bore inserte, and
2-1/4” bore tubing pumps. Valve rod failuresat the
threaded ends pointed to a need for improved
design. Collet-type fittings were used with some
euccees, but failures were still high, Tubing
failures in the first few jointe above the pump
were also an expenee. Tlw buckling of valve rods
and sucker rods wearing the tubing I.D., the valve
rod guides, and even the pump barrels were common
events.
Experimentalpumps were tried with pull tubes as
valve rods, spiral rod guides above the pump,
weighted bars such ae polished rods were used to
reduce rod buckle. Rod guides were used between the
weight bars tc aasure a straight,rigid rud fall on
the down-stroke.Immediate relief of the failure
rate was achieved.
Comparativedynamometertests on valve rod vs. pull
tube type pumps confirmedsmoother load transition,
increased net plunger travel, slightly reduced
fluid loads and unit torque.
The weight bars reduced rod buckling and
contributed to increaaed net plunger travel.
Therefore,pumping deep wells with large bore pumps
and long strokes led to the design of hollow valve
rods to reducebuckling.
Wide use of hollow valve rod pumps wae slow in
developing,however, due in part to the down-turn
of the oil industry.Also, the parts were special
and non-API.They were used in specificareas where
the benefitswere obvious.
One operator in West Texas, pumping large volumes
SPE 18828
from wells under water flood and C02 injection
system, started using hollow valve rod pumps to
avoid buckling problems. They had experiencedpin
thread failures of plungers along with tubing wear
and other problems. These wells also had gas
interference from H2S, and problems with iron
sulfide particles during shut down periods. Gas
Locking had been a problem, and rather than
re-spacethe clamp on the polishedrod to bump down
m the pump, this company elected to cycle the
pumpingtime with occasionalstop or “rest” time to
allow the gae and pressure to “equalize” before
resumption of pumping. It was realized that
the top valve added as a sand check was also acting
ss a two-stagevalve, which helped open the bottom
plunger valve. These _ were not ~
—. lockin~.
5ome refinementswere made in the guide and lower
pull tube coupling to enhance the pumps’ ability
to handle the gas and particulate, and the pump
#as called the TWO-STAGEHOLLOW VALVE ROD PUNP.
I’ECRNICALDISCUSSION:
Refer to figure (1) for a sequence of operation
of the two-stagehollow valve rod pump.
POSITION - Top of The Upstroke
The plunger valve has the hydrostatic
pressure load. The top valve, or
two-stage gas and sand check valve, is
in equilibrium and the weight.of the
ball closes on the seat.
POSITION - Start of The Downstroke
The plunger starts down, vacating the
chamber above the plunger and below the
close fitting guide. This creates a
lower pressurein this chamberwhich has
the effect of pulling down the top
valve, aided by the hydrostaticpressure
above the top valve ball. At the same
time this small differential (low)
preesure assists in lifting the plunger
valve ball off the eeat.
The top valve is, in effect, a traveling
etanding valve and performs the same
function as a sliding top valve on a
solid valve rod pump. The top valve will
not open until the plunger valve opens,
which transferethe hydrostaticpressure
to the bottom standing valve. As the
plunger starts down, fluid in the lower
chamber is displacedand travels through
the plunger I.D. to the upper chamber.
POSITION - DownstrokeCompletion
In the case of a 1-1/2” bore pump with
a 1-1/8” O.D. pull tube, the
displacement is 1.767 cubic inch per
inch. With the pressure being equal in
the chambers above the plunger, the
displacementfluid will fill the vacated
annulus of pull tube and barrel with an
area of .773 cubic inch per inch and
discharge the balance to the tubing
column, When the fluid < void of gas -
_ liquid - the
that is, incornpressil--
SPE 18828 BOB COX ARD BIWN?tWILLIAMS 3.

discharge will be primarily up the pull tube and gassy welle in hundreds of installation, aee Case
through the top valve. But with a gaa-liquidmixture Histories. Ball and seat and cage life expectancy
- that is, a compressible fluid - the volume is is increaseddue to the smooth transitionof fluid
reduced at the higher pressure of hydrostatichead. load.
In this case, the discharged quantity may be much
less due to compression. The two-stage hollow valve rod pump has been run
by several operatora under a packer, and
In the schematic of “Sequence of Operation” out-performed many typea of pumps that were
the top valve is closed on the downstroke to previouslyin the well.
illustratethe theoreticalconditionwhen pumping a
compressible fluid. Gas break-out, where small. Where sand and gas in combinationare encountered,
babbles expand, occurs with a pressure change or a this pump should be a primary consideration.The
temperature change. Turbulence and agitation also only disadvantageto the use of this pump design
influence gas solution fluid behavior, and all of ia, as a bottom hold-down stationarybarrel, sand
these factors take place in rod drawn sub-surface can pack between the barrel O.D. and the tubing
pumps. I.D. Where this is a possibility, the bottom
dischargevalve can be applied.
The fluid path ia through the holes in the ported
lower pull tube couplingand around the pull tube to CASE EISTORIES COMPARING TNS TWO-STAGE HOLLOW
guide clearance.This fluid flow helps keep sand or VALVE ROD POMP TO CONVECTIONAL POW
other particulatematter in turbulenceand moving up
and out of the pump. Case EW3tory #1

POSITION - Start of The Upstroke Well information- Thunder Creek - Wyoming

The plunger valve seats and all pressure
load is on the plunger area. The standing
valve opens due to a pressure
differential created by the plunger
vacating the chamber, allowing well
fluids to enter. Pump intake pressure is
equal to bottom hole pressure at the
intake point, and is the force that fills
the pump chamber.
POSITION- UpstrokeCompletion
The plunger displaces fluid in the
annulus between tha pull tube and barrel
through the pull tube and the top valve.
The perforatedpull tube coupling accepts
the turbulent fluid as it ia displaced
by the plunger. Particulate will be
pumped with the fluid through the pull
tube and the top valve. A small amount
of the.displaced fluid will exit around
the pull tube to guide area. Case Hfstory #2
Depth: 7,700 feet
Fluid Type: Muddy
Gas Percent:18MCFPD
Scale/Sand:2X sand
Productionhistory:15 BPD.
Praviouspump: 2“ x 1-1/4”RHBC-16-4-6
Surfaceoperation{7 5PM, 120” stroke
Pumping problems included pump “gas lock” and
abrasion of plunger and barrel surface.The well
pulling frequencywaa high, with an average run
of only i..ro months. A packer was in place~
iorcing all fluid throughthe pump.
After installationof the two-stagehollow valve
rod pump, the well produced fifteen (15) BPD
without interruptionand pump runs increased,to
aix months. It was no longer necessary to
re-space the rod string to “bump down” to
attempt to break the gas lock by mechanically
shockingthe balls off of the seats.

This area is quite small compared to
the pull tube I.D., and offers a greater
resistance to the flow. The top valve
has no sealing function to the upstroke
and offera only the weight of the ball
as resistance.
With the compressivemixture of gaa and
liquid, the plunger will compress the
fluid at a ratio equal to the bore area,
minus the cross sectional area of the
pull tube material versus the area of
the pull tube I.D. For the 1-1/2” size
pump, this equals 1.767-.553 + .441, or
2.75:1.
SUKUARY:
Well information- Racoon Field - Wyoming
Depth: 9,400 feet
Fluid type:Minnelusa
Gas percent:8 MCFPD
Scale/Sand:Light sand
Productionhistory:155 BPD
Previouspump: 2-1/2”x 1-1/2”RHBM-20-4-6
Surfaceoperation:9 SPM, 144” stroke
Pumping problems included “gas-lock.” of
sub-surface pump and consequent loss of
production. In addition, the pump experienced
rapid wear of the sealing surfacea while
operating in the “gaa-lock”phaae due to sand
abrasion, and from lack of lubrication
and coolant that the fluid provides when
producingnormally.

With the two-stage hollow valve rod pump, there
is less tendencyfor the pull tube to buckle because
the plunger valve opens quickly at the start of
the downstroke (reference Tables No.1 and 2)
This pump has”proven to be an effective design for
After the two-stagehollow valve rod pump waa
installed, the daily production stabilized to
155 BPD and eliminated the “gaa-lock”,which.
cauaed a variance in daily production. The
two-stage hollow valve pump reduced the
;
4. METEODS TO IKFROVS THE EFFICIENCY OF ROD DRAWN SDB-SURFACE PUMPS
lulling frequency of the previous pump by
me-third.
:aseHistory#3
Well information- RainbowRanch Unit - Wyoming
Depth: 9,445 feet
Fluld type: Minnelusa
Gas Percent: 12 MCFPD
Scale/sand:22 sand
Productionhistory:242 BPD, 10% water
Previouspump: 2-l/2’”x1-3/4”RHBC-24-6-6
Surfaceoperation:8.3 SPM, 169” stroke
Pt.mpingproblems included valve rod buckling
wearing against the tubing, ias fluid pound
and corrosiondamage to pump and tubing. Fluid
level recorded at 1,800 feet above the pump
and conventionalpump could not pump the level
down. Corrosion inhibitor wae ineffective.
The two-stagehollow valve rod pump eliminated
the gas-fluidpound, the buckling problem, and
pumped the fluid level down to 800 feet above
the pump. Production stabilized at 242
BPD, whereaa the conventional pump would
“gae-lock”and productionwould vary daily. The
conventional pump averaged only thfrty
day run betweenpwnp repairs.
;aaeE3atory #4
Well information- ThunderCreek - Wyoming
Depth: 10,110feet
Fluid type: muddy
Gas percent:20 MCFPD
Scale/sand:light aand
Productionhistory:15 BPD
Previouspump: 2-1/2”x 1-1/4”RHBC-18-3-6
Surfaceoperation:7 SPJ, 84” etroke
Pumping problems included poor pump efficiency
due to gas locking. Both crude and gas
production varied daily. Pump repaira were
requiredfour times per year.
The two-stage hollow valve rod pump was run
to stabilize daily production. This was
successful as the opera”tor no longer
experiencedgas fluid pound. Pump repaira were
reduced to one-and-a-half times a year.
Case Eistory #5
Well information- Cherry Canyon - Texas
Depth: 6,600 feet
Fluid type: N/A
Gas percent: 17 MCFPD
Scale/sand:Fine sand
Productionhistory:6 BPD oil, 59 BPD water
Previouspump: 2-1/2”x 1-1/2”HHBC-16-4-6
Pumping problems included: plunger pins
breaking, split plunger cages, and gas-fluid
pound. Pump repairs were necessary every two
months.
The two-stage hollow valve rod pump was
installed and was still pumping after six
months,with no pump failures.
SPE 18828
Case History #6
Well information- Canyon Field South Cowden
- Texas
Depth: 8,000 feet
Fluid type: N/A
Gas percent:NfA
Scale/sand:none
Productionhistory:30% oil, 70% water
Previouspump: NfA
Pumping problems included corrosion-erosion
of tubing opposite the fluid discharge of the
RHBC pump. Three tubing failurea in eix months
were attributed to the constant discharge of
corrosive fluid at the stationary valve rod
guide.
‘l’hepump was converted to a two-stage hollow
valve rod pump so that discharge of the fluid
was distributedover the stroke length. At last
report the two-stagehollow valve rod pump had
not been pulled in seven-and-a-halfmonths of
continuousoperation.
Ca8e History #7
Well information- SterlingConger Field - Texaa
Depth: 8,000 to 10,000 feet
Fluid type: Ciaco and Canyon Reef comingled
Gas percent:600 MCFPD
Scale/sand:Moderatesand
Productionhistory:30Z crude, i’OZwater
Previouspump: 2“ x 1-1/4”RHBC-12-4-6
Surfaceoperation:8 SPM, 84” stroke
Pumping problems included gas lock and ~aqd
abrasion of plunger and barrel. Conventional
pump design, along with “Mother Hubbard” gas
anchor system, was not effective to prevent
gas lock and would not pump the well down.
The two-stage hollow valve rod pumps installed
in eighty wells in this field have not had
problems with gas locking, and give longer pump
runa compared to conventional HSBC pumps.
Case Ristory #i
Well information- Mission Canyon - North Dakota
Depth: 9,>40 feet
Fluid type: Duperow
Gas percent:9 MCFPD
Scale/sand:none
ProductionHistory:52 BPD average*
Previouspump: 2-1/2”x 1-1/4”RHBC-14-6-6
Surfaceoperation:9 SPM, 144t’stroke
Pumping problems included gas lock, resulting
in erraticdaily production.
With the installationof the two-stage hollow
valve rod pump the daily production averaged
110 BFPD, and pumped the fluid level down to
pump-off condition in twelve daya. The pumping
rate was adjusted and the well produced an
average of seventy-nineBFPD, consistently.The
two-stage hollow valve rod pump does not gas
lock.
* With conventionalRHBC pump, well produced fluid
92
SPE 18828 BOB COX AND BENNY WILLIAMS
only three out of four days.
Case History #9
Well information- Red River - North Dakota
Depth: 7,700 feet
Fluid type: N/A
Gas percent:12 MCFPD
Scale/sand:NfA
Productionhistory:With conventional pump,
well produced only fifty
days out of eighty-two
during the observed test
period. Productionaverage
per day was only 44 BFPD.
After the two-stsge hollow valve rod pump was
installed, the production averaged eighty-nine
BFPD with no days of zero production, in
thirty-eightdays of observation.
:ase tiistory#10
This case history involves a study of pump
failures on seventy-fivewells by a major oil
company operating a unitized field near
Levelland, Texas. Comparison is made on pump
faihreS with conventional pumps versus the
two-stagehollow valve rod pumps over a two year
period. The eummary statement concerning the
comparison of the two pump designs reads as
follows:
“Tagging” and pump failures result in:
Broken valve rods
Broken plungerpina
Bent pump barrels with seized plungers
Excessivepump repair costs
Excessive damage and handling of sucker
rods
Excessive pulling costs and loet
production
Until recently, tagging had been viewed ae
the only alternative to maintaining
production with sand and gas interference,
aside from pullingthe well.
Two-stage hollow valve rod pump with spirsl
rod guide advantages:
1. With minor exceptions, it has virtually
eliminated the need for tagging in all
installationsto date.
2. It appears to res.lststickingand seizing
of plunger to barrel due to aand
accumulationin the pump.
A. Check valve eliminates sand
accumulationin pump during shut-down.
B. Turbulence from pull-tube/plunger
coupling should reduce sticking.
3. It offers resistance to traveling
assemblybreaks.
A. Minimizetagging
B. Pull-tube stiffness reeista buckling
and spiral rod guide centers rods.
c. could minimize plunger pin breaks.
4. It could lead to significantreductions
in total cub-surfacefailures.
Iote: Case histories above are on file and release
of operators namea are available on request,
but subject to approval from individual
operatora.
5.
WBU~LINGtlOF VALVE RODS AND PULL ~ES
Valve rods “buckle”or bend on the downstrokewhen
pushing a plunger with a ball and seat valve. The
point of buckle can be calculatedvery accurately
using the formula developed by Euler and tha
parabolic or J. B. Johnson formula, discussed in
the text book Fundamentalsof Mechanical Design,
DeflectionAnalysissection.
Per Euler ~_ Nfi2EI
...................,.(1)
L2
Per Johnson P= (A) sy-(~j’~~.~: ......(2)
[ 1
Application- for slendernessratio greater than:
use Euler equation . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)
t ‘(VY
Where: P = criticalload (bucklepoint)
A = area of column (squareinches)
Sy = yield strengthof material,psi
N = end constant
E = modulusof elasticity(You~gs’),psi
I = area moment of inertia,In
L = length,in.
k = radius of gyration,in.
The resistanceof the plunger imposed on the valve
rod ia due to the differentialarea above and below
the ball and seat. The criteria for determining
column criticalbuckling load is the length of the
column (valve rod or pull tube), the diameter,
load, slenderness ratio and the end condttion.
In considering the end condition for valve rods
and pull tubes, wa use the “fixed-free” for
determiningthe column criticalbuckling load. As a
point of interest, the other end conditions are
“rounded-rounded”; “fixed-rounded”; and
fixed-fixed”.
When valve rods buckle they can only bend to the
point where the tubing wall stopa and supports the
rod. The surfaces rub until the extended length
reduces below the critical column buckling load.
Failurea of valve rods are inevitablyat the last
engaged thread of either end, and this ia a result
of bending. Since bending terminates at tht~
threadedends, a fatigue crack developsin tha root
of the last thread progressing through the cross
sectionalarea. Final parting then is from tensile
overload.
Extended service life of valve rods are noticeable
when using the collet type fittings along with the
spiral rod guide on the lift sub for the pump.
Pumps are better centralized in the tubing when
using a precision seating nipple and a barrel
connectorat the top end.
On the accompanying tables (1 and 2), we have
plotted the critical column bucklfng load and
converted to four pumping depths, or more
accurately, “fluid-lift.” The lengths shown are
total length of valve rod or pull tube in inches
withdrawn from the pump at the top of the upstroke.
Alao, the loads and lengths given are for the
differentialpressure across the plunger ball and
. NETEODS TO INPROVS TEE EFFICI’XKY OF ROD DRAWN SDS-SURFACE PDHPS
seat only; we did not con$ider friction of t-he
system such as inertia, fluid velocity or abrasio~.
Buckle point of pull tubes for traveling barr(:l
pumps are in parenthesis( ). The pull tube in RWl
and SST style pumps support the fluid load on
downstroke,and the free column length at the point
of buckling is rather short compared to stationary
barrel pumps equippedwith large valve rods or pull
tubss.
REVIEWOF CONVENTIONALAPI SUE-SURFACE PDKP~ -
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF APPLICATION
API SPEC 11AX4 designates two general types of
pumps: The tubing pump (T), and the rod or insert
pump (R). Both tubing and rod type pumps consist of
metal barrel units with plungers having either
metallicor non-metallicsealingsurfacea.
API full barrels are all one piece tubes threaded
at both ends. The sectional liner barrel and one
piece liner barrel were discontinuedas part of API
SPEC llAX in 1979.
Metal plungers may be of one piece or aasembled
construction.One piece plungers generally have a
hard plating or coating, while assembled plungers
have a hard sleeve supportedby a plunger tube and
end fittings.
Refer to figure 2 for configurations of the
followingclassificationsof pumps:
Tubing Pumps
The tubing pump is rugged in construction and
simple in design. The barrel of a tubing pump
is attached directly to the tubing string,
usually at the bottom. Below the pump barrel is a
seating nipple which will receive and lock in
place the standing valve of the pump assembly.
After this asaembly has been run into the well
and landed, tha plungar aaaemblyis run in on the
sucker rod string. When the correct number of
sucker rods and pony rods are run to allow the
plunger assembly to fit into the pump barrel and
seat the standing valve in the seating nipple,
the plunger is ready for final spacing.
The standingvalve ia run Into the well attached
to the bottom of the pump plunger by means of
a standing valve puller. When the standingvalve
engages the seating nipple, it locks in place
with either a mechanical lock or friction cups.
The plunger may then be released from the
standing valve by rotating the rod atring
counter-clockwise.The plunger assembly is then
raised to clear the standingvalve on the bottom
of the pump stroke, plus about a foot to
compensatefor rod overtravel.Final spacing is
adjusted by the placement of the clamp on the
polishedrod.
Ae the motion of the pumping unit causea the roda
and the plunger to reciprocate, the pumping
action begins. As the plunger starts the
upstroke, the weight of “fluid in the tubing
causea the travelingvalve to close. The upward
motion of the plunger causes a reduction of
pressure in the pump barrel below the plunger and
SPE 18828
the pressure of oil in the casing annulus then
opens the standing valve, filling the void
creatad,by the upward movament of the plunger.
AS the plunger starts down, the standing valve
closes. The preseure below the plunger builds
up and opens the travelingvalve. Thus the fluid
that passed the standing valve on the upstroke,
passes the travelingvalve and through the hollow
center of the plunger on the downstroke. This
fluid ia now above the plunger in the amulus
between the sucker rods and tubing. On the
subsequentupstroke, this fluid, along with the
rest of the fluid filling the rods and tubing
annulus, is lifted. It is importantto note that
the actual lifting of fluid is accomplishedon
the upstroke. On the downstroke, the plunger
drops through the oil which entered the pump
through the standing valva on the upstroke.
The decision aa,to whether to pump a well with
a tubing pump or a rod pump is important.
Rod Puqa
The rod pump is preferred over the tubing pump
in the great majority of pumped wells. The fact
thai the complete pump can be pulled with the
sucker rod string without disturbingthe tubing
is the main reason. This reduces pUl15ng Unit
time at the well by more than fifty percent over
the tubing pump when both the barrel.and plunger
must be pulled. There are three types of rod
pumps, the traveling barrel bottom anchor (API
RWT or RRT), the stationarybarrel bottom anchor
(API RWB or RNB), and the stationarybarrel top
anchor (API RWA or RNA).
When a rod pump has been selected, an API
seating nipple is run on or near the bottom
joint of tubing.Dependingon well conditionsor
user preference, either the cup type or the
mechanicalbottom lock may be run if the pumps
are bottom anchor, or the cup type or mechanical
top lock if the pumps are top anchor. The
complata rod pump with a aeating assembly to
match the seatingnipple on the tubing string is
run in on the sucker rod string. When the pump
seats in the seating nipple, it is spaced as
closelyas possible to the bottom with pony rods
with the final adjustment being made with the
placementof the clamp on the polished rod. In
gaesy wells, it is desirableto keep the spacing
very close, with the traveling asaembly of
the pump nearly touching at the bottom in
order to minimize valve clearance at the
bottom of the stroka.The principleof operation
cf the rod pump is identical to that described
for the tubing pump. The void created in
the barrel by the upward motion of the plunger
in stationary barrel pumps permits the pump
to be filled from the well bore. This fluid
is then displaced into the rod tubing annulus
on the subsequentdownstroke.
Tubing Pwps
Advantages
A tubing pump provides the largest displacement
possiblein any size of tubing,just one

SPE 18828 BOB COX AND BENNT UILLIAHS
quarter inch smaller than the nominal tubing
I.D. Where the maximum displacementis needed,
the tubingpump is the logicalchoice.
A tubing pump is the etrongeetpump made. The
heavy wall barrel is connecteddirectly to the
bottom of the tubing string with a collar,
eliminatingthe need for a eeating assembly on
the pump to hold the pump in position. Alao,
the sucker rod string connectedirectly to the
plunger top cage, eliminatingthe need for the
valve rod required in stationary barrel rod
pumps.
Disadvantages
The greatest disadvantageof the tubing pump
la the fact that the tubing string must be
pulled in order to replace the pump barrel.
This increases the pulling unit time at the
well.
The tubing pump is a poor installationin gassy
fluid. Because of the length of the standing
valve assembly and the puller on the plunger
(and frequently the increased bore of an
extensionnipple) there ia a large unswept area
at the bottom of the stroke, causing a poor
compression ratio. This reduces the
effectivenessof the pump valving, and cauaes
low pump efficiencyin wells where gas entera
the pump suctionalong with the produced fluid.
The incre&3ed bore of a tubing pump causes
increased load on the rod string and pumping
unit. It also increasesstroke loss due to rod
and tubing stretch.As the pump is set deeper,
this stroke loss may actuallyresult in a lower
net displacementthan would be obtained with
the smaller plunger of a rod pump. API RP1lL
calculationsshould be made on both the tubing
pump and the rod pump to determine the optimum
selection.
Traveling Barrel Rod Pumps (Figure2)
Advantages
The movement of the traveling barrel keeps
the fluid in motion and sand washed clear
almost down to the aeating nipple. This
minimizes the possibility of sand settling
around the pump and sticking it, causing a
“wet” pullingjob.
The traveling barrel is particularly
recommended for wells that are pumped
intermittently.Since the ball in the top cage
will seat when the well is shut down, aand
cannot settle inside of the pump. This ia
important, since it ia possible for even a
small quantity of aand settling on top of the
plunger of a stationarybarrel pump to cauae
the plunger to stick when the well again
starts pumping.
The sucker rod string connects directly to
the top cage which in turn connect to the pump
barrel. This top cage is greater in diameter
and stronger in construction than a plunger
top cage, so the fluid load on the upstroke
is carried by stronger components than in a
stationarybarrel pump.
.
7.
Both standing and traveling valvea on the
traveling barrel pump have open type cages.
These are more rugged, have more fluid passage
than blind cages and are less prone to beat out
from ball action.
Due to equalized pressure on the outside of
the barrel, a bottom anchored pump (either
traveling or stationary barrel) has greater
resistance to bursting than a top anchored
pump. In wells that pound fluid, or in wells
where top anchoredpumps have experiencedburst
barrels, the traveling berrel pump is a good
application.
Disadvantages
The travelingbarrel pump is at a disadvantage
in wells that have a low static fluid level
because of the greater.pressure drop between
the well bore and the pumping chamber. Since
the standing valve is located in the plunger
top cage on a traveling barrel pump, it is
smaller in diameter and therefore uses a
smaller ball and seat than would be used in
the standingvalve blind cage on a stationary
barrel pump.
There is a relationshipbetween pump length,
well depth and pump bore which must be
observed. When the standing valve (in the
Plunger top cage) is closed, a column load is
transmittedby the plunger through the pull
tube and seating assembly into the seating
nipple. In a deep well, this load will be
sufficientto put a bow in a long pull tube,
thus setting up a drag between the pull plu~
and the pull tube.
Stationary Barrel Bottom Anchor Pumps
Advantages
The stationary barrel bottom anchor pump is
the firet pump to considerin deep wells. Like
the traveling barrel pump, it has the
advantage of having the hydrostatic tubing
pressure applied to the outside of the barrel
without the disadvantageof the column loading
on the plunger, bowing the pull tube on the
downstroke.
The stationary barrel bottom anchor pump is
normally recommendedfor wells with low static
fluid level, since production tubing may be
run in with only a ehort perforated nipple
or mud anchor below the seating nipple. Thus,
if required, the standing valve of the pump
may be less than two feet from the bottom of
the well.
The stationary barrel bottom anchor pump is
superiorto the travelingbarrel bottom anchor
pump for low fluid level wells because the
fluid has only to pass the larger standing
valve located immediately above “the seating
nipple in order to be pumped. The top anchor
pump ahares this advantage.
The stationary barrel bottom anchor pump is
excellent for gassy wells when run in
conjunctionwith a good oil-gas separator or
.. NETNODS TO IMPROVE TEE EFFICIENCY OF ROD DRAWN SUB-SURFACEPUMPS
gas anchor. The short rise required for the
fluid to pass the standing valve and enter the
pump minimizes the tendency to foam and thus
redqceefficiency.
Disadvantages
It is hazardous to run a stationary barrel
bottom anchor pump in a sandy well since sand
can settle tightly in the annulus between the
pump and the tubing and stick it tightly in the
jcint.
It alao has the disadvantageon intermittent
operation that sand or other foreign material
can settle past the barrel rod guide and on
top of the pump plunger when the well is shut
down, with the possibilityof sticking the pump
when it is put back on production.
CONMON PDNP PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
stationary Barrel Top Anchor Punps
Advantages
The top anchor pump is recommended in sandy
wells where a bottom anchor pump may become
sanded in and cause a strippingjob. The amount
of sand that can settle over the seating ring
or top cup is limited to a maximum of about
three inches, since the fluid discharge from
the guide cage keeps it washed free above this
point. In this respect, it is even superior
to the traveling barrel bottom anchor pump,
since if a travel barrel pump is spaced too
high, sand can settle around the pull tube
right up to the lowest point reached by the
pull plug on the downstroke.
The top anchor,pumpis specificallyrecommended
In low fluid level gassy or foamy wells where
it is particularly advantageous to have the
standing valve submerged in the fluid being
pumped. A gas anchor should be run below the
shoe on the tubing.
Disadvantages
The outside of the pum~ barrel of a top anchor
pump is at suction pressure; consequently,it
is more subject to burst or part the barrel
tube than a bottom anchor pump. Well depth and
the possibility of fluid pound should be
carefully considered before running a top
anchored pump with a thin wall barrel. If the
depth of the well is within the depth
recommendations,a top anchor pump is a good
generalpurpose installation.
IllOBTAIN OPT_.PERIWRNANCE:
Pump Submergence.
The energy to fill a pump durtng the upstroke
must be eupplied by the well formation.It is,
therefore, essential the pump be installed as
low in the well bore as possible to maintain
minimum back pressureon the formation.The pump
intake should be placed below the perforations
or as close above them as possible.
Gas Separation.
Gaa through the pump severly reduces pump
SPE 18828
efficiency.Where gas interferenceis a problem
a properly designed gas separator should be
installedas a part of the sub-surfacepumping
assembly.Various styles are availablewith each
having merits for particularwell conditions.It
is important to keep the back pressure on the
gas at the wellheadat a minimum.
Installations where fmmation aand can be a
problem.
“A pump will inherently have problems if sand
is allowed to enter. Therefore, it is best to
utilize some method of sand control to prevent
entrance of sand Into the well bore. Gravel
packs, screens, and chemical bonding age..csare
frequentlyused for this purpose.
Corrosion.
Corrosion occurs in many wells with resulting
damage to sub-surface equipment. Flany NACE
papers and documentshave been issued describing
inhibitors and methods of treatment to reduce
damage to down-hole equipment. However,
inhibitorsdo not protect the sub-surfacepump
efficiently. It is recommended that pump
metallurgy be seriously considered as a method
of corrosioncontrol.
Fluid Pound.
When a pump does not fill completelywith liquid
durf,ngthe upstrokea low pressuregas cap forms
in the top of the pump chamber between the
traveling and standing valve. During the
subsequentdownstroke the travelingvalve stays
closed until it impacts the fluid. This
conditionis called “Fluid Pound”, and causes a
severe shock load to the entire pumping system.
The two conditions that can cause fluid pound
are:
1. “Pump Off” - occurs when the fluid head in
the casing above the pump is ~ess than the
minimum head required to fill the pump and
the reservoir cannot furnish more fluid for
pump fillage. A “pump off” condition can be
determined by shutting the well down for a
few minutes and then restarting the system.
If pump fillage is good after start up and
then a short time later a fluid pound
condition reoccurs, the “pump off” ia
confirmed.
2. Restricted Intake (“Starved Pump”) - occurs
where additional well bore pressure is
requiredto fill the pump at the pumping rate
desired, indicating a restricted suction.
This condition will have a higher than
normally required fluid head above the pump
in the casing. Testing for this condition is
accomplishedby shutting the well down for a
few minutes and restarting the system. If
fluid pound occurs immediately after
start-up, it is indicative of a “starved
pump” condition.
SPE 18828 BOB COX AND BENNY WILLIAMS
When a fluid pound is allowed to exist extreme
damage can occur to the entire system and can
be the primary cause of the followingequipment
failures:
1. SurfaceEquipment.
A. Fatigue failure of the pumping unit
structure.
B. Fatigue failure of gear teeth and
bearings.
C. Fatigue failure of the pumping unit
base.
2. Sub-SurfaceEquipment
A. Fatigue failure within the rod string.
(Fluid Pounding is especially damaging
to the lower portion of the rod string
because of the compressive force
applied upward by the fluid pound
condition).
B. Within the pump, a fluid pound causes
accelerated damage to the traveling
valve and its cage. Valve rod
breakage,barrel rupture, and standing
valve failurecan occur.
C. Fluid pound action accelerate wear
of the tubing threads causing leakage.
It is frequently the cause of the
fatigue parting of the tubing.
Minimizing Damaging Effects of Fluid Pound:
A good approach to this probim is to design
a Pumping system and a pump diaplscementthat,
when working at eighty percent efficiency,will
achieve the desired production fro= the
reservoir.Fluid pound that occurs in the first
twenty percent of the downstrokeis leas severe
than those occurring in the mid-portionof the
downstrokewhere pump plunger velocity ia the
higheat.When pump capacitygreatly exceeds the
well productivity the stroke length, pumping
apeed, or plunger diametershould be changed to
more closely approach the above mentioned good
design.
When pumping systems are engine driven, the
engine speed andlor aheaves can frequently be
adjusted to match the pump displacementto well
productivity.
When pumping systems are electricmotor driven,
the strokes per minute can be adjusted by a
sheave change to match the pump displacement
(eighty percent efficiency) to wall
productivity.Electric motor controls are also
availablefor intermittentproduction.
1. A percentage timer within the motor
control that enables the operator to match
pumping time to well productivity will
reduce the fluid pound condition.
Normally, the shut down periods should be
of short duration to prevent a high fluid
level build-up which would reduce rate of
flow into the well bore.
2. Various devices are available which
“sense” a fluid pound condition and
automatically shut the well down for a
predeterminedtime period.
3. When fluid pound is cauaed by a ““starved
pump” condition, percentage timers and
pump-off devices will not eliminate the
problem. If such a condition exists, the
pump should be properly serviced with
9.
special attention given to the pump
intake paasages.
Gaa Pound
A gaa pound is very similar to a fluid pound,
but is differentin the followingrespects:
1. A “pump off” conditiondoes not exist.
2. A “restricted intake” condition might or
might not exist.
Gaa pound is causedby:
1. Free gaa going through the sub-surface
gas separator and entering the pump
intake. This condition usually causes
erratic gas pounding in various downstroke
positions.
d. Gas breaking out of solution during
upstroke pump fillage after passing
through the gaa separator.This.condition
usually cauaes consistent gas pounding in
the same downstroke.
3. If gas entering the pump ia at
sufficientlyhigh pressure due to a high
fluid level in the annulus the resulting
gaa pound will be cushioned and less
severe than a fluid pound. As the closed
travelingvalve moves downward toward the
liquid in the pump chamber, the compressed
gas supplies a pneumatic cushion which
reduces the severityof the inpacc. As the
pressurz of the gas entering the pump
decreases, the severity of the gas pound
increases.
4. If gas pound is caused by free gas going
through the separator, a better
sub-surfacegaa separator is needed. If it
is cauaed by gas breaking out of solution
during pump fillage, all restrictions
effecting pump fillage should be opened
UP ●
Gas Lock
A gas lock occurs when the pump chamber is
gas filled and the downstrokedoes not compress
the gaa sufficiently to open the traveling
valve. Zoth valves remain closed through ona
or more completepump cycles.
Spacing the pump’s traveling valve closer to
Che standing valve at the bottom of the stroke
will improve the pump’s compression ratio,
thereby reducing the likelihood of a gas lock.
Sand Problems
If eand enters the well bore with produced
fluid, numerous problems can occur. The entire
sub-surfaceequipment design must be considered
to reduce the frequency of sand problems.
Special consideration should be given to
metallurgy and basic design of the pump.
Practicalexperiencein the particularlocale is
most important to achievement of a successful
operation.
Scale Problems
Many wells contain produced fluids that cause
 scale deposits in aieas where agitation or
pressure dropa occur. Usually this problem is
best resolved by use of chemical treatment
which prevents, reduces or dissolves the
deposit.
Casing perforationscan become plugged by scale
which reduces well productivity and causes
prematurepump off. Gas separator openings can
become plugged causing “starved pump”
condition.
All valves, openings, and parts within a pump
can become plugged making the pump inoperative.
Scale can cause a stuck plunger condition.Use
of an RH or T.H type pump with barrel length
and extension length designed to assure that
a Portion of the plunger will stroke out of
each end of the heavy wall barrel on every
stroke will reduce stuck plunger problems
cauaedby scale.
kCCSSSORYITEMS FOR SUB-SURFACE
POMPEPPICIENCYINCREASE
Sas Interference
1. A mechanically opened rod connected
plunger-valve syetem” (eee Figure 3) that
replacesthe plunger,ball and seat and cage of
the conventional API pump. The mechanically
opened plunger-valveopens at the start of the
downstroke,allowing the gas and fluid to pass
through the inside of the plunger body to the
upper chamber of the barrel. On the upstroke
the drop on the bottom of the connecting rod
seats to the mating surface lapped on the
plunger body and lifts the fluid into. the
tubingcolumn.
The design does not depend on compression of
the lower pump chamber, as with balla and
seate, for operation in gas interference
pumpingwells.
Z. The mechanically opened rod connected valve
can be applied to a travel barrel pump. This
valve replacee the conventionaltravelingvalve
cage and ball and seat on the API RWT and RHT
pumps (see Figure 4). The valve system can also
be applied to the top of a tubing pump plunger
when gas interference ie affecting pump
efficiency.
when this valve is used with an API RWT or RHT
travelingbarrel pump, an option can be made
as to the placement of the standing valve. A
larger standing valve can be installed just
above the hold-down and below the pull tube.
The smaller conventionalstandingvalve at the
tdp of the plunger is omitted. With the
mechanically opening traveling valve, gae
compression on the downstroke is no longer
neceaaaryand valve spacing is not critical to
the pump efficiency. Converting the etanding
valve to just above the hold-downalso relieves
the pull tube from supportingthe fluid load.
In deep pumping and long strokes the pull tube
on RWT and RI-IT
conventionalpumps may buckle on
the downstrokeand cause pump failure.
— -
3. Use of top valve, a slide type check valve with
a close fit to the valve rod and housed in an
open cage (see Figure 5). This accessory item
acts as a sand check valve to prevent sand from
recentering the pump chamber. It also acts as
an upper standingvalve to check the hydrostatic
pressure from acting on the traveling valve
during the downstroke on conventional pumps.
The top valve also dampens the effect of fluid
pound on the rods since it assumes the
hydrostatic pressure load at the start of the
downstroke.This accesaory item is often used in
conjunction with the rod-connected
mechanically-opened plunger valve (see Figure 3)
in stationarybarrel rod pumps. It is applicable
to either RWA, RHA, KWB or RHB API conventional
pumps. When adapting to existing pumps, a longer
valve rod ie necessary,equal to the added length
of the cage housing.
The addition of the top valve to a stationary
barrel pump can be an economical meana of
improving pump efficiency in gaseous wells. Ae
the valve closes at the start of the downstroke,
the plunger traveling downward creates a low
pressure in the chamber above the plunger. The
low pressure helpe the travelingvalve ball and
seat to open so that fluid in the barrel will
travel through the plunger to the upper ckamber.
The top valve should be a prime consideration
for top anchored insert pumps when run to depthe
greaterthan 4,000 feet (1,220metere).
Scale/SnndProblems
1. BottomDischargeValve
The partial bottom discharge valve (see Figure
6) ie designed to be used with a stationary
barrel bottom hold-down pump, or with the,3-tube
pump. It is installed between the bottom of
the barrel or extension and the standing valve
cage.
When running a bottom hold-down rod pump in
a sandy well, there is always a risk of the
pump hold-down sticking in the seating nipple
and “sanding in” the pump. A “stripping job”
is the undesirable result (pulling a string
of tubing and rode together with the tubing
full of fluid). The bottom discharge valve can
help prevent this by discharging some fluid
just above the held-down and keeping the sand
from settlingin this area.
Another use of this valve is when corrosion
above the hold-down is a problem. The fluid
around the barrel of the bottom hold-down pump
is called “dead fluid” because it ie not in
motion. With certain typea of corrosion, the
corrosive media will be more active in a dead
fluid area. This valve w?.11keep fluid moving
and eliminatethis stagnantfluid.
The bottom discharge valve operation is as
follows:
On the upstroke, fluid passes through the
valve as it would in any normal standing
valve. On the downstroke, some of the fluid
 SPE 18828 BOB COX AND BESNY WILLIAMS
in the compression chamber Is forced out
through the side of the bottom discharge
valve into the annulus between the pump and
tubing.
On the downstroke, the hydrostatic pressure
is equal on the top al,d bottom of the
discharge ball and seat, The force moving
fluid through the ball and seat is due to
fluid dynamic back pressure from the flow of
fluid through the insi<iaof the plunger on the
downstroke.
The variables are numerous when considering
calculating the pressure force, i.e.; plunger
= size, rate of travel, viscosity of the fluid,
— length of the plunger, and condition of the
.
surfaceon the instdediameter,etc.
A specific example may be the best method to
develop the approximate amount of fluid
discharged by the bo$tom discharge valve:
Conditions:Water pumped at the rate of
10 sPkl, ~~lt plunger stroke,
with a 1-1/2” X 6’ plunger.
Rate of volumetricdisplacement=
10 X 48 X .262 - 125 BPD
125 BPD x 42 gal. ~ 1440 miniday =
3.64 GPM
3.64 GPM through a 6’ plunger with a 13/16”
I.D. will have a praaaura drop of .54 psi per
foot, or 3.24 psi over a 6’ length.
The 3.24 pai is acting on the underside of
the discharge ball and seat (1/2” hole). Using
fluid dynamics tablea we find that 3.24 psi
will force water throush a ‘1/2” orifica at
the rate of .96 GPM at 1.68 ft./see.
Converting the .96 GPM at 1440 minutes/day
equala 1,382 gallona per day, or 33 BPD;
therefore, the total percentage of daily
production is about 26% passing through the
discharge ports of the bottom discharge valve.
This valve can also be used with the traveling
barrel pump by eliminating the standing valve
on top of the plunger and installingthe bottom
discharge valve with a standing valve above
the hold-down.
2. Three-tubePump (Figure7)
The three-tubepump is an insert pump designed 2. Clegg, J.P. “Understanding and Combating Gas
for efficient operation in sandy or “dirty”
fluid production. It is asaembled as three
loosely fitted tubes (&ctually one plunger and 3. API Spec. llAR (SPll), Second Edition, March,
two barrele) and has about .014” clearance
between each “tube”. The inner traveling plunger 4. API Spec. llAX, Eighth Edition,May 30, 1986
and outside barrel are fastened together and
telescope down around the standing barrel,
forming a long fluid seal between the barrels.
The greater clearance between the barrel tubes
makes the pump less vulnerable to sticking and
improves pump life in abrasive fluids by
permitting most sand particles to pass through
the seal area.
The three-tubepump haathe advantages of both
11.
a stationarybarrel pump and a travelfns barrel
pump. It can be used in low fluid wells, and
it is easier to fill because the fluid only
has to pass through the large standing valve.
The traveling barrel creates fluid turbulence
around the hold-down which helps prevent sand
from settling and preventing the pump from being
pulled. In very sandy wells a bottom discharge
valve can be installed on the standing barrel.
Tha no-go ring is located on the standing valve
on this pu~p and is designed so that it shields
eand from settling around the hold-down. Also,
it has a top mounted traveling valve to prevent
sand from settling inside the pump when the
well is shut down.
Three-tube pumps are a-i~ilable with either
regular steel or heat treated steel barrels for
greater abraaion resistance.Note that there are
specific recommendedpump lengths for different
well depths eo that excess slippage is not a
problem in deeper wells. A three-tube pump may
need to be stroked faster than a standardpump as
it becomesworn, since the slippagewill increase
faster in the sandy enviornment.
3. Stroke-throughPump (Figure8)
A specialdesign stroke-throughpump is available
from most vendors that use a long plunger and
short barrel or seal section. The ends of the
plunger do not enter the sealing surface of
the barral or liner column and thus this pump
has bean called the ultimate stroke-through
design. Hard surfacee are used on both
plungarlbarrelto resist abrasion of scalefsand.
Close fittingof the plunger to barrel is used to
help prevent the abrasives from entering between
the baaring surfaces.
This pump design is very effective in producing
sand-ladencrude and waters containingscale. The
efficiency is poor, however, when this pump is
applied to gaseous wells, as the long extension
couplingyields a low compressionratio.
This versatile pump design can be used aa a
travelingbarrel (RHT), a top anchor (RHA), or a
bottom anchor (RHB) insert pump, and as a
modified tubingpump (TH).
SEFERES?CES
1. Zaba, J. !’OilwellPumping Methods”, Oil and
Gas Journal,1957
Interferencein Pumping Welle”, API,
Dallaa, Texas, March 14, 1963
1983
‘
 .

12. HETEODS TO IMPROVE TSE EFFICIESC2 OF ROD DRAW SDB-SDRFACE PUMPS SPIZ18828

S1 L-LWC CONCESSION FAC’IWS

ft X 3.048* E-01 = m
fts X 2.831 685 E-O% = ms
psi x 6.894 757 E+OO = lcpa
SCF/bblX 1.801 175 E-01 = std mslms
in X 2.54* E+OO = cm
ft* X 9.290 304* E-02 = mz
bbl X 1.589 875 E-01 = ma
gal X 3.785 412 E-03 = ms
sq. in. x 6.451 6* E-00 = cmz
cu. in. x 1.638 706 E+O1 = cm3

*Conversionfactor is exact.

TABLE 1

COLUMN CRITICAL BUCKLE LE&TB IN INCESS

Valve Rod Fluid Lift Fluid Lift Fluid Lift Fluid Lift
PlunSer - Pull Tube 2300’ (1000 PSI) 4600’ (2000 PSI) 7000’ (3000 PSI) 9200’ (4000 PSI)

1-1/4” 11/16” 120” 86” 70” 60,,

7/8” 192” 138” 108” 98,,

Sta. Bbl. Pull Tube 200” 140” 115” 100”

rrv. Bbl. Pull Tube (95”) (60”) (50”) (45”)

1-1/2” 11/16” 100” 741, 60,, 521:

7/8” 168” 115” 95!! 81’!

Sta. Bbl. Pull Tube 215” 170” 140” 120”

lYv. Bbl. Pull Tube (115”) (80”) (64”) (56”)

1-3/4” 7/8” 164” 116” 94,1 82,,

1-1/16” 220” 170” 140” 121”

Sta. Bbl. Pull Tube 245” 230” 216” 200”

Trv. Bbl. Pull Tube (160”) (115”) (95”) (78”)

.2!1 7/8” 155” 105” 86” ;l~

1-1/16” 215” 160” 130” 115”

Sta. Bbl. pull Tube 240”+ 220” 210” 186”

Trv. Bbl. Pull Tube (140”) (98”) (80”) (69”)

2-1/4” 7/8” 144” 104” 84,, 7211

. 1-1/16” 208” 151” 124” 108”

Sta. Bbl. Pull Tube 240”+ 240”+ 230” 220”

Trv. Bbl. Pull Tube (179”) (126”) (103”) (89”)

 TASLE 2

COLUHS
CSITICAL
SUCSL2SG
LOAD,
POUNDS

Size ?’SSS
COLOHIl
LSRG2E.
ItWSSS
O.D.X I.D.
Inches 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
VALVSSODISq.lnclr
Area
11/16° .371 2,.$421,563 1,085 797 610 482 390 322 271 231 200 173 152 135 120 108 97 88
718” .601 6,389 4.089 2,839 2,086 1,597 1,262 1,022 844 709 604 521 454 399 3s3 3iZ 283 255 231
1-1/16” .836 13,8908,890 6,173 4,535 3,472 2,743 2,220 1,836 1,5431,3151,133 987 868 769 685 615 555 503

PULLTUSE/ Sq.IrIcb
Area
553-c .384
s 15/16” X 5/81’ 6,774 4,335 3,012 2,210 1,689 1,334 1,080 893 750 640 550 480 422 374 333 300 270 245

533-E .552
1-118° X 314” 13.388 8,966 6,227 4,574 3,502 2,767 2,241 1,852 1,S56 1,326 1,143 996 875 775 690 620 560 508

232-K* .773
1-1/2” X 1-1/8” 24,592 21,028 16,671 12,317 9,430 7,451 6,035 4,987 4,190 3,570 3,080 2,680 2,357 2,088 1.862 1,670 1,508 1,368

232-N** .994
I-718° x 1-112” 34,798 32,000 28,588 24,522 19,884 15,711 12,726 10.517 8,837 7,530 6,492 5,656 4.971 4,4003.92’7
3,5253,1612,885

* Used on 1-3/4” and 2“ borepumps.

**U~~d
~“& l/41t a*d 2-1 12*1 b~re pumps.
 ,!

l,-*).
a
“A A Q
Fig.1 ssQusNcEOF OPENATION
lWO-STAGS HOIJ4Xl VALVE BJ)D PUMP

~ FLUID LOAD [Hydrostatic Column) m

A PUMP INTAKEPNESSUNS
~ SLIGSTLY<,..1. LilAD(& Increasing
To > ,...}
—
Fig. 2 American PetrolsumInst@ts”s
- Typicsl Pump Asssmblii ●nd Dm”gnstians
~ > FLulDWAD 8
RIM m
A SLNETLY<FLMD WAD (~ Decreasing) RWA RHB Rwa Rlil nwr in lP
RSA RSS RST

:;
m
N“
00
 = 18828

4 m u Q ill k u

a m v n

~d
 < ~-
/4

/5
4

I
2
-9
3

,6

,7 —4
A
,12 -lo
=
!1
I-
K - /8
,9 —12

,10

Fig. 6 Partial Bottom Discharge Valve %. 7 Three-Tube

pump Fig. 8 Stroke-Through pump
- Modified