Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop

Wyndham Hotel, Houston, Texas

September 11 – 14, 2007

Beam Pumping with Solids

Present
By
Mark Mahoney, HF Pumps
Jim Lea, PLTech LLC

Copyright
Rights to this presentation are owned by the company(ies) and/or
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Other uses of this presentation are prohibited without the expressed
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and the Workshop Steering Committee.

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 Disclaimer
The following disclaimer shall be included as the last page of a Technical Presentation or
Continuing Education Course. A similar disclaimer is included on the front page of the Sucker Rod
Pumping Web Site.
The Artificial Lift Research and Development Council and its officers and trustees, and the Sucker
Rod Pumping Workshop Steering Committee members, and their supporting organizations and
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TYPICAL SAND PROBLEMS

• STICKING OF PLUNGER DUE TO SAND TRAPPED BETWEEN

THE BARREL AND PLUNGER

• PACKING-OFF CAGES AND PLUNGERS WITH SAND

• STICKING VALVES OPEN

• STICKING BOTTOM HOLD DOWN PUMPS IN TUBING

• Pump Wear
• Balls/Seats Wear

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 SAND SIZE
THOUSANDS OF AN INCH

• BELOW .003” SILT AND CLAY

• .003-.005 VERY FINE SAND
• .005-.010 FINE SAND
• .010-.020 MEDIUM SAND
• .020-.040 COURSE SAND
• .040 AND ABOVE VERY COURSE SAND

• MICRON= .00003937”
• 100 MICRONS = .0039

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MESH SCREEN SIZE

• MESH SIZE GRAIN SIZE

• 100 .006”
• 65 .008”
• 48 .012”
• 35 .016”
• 28 .023”
• 20 .033
• 14 .046

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 Analysis
• Solids from wells are often assumed to be scale or iron sulfide. Add
xylene to the solids to remove oil, paraffin, and asphaltenes. Check the
remaining solids to see if they are acid soluble. Effervescence will
indicate a carbonate scale, calcite (calcium carbonate) or siderite (iron
carbonate.
• Iron carbonate will not smell but will cause the acid to turn yellow. An
H2S small indicates iron sulfide. If not acid soluble, try caustic. Caustic
followed by acid will tell us whether calcium sulfate is present. Barium
sulfate and sand will be inert to all attempts. If no history is available, a
more complete analysis is recommended.

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Analysis
• When the pump and tubing is pulled, always inspect the gas and
mud anchor for solids.
• The presence of solids/scale doesn’t necessarily mean there is a
problem. Evaluate these findings with respect to the current
equipment life. For instance if sand , did it reduce the pump life?

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 Handling Solids with Beam Pumps

Solids or scale problems can be minimized by

three different approaches:
1. Prevent solids from entering the pump.
2. Use a tight fit to keep solids from the
plunger/barrel interface.
3. Use a large clearance to allow sand to travel
through.

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PLUNGER/BARREL CLEARANCE FOR

PUMPING SAND

GENERAL RULE :
• TIGHT FIT TO EXCLUDE SAND FROM BARREL/ PLUNGER
INTERFACE. WORKS WITH LARGE GRAIN SIZE (.015-.020”
AND ABOVE).

• LOOSEN FIT TO ALLOW SAND TO PASS BETWEEN THE

PLUNGER AND BARREL INTERFACE WHEN FINE SAND IS
PRESENT .002 +.

• SAND WILL TRAVEL UP TUBING ONLY IF LIQUID RATE

HIGH ENOUGH. SOMETIMES THE SAND JUST STAYS
SUSPENDED ABOVE THE PUMP IF THE UPSTROKE FLOW
IS NOT CAPABLE OF SURFACING THE SAND.

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 Exclude sand from pump

Cavin Desanders: They are sized for the size of the particulates
encountered. They use centrifugal force from a swirling motion to
throw sand towards the side walls of the tail pipe while the fluid
stays in the center and enters the pump. These devices have
proven to be effective in many W. Texas installations. Eventually
you must clean out the well or the rat hole.
Prepack Screen and Liner: These are self contained units that are
most often used in unconsolidated sand formations. The prepack
unit has screens and sand with resin, while the screen and liner
has only screens. Wells with scaling tendencies may present a
problem with this type of device.
Installing a screen in place of the perforated nipple has not proven
to be good design 2007 Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop 11
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Location

• Above perfs: If the reservoir pressure allows a high fluid level, consider
setting the pump above the perfs to use the “rat hole” below the perfs as a
natural sump. Use a properly designed gas anchor if gas reduces the pump
efficiency.

• Below the perfs: With low well pressure, set below the perfs in the “rat hole”.
If the solids settle in the well bore due to their size and a low production rate,
the pump can be set high with only a seating nipple (if gas is not a problem).
Once the fill reaches the seating nipple the tubing will have to be pulled and
the casing cleaned out.

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 Mud Anchors and Screens

• Install a gas/mud anchor to help remove the solids from the

production. Drill a ½” hole in the bottom of the bull plug to allow
solids to settle out of the mud anchor. If gas is a problem, then
gas anchor efficiency may be reduced by adding a drain hole
and a purge valve should be used in place of the bull plug.

• Screens should only be used when the pump life is continually

short due to abrasion. Many times the solids production is
temporary due to stimulation or changes in the production

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Some Filters
Cavins Desander:
•Some success in W. Texas
•Successful in E. Texas (previous pump lasted 6-8 months…after
PAP 12 months with high efficiency.
Stanley Filter:
•Successful in medium to light sand production.
•Mixed results in high sand
•FG filters have problems with sticking/breaking, especially if the
assembly is tagged against fill
•Heavy oil/ high temp filter has mixed results as most filters have
troubles with viscous oil
•Tagging this pump can cause damage
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 Cavens Desander

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Stren PumpGard

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 Stren

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Tight Fit Pumps

These pumps are used to prevent solids from

fitting between the plunger OD and the barrel ID.
The most common types of pumps used for this
are stroke-through pumps with about 0.002 inch
fits. Names such as “Pampa”, “Modified Pampa”,
“Sand Busters” are examples of these types of
pumps.

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 P lu n g e r s

G R O O V E D

® ®
S p ra y e d M e ta l

H ig h W a te r C u t P a rtic u la te s

S o ft-P a c k e d

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PAMPA TUBING PUMP

• RECOMMENDED FOR WELLS THAT PRODUCE
SAND OR OTHER PARTICULATES THAT HANG UP
OR STICK STANDARD PLUNGERS.
• DESIGNED WITH A LONG PLUNGER AND A SHORT
BARREL SECTION.
• THE PAMPA PUMP CAN BE CONFIGURED AS A
TRAVELING BARREL, STAIONARY BARREL OR
TUBING PUMP AS NEEDED TO MATCH WELL
CONDITIONS.

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 P am p a R H B C In sert P u m p

C o p y rig h t A p ril 2 0 0 2 H a rb is o n -F is ch e r

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Tight Fit Pump: Lubri-Pump

•Good in scale.
•Can run shorter barrel.
•90-95% efficiency.
•No friction on downstroke.
•Large pump capabilities
•Cost more than PAP pump.

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Close Fit Pump : PAP Pump

PAP Pump:
•Good success in some areas
•Not good for high corrosion areas (wipes the film off
the barrel)
•Tubing pump: loose rings and can’t fish the SV.
•Not recommended for wells with scale problems
•PAP in combination with Stanley filter has proven
successful in some areas.

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 Loose Fit Pumps:
These pumps can be used to allow solids to pass freely
between the plunger and the barrel. This can be
accomplished by using a pump with a long leak path (a
three tube pump), a soft packed plunger ( a Martin
plunger) or a Pressure Actuated Plunger. Large
clearance require minimum of about 10 SPM.
For all of the above alternatives, California style valves
can be used (i.e.., undersized balls and seats in regular
size cages to reduce the possibility of sand from
becoming rapped between the balls and the seats.
It is recommend to first try to exclude sand from the
pump. The next recommended alternative should be a
loose fit PAP pump.
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Three Tube Pump

Three Tube Pump: A Three Tube Pump is designed to

pump solids by having a very loose fit (0.015 inches).
And a very long leak path to reduce total slippage.
They're very effective in pumping solids, but they are
very expensive to purchase and repair. Additionally, they
can wear very quickly. They also reduce the maximum
size pump that can be run in the tubing . They are not
recommended for standard use due to their high cost.
Desanders and Pressure Actuated Plungers should be
considered as an alternative to a Three Tube Pump. They
have almost zero compression ratio.
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 3-TUBE PUMP

• RECOMMENDED FOR OPERATION IN SANDY OR

DIRTY FLUID.
• DESIGNED WITH THREE LOOSE FITTING TUBES,
PERMITTING PARTICULATES TO PASS THROUGH
THE PUMP, MAKING IT LESS VULNERABLE TO
STICKING.
• HAS THE ADVANTAGES OF BOTH A STATIONARY
BARREL PUMP AND A TRAVELING BARREL
PUMP.
• AVAILABLE IN CORROSION AND ABRASION
RESISTANT MATERIALS.

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C o p y rig h t A p ril 2 0 0 2 H a r b is o n - F is c h e r

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 VALVES for SAND
APPLICATIONS

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Special Balls and Seats

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 Bottom Discharge Valves

Bottom discharge valves (BDV): BDV’s are devices that are

normally used at the bottom of an insert bottom hold down
stationary barrel application. It is designed to discharge fluid on
the down stroke from between the standing and traveling valve
within the barrel to the annular space between the barrel OD and
tub tubing ID. This is done to protect the tubing and barrel with
corrosion inhibition and to reduce the amount of solids that can
pack in around the barrel above the hold down.
BDV’s are recommended only when solids problems have been
identified as the reason for sticking an insert pump in the tubing
and when the well depth is lower than that recommended for a
top hold down.
On stationary barrel bottom holddown pumps a BDV is installed
just above the holddown,. 20-25% of the production is discharged
on the downstroke keeping the sand from settling between the
barrel and tubing
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BOTTOM DISCHARGE VALVE

• The Bottom Discharge Valve is

designed to be used when sand or
other particulates are produced.
• The BDV is assembled above the
standing valve on a standard bottom
hold-down pump.

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 B o t t o m D is c h a r g e V a lv e

P r o d u c t io n
F lu id t h r u
P u m p , u p s tro k e

F lu id
E x it t o
T u b in g ,
d o w n s tr o k e

D is c h a r g e
V a lv e

S t a n d in g
V a lv e

P r o d u c t io n F lu id

C o p y rig h t A p ril 2 0 0 2 H a rb is o n -F is c h e r
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BOTTOM DISCHARGE VALVE

SOLUTIONS

• Twenty percent of the produced fluid exits the pump

through ports just above the standing valve,
preventing sand from settling above the seating
nipple.
• A secondary benefit is that corrosion chemicals can
be circulated through this normally stagnant fluid
area.

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 Double Valving
Double Valving: Double valving is not recommended. It
cost twice as much as single valving, creates a potential
gas locking problem and has no effects in corrosive
environments. Historically they have been used in heavy
solid producing wells where sand or other materials prop
the ball off the seat. Double valving may reduce the
problem in this case, but other products such as
desanders are generally a better solution. They prevent
the sand from entering the pump where it can cause a
problem.
Washing or jetting of the balls and seats can occur if a
sand grain lodges and holds the ball off the seat on either
the TV or the SV. By adding another valve, the chances of
both being off seat at once are greatly reduced.
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Pump: Metallurgy
• For a metal pump, consider the hardest surface
material for the barrel and plunger for resistance to
abrasion.
• Well that produce solids should be sized to produce
all the time so sand will not settle during down times.
• If metal plunger odes not provide adequate pump life,
consider a soft packed plunger.
• Continue pump problems with metal and soft packed
plungers due to solids production warrants
evaluating the use of a PCP for depths less than
about 4000’.

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 Special Application
Pumps/Attachments

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TEXAS STIPPER PUMP

• DESIGNED FOR SHALLOW, LOW VOLUME WELLS
THAT PRODUCE SAND AND OPERATE WITH
PERIODS OF SHUTDOWN.
• BUILT AS A STATIONARY BARREL BOTTOM HOLD
DOWN (RWB) PUMP WITH AN OUTER JACKET THAT
SHIELDS THE DISCHARGE PORTS, PREVENTING
SAND FROM ENTERING THE PUMP DURING SHUT
DOWN PERIODS.

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 C o p y rig h t A p ril 2 0 0 2 H a rb is o n -F is ch er
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Special Pumps Continued

• Insert- Top Holddown: A top holddown is a first choice. Pumps

discharge is close the NoGo on the seating nipple which
minimizes sand accumulations. Intermittent pumping can allow
sand to settle inside pump sticking the plunger.

• Insert-Bottom Holddown: A bottom holddown pump has a large

annular area between the barrel and the tubing which can fill
and “sand in” the pump. Sand can also settle inside the pump
sticking the plunger.

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 Pumps & Attachments

• Insert-Traveling Barrel: A traveling barrel pump minimizes sand

accumulation between the barrel and the tubing if properly
spaced. Since the traveling valve is on top of the pump, sand
cannot accumulate inside the pump. Also the fluid is discharged
spread out over the stroke length minimizing erosion damage to
the tubing.

• Stroke Through Pump: Both the insert top/bottom hold down

pumps extensions to allow the plunger to stroke out of the barrel
top/bottom on each stroke. The minimum stroke length is fixed.

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Pumps & Attachments

• Pull Tube Discharge Pump: Both the insert A/B pumps can be
equipped with a blind valve rod guide and a pull tube that is
ported above the plunger. A pull tube traveling valve will act as a
sand check. Most of the fluid is displaced through the pull tube
minimizing sand that can wedge between the plunger and the
barrel. Also fluid is discharge spread over the stroke length thus
minimizing the erosion damage to the tubing.

• Tubing Pump: Many of the attachments for the stationary barrel

insert pump apply.

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 Pumps & Attachments

• Short Barrel and long plunger: This is extension of the stroke

through pump where the barrel seal is 3-4” and the plunger is
much longer. The advantage is that the solids are not “wedged”
between the plunger and barrel over the length of the stroke.

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Pumps & Attachments

• Attachments:
• Top Seal: For stationary barrel bottom holddown pumps another
seal bore is run I the tubing string above the seating nipple
which accepts a seal assembly on the pump below the pump
discharge. Issue is spacing.
• Top Slide Valve: Added to the pump below the rod guide and is
available for both top and bottom holddown stationary barrels.
On the downstroke, the slide valve closes which minimizes sand
from settling inside the barrel.

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 Continuous Pump to Surface System:
CPTS

• The CPTS system is a rodless production system. The oversized

and modified pump to surface pump is anchored downhole and
production is achieved by reciprocating the entire tubing string
via a hydraulic stroking unit. (VSH Hydraulic Unit) This approach
is specifically designed to maximize production and minimize
downtime.
• The design has recently been modified and has evolved into
patented flushable technologies available with the Weatherford
CPTS. It is the only flushable pump to surface pump. It has the
ability to flush the entire workstring with the turn of a lever at
surface. Once any blockages are flushed out, production can
resume.

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STANDARD API STYLE
SUCKER ROD PUMP
PLUNGER
RUNS OVER
SAND
SAND WHILE PARTICLES
PRESSURE
FORCES
SAND
BETWEEN
PLUNGER AND PLUNGER
BARREL

BARREL
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PAMPA STYLE
SUCKER ROD PUMP
(A BETTER IDEA)
UPSTROKE:
PLUNGER
PULLS SAND
SAND
AWAY FROM PARTICLES
PLUNGER/
BARREL PLUNGER
INTERFACE
MINIMIZING
THE EFFECTS
OF PRESSURE
BARREL
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 SAND-PRO™
SUCKER ROD PUMP
•SOFT-PACKED UPPER PLUNGER
HANDLES SAND WITHOUT PRESSURE
•SPRAYED METAL LOWER PLUNGER
HANDLES PRESSURE WITHOUT
SAND
•SAND SHIELD WORKS AS A BARRIER
TO SAND MIGRATION
•FITS ALL PUMP CONFIGURATIONS
THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH
SOFT-PACKED PLUNGERS (i.e. not
stroke-thru)
•PATENT PENDING

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Summary

• Fair for low viscosity (<10 cp) production.

Improved performance for high (>200 cp)
viscosity cases. May be able to handle up to
0.1% sand. (Hein, Bucarem, Clegg)
• Sand reduces run life but with proper choices of
equipment and techniques, sand laden fluids can
be produced with beam systems.

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 McGiver Pump: CDI

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Farr Plunger: from Muth Pump

Can retrofit a pump with this plunger:

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