Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps
Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods
2.1
2. Comparative analysis of Sucker Rod Pump with other Artificial Lift Methods
2.1) Introduction
Sucker Rod Pumping is the most prevalent form of artificial lift, which use arm-like devices to provide up-and down motion to a downhole pump. Such rod pumping, most effective in relatively shallow and low-volume wells, can be optimized to increase lifting efficiency and minimize energy consumption. Surface and downhole energy losses can be reduced by adjusting key design parameters like pumping mode selection, counterbalancing (to balance loads on the gear box during the pumping cycle), and rod string design.
Selection Parameters of a particular artificial lift depends on:
Well Completion & profile Geographical & Environmental conditions Reservoir characteristics Reservoir pressure & Well productivity Characteristics of fluids Surface Constraints Services available Economic considerations Operating ease
Field development parameters for SRP:
Onshore or Offshore Existing infrastructure such as the availability of gas or electricity What well production rates are desired or calculated with the overall field exploitation considered Distance to service support location Economics of field and expected field life
Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods 2.2
2.2) Why SRP?
The beam pumping system is simple and easy to understand yet it is rugged and will stand up to abuse. From an efficiency standpoint, it is one of the most, if not the most, efficient forms of artificial lift, up to 58-60% when optimized. It is forgiving, that is, one can misapply rod pumping and still produce fluid from the well. It will not fail immediately. For example, if we over produce a well, the rod pumping system will pull the fluid down to the pump setting depth and begin pounding fluid. At that point it would be noticeable to a operator and the pumping system can be adjusted to the proper configuration. It should be noted that the system will not immediately fail but rather give the operator time to make adjustments. Other systems would have failed after pumping the fluid off. Rod pumping is capable of producing at the lowest downhole pressure. The pump needs pressure of only a few psi to fill. Also, low bottom hole pressure allows more fluid to flow into the well bore. Excellent diagnostic equipment and software exist for beam pumping, which means the operator knows how all parts of the system are performing. This allows for optimization of the system for best performance. The equipment has a relatively high re-sale value and some components of the system have a very long life and can be moved from well to well. Expert software for predicting the performance of a beam pumping system has proven to be very accurate.
Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods 2.3
2.3) List of advantages and disadvantages of various artificial lift methods
CAPEX/OPEX Comparison Characteristics SRP GAS LIFT ESP PCP CAPEX
Capital costs are low to moderate. Cost increases with depth and larger surface units.
High for compression and gas distribution system.
High for power generation and cabling.
Moderate cost for facilities and downhole equipments. OPEX
Operating cost are very low for shallow to medium depth (<7500ft) and low production (<400 BFPD). Units easily changed to other wells at minimum cost.
Have a very low OPEX due to down hole reliability
Moderate to high. Costly interventions are required to change out conventional ESP completions, but productivity and improved run life can offset these costs
Moderate costs for equipments but high intervention frequency. Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods 2.6
2.6) Energy efficiency comparison Chart 1.1: Comparison of the energy efficiency of the major artificial-lift methods adapted from J.Clegg et al
(From Journal of Petroleum Technology) Only rod pumps, ESPs and PCPs show values >50% while gas lift, particularly of the intermittent variety, is inefficient in energy terms. Changing energy costs can alter the ranking order of the various artificial lifts.