Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 15

SPE 165669

PCP Sand Handling Technologies


Mariano Montiveros, Pluspetrol S.A; Lucas Echavarria, Pluspetrol S.A.; Mara Briozzo, Weatherford

Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers


This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Progressing Cavity Pumps Conference held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2627 August 2013.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Experience tells us that progressing cavity pumping is the logic choice for producing heavy sandy fluids. Nevertheless, under
these conditions PCPs suffer from blocked suction, sanded pump and low runlife. In order to overcome these issues two
technologies were tested simultaneously: charge pumps and medium nitrile elastomer.
The fields involved in this study are El Corcobo Norte, Cerro Huanul Sur, El Renegado, Jagel Casa de Piedra and Puesto
Pinto which produce from the Centenario Formation and are located in the Neuquen Basin. These are non-consolidated
sandstone formations with an oil gravity of 18 API that are produced following CHOPS philosophy (Cold Heavy Oil
Production with Sand), where sand production is deliberately maintained through time.
In 2010 the first charge pump PCP was installed, followed by six more wells in the course of two years. This system proved
to be an alternative for high sand cut wells (4-5% continuous and up to 25% slugs) and also reduced by half flush-by
interventions due to sanded pump.
Also in 2010 started the trials with a softer elastomer (medium nitrile).The sanded pump failure rate was lowered (comparing
pumps with the same volumetric capacity and in the same well), reducing downtime and hence increasing production. These
pumps also showed higher operating efficiency and longer run life than high nitrile pumps.
These results encouraged us to integrate both technologies, resulting in the installation of charge pump PCPs with medium
nitrile elastomer during the last quarter of 2012. In 2013 we will field test pumps with enhanced geometry. This is all part of
a combined effort for finding reliable and cost effective solutions for challenging applications.
Introduction
The Corcobo Norte field and its neighbours, Jagel Casa de Piedra, Cerro Huanul Sur, Puesto Pinto, El Renegado and
Gobernador Ayala Este belong to CNQ-7/A, CNQ-7 and Gobernador Ayala III areas, which are located north to the Ro
Colorado, in the argenitinian provinces of Mendoza and La Pampa (Cevallos et al. 2011).
In 2004 Petro Andina Resources Ltd. began operation in these areas, acquiring 50% of the exploratory blocks in the northeast
margin of the Neuquen Basin. Two societary groups were formed, one with Repsol-YPF in the CNQ-7/A area and another
with Repsol-YPF and Petrobras in the CNQ-7 area. In 2007 another society was formed with Enarsa and Raiser to operate
Gobernador Ayala III. In 2009 Petro Andina Resources Ltd. sold its assets to Pluspetrol S.A., the current operator.
Exploration of these areas started in 1964, being Jagel Casa de Piedra (JCP) x-3, drilled in 1984 by YPF, the first well to
show presence of heavy underpressurized oils in sand producing unconsolidated reservoirs. This region lack exploratory
interest, due to its poor production and its small scale, defined by three advance wells (JCP.a-4 and a-5 nonproductive and a6 which produced both oil and water).
Based in the findings of JCP.x-3 Petro Andina Resources Ltd. initiated in 2004 an intense exploration campaign, that took
advantage of the objectives shallow depth. This was the first profitable exploration campaign. Stratigraphic traps with over
550 million BO OOIS (original oil in situ) were found during this period.
The main reservoirs in this area are non consolidated sands from Centenario Formation, with over 60% of the reserves in the
Lower Member while the rest are in the Upper Member. The best reservoirs from both the Lower and Upper Member are
coastal plateu fluvial channel deposits, with an average reservoir depth of 600m (1970ft). The average porosity is 30% while
the permeability ranges from 0.5 to 4 Darcy, being the average 1 Darcy. The average height is 8m (26 ft) but intervals as high
as 18m (59ft) have also been found. Most of the oil has an API gravity of 18 and 160-270 cP in situ viscosity, though extra
heavy oils have also been found.

SPE 165669

From the beginning the strategy used was created upon the study of the exploration and development of similar heavy oil
Canadian fields. It was also decided to try every technology that proved successful in other fields in a time frame of three
years.
Two technics were tested simultaneously: cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS) and pressure control with water
injection. Other techonologies such as continuum vapor injection, cyclic vapor injection and horizontal drilling were tested in
parallel but discarded due to its poor results for the field devolpment phase.
As of October 2012 the total net production of these areas was 4527 m3/d (28365 BOPD) with 470 active producing wells.
Water injection reached 18600 m3/d (116541 BFPD) with 269 injection wells. Additionaly, there are eight gas producing
wells that supply energy to the whole area.
As mentioned earlier, these fields are located north to the Rio Colorado in the provinces of Mendoza and La Pampa. Fig. 1.a
and 1.b ilustrate this:

Figure 1.a

Figure 1.b

Field Development
As the field was developed new border zones were perforated and two meters height intervals were found. These new
intervals are heterogenous and even less consolidated than those from the central zones. Wells with larger useful intervals
were also found, but they required more perforations (Montiveros et al. 2012).
From early on there was a high premature vulcanization failure rate. This failure is associated with dynamic pressure, which
in these wells is kept at its minimum, almost at perforations level, due to their low productivity. This is aggravated by high
viscosity, low water cut and stable emulsions; resulting in uncomplete cavity fillage and lack of lubrication. Since the
elastomer has poor heat transfer properties, the lack of lubrication causes a temperature increase that in time burns the
elastomer.
The proposed design for ensuring fluid flow to the pump suction was installing the pump below the perforations. This
approach was abandoned since the torque anchor usually got stuck due to solids settling. Installing the pump above the
perforations and tubings below the anchor is not convenient for these applications because the suction flow area is less than
when using a slotted nipple.
As the field production evolved, the pump failure mode changed from 100% vulcantization to loss of efficiency. Operating
speed was increased to compensate low efficiency, but at a higher risk of tubing and rod failure. The next step was using
pumps with higher interference for a better seal and lower lift to reduce costs. Finally, two other modifications were
introduced: a change in elastomer for the efficiency issues and charge pumps for higher sand cuts.
PCP Basic Principles
PCP systems are comprised basically by the surface equipment, the progressing cavity pump itself, the sucker rod string and
the production tubing, plus other bottom and surface minor accessories. Usually the stator is connected to the end of the
tubing string while the rotor is connected to the sucker rod string. The energy required for pumping (torque and rotation) is
transmitted from the surface equipment through the rod string to the pump.
The PCP is a positive displacement pump that has two parts: the stator and the rotor. The rotor is the only moving part of the
pump and is made of chrome coated high resistance steel and has n lobes. The stator is the static component, made from a
steel tube that has been injected high density polymer (elastomer) shaped in double helix (n+1 lobes). The most common

SPE 165669

geometry is 1:2, that is, one lobe rotor and two lobes stator.
By definition, in 1:2 geometries three closed cavities make one stage. The lift capacity (rated pressure) of the pump is a direct
function of the number of stages. Another concept associated to pump performance is the interference, which is the tightness
between rotor and stator and depends on the elastomer swelling and the rotor diameter.
The cavities are independant spiral lenses created by the voids between the rotor and the stator, separated by the seal line.
Differential pressure across the pump distorts the seal line, resulting in fluid slippage from one cavity to the previous one.
The slippage is a function of the number of stages and the interference, and causes a loss of volumetric capacity (pump
efficiency).
Problems Associated to Sand Handling
The main issues associated to sand handling are:
Tubing and rod wear due to erosion/abrasion effects;
Loss of pump efficiency, resulting in higher operating speeds and lower pump runlife;
Restricted or blocked pump suction due to sand bridges and plugs in the tubing/casing annulus;
Sand settling in the rathole that could lead to perforations blockage. This could restrict flow from the reservoir and
complicate the pulling of the bottom hole assembly. This is why the rathole of these type of wells is 50 to 70m depth
(164 to 230ft);
Sand slugs cause torque peaks that can get the pump sanded;
Sand bridges or plugs inside the tubing (tubing/sucker rods annulus) that restrict pump discharge and could even
block it, leading to pump failure due to overpressure;
Sand settling in the pump discharge in the event of a shut down;
Surface lines blockage due to sand settling.
Pump Failure Evolution Analysis
As mentioned earlier, at the beginning the majority of the failures were related to lack of fluid. As the field evolved the
pumps started to experience a gradual loss of efficiency in time. The failure analysis of these pumps showed severe abrasion
and erosion of the elastomer. This is the reason behind the change of elastomer, from high nitrile to medium nitrile, which
has better mechanical properties. Next figure shows failure mode evolution for the pumps that did not experience premature
failure due to lack of failure (premature being under three months).

Figure 2 Pump Failure Mode Evolution

Abrasion/Erosion failures diminish through 2008 to 2010 and then increase. This is because at first the sand cut decreases due
to CHOPS production and then it increases again when water injection sweeps oil and the remaining unconsolidated sand.
Next figures depict how the elastomer surface looks under abrasion/erosion effects and how does the corresponding pump
test look like.

SPE 165669

Figure 3 Left: Abrasion/Erosion Damage; Right: Corresponding Pump Test

Figure 4 Left: Checked Chrome Coating; Right: Burnt Out Elastomer

Elastomer types and their applications


Elastomers are amourphous polymers above their glass transition temperature with highly elastic behavior. The most popular
in downhole applications are nitrile and hydrogenated elastomers.
Nitrile elastomers are the result of the copolymerization of butadiente and acrylonitrile (ACN) and are classified in medium
nitrile (25% to 35% ACN) and high nitrile (35% to 45% ACN). Acrylonitrile improves oil resistance while butadiene
influences the elastic behavior. Hydrogenated elastomers have a higher degree of saturation which improves resistance to
heat and hydrogen sulfur (H2S).
Produced fluids and bottomhole temperature can harm the elastomer. Interaction with produced fluids can cause swelling,
softening, contraction, hardening and bubbles. Swelling goes in hand with softening and is usually the result of the
interaction with light oil with high aromatics content. Some additives such as amine based corrosion inhibitors can also cause
softening. Low molecular weight solvents and paraffinic oils can cause contraction. H2S post vulcanizes the elastomer
changing its mechanical properties. When elastomers exposed to carbon dioxide are suddenly depressurized, bubbles are
formed.
Pumps loose efficiency in abrasive applications due to elastomer wear. Wear rate dependes on the abrasives concentration,
particles size and hardness, fluid velocity and pump interference. Choosing the right materials and optimizing the design
reduces the wear rate. Softer elastomers with high mechanical properties should be used. One of the key properties is
resiliency, which is the ability that an elastomer has to deform and return to its original shape.

SPE 165669

Table 1 Type of elastomers and its properties

Elastomer Compatibility Analysis


Increase of abrasion/erosion failures lead to analyize other elastomers available, in search of one with better mechanical
properties. Elastomer compatibility analyses were necessary to verify that the main properties could survive bottomhole
conditions. These analyses were done at the beginning of the field life, but they had to be repeated since the produced fluids
characteristics could have changed since then.
Elastomer compatibility can be evaluated in the lab or the field. In this case both were done simultaneously and then followed
by a pilot test that started with 10 wells.
Lab Analysis
The lab analysis consists in submerging elastomer probes in cylinders filled with the produced fluid. These cylinders are
placed in an agitanting autoclave that is pressurized and heated to pump discharge conditions. Before the test each probed is
weighted in air and in water and has its hardness measured. The same properties are measure within one, five, ten, fifteen,
thirty and forty five days to evaluate their evolution in time.
Three elastomers were tested and compared: compound 3, high nitrile historically used in this field; compound 1, medium
nitrile with better mechanical properties and compound 2, medium nitrile with better chemical properties. The test was only
carried out for 15 days since there were no significant variations between the properties measured on the eleventh and
fifteenth day.

Figure 5 Lab Analysis, % Swelling Evolution

SPE 165669

Figure 6 Lab Analysis, Hardness Evolution

Field Analysis
When sampling a well there is always loss of light components due to their volatilization. That is why in the field analysis the
probes are placed directly in the production line. The downside is the temperature amplitude between day and night. In this
case the test took place during the summer and the surface temperature can be assumed equal to bottomhole temperature (3538 C). The next figure shows the bypass in the production line used to place the probes.

Figure 7 Bypass line with three probes and a purge valve

The following figures show the evolution of hardness and swelling obtained in the field test.

Figure 8 Field Analysis, % Swelling Evolution

SPE 165669

Figure 9 Field Analysis, Hardness Evolution

Since the results from lab and field analyses show similar trends they are assumed to be valid. Based on this results
Compound 1 was chosen for the pilot test of ten wells.
Pilot Test Analysis Interventions

500

4.5

450

400

3.5

350

300

2.5

250

200

1.5

150

100

Wells

FlushByIndex

Based on lab and field results analysis, it was decided to do a pilot test with medium nitrile pumps. The medium nitrile
pumps were installed depending on the wells that were intervened, its associated problems and models availabilty. The first
ten wells exceeded expectations, and that is why by the end of 2012 there were twenty two wells with medium nitrile pumps.
Figure 10 shows the evolution of flush-by interventions. They are subclassified as General Flush-by, Sand Related Flush-by
(loss of production) and Sanded Pump Flush-by. This subclassification is necessary to identify sand related failures. It is also
due mentioning that the improvement is also associated with the reduction of produced sand. The results are presented as a
Flush-by Index, calculated as annualized flush-by interventions per well.

50

0.5

0
2008

GeneralFlushBy

2009

2010

SandRelatedFlushBy

2011

2012*

SandedPumpFlushBy

Wells

Figure 10 Flush-by Index Evolution

The next figure shows the evolution of sand related flush-by (sanded pump and loss of production) in the wells with medium
nitrile pumps.

SPE 165669

Figure 11 Flush-by Index Evolution in wells with medium nitrile pumps

Finally, the flush-by index comparison is made for the same well with high and medium nitrile. The reduction of the index is
remarkable.
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

HighNitrileIndex

MediumNitrileIndex

Figure 12 Flush-by index comparison per well

Pilot Test Analysis Pump Efficiency


Next figure compares the efficiency for the same well with high and medium nitrile pumps. By definition the efficiency takes
into account operating velocity and bottomhole pressure. All the efficiencies were calculated at 300rpm to make them
comparable. On average, the efficiency for medium nitrile pumps is higher than for high nitrile pumps.

SPE 165669

100
90

Efficiency(%)@300rpm

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

HighNitrileEfficiency

MediumNitrileEfficiency

Figure 13 Efficiency comparison for high and medium nitrile pumps

Charge PCPs
This system could be simply described as two PCPs separated by a slotted nipple. The bottom pump is the charge pump itself
and has high displacement and low lift. The upper or main pump has low displacement and high lift. The charge pump
recirculates fluid since its displacement is three to four times that of the main pump.
The slotted nipple has to be at least 9 feet long, to avoid excessive stress on the rotors and pony rods. The minor diameter of
the charge pump is smaller than that of the main pump while the pitch of the charge pump is always larger than that of the
main pump. The rotor of the charge pump has to pass through the stator of the main pump, which makes this dimensional
compatibility mandatory.
When handling sand the first objective is that it enters the pump, in order to produce it and avoid settling in the rathole. The
charge pump has a paddle rotor which stirs the fluid in the pump suction helping the sand enter the pump. This type of rotor
is longer than traditional ones and has its bottom part machined in such a way that it ressembles a shovel. This extended part
rotates inside a slotted tagbar stirring the fluid and keeping the sand suspended.
It was mentioned earlier that the charge pump has three times the capacity of the main pump. This means that there is extra
fluid that needs to escape, and that is what the slotted nipple between the pumps is for. This recirculation of fluid increases
the velocity in the casing-tubing annulus and in the casing itself, causing better agitation, reducing sand settling and also
reducing sand total percentage in case of a sand slug.
To avoid sand settling the pump suction velocity has to be higher than the annulus velocity. Once the sand particles go
through the charge pump the goal is to avoid settling in the pump discharge, for which tubing velocity has to be higher than
sand settling velocity.
The next figure illustrates the charge pump system and how the fluid flows.

10

SPE 165669

Figure 14 ChPCP Configuration and Fluid Flow

Sand Settling Velocity Analysis


Sand settling velocity is calculated using the following equations:
.

.. (1)

2 ... (2)

500 .. (3)

0.44

500 . (4)

.
.

(5)
Where:
Vs= Settling velocity (m/s)
Dp= Particle diameter (mm)
= Fluid density (kg/m3)
= Sand density (kg/m3)
CD= Resistance coefficient
NRe= Reynolds number
= Fluid viscosity (cp)
Several wells were sampled in order to quantify the relative percentages of the different grain sizes. The results are presented
in Table 1. Dispite being 0.4mm the average size, 1.7mm was used for the calculations since this represented the most critical
operating condition.
ASTM Mesh N
40
60
80
100
200
325

Size in Microns
wt%
2380
0.1
1680
0.3
1000
1.6
810
11.08
420
82.83
297
3.99
Table 2 Grain Size Analysis

Method
ASTM D-422
ASTM D-422
ASTM D-422
ASTM D-422
ASTM D-422
ASTM D-422

The following tables show the input data for CoHS-1018, the first well to have a charge pump installed.

SPE 165669

11

Input Data

Model

Casing
Tubing
Sucker Rod
Main Pump
Charge Pump
Tagbar/Suction
Torque anchor

5,5" - 15,5 lb/ft


2 7/8" J55 - 6,5 lb/ft
7/8" Grade D
10-1600 NBRA
32-200 NBRA
2 7/8" Slotted 3XL
TX5-2

Areas (in )
OD
ID
5.50
4.95
19.24
2.88
2.44
6.49
4.68
0.88
0.60
3.50
9.62
3.50
9.62
2.88
2.44
6.49
4.68
4.00
2.44
12.57
4.68
Table 3 Input Data for CoHS-1018
OD (in)

ID (in)

Displacement
3
(m /d/rpm)

Efficiency (%)

0.10
0.32

Not tested
95

Annulus Areas (in )


Casing-Tubing
12.75
Casing Pump
9.62
Casing- Tagbar
12.75
Tubing Sucker rod
4.08
Table 4 Annulus Areas

Settling velocity was calculated based on fluid properties and data from tables 2 and 3, and is presented in the next table:

Settling Velocity (m/s)


Fluid API
17
Oil Cut
55
Sand Density (kg/m3)
2650
Fluid Density (kg/m3)
974
Fluid Viscosity (cp)
210
Reynolds Number
0.1
Resistance Coefficient (CD)
240
Settling Velocity (m/s)
0.0126
Table 5 Settling Velocity

Conventional Pump Velocity Analysis


RPM
50
100
150
200
250
300
350

Suction
Pressure
(psi)
88
88
88
88
88
88
88

Discharge
Pressure
(psi)
987
1014
1041
1067
1094
1121
1148

Flow
Tubing
rate
Velocity
3
(m /d)
(m/s)
899
42.6
2.1
0.0094
926
69.5
7.0
0.0306
953
78.5
11.8
0.0518
979
82.9
16.6
0.0729
1006
85.6
21.5
0.0941
1033
87.4
26.3
0.1153
1060
88.6
31.1
0.1364
Table 6 Conventional Pump Velocity Analysis

Differential
Pressure (psi)

Efficiency
%

Casing-Tubing
Annulus
Velocity (m/s)
0.0156
0.0224
0.0292
0.0360
0.0427
0.0495
0.0563

Casing
Velocity
(m/s)
0.0020
0.0065
0.0110
0.0155
0.0199
0.0244
0.0289

In the case of CoHS-1018 the 10-1600 conventional pump needs to operate at least at 150 rpm to be above sand settling
velocity in the three zones (zone 1: tubing, zone 2: casing-tubing annulus, zone 3: casing).
Charge Pump Velocity Analysis
RPM
50
100
150
200
225
250
300
350

Suction
Pressure
(psi)
74
70
66
62
60
59
56
53

Discharge
Pressure
(psi)
956
991
1027
1064
1083
1102
1139
1178

Differential
Pressure
(psi)
882
921
961
1002
1023
1043
1083
1125

Main Pump
Charge
Tubing
Flow Rate
Pump Flow
Velocity
(m3/d)
Rate (m3/d)
(m/s)
44.8
2.2
15.2
0.010
69.8
7.0
30.4
0.031
78.1
11.7
45.6
0.052
82.2
16.4
60.8
0.072
83.5
18.8
68.4
0.083
84.5
21.1
76.0
0.093
86.1
25.8
91.2
0.114
87.2
30.5
106.4
0.134
Table 7 Charge Pump Velocity Analysis

Efficiency
(%)

Casing/Tubing
Annulus
Velocity (m/s)
0.031
0.046
0.060
0.075
0.082
0.090
0.105
0.119

Casing
Velocity
(m/s)
0.012
0.022
0.032
0.041
0.046
0.051
0.061
0.071

12

SPE 165669

The next figure illustrates the zones where the velocity is analyzed:
1. Tubing velocity (not considered since it is the same for both cases)
2. Tubing-casing annulus velocity
3. Casing velocity

Figure 15 Zone Analysis

The results from tables 5 and 6 are shown in the next figures for zones 2 and 3.
0.140
0.120

Velocity, m/s

0.100
0.080
0.060
0.040
0.020
RPM
0.000
0

100
ChPCP

200

300

Conventional PCP

Figure 16 Casing/Tubing annulus velocity comparison

400

SPE 165669

13

0.080
0.070

Velocity, m/s

0.060
0.050
0.040
0.030
0.020
0.010
RPM

0.000
0

100
ChPCP

200

300

400

Conventional PCP

Figure 17 Casing velocity comparison

In the previous figures it can be seen that the velocity in both zone 2 and zone 3 for the charge pump is almost three times
that of the conventional pump.
Results Analysis
On August 26th 2010 CoHS-1018 became the first well to have a ChPCP installed. Results are compared for wells CoHS1018, ECN-0164 and PP-0110, although seven systems have been installed so far (wells CoHS-1018, CoHS-1020, CoHS2007, ECN-0164, ECN-0264, ER-0006 and PP-0110). These three wells had stable operating parameters and had no
disturbances that could cause misleading conclusions. In the next figure is the comparison of the annualized flush-by index
(N Flush-by/well/year).
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
CoHS-1018
Conv PCP Flush-by Index

ECN-0164

PP-0110

Charge PCP Flush-by Index

Figure 18 Annualized Flush-by index comparison

The other wells were studied independently since their operating conditions changed radically after installation or operated
from the beginning with ChPCP (CoHS-1020). In the case of CoHS-1020 the comparison is made against its neighbours who
produce from the same levels and have conventional pumps.

14

SPE 165669

14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
CoHS-2003

CoHS-2002

Flush-by Index

CoHS-1021

CoHS-1020

Average Neighbours

Figure 19 Flush-by index por CoHS-1020 and its neighbours

An individual analysis is presented below for ER-0006, ECN-0264 and CoHs-2007 since each well had its own peculiarities.
ECN-0264: this well was perforated in 2010 and it was put straight in production with a ChPCP. It stopped producing after
only six days in operation. The well was pulled and the main pump came out with its elastomer completely vulcanized. In the
failure analysis it was concluded that since the slotted nipple was above the perforations all the gas produced went through
the main pump, causing it to overheat due the low capacity of the gas to dissipate heat. This shows that both conventional and
ChPCPs have the same issues when it comes to gas handling. Nevertheless there are successful experiences in high GVF
wells where the charge pump precompresses the gas (Robles et al. 2011).
CoHS-2007: this well was perfortated in 2012 and after a series of problems with conventional PCPs a ChPCP was installed.
At the start up of the ChPCP the well did not produce. Water was injected through the annulus with negative results. The
pump was pulled and again the main pump elastomer was vulcanized. The root cause of this failure has not yet been
determined and this case is still undergoing analysis.
ER-0006: the ChPCP was installed on 5 November 2012, so at the moment of writing this paper there is not enough
information available for analysis.
Despite having experience with conventional PCPs, the ChPCPs have their own learning process related to design,
installation and operation. As with every other artificial lift system it is extremely important the design of the bottom hole
assembly and the analysis of the produced fluid properties.
Conclusions
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.

7.

Using medium nitrile pumps reduced on average five times the number of interventios with flush-by per well. This
had a direct impact on production increase and intervention cost reduction.
Higher efficiency was expected for medium nitrile due to its enhanced mechanical properties. This is translated into
lower operating velocities, with a positive impact on tubing and rod wear.
Medium nitrile pumps installation started only two years ago, so it is still too early to see if there is an increase in
pump runlife.
Charge Pumps proved to be an alternative production system for high sand cut wells was found (4-5% continuous
and up to 25% slugs) that also reduces by half flush-by interventions due to sanded pump. Velocities in the critical
zones are three times higher, reducing sand settling and its associated issues.
Both charge and conventional PCPs cannot be installed in wells with intermittent production neither be operated onoff. When producing sand the best practice is to have continuous operation.
In gas producing wells both pumps and its slotted nipples need to be installed below perforations to avoid premature
failure. Though there are case studies where the charge pump was used as a precompressor or gas separator in
horizontal wells, this was not the case.
With Charge Pumps well testing duration is reduced 12 to 16 hours, since this system is capable of handling a larger
sand percentage than conventional PCPs.

SPE 165669

8.

15

During the end of 2012 and the course of 2013 four more charge pumps were installed, but this time using medium
nitrile. The behavior of these wells is under analysis, in order to determine if the combination of technologies yields
better results.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank everyone in Pluspetrol SA and Weatherford Intl. who supported these projects from the
beginning and helped in its implementation.
References
Cevallos, Vaamonde, Rivero, Rojas, Joo Kim, Galarza and Legarreta 2011. Exploration and development of a heavy oil field
in Ro Colorado, northwest margin Neuquen Basin, Argentina (in Spanish) presented at IAPG Hydrocarbon
Exploration and Development Seminar, Mar del Plata, Argentina, 8-11 November 2011.
Montiveros, Echavarra, Sez, Ortiz Best and Fernndez 2012. Completion and production techniques for sand producing non
consolidated reservoirs from Centenario formation (in Spanish), presented at IAPG Enhanced Oil Recovery Seminar
Mendoza, Argentina, 19-21 September 2012.
Robles, Perez, Bettenson and Noble 2011. Design and application of charge PCP systems in high GVF heavy oil wells. Paper
SPE 153038, presented at SPE Progressing Cavity Pumps Conference, Edmonton, Canada, 12-14 September 2010.
Motiveros, Echavarra and Briozzo 2013. Benefits of PCP Charge Pumps applied to sand producing reservoirs. Paper SPE
165077, to be presented at SPE Artificial Lift Conference, Cartagena, Colombia, 21-22 May 2013.

Вам также может понравиться