SPE

SPE 23429
A Simple Method for Predicting the Performance of a Sucker-Rod
Pumping System
A. Khodabandeh and S. Miska, New Mexico Inst. of Mining & Technology
SPE Members

Copyright 1991, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Eastern Regional Meeting held In Lexington, Kentucky, October 22-25, 1991.
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,
as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, lis officers, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are sUbject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society
of Petroleum Engineers. Permission to copy Is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836 U.S.A. Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a simple and efficient approach for

predicting the dynamic behavior of the sucker rod string. The
dynamic behavior of the sucker rod string is an important factor
for predicting the performance of a pumping system, and it is
presently modeled by a second-order partial differential equation.
The proposed approach, unlike other approaches, requires
neither familiarity with nor solution of the partial differential
equation(s). In this study, the model consists of two linear
algebraic equations that are used to calculate the dynamic
changes in forces and velocities along the rod. Practical
usefulness of the proposed approach is shown by solving simple
examples and by generating dynamometer cards for conventional
pumping units. The computer-generated cards are compared to
the cards actually recorded on the pumping wells simulated by
the method. This study shows that the proposed approach is
very efficient for designing and predicting the performance of a
sucker rod pumping system.

mathematical models for the sucker rod pumping system for the
digital computer started in early 1960's. Gibbs! was the first
who successfully modeled a sucker rod pumping system, and one
of his most important contribution is simulation of the subsurface
elements. He used the finite difference solution of the following
wave equation and its initial and boundary conditions, which
together can be used to predict the performance of the sucker
rod string:
a2u(x,t)

at

a 2 a2u(x,t) - cau(x,t)
--2

ax

(1)

at

For the sucker rod string, other models were developed by using
different solution techniques for the partial differential
equation.2,3 These models all ignore the effect of the fluid
inertia and asSUme that the fluid surrounding the rod is
incompressible. There are models that take into consideration
the dynamic effect of fluid. 4,5 In the later models, the dynamic
effects of fluid were modeled by a system of partial differential
equations, which were solved by the method of characteristics.

INTRODUCTION

Sucker rod pumping systems are the most popular artificial lift
method in the oil industry.
Accurate prediction of the
performance of the system can improve efficiency of a system.
The most important parts to model are the subsurface elements
such as the sucker rod string and downhole pump. The

References and illustrations at end of paper

149

This paper presents a different technique to simulate the

performance of the sucker rod string. Instead of solving the
wave equation, a system of linear algebraic equations are used
to model the dynamic changes along the rod. This technique
was originally developed by Bergeron6 to graphically solve
engineering problems ofplane wave propagation. This technique
is known as "the graphical method" and is used extensively by
engineers to solve water hammer problems. 7,8,9 Since computers
are readily available, this technique can be adopted simply for
solving problems related to complex systems. In this study, the

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR PREDICTING THE PERFORMANCE OF A SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM

in the same direction as the rod. In other words, the sign for
characteristic impedance is negative when the observer moves in
the same direction as the rod and positive when he moves in the
oppOsite direction. By this convention, compression is positive
and tension is negative.

Bergeron technique is applied to sucker rod pumping system to

predict its performance. At the present stage of modeling, the
following assumptions are introduced: (1) the fluid is
incompressible, (2) there is no motor slip, (3) the tubing is
anchored, (4) the rod has isotropic properties, and (5) the
downhole pump is 100 % efficient. Of course, most of these
assumptions can be eliminated and proper considerations made,
but the main objective here is to present the application of the
Bergeron method to the modeling of the sucker rod string.

To illustrate the application of this method, the following

examples are presented. Consider a slender rod hanging from
a wire line as depicted in Figure 1. Suppose the velocity of the
point a suddenly changes from V to V"', at which value it remains
constant. Figure 2 is the graphical solution for this example,
which shows dynamic forces and velocities at points a and b at
different time steps. This solution is valid if the dynamic force
is less than the weight of the string. The description of the
construction of the graphical solution is given in Appendix B.
Table 1 presents the force and velocity at each time step by
solving Eq. 2 and Eq. 3 with the following boundary conditions:

BERGERON TECHNIQUE
As the name indicates, this technique was developed by
Bergeron. 6 In his work, mostly the cases were considered in
which the friction losses were negligible. Later, the friction
losses were included in this model. 9 The Bergeron technique
does not give an expression to describe how force and velocity
are changing with time and space. Instead, the dynamic force
and velocity is measured by an imaginary observer moving up
and down the rod with acoustic velocity. This approach has
already been used successfully by Lubinski10 for predicting
transient pressure surges due to drill string motion and dynamic
loading of drill pipe during tripping operation. Encouraged by
the results ofLubinski's work, the Bergeron technique is adopted
for the modeling of the sucker rod pumping system~ The
following equations, which are equivalent to the Bergeron
graphical presentation, can be used to determine the dynamic
changes for a solid rod (derivation in Appendix A).

Vat

and
(3)
where Sr is the characteristic impedance and can be determined
by

s = apA
a

Jg:

Var

(4)

= !:.

Fbr

=0

(6)

= V*,

Fb t

= KY,

(7)

It should be mentioned that Eq. 2 and Eq. 3 represent the

dynamic force, and the total force is a summation of dynamic
and static forces. In these examples, the static force is the
weight of the rod added to the dynamic force at point Q.

The time unit in the above equations is:

= V*,

For the sake of simplicity, it was first assumed that there is no

energy dissipation. In the case of damping, which is more
general and applicable to the sucker rod string, it was assumed
that damping force is concentrated at a point. Actually, damping
is distributed along the rod string. It was also assumed that
damping force is proportional to the rod velocity. Figure 3
shows the same situation as for the previous example, with the
exception that there is a dashpot at point b, which represents the
damping effect as a linear function of velocity. Figure 4 is the
graphical solution and clearly shows the effect of the dashpot on
the dynamic force and velocity for points a and b. For this
case, the proportionality factor of damping, K, is less than S"
and Table 2 presents the dynamic forces and velocities which
were obtained by solving simultaneously Eq. 2 and Eq. 3. To
arrive at the solution, the same procedure as in the previous case
is used, and the only changes appear in the lower boundary
condition due to the effect of the dashpot. The boundary
conditions are

(2)

SPE 23429

(5)

Equation 2 presents the relationship between dynamic force and

velocity at point a when the imaginary observer is moving with
the speed of sound in the opposite direction as the rod (Figure
1). The dynamic changes at point b can be calculated with
Equation 3 when the observer is moving with the speed of sound

150

Figure 5 is the graphical solution for a situation in which K has

a higher value than Sr' For this case only the value of K is
changed, and the rest of the calculation is exactly the same as
for the previous case.
These three examples show the
application and simplicity of the Bergeron method. Obviously,
the same results could be obtained by solving the wave equation
with the corresponding boundary conditions.

SPE 23429

A. Khodabandeh and S. Miska

MATHEMATICAL MODEL

Initial and Boundary Conditions

A mathematical model for prediction of the performance of the

sucker rod pumping system consists of the solutions of several
different problems. The model includes the performance of the
downhole pump, the dynamic behavior of the sucker rod string
and kinematics of the pumping unit.

For the initial conditions, it is assumed that the polished rod is

in itS lowermost position. Also, it is assumed that the system
has been shut down long enough for all the transients to damp
out, and there is not any motion along the rod. Therefore, all
the dynamic forces and velocities are zero at t = 0 -.

To deal with the longitudinal wave propagation in the rod, this

new approach applies a modified version of the Bergeron
methoo. In a general form, Eq. 2 and Eq. 3 can be expressed
as follows:

There are two sets of boundary conditions: at the surface and

at the downhole pump. The surface boundary condition is the
velocity of the polished rod, which is assumed to be known.
The velocity of the polished rod is a function of the angular
velocity of the crank and geometry of the pumping unit. In
order to calculate the velocity of the polished rod, it is necessary
to solve a four-linkage problem (Figure 7). This problem has
been solved by trigonometrical considerationg2.l1,12, but here the
Svinosl 3 approach is used. The polished rod velocity for a
conventional pumping unit is obtained form the following
equation:

and
Fa"" -Fb"_I,1-!

= -S,(Va",,- Vb,,_l,,_l)

(9)

Eq. 8 and Eq. 9 are written for an element depicted in Figure 6.

To determine forces and velocities along the sucker rod string at
a point, Equations 8 and 9 are applied. Since all the parameters
at t-l ( the previous time step) are known, two more conditions
are required. Initially, the velocity at the top and bottom of a
node is the same; therefore,
Va"" = Vb""

(15)

where

(10)

The difference between the force at the top and bottom of a

reach are assumed equal to the damping force. It is assumed
that the damping force is concentrated at the nodes. Thus,

(16)

(11)
where Fd is the damping force and will be explained later.
At the polished rod, the velocity of the rod at any time is
known, providing one of the lower boundary conditions.
Therefore, the dynamic force on the polished rod at time t is
PRF(t) '" Fal,l-! +S,(PRV(t) - Val,l-!)

The downhole boundary condition represents the behavior of the

downhole pump. This boundary condition has been an obstacle
in describing the behavior of the pump mathematically.
However, most of the situations encountered at the pump can be
described by different boundary conditions. But it is not
possible to describe all the situations that might develop in actual
field conditions with one expression. In this study, it is
assumed that there is a complete fillage of the barrel, and there
is no fluid pound, sticking plunger, leaking valves, etc., the
boundary condition at the pump can be formulated as follows.
If both valves are closed, then the plunger is stationary, so

(12)

and the total force, or load, PRL is

PRL(t)

= PRF(t) - Wb

(13)

Either the force or the velocity must be known by the boundary

conditions at the plunger; therefore, the unknown parameter can
be determined by the following equation:
PU'(t) -Fb,,_l,,_l

= -S,(PLV(t) - Vb"_I.I-!)

PLV(t)

=0

(17)

(14)

If the standing valve is open and the traveling valve is closed,

then the plunger is moving upward and lifting the fluid to the
surface, hence

151

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR PREDICTING THE PERFORMANCE OF A SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM

where PIF is the force in the rod at the plunger. When the
plunger is moving down, the traveling valve is open and the
standing valve is closed, thus
PIF(t) ,. Pj (L,t)Arotl

(19)

If at any time step the following relationship holds,

PIF(t)

>

PAPL(APL -Arotl) -PBPLAPL

(20)

the plunger is moving up. The plunger is moving down or

makes the downstroke if the following relationship is satisfied:
PIF(t)

<

Pj(L,t)Arotl

(21)

In the case that neither of the conditions are satisfied, the

plunger is stationary and there is no movement.

Damping Forces
The primary cause of energy losses along the sucker rod striIig
are the various frictional forces. These forces oppose the
movement of the rod. To account for these forces, an element
of the rod is considered. Using the equation of motion and
writing a force balance on the element, the final results can be
presented as l 2,14
(22)

SPE 23429

cards. The first comparison was performed on the cards

measured at the Oilfield Training Center (OTC) in Roswell,
New Mexico. The experimental well at OTC pumps up water,
which subsequently is returned back to the well to maintain a
constant fluid level in the casing. The experimental set up at
OTC is described in Ref. 15. It is possible to experiment with
different pumping units, pump speeds or stroke lengths. One set
of data for the computer-generated card and measured card is
presented in Table 3. The predicted card is presented in Figure
8 which is in good agreement with the actual card in Figure 9.
Since this well is operating under normal condition, the
assumptions and boundary conditions should be correct. If there
was any mismatch of data, it would have been due to the
modeling of the sucker rod string. Thus, the results indicate that
proposed approach for predicting the performance of the rod
string is reliable.
Another set of data is presented in Table 2. For this case, a
tapered rod is considered to show not only the reliability of the
model but also the flexibility of the model for the different size
or composition of the rod string. For a different size or
composition only the value of the characteristic impedance would
change, since characteristic impedance is a function of the crosssection area and acoustic velocity of the material. The synthetic
dynamometer card is presented in Figure 10.
To model tapered rods of different composition, the propagation
time for all the elements should be the same. It is also required
that the number of elements in each section be an integer
number. To select the number of elements in each section the
following expression can be used:

L1

,.

L2

(25)

Equations 1 and 22 are compared, and the following expression

for the damping force is obtained
where n1, nz' and n... are the number of elements in each section
and must be adjusted to become an integer number.

(23)

CONCLUSIONS
where
c ,. 1fap

1. The Bergeron technique is a simple, flexible, and easy to

understand method for designing and predicting the
performance of the sucker rod pumping system.

(24)

2L

Finally, the damping force for the Bergeron technique, similar

to that presented by Gibbs, is:

F
II

1fap A.:1x V
2Lg P
t

(25)

MODEL VALIDATION
To verify the validity of the model, the computer-generated
dynamometer cards were compared to measured dynamometer

152

2. Use of this technique for predicting the performance of a

sucker rod pumping system does not reduce the accuracy of
the calculations involved. The programming is easier and
computation time is reduced compared to the solutions of the
wave equation.
3. The accuracy of the calculated data or dynamometer card
depend on the precision of the boundary conditions and
damping force.

SPE 23429

A. Khodabandeh and S. Miska

4. This technique can be applied to any composition of rods

regardless of the size or elastic properties of the rods as long
as the acoustic velocity for the materials are known or can be
calculated.

NOMENCLATURE

a
c
g
t

u
A
A, C, L,

P, R
BU

E
F
Fa
Fb
Fd
L
Sr

Va
Vb
Vo, V"
P

po,r
PLF
PLV
PRF
PRL
PRV
Wb

Wave velocity in the solid, ftlsec

Viscous damping coefficient, sec-I
Gravitational acceleration, ft/sec2
Time, sec
Displacement, ft
Area, ft2
Pumping unit specification according to SPE, ft
Bergeron time unit, sec
Young's modulus, Ib/ft2
Force,lb
Force at the top, lb
Force at the bottom, lb
Damping force, lb
Length, ft
Characteristic impedance, lb/ft/sec
Velocity at the top, ft/sec
Velocity at the bottom, ft/sec
Velocity, ft/sec
Pressure, Ib/ft2
Force, lb
Plunger dynamic force, lb
Plunger velocity, ft/sec
Polished rod dynamic force, lb
Polished rod load, lb
Polished rod velocity, ft/sec
Weight of sucker rod in fluid, lb

Subscripts

n
rod,r
t

APL
BPL
PL
PR

We would like to thank Dr. Lubinski for suggesting the

Bergeron method for studying the dynamics of sucker rod
pumping system. We gratefully acknowledge the State Mining
and Mineral Resource Research Institute for providing the major
funding for this research through a Mineral Institute Allotment
grant number G1104135.

1. Gibbs, S.G., "Prediction the Behavior of Sucker Rod

Pumping Systems," JPT (July 1963): pp.765-78.
2. Nicol, T., "Dynamic Analysis of Sucker Rod Pumping,"
M.S. Thesis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma,
1980.
3. Chacin U, I.E., "Diagnostic and Design Techniques in Oil
Well Pumping," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of
Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 1986.
4. Doty, D.R., and Schmidt, Z., "An Improved Model for
Sucker Rod Pumping," IPT (February 1983): pp. 33-41.
5. Tripp, H.A., and Kilgore, 1.1., "A Comparison Between
Predicted and Measured Walking Beam Parameters, io SPE
20671, Presented at the 1990 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, September 1990.
6. Bergeron, L., "Water Hammer in Hydraulics and Wave
Surges in Electricity," Iohn Wiley, Copyright 1961 by
ASME.
7. Wylie, E.B., and Streeler, V.L., "Fluid Transients," Feb
Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1983.
8. Sharp,B.B., "Water Hammer," Edward Arnold, 1980.
9. Parmakian, I., "Water Hammer Analysis", Dover
Publications, Inc., New York, 1963.
10. Lubinski, A., "Developments in Petroleum Engineering, "
Vol. 2, Edited by S. Miska, Gulf Publishing Co., Houston,
Texas, 1988.
11. Gray, H.E., "Kinematics of Oil-Well Pumping Units,
paper presented at the spring meeting of the Mid-Continent
District, API Division of Production, March, 1963.
12. Luo, F., "Computerized Method for Simulating Sucker Rod
Pumping System, M.S. Thesis, New Mexico Tech,
Socorro, NM, 1987.
13. Svinos, I.G., "Exact Kinematic analysis of Pumping
Units, presented at the 58th Annual Technical Conference
and Exhibition, San Francisco, CA, 1983.
14. Schafer, D.I. and Iennings, I.W., An Investigation of
Analytical and Numerical Sucker Rod Pumping
Mathematical Models, presented at the 62nd Annual SPE
Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 1987.
15. Lou, F. and Miska, S., " Mathematical Modeling and
Testing of Hydraulically Driven Pumping lack, SPE
17292, Presented at the SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas
Recovery Conference, Midland, Texas, March 1988.

Damping factor, dimensionless

Crank angle, rad
Geometry angles, rad
Density, lb/ftl

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

REFERENCES

Greek Symbols

Damping
Fluid
Element
Sucker rod
Bergeron time unit (BU)
Above plunger
Below plunger
Plunger
Polished rod

153

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR PREDICTING THE PERFORMANCE OF A SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM

SPE 23429

APPENDIX A

(A-4)

Bergeron Equations of Propagation

or
To derive the equations, an elastic rod of known and constant
properties is considered. Suppose the rod depicted in Figure 11a moves with velocity V.. and is subjected to an internal
longitudinal force p... If an external force Ii" is exerted at one
end of the rod, the velocity at that end changes to V". Then, this
change of velocity starts to propagate with the acoustic velocity
a. If the change in velocity takes ~ seconds to establish at A,
it will extend over a length of a.dt. During this time A moves
to A' (Figure II-b) and the velocity propagates to A" such that
the element of A'A" now moves with the velocity V". At this
point, the following expressions can be written:
AA' .. V*~
A~II

For further simplification, it is assumed that an imaginary

observer is moving with the wave front. Therefore, for
Equation A-5, the imaginary observer moves with the acoustic
velOCity in the same direction as the rod.

If the change in the force occurs at point B instead of A, the

change in velocity propagates in the opposite direction of the rod
movement. In other words, the observer moves in the opposite
direction of the rod movement. For this case, the same
reasoning as for the previous one can be applied, and the fInal
result may be written as follows

(A-I)

= a~

FL,t - Fo,t-!
where a is the propagation velocity (acoustic velocity). It should
be noted that the velocity at B' in Figure ll-b is V.. while
velocity of A' and A" is V".

= (PaA)(VL,t - VO,t_I)

(A-6)

The time is measured in the Bergeron unit of time, BU.

APPENDIXB
Now, consider Figure ll-e which shows the situation one second
later. During this time, one end has moved with velocity V" and
the other end with velocity V... Meanwhile, V" has propagated
some distance through the rod with velocity a. Since the rod is
considered after one second, the distance that velocity has been
propagated is also a. The momentum for this element at 1=0 is
(Aap)V.., and at 1=1 is (Aap)V". Since the change in momentum
of a body is equal in magnitude and direction to the sum of the
forces acting on the body, therefore

or
P* = -(paA)(V* - V.)

(A-3)

It can be observed that when V" > V.. the force is negative and it
causes compression. When V" < V.. the force is positive and puts
the rod in tension. By this convention, a negative change in
force causes tension and a positive change causes compression.
To calculate velocity and force at a point along the rod, the
following time unit is defIned. This time unit is called Bergeron
time unit denoted by BU, and it is equal to the ratio of the length
of the element over the sound velocity of the element. If L is
the length of the element and a is the propagation velocity,
during one BU the wave front propagates a distance of L. If the
momenta at times 1 and t+ 1 are (pAa)V.. and (pAa)V", then

154

Graphical Solution
For the construction of the graphical presentation of Figure 2, it
is assumed that the change in velocity at point a, in Figure 1,
occurs at 1=0. At 1=-1, force and velocity are zero at point b.
Line b_Iao presents the situation of an observer that leaves point
b at 1=-1 and moves toward point a with the velocity of
propagation. Since he moves in the opposite direction of the
rod, slope of the line is positive, and its value is equal to S, .
The observer arrives at the point a at 1=0. The abscissa of the
point ao is equal to the velocity at time zero. The meaning of
the line aobl is similar to b_IQo' An observer starts at 1=0 from
point a and moves with the velocity of propagation toward point
b. Since he moves in the same direction as the rod, slope of the
line is negative. At 1 = 1, the observer arrives at the point b and
encounters the condition at point b, which is zero force. Point
bl on Figure 2 represents the force and velocity of the point b at
1=1. By following the same procedure, the remaining portion
of the graph on the Figure 2 can be constructed.

SPE
TABLE 1
Dynamic Force and Velocity
at the Ends of a Rod Without Damping

Fa

Vb

sv*
sV"

2V"

-sV"

2V"

-sV"

sV"
sV"
-SV"
-SV"
sV"

5
6
7
8

2V"
2V"

0
0

Initial Conditions: Fa = Fb = Ya = Vb= Ofor t < 0

Boundary Conditions: Fb, = 0, Va, = V* for t ~ 0

TABLE 2
Dynamic Force and Velocity for a Rod with Damping
t

Fa

Vb

Sy*

SY*

(1+24)SY*

(1+24)SY*

(2(A+I)A+I)SY*

(2(A+I)A+I)SY*

A +I)A +I) 2Sy*

K+S

(2A+ I)A +I)A +I)SY*

A+I)A+I)2SY*
K+S

(2A +I)A +I)A +I)SY*

(A +I)A +I)A +I) 2Sy*

K+S

(2(A +I)A +I)A +I)A +I) SY*

(A +I)A +I)A +I) 2SY*

K+S

2SY*
S+K
2Sy*
K+S
(A+I)2SY*
K+S
(A+I) 2Sy*
K+S

Initial Conditions: Fa = Fb = Ya = Vb= Ofor t < 0

Boundary Conditions: Fb, = KVb,, Vb, = V" for t ~ 0
A = (K - S)/(K + S)

155

23429

SPE 2342.9

TABLE 3
Input data obtained from OTC

PUMPING UNIT
A - Center of the well to the saddle bearing
C - Saddle bearing to equalizer bearing
P - Pitman length
K - Saddle bearing to crank shaft
Stroke per min.
ROD

Sec. L (ft) OD (in)

1
1369.0 .7500
Plunger diameter
Fluid level
Specific gravity

(in):
(in):
(in):
(in):
(SPM):

72.750
72.750
71.870
105.006
11.48

Wt (lb/ft) Density (lb/cu.ft) E (llpsi)

1.6340
490.0
2.9Oe+007
(in): 1.50
(ft): 1170.0
1.0

PRESSURE
Well head pressure (psi)
0.0

Casing pressure (psi)

0.0

TABLE 4
Input data for the field case

PUMPING UNIT
A - Center of the well to the saddle bearing
C - Saddle bearing to equalizer bearing
P - Pitman length
K - Saddle bearing to crank shaft
Stroke per min.

(in):
(in):
(in):
(in):
(SPM):

ROD
Sec. L (ft) OD (in)
1
1500.0 .8750
2
3600.0 .7500
Plunger diameter
Fluid level
Specific gravity

Wt (lb/ft) Density (lb/cu.ft)

2.1340
490.0
1.6340
490.0
(in): 1.50
(ft): 4075.00
1.01

PRESSURE
Well head pressure (psi)
30.0

Casing pressure (psi)

0.0

156

150.000
154.000
180.000
236.888
10.05

SPE

23429

IE------.....,..-----~~v
h l 5.'._

Fagure 1- Elastic rod.

Figure 2- Graphical solution (no damping).

laz

I
I

Ohpot

I
I
I

I
Fagure 4- Graphical solution for K

Figure 3- Elastic rod with a dashpot.

<

Sr'

..................................-,

............

__

~------+-------v

..-

Figure 5- Graphical solution for K

>

Figure 6- Position of elements and notations.

Sr'

157

SPE

2:5 429

Pollahed rocl load. Ib

4000,----.--:..-:-::...:,.:--'-----,------.,..-----,------,

1000 T!,T

o
o

Figure 7- Geometry of pumping unit (Ref. 13).

10

20
30
PoII.hed rod dl.placement. In

40

110

Figure 8- Synthetic card for OTC data.

4 Poll.hed rod load, Ib (Thou....d.'

18

Poll.hed rod load, Ib (Thou....d.'

-----~----.-,---'---.-----,,.---~---.

oL.._ _l - -_ _l - -_ _.L-_ _.1-_ _.1-_ _- ' - _ - - - '

o
20
40
80
80
100
120
140
10

20

Pollahed rod dlaplac.ment. In

60

40

30

PoII.hed rod dl.plece_nt, In

Figure 9- Measured card at OTC.

Figure 10- Surface card for field data.

A;-

a)

o
==--l

po-I

--iB

1- Po

b)

c)

A'

r~~~.;::::::::::~

B'

~t--_---,-i_._V_o_ _I - Po

Figure 11- a) Elastic rod at equilibrium, b) after change of force, c) one second later.

158