Artificial Lift

Systems
The newest face to The DRM
Companies
 What is Artificial Lift Systems?
After a well has been drilled and completed, an oil company
will flow it back using the natural pressure of the well. At some
point the natural pressure will fall off and/or the well will load
up with fluid and kill itself. This is where Artificial Lift comes in,
this is a man made (artificial) lifting process to fetch the fluid
in the well. There are several systems that a company can use
such as rod lift, gas lift, ESP, plunger lift, etc. For rod lift there
are two types, using a sucker rod pump and conventional
pumping unit and Progressive cavity pump lift.
DRM ALS is in the rod lift business using conventional units
and sucker rod pump
 Sucker Rod Pump

A sucker rod pump is a component that

is the most crucial part of pumping a
well. The pump is at the bottom of the
well and connects to the pump jack by
sucker rods. The pump is on the inside
of the tubing. The plunger assembly is
the traveling assembly and is specially
machined as is the stationary assembly
containing the barrel. It creates a
suction affect and using a series of
 Sucker Rod Pump

Courtes
y of
Theta
Oilfield
Service
s
Sucker Rods
 The basics of a sucker rod
The pumpjack is the visible above-ground drive for the
well pump, and is connected to the downhole pump at
the bottom of the well by a series of interconnected
sucker rods. Sucker rods are usually installed in a taper.
Rods come in steel and fiberglass
Steel rods typically come in , 7/8, and 1 and are
usually 25 long
Fiberglass rods are typically 1 and 1-1/4 and are
usually 37.5 long
Rods are connected by a coupling, the coupling is either
a T or Spray metal
Fiberglass Sucker rod
The Fiberglass rod gives the rod string more elasticity,
providing over travel of the pump, therefore providing
more production.
The 2 FG rods weigh less than 3 steel rods, this allows
the operator to use a smaller pump jack
The FG rod is corrosion resistant due to its make up
 Steel Sucker Rods

Steel Rods are the most basic form of ALS

Available in a variety of sizes and come in 25 lengths
Available in a variety of grades
Grade AD is a basic sucker rod with Standard tensile
strength and is good for little to no corrosion
enviroments
Grade KD is a more corrosion resistant rod with the
standard characteristics just like the AD such as tensile
strength
Grade HS is a high strength rod with a higher tensile
rating than the AD & KD rod, not good for corrosive
enviroments
 Sinker Bars

Sinker Bars, aka weight bars

Used to weigh down the rod string at the bottom of the well
to maintain tension and keep the system running smoothely
Come in 1.5, 1-5/8, 1.25
 Accessories

On/Off Tools
Shear tools
Left hand coupling
Guided pony rod
Polish rod
 Couplings
Spray Metal Coupling Shiny Finish good for corrosive
environment and deviated wells

T Couplings Dull metal finish Standard service

coupling
 Pony Rods
Pony rods are used once the pump and all of the sucker
rods are installed in the well. They are used to properly
Space the well out. They come in lengths of 2, 4, 6,
and 8 for steel and 3, 6, 9, and 18 for fiberglass. The
diameter of the rod is usually determined by the rods in
the most upper part of the well. Proper handling of the
pony rods is just as crucial as the handling of the sucker
rods
 Sequence
Polish rod
Pony rods
Fiberglass
Steel
Sinker bars
Pump

Keep in mind how the sequence of rods being run in

the well is. This will determine how you need to stack
bundles at well site. Also need to make sure sinker bars
are stacked with the lift neck closest to the well. This
makes it to where the crew can pick it up with the rig.
Proper Handling of Sucker Rods
Rods should be handled carefully due to the how they
stretch when in service, any stress points from the
slightest damage can cause a premature failure
Rod should never be tied down or back with chains. The
metal on metal can cause stress points
Tools and other equipment should not be placed or
tossed onto rods
Rods should always be lifted using a spreader bar and
Ts, never by picking up under the bundle with a
forklift
Proper Handling of Sucker Rods

Use a spreader bar

and T bars ALWAYS
when lifting sucker
rods
 Proper Handling of Sucker Rods
Only raise one bundle
at a time carefully
with forklift or spider
lift, only lift bundle
enough to clear
obstacles to avoid any
unnecessary safety
hazards and control
the load as it will
swing
Key points for hauling sucker rods
Always stack bundles where the boards are stacked on
boards, if the this is not done it can cause bending of
the sucker rods
Use straps not chains
Always strap over the boards, never over the rods.
What the DRM ALS division does
Well Site Optimization using rod design software, pump
design, tubular design and more
The ability to provide the sucker rod pump, Fiberglass
rods, steel sucker rods, pony rods, wellhead hookups,
and even the pumpjack
Well site safety briefings and handling schools
Combining these services along with our OCTG and
transportation services
Provide the most quality, unmatched service to keep the
customers coming back to The DRM Companies
Questions??