Abstract
Beam pumping systems are the most commonly applied worldwide artificial lift method with 59% of all Artificial Lift in North America and 71% of 832000 wells for the rest of the world (World Oil 2000). This paper reviews many of the concerns that operators face when using the sucker rod pumping system. Operational concerns are introduced with a review of the advantages/disadvantages of the system. Automation and Pump-off Control (POC) are discussed. The most commonly automated operating parameters are examined and the technique of configuring POC set points is llustrated. To maintain efficient operation requires that pumping should be done only when the pump has a high percent of liquid fillage. Methodology for designing how to efficiently produce the well by selecting pumping speeds, stroke lengths and plunger diameters is reviewed.
Incomplete pump fillage, tagging on the downstroke, and other downhole conditions contribute to rod buckling and subsequent accelerated rod/tubing wear and possible other damage. Commonly applied solutions such are weight bars and rod guides are reviewed. Dynamometer cards, particularly calculated downhole pump cards are used for diagnostics of problems that exist in a well.
Finally simple best practices are reviewed covering POC's, use of predictive design programs, guidelines for sucker rod applications, downhole pump best practices, surface unit best practices, tubing, gas separation, use of fluid level instruments (fluid shots), effects of casing pressure, and finally some mention of solution to corrosion problems. The paper reviews older practice and suggests newer practice to assist the operator with operational concerns. In general, sucker-rod pumping is the premier method of artificial lift. Many operators will use some other lift method only after justifying why not to use beam lift.
