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

T
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1
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A
d
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SRP ESP VENTURI
HYDRAULIC
PUMP
GAS LIFT PROGRESSIVE
CAVITY PUMP
Simple, basic
design

Unit easily
changed

Simple to
operate

Can lift high
temperature
viscous oil

Can achieve
low BHFP

Pump off
control
Extremely high
volume lift
using up to
1,000 kw
motors

Unobtrusive
surface location

Downhole
telemetry
available

Corrosion
treatment
available
High volume

Can use water as
power fluid

Remote power
sources

Tolerant high well
deviation/dogleg
Solids tolerant

Simple
maintenance

Unobtrusive
surface location

Tolerant high
well deviation

Tolerant high
GOR reservoir
fluid
Solids and viscous
crude tolerant

Energy efficient

Unobtrusive
surface location
with downhole
motor

T
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1
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2
:

D
i
s
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s

SRP ESP VENTURI
HYDRAULIC
PUMP
GAS LIFT PROGRESSIVE
CAVITY PUMP
Friction in crooked
holes

Pump wear with
solids production
(sand, wax etc.)

Free gas reduces
pump efficiency

Downhole
corrosion
inhibition difficult

Obtrusive in urban
areas

Heavy equipment
for offshore use
Not suitable
for shallow,
low volume
wells

Cable
susceptible to
damage during
installation
with tubing

Gas and solids
intolerant

Cable
deteriorates at
high
temperatures


High surface
pressures

Sensitive to
change in
surface flow line
pressure

High minimum
FBHP.
Abandonment
pressure
may not be
reached

Power oil
systems
hazardous
Lift gas may
not be
Available


Not suitable for
viscous
crude oil or
emulsions

High minimum
FBHP.
Abandonment
pressure
may not be
reached

Casing must
withstand
lift gas
pressure

Problems with
rotating
rods (windup and
after
spin) increase
with
depth

Pump off control
difficult



Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps
Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods
2.4

2.4) Performance comparison of SRP with other artificial lift methods
Table 1.3: Performance Comparison

Characteristics

SRP

PCP

ESP

GAS LIFT

Production rates
Poor Fair Good
Excellent


Gas production
Fair Poor Poor Excellent

Viscous fluids
Good Excellent Fair Fair

Emulsions
Good Excellent Fair Fair

Solid handling
Fair Fair Poor Excellent

Wax mitigation
Fair Fair Fair Good

Corrosion
Good Good Fair good

Reliability
Excellent Good Varies Excellent
Capital costs Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Operating costs Low Low High Low











Artificial lift with special emphasis on sucker rod pumps
Comparative analysis of SRP with other AL methods
2.5

2.5) CAPEX/OPEX (Capital Expenditure/Operational Expenditure)
Comparison

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.