How does a rod pump work in oil well?

The walking beam pivots and lowers or raises the plunger. The rod attaches the plunger to the horsehead. The horsehead (not rigidly attached) allows the joint (where rod is attached) to move in a vertical path instead of following an arc. Every time the plunger rises, oil is pumped out through a spout.

What are rod pumps?

Rod pumps are the most common form of artificial lift for oil wells. Today, these systems are used to lift formation fluids from more than 600,000 wells. A rod pump system consists of a prime mover, a surface pump, a sucker rod string and a downhole pump (Figure 1).

How does a rod lift work?

As the beam pumping system rocks back and forth, this operates the rod string, sucker rod and sucker rod pump, which works similarly to pistons inside a cylinder. The sucker rod pump lifts the oil from the reservoir through the well to the surface.

What is a rod well?

A Rodriguez well (or Rodwell) is a type of well envisioned by Swiss glaciologist Henri Bader of Rutgers University and developed by engineer Raul Rodriguez of the United States Army for economical harvesting of drinking water in polar areas.

What is pump K factor?

In fire protection engineering, the K-factor formula is used to calculate the discharge rate from a nozzle. Spray Nozzles can be fire sprinklers or water mist nozzles, hose reel nozzles, water monitors and deluge fire system nozzles.

What does a pony Rod do?

A rod shorter than usual, usually placed below the polished rod and used to make a rod string of a desired length.

What are oilfield sucker rods?

1. n. [Well Completions] A steel rod that is used to make up the mechanical assembly between the surface and downhole components of a rod pumping system. Sucker rods are 25 to 30 ft [7 to 9 m] long and threaded at each end to enable the downhole components to be run and retrieved easily.

What is artificial lift in the oilfield?

Artificial lift is a method used to lower the producing bottomhole pressure (BHP) on the formation to obtain a higher production rate from the well. This can be done with a positive-displacement downhole pump, such as a beam pump or a progressive cavity pump (PCP), to lower the flowing pressure at the pump intake.

What is gas lift in an oil well?

Gas lift is a method of artificial lift that uses an external source of high-pressure gas for supplementing formation gas to lift the well fluids. The principle of gas lift is that gas injected into the tubing reduces the density of the fluids in the tubing, and the bubbles have a “scrubbing” action on the liquids.

How do you space a rod pump?

Pump spacing with steel sucker rods normally requires only one to two feet of clearance between the plunger and the standing valve or the bottom of the pump. But because of the elasticity of the Fiberflex® fiberglass sucker rods, it is necessary to allow sufficient spacing to accommodate the rod stretch.

How do you calculate pressure drop?

Pipe flow pressure drop. The pressure drop in circular pipes is calculated using Darcy-Weisbach equation: The flow is considered laminar when Re<2300. In a laminar flow the friction factor f is calculated by f=64/Re.

How long are oilfield sucker rods?

25 to 30 ft
A steel rod that is used to make up the mechanical assembly between the surface and downhole components of a rod pumping system. Sucker rods are 25 to 30 ft [7 to 9 m] long and threaded at each end to enable the downhole components to be run and retrieved easily.

What does ESP mean in oil and gas?

The electrical submersible pump, typically called an ESP, is an efficient and reliable artificial-lift method for lifting moderate to high volumes of fluids from wellbores.

What is a beam pump?

1. n. [Well Completions] An artificial lift pumping system using a surface power source to drive a downhole pump assembly. A beam and crank assembly creates reciprocating motion in a sucker-rod string that connects to the downhole pump assembly.

What are the disadvantages of gas lift method?

Gas lift is relatively inefficient, often resulting in large capital investments and high energy-operating costs. Compressors are relatively expensive and often require long delivery times. The compressor takes up space and weight when used on offshore platforms.

What is difference between gas lift and gas injection?

Although the terms are sometimes interchanged, gas injection and gas lift are two separate processes that are used to increase production. While gas injection is a secondary production method, gas lift is a type of artificial lift.

What is polish rod?

The polished rod is the top and strongest part of the sucker-rod string and it connects the rods to the pumping unit. Its main functions are: • to transfer the pumping loads to the surface pumping unit, and.

What happens if pressure drop is too high?

Excessive pressure drop will result in poor system performance and excessive energy consumption. Flow restrictions of any type in a system require higher operating pressures than are needed, resulting in higher energy consumption.

What causes pressure loss?

Local pressure loss is pressure loss caused by fluid flow direction and area change when fluid flows through local components such as valve, bend pipe, and flow section change.

What is K in flow rate?

The K-factor is the frequency divided by the flow rate => [1/s] / [g/s] = 1/g. Knowing the K-factor for each calibration point, the factory determines the best fitting K-factor for that particular flowmeter. Calibration points are determined by averaging all K-factors.

What is the difference between meter factor and K-factor?

The meter base K-factor is used in the flow computer’s calculation of the quantity of liquid delivered, so it must be considered during the testing of a meter. The proving K-factor (PKF) is used to calculate the correct meter factor based on the pulses it receives while a known amount of liquid passes through the SVP.

What pumps are used in oil wells?

Centrifugal pumps are the most common type of industrial pump used in the oil and gas industry. Centrifugal pumps contain one or more rotating impellers that suck fluid into the suction end of the pump before forcing it out the discharge end using centrifugal force.

Which is better submersible pump or jet pump?

Although jet pumps can still handle depths of several hundred feet, submersible pumps are typically more effective at greater depths. By moving the pump down the well, the pump no longer lifts the water but, rather, pushes it upward. A submersible pump won’t work, however, unless it’s completely submerged in liquid.

What is a beam well?

A beam pump oil well, also known as a pumpjack. A beam pump is a type of pump typically found in oil fields and is often called by several different names. A nodding donkey, horsehead pump or sucker rod pump are all commonly-used names for the beam pump.

What are rod pumps used for in oil wells?

Rod pumps are the most common form of artificial lift for oil wells. Today, these systems are used to lift formation fluids from more than 600,000 wells. A rod pump system consists of a prime mover, a surface pump, a sucker rod string and a downhole pump (Figure 1).

How long does it take to pump oil from a well?

For instance, if a well is producing both water and oil, and requires a 12-hour pumping day for the highest oil production; the worker can utilize several different schedule options to reach this goal. These schedule options can include: During periods when the well is not operating, the liquid level builds up in the casing at the hole’s base.

How do you use a rod rotator on a pump?

A rod rotator or tubing rotator may be used to rotate the rod a small fraction of a revolution on each stroke of the pumping unit to further extend rod string life. In addition, slow rotation of rod guides may help scrape paraffin from the tubing wall. Sucker rods are connected to the surface pumping unit by a polished rod.

Are rod pumps the future of the oil industry?

The use of rod pumps is likely to increase as the industry continues to expand its involvement in shale formations and other unconventional plays, which require operators to use high numbers of relatively low-flow-rate wells to exploit each field.