knowledgebase
Frequently asked questionsA self-serve library of information about Artificial LIft, Progressing Cavity Pumping systems and Coiled Sucker Rod
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What is the history of Progressing Cavity Pumps as a mode for Artificial LIft?
The first use for artificial lift is said to be in the early 1980’s in the heavy oil fields of Western Canada.
It was not until the early 1990’s that the technology was more widely utilized, but still mainly for cold heavy oil production.
Through the early 2000’s the technology started to grow more rapidly both into other applications as well as other geographic regions.
Making Progressing Cavity Pumps relatively new in comparision to the other modes of artificial lift.
Where can I use a Progressing Cavity Pump?
However, the technology also performs well in low viscosity applications such as dewatering coal seams.
Progressing cavity pumps will always be more efficient than any other mode mechanical mode of artificial lift and because it has a relative low initial cost and wide operational flexibility once installed, it is a very suitable solution for many applications beyond heavy oil and dewatering coal seam gas.
With proper applications engineering and the advancements the service providers have made to the product, progressing cavity pumping systems are a viable solution for many artificial lift requirements that most end users are not taking advantage of.
Do progressing cavity pumps really support a wide range of applications?
Progressing Cavity Pumping systems are successfully deployed in medium to lighter oils, mature water flood fields, dewatering coal seam applications, water source wells and more.
They are no longer just for heavy oil, progressing cavity pumps are the most efficient mode of artificial lift, why would you not want to benefit from that in any application?
What are the limitations for Progressing Cavity Pumping Systems?
Even still temperature, gas content and single ring aromatics are all considerations that need to be taken into account and utilizing strong applications engineering expertise the progressing cavity pumping system can be successful.
What is the relationship of H.P., Torque and RPM?
To find HP: HP = (T x RPM) / 5252
To find Torque: T = (HP x 5252) / RPM
To find Speed: RPM = (HP x 5252) / T
What production chemicals can be used with Progressing Cavity Pumping Systems?
How can you select the proper Elastomer for your application?
Within the class of nitrile elastomers, there is a virtually unlimited number of different formulations possible with an associated wide range of mechanical and chemical properties.
Most manufacturers publish guidelines for elastomer selection that are based on anticipated downhole conditions, however each manufacturer has their own formulations, more tailored to suit their individual manufacturing processes than the application, making it difficult to compare one brand of elastomer to any other brand.
When asking the question as to the best elastomer to use, it is common practice to perform compatibility tests with the wellbore fluid and selected elastomer samples. These tests generally provide an effective means to rank the suitability of different elastomers, however they do very little to assist pump applications engineering efforts.
Ultimately, it is important to point out that operators are typically faced with using a “trial-and-error” approach to determine optimal elastomer selection and pump sizing when applying PCP systems in new areas.
Our experience helps to shorten that learning curve and alleviate the uncertainty.
What is Continuous Coiled Sucker Rod?
It is essentially one very long sucker rod, stretching from the pump to the polished rod, fabricated for the well. Removing almost all the connections from the rod string can substantially increase the overall efficiency of the artificial list system which equates into cost savings to the producer.
Effectively removing the upset and couplings every 25-30 feet typical of a conventional sucker rod string effectively eliminates most if not all of the upset and coupling related failures.
Provides incredible benefits in Progressing Cavity Pump and Reciprocating down hole pumping systems
Are the metallurgical and mechanical properties of Continuous Coiled Rod different from Sucker Rod?
All the manufacturers have coiled rod available in various grades and in multiple sizes for a wide range of applications.