HVL High Volume Lift Jet Pumps ESP PCP

HVL (High Volume Lift) Jet Pumps, ESP & PCP

Artificial Lift Capacities #1 Jim Hacksma 2

Artificial Lift Capacities #2 Jim Hacksma 3

Jet Pumps, ESP & PCP q All three methods pump very high liquid rates Ø See q For q In two prior slides GWD, have no need for such high rates wells with GWD, typical conditions are; Ø Mostly Ø Low gas FBHP ►Only modest liquid ►Pump-off conditions Ø The big question ►How do these three methods perform under such conditions? Ø Unfortunately, Jim Hacksma not very well 4

Jet Pumps Jim Hacksma 5

Jet Pumps q Great q But, for deep, high volume, low GLR wells jet pumps are poor in low rate gas wells; Ø Wells that commonly have; Ø Lots of gas ►Relatively little liquid Ø Low FBHP ►Pump-off conditions Jim Hacksma 6

Cavitation is primary problem in jet pumps q Occurs Ø Gas when pressure in pump is low bubbles form ►Damages pump q Common when too little liquid production q Cavitation unavoidable in pump-off condition q Inconsistent with low rate gas wells Ø Gas ►Little liquid ►Pump-off ►Low pump pressure Ø Not suitable for low rate gas wells Jim Hacksma 7

Cavitation (cont’d) q Because Ø Must ü of danger of cavitation; maintain high PBHP Min PBHP can be as much as 10 -30% of hydrostatic Ø Must maintain high fluid level (well above pump) Ø Can’t pump-off well Ø Liquid ØA production cannot be very low PBHP is desired, Ø But, Jim Hacksma jet pump cavitates before low PBHP created 8

Jet Pump Conclusion q Because of danger of cavitation, jet pumps are not suitable for GWD, where; Ø Liquid rates may be low Ø Gas rates are relatively high Ø Low FBHP Ø Pump-off Jim Hacksma conditions 9

ESP Electric Submersible Pumps Jim Hacksma 10

ESP Use q ESP’s are typically used in wells that produce high liquid rates & little gas Ø Does not sound like typical liquid loaded gas well q ESP’s Ø Low are not well suited for lower liquid rates can cause; Ø Pump Ø Gas locking Ø Heat Jim Hacksma cavitation damage due to inadequate cooling 11

ESP Position q With SRP, for best gas separation, where is pump landed? Ø Below q With perfs, if possible ►Natural gas separator ESP, where is pump normally landed? Ø Above perfs Ø Why? It is usually necessary, but setting above perfs creates gas problems Jim Hacksma 12

ESP Cooling q Pump on top ►Electric motor bottom Ø Liquid passes by motor on way to pump Ø Motor cooled by liquid passing by motor Ø If q If reversed, liquid could not get from pump to tubing assembly were below perfs; Ø Liquid Ø And, be sucked into pump Ø Liquid q Thus, Jim Hacksma would fall from perfs to pump would not reach motor ►Would not be cooled for cooling, assembly is above perfs 13

ESP Cooling (cont’d) q Gas Ø If is a poor coolant large quantities of gas pass by the motor; Ø Cooling Ø This Jim Hacksma is reduced ►Potentially damaging motor is a common problem in gas wells 14

Gas Separation Shrouds can improve gas separation q But, shrouds require more space Ø Shrouds require larger casing Ø Below perfs, shroud would be open on bottom Ø Above perfs, shroud would be open on top Ø Shrouds q Cooling Ø Too Jim Hacksma may improve gas separation, but… often remains a problem little liquid ►Too much gas 15

ESP Conclusion q Following Ø Poor Ø Gas shortcomings limit use of ESP gas separation interference & gas locking Ø Pump cavitation Ø Inadequate q ESP’s are not suitable for GWD Ø Where Jim Hacksma motor cooling there may be only modest liquid production 16

PCP Progressing Cavity Pumps Jim Hacksma 17

PCP Use q Commonly used in CBM (coal bed methane) Ø Used to de-water the coal bed Ø Used to pump high volumes of water Ø Must handle coal fines Ø For Jim Hacksma this purpose, the PCP is exceptional 18

Downfalls of PCP q Pump Ø If damage allowed to run dry Ø Insufficient Ø Pump over-heating results q Settling Ø Cannot Ø Must of coal fines be allowed to settle in tubing above pump be carried to surface with high velocity liquid Ø Insufficient Jim Hacksma liquid production passing thru pump liquid production leads to fines settling 19

PCP Downfalls (cont’d) q Two greatest problems (over-heating & settling) both a result of too little liquid production Ø Too little liquid production is often a problem in low rate gas wells q PCP’s Jim Hacksma are not suitable for GWD 20

HVL methods are usually not suitable for GWD Jim Hacksma 21

Questions? q Jim Hacksma q Consulting q Specialty Petroleum Engineer – Gas Well Deliquification q 832 -559 -7332 office q 281 -415 -4715 cell q 11903 Amyford Bend, Cypress, TX 77429 q Jim. Hacksma@comcast. net Jim Hacksma 22