1 - presentation --- pl tech --- solids with beam pump

8/12/2019 1 - Presentation --- PL Tech --- Solids With Beam Pump

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Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop

Wyndham Hotel, Houston, TexasSeptember 11 14, 2007

Beam Pumping with SolidsPresent

ByMark Mahoney, HF Pumps

Jim Lea, PLTech LLC


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Sept. 11 - 14, 20072007 Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop 2

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Other uses of this presentation are prohibited without the expressed

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and the Workshop Steering Committee.


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Disclaimer

The following disclaimer shall be included as the last page of a Technical Presentation orContinuing Education Course. A similar disclaimer is included on the front page of the Sucker RodPumping Web Site.

The Artificial Lift Research and Development Council and its officers and trustees, and the Sucker

Rod Pumping Workshop Steering Committee members, and their supporting organizations andcompanies (here-in-after referred to as the Sponsoring Organizations), and the author(s) of thisTechnical Presentation or Continuing Education Training Course and their company(ies), providethis presentation and/or training material at the Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop "as is" without anywarranty of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information or the products orservices referred to by any presenter (in so far as such warranties may be excluded under anyrelevant law) and these members and their companies will not be liable for unlawful actions and any

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the source documents, although we do make every attempt to work from authoritative sources.The Sponsoring Organizations provide these presentations and/or training materials as a service.The Sponsoring Organizations make no representations or warranties, express or implied, withrespect to the presentations and/or training materials, or any part thereof, including any warranteesof title, non-infringement of copyright or patent rights of others, merchantability, or fitness orsuitability for any purpose.


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Dont forget to possibly slow unit and pump

continuously and not with POC to keep pumpsfrom sticking.J Lea


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TYPICAL SAND PROBLEMS

STICKING OF PLUNGER DUE TO SAND TRAPPED BETWEEN THE

BARREL AND PLUNGER

PACKING-OFF CAGES AND PLUNGERS WITH SAND

STICKING VALVES OPEN

STICKING BOTTOM HOLD DOWN PUMPS IN TUBING

PLUNGER / BARREL WEAR

BALLS AND SEATS WEAR


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SAND SIZETHOUSANDS OF AN INCH

BELOW .003 SILT AND CLAY

.003-.005 VERY FINE SAND

.005-.010 FINE SAND

.010-.020 MEDIUM SAND

.020-.040 COURSE SAND

.040 AND ABOVE VERY COURSE SAND

MICRON= .00003937

100 MICRONS = .0039



MESH SCREEN SIZE

MESH SIZE GRAIN SIZE

100 .006 65 .008

48 .012

35 .016

28 .023 20 .033

14 .046



Analysis

Solids from wells are often assumed to be scale or iron sulfide.Add xylene to the solids to remove oil, paraffin, and asphaltenes.

Check the remaining solids to see if they are acid soluble.Effervescence will indicate a carbonate scale, calcite (calciumcarbonate) or siderite (iron carbonate.

Iron carbonate will not smell but will cause the acid to turn

yellow. An H2S small indicates iron sulfide. If not acid soluble,try caustic. Caustic followed by acid will tell us whether calciumsulfate is present. Barium sulfate and sand will be inert to allattempts.

If no history is available, a more complete analysis isrecommended.


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2007 Sucker Rod Pumping Workshop 9

Analysis

When the pump and tubing is pulled, always inspectthe gas and mud anchor for solids.

The presence of solids/scale doesnt necessarilymean there is a problem. Evaluate these findings withrespect to the current equipment life. For instance if

sand , did it reduce the pump life? The lack of sand in an insert pump does not always

indicate a "clean well". An aggressive rig operatorcan accelerate the rods to a high speed then slam onthe brake causing the pump valves to bounce openand allow sand to fall from the pump.


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Solids or scale problems can be minimized by

three different approaches:

1. Prevent solids from entering the pump.

Must have rathole.

2. Use a proper fit to either keep solids from

the plunger/barrel interface or let them pass

through without sticking the pump.3. Use a large valve ports to allow sand to

travel through the valves without packing-

off.

Handling Solids with Beam Pumps


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PLUNGER/BARREL CLEARANCE FORPUMPING SAND

GENERAL RULE :

TIGHT FIT TO EXCLUDE SAND FROM BARREL/ PLUNGER

INTERFACE. WORKS WITH LARGE GRAIN SIZE (.015-.020AND ABOVE).

LOOSEN FIT TO ALLOW SAND TO PASS BETWEEN THEPLUNGER AND BARREL INTERFACE WHEN FINE SAND ISPRESENT .002 +.

SAND WILL TRAVEL UP TUBING ONLY IF LIQUID RATE HIGHENOUGH. SOMETIMES THE SAND JUST STAYS SUSPENDEDABOVE THE PUMP IF THE UPSTROKE FLOW IS NOTCAPABLE OF SURFACING THE SAND.


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Continuous Operation

If pump sticking during shut down periods

then slow the unit so it runs continuouslyso sand will not settle on off cycle and

this may prevent most of sticking

problems.


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Exclude sand from pumpCavin Desanders: They are sized for the size of the particulates

encountered. They use centrifugal force from a swirling motion to

throw sand towards the side walls of the tail pipe while the fluidstays in the center and enters the pump. These devices have

proven to be effective in many W. Texas installations. Eventually

you must clean out the well or the rat hole.

Prepack Screen and Liner: These are self contained units that are

most often used in unconsolidated sand formations. The prepack

unit has screens and sand with resin, while the screen and liner

has only screens. Wells with scaling tendencies may present aproblem with this type of device.

Installing a screen in place of the perforated nipple has not proven

to be good design


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Location

Above perfs: If the reservoir pressure allows a high fluid

level, consider setting the pump above the perfs to usethe rat hole below the perfs as a natural sump. Use aproperly designed gas anchor if gas reduces the pumpefficiency.

Below the perfs: With low well pressure, set below theperfs in the rat hole. If the solids settle in the well bore

due to their size and a low production rate, the pump canbe set high with only a seating nipple (if gas is not aproblem). Once the fill reaches the seating nipple the

tubing will have to be pulled and the casing cleaned out.


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Some Filters

Cavins Desander:

Some success in W. Texas

Successful in E. Texas (previous pump lasted 6-8 monthsafterPAP 12 months with high efficiency.

Stanley Filter:

Successful in medium to light sand production.

Mixed results in high sand

FG filters have problems with sticking/breaking, especially if the

assembly is tagged against fill

Heavy oil/ high temp filter has mixed results as most filters have

troubles with viscous oil

Tagging this pump can cause damage


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Cavens Desander


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Filters


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Tight Fit Pumps

These pumps are used to prevent solids fromfitting between the plunger OD and the barrel ID.

The most common types of pumps used for this

are stroke-through pumps with about 0.002 inch

fits. Names such as Pampa, Modified Pampa,

Sand Busters are examples of these types ofpumps.


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PAMPA TUBING PUMP

RECOMMENDED FOR WELLS THAT PRODUCE

SAND OR OTHER PARTICULATES THAT HANG UP

OR STICK STANDARD PLUNGERS.

DESIGNED WITH A LONG PLUNGER AND A SHORT

BARREL SECTION.

THE PAMPA PUMP CAN BE CONFIGURED AS A

TRAVELING BARREL, STAIONARY BARREL ORTUBING PUMP AS NEEDED TO MATCH WELL

CONDITIONS.

PAMPA PUMPS CAN ALSO BE USED WITH LOOSE

FITS TO KEEP THE PLUNGER FRO STICKING WITHFINE SAND

P & Att h t


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Pumps & Attachments

Short Barrel and long plunger: This is extension of the strokethrough pump where the barrel seal is 3-4 and the plunger ismuch longer. The advantage is that the solids are not wedgedbetween the plunger and barrel over the length of the stroke.


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P a m p a R H B C I n s e r t P u m p

C o p y r ig h t A p r i l 2 0 0 2 H a r b i s o n - F is c h e r


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Close Fit Pump : PAP Pump

PAP Pump:

Good success in some areas

Not good for high corrosion areas (wipes the film off

the barrel)Tubing pump: loose rings and cant fish the SV.

Not recommended for wells with scale problems

PAP in combination with Stanley filter has proven

successful in some areas.


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Loose Fit Pumps:

These pumps can be used to allow solids to pass freely

between the plunger and the barrel. This can be

accomplished by using a pump with a long leak path (athree tube pump), a soft packed plunger ( a Martin

plunger) or a Pressure Actuated Plunger. Large

clearance require minimum of about 10 SPM.

For all of the above alternatives, California style valves

can be used (i.e.., undersized balls and seats in regular

size cages to reduce the possibility of sand frombecoming rapped between the balls and the seats.

It is recommend to first try to exclude sand from the

pump. The next recommended alternative should be aloose fit PAP pump.


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Three Tube Pump: A Three Tube Pump is designed to

pump solids by having a very loose fit (0.015 inches).And a very long leak path to reduce total slippage..

Additionally, they can wear very quickly.

The do reduce the maximum size pump that can be run inthe tubing .

Desanders and Pressure Actuated Plungers should be

considered as an alternative to a Three Tube Pump. Theyhave almost zero compression ratio.

Three Tube Pump


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3-TUBE PUMP

RECOMMENDED FOR OPERATION IN SANDY ORDIRTY FLUID.

DESIGNED WITH THREE LOOSE FITTING TUBES,PERMITTING PARTICULATES TO PASS THROUGHTHE PUMP, MAKING IT LESS VULNERABLE TOSTICKING.

HAS THE ADVANTAGES OF BOTH A STATIONARYBARREL PUMP AND A TRAVELING BARRELPUMP.

AVAILABLE IN CORROSION AND ABRASIONRESISTANT MATERIALS.


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C o p y r ig h t A p r i l 2 0 0 2 H a r b i s o n - F i s c h e r


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VALVES for SANDAPPLICATIONS

NEW 4 -GUIDE CAGE

Stellite Lined

RUBBER LINED CAGE

Viton

RubberGuides

Ball

and

Seat

Top

View

SideView

Copyright April 2002 Harbison -Fischer


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Special Balls and Seats


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Balls SeatsCeramics have not run that well. Silicon Nitride is good

for corrosion but is very expensive.


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Bottom discharge valves (BDV): BDVs are devices that are

normally used at the bottom of an insert bottom hold down

stationary barrel application. It is designed to discharge fluid on

the down stroke from between the standing and traveling valve

within the barrel to the annular space between the barrel OD and

tub tubing ID. This is done to protect the tubing and barrel with

corrosion inhibition and to reduce the amount of solids that can

pack in around the barrel above the hold down.

BDVs are recommended only when solids problems have been

identified as the reason for sticking an insert pump in the tubing

and when the well depth is lower than that recommended for atop hold down.

On stationary barrel bottom holddown pumps a BDV is installed

just above the holddown,. 20-25% of the production is discharged

on the downstroke keeping the sand from settling between the

barrel and tubing

Bottom Discharge Valves


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BOTTOM DISCHARGE VALVE

The Bottom Discharge Valve is

designed to be used when sand or

other particulates are produced.

The BDV is assembled above the

standing valve on a standard bottomhold-down pump.


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B o tto m D is c h a r g e V a lv e

F l u i d

E x i t to

T u b i n g ,

d o w n s t r o k e

D i s c h a r g e

V a l v e

P r o d u c t io n F lu i d

S t a n d i n gV a l v e

P r o d u c t i o nF l u i d t h r u

P u m p , u p s t r o k e

C o p y r i g h t A p r i l 2 0 0 2 H a r b i s o n - F is c h e r



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SOLUTIONS

Twenty percent of the produced fluid exits the pump

through ports just above the standing valve,

preventing sand from settling above the seatingnipple.

A secondary benefit is that corrosion chemicals can

be circulated through this normally stagnant fluidarea.

D bl V l i


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Historically they have been used in heavy solid producing

wells where sand or other materials prop the ball off the

seat. Double valving may reduce the problem in this case,

but other products such as desanders are generally abetter solution. They prevent the sand from entering the

pump where it can cause a problem.

Washing or jetting of the balls and seats can occur if asand grain lodges and holds the ball off the seat on either

the TV or the SV. By adding another valve, the chances of

both being off seat at once are greatly reduced.Remember small valves pack-off easier than large valves

for the same given sand size and double valves increase

the path the sand has to travel

Double Valving


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Pump: Metallurgy

For a metal pump, consider the hardest surfacematerial for the barrel and plunger for resistance toabrasion. Chrome plated barrel and sprayed metal

plunger in non corrosive environment nickel-carbidebarrel in corrosive wells

Well that produce solids should be sized to produce

all the time so sand will not settle during down times. If properly applied metal plunger does not provide

adequate pump life, consider a soft packed plunger.

Continue pump problems with metal and soft packedplungers due to solids production warrantsevaluating the use of a PCP for depths less thanabout 4000.


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Special ApplicationPumps/Attachments


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TEXAS STIPPER PUMP

DESIGNED FOR SHALLOW, LOW VOLUME WELLS

THAT PRODUCE SAND AND OPERATE WITH

PERIODS OF SHUTDOWN.

BUILT AS A STATIONARY BARREL BOTTOM HOLD

DOWN (RWB) PUMP WITH AN OUTER JACKET THAT

SHIELDS THE DISCHARGE PORTS, PREVENTINGSAND FROM ENTERING THE PUMP DURING SHUT

DOWN PERIODS.


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Copyright April 2002 Harbison-Fischer


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Insert- Top Hold down: A top hold down is a first choice. Pumpsdischarge is close the NoGo on the seating nipple which

minimizes sand accumulations. Intermittent pumping can allow

sand to settle inside pump sticking the plunger.

Insert-Bottom Hold down: A bottom hold down pump has a large

annular area between the barrel and the tubing which can fill

and sand in the pump. Sand can also settle inside the pumpsticking the plunger. A top sand seal can help if the pump has to

be run as a bottom hold down

Special Pumps Continued


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Pumps & Attachments

Insert-Traveling Barrel: A traveling barrel pump minimizes sandaccumulation between the barrel and the tubing if properlyspaced. Since the traveling valve is on top of the pump, sandcannot accumulate inside the pump. Also the fluid is dischargedspread out over the stroke length minimizing erosion damage to

the tubing.

Stroke Through Pump: Both the insert top/bottom hold down

pumps extensions to allow the plunger to stroke out of the barreltop/bottom on each stroke. The minimum stroke length is fixed.


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Pumps & Attachments

Pull Tube Discharge Pump: Both the insert A/B pumps can be

equipped with a blind valve rod guide and a pull tube that is

ported above the plunger. A pull tube traveling valve will act as a

sand check. Most of the fluid is displaced through the pull tube

minimizing sand that can wedge between the plunger and the

barrel. Also fluid is discharge spread over the stroke length thus

minimizing the erosion damage to the tubing.

Tubing Pump: Many of the attachments for the stationary barrelinsert pump apply.

&


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Pumps & Attachments

Attachments:

Top Seal: For stationary barrel bottom holddown pumps another

seal bore is run I the tubing string above the seating nipple

which accepts a seal assembly on the pump below the pump

discharge. Issue is spacing.

Top Slide Valve: Added to the pump below the rod guide and is

available for both top and bottom holddown stationary barrels.

On the downstroke, the slide valve closes which minimizes sand

from settling inside the barrel.


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Summary

Fair for low viscosity (200 cp)viscosity cases. May be able to handle up to

0.1% sand. (Hein, Bucarem, Clegg)

Sand reduces run life but with proper choices ofequipment and techniques, sand laden fluids can

be produced with beam systems.

1 - presentation --- pl tech --- solids with beam pump

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