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• In some applications, conventional units may not be as efficient as “improved geometry” pumping units.
• Conventional units may require a larger gearbox than other pumping unit types (especially when steel
rods are used).
• Gearbox torque is lower in most cases (with steel rods) as compared to conventional units under the
same or similar pumping conditions.
• May cost less (5% to 10%) as compared to next size conventional unit (more efficient than conventional
units in some cases).
• In many applications, an “improved geometry” unit cannot pump as “fast” as a conventional unit
because of its downstroke velocity - which is approximately 20% faster than the upstroke velocity (can
cause “rod fall” problems).
• Can be operated only in only one direction, either “clockwise” or “counterclockwise” depending on the
manufacturer of the unit.
• Because of increased downstroke velocity, more damage to the rod string and pump components in
case of “fluid pound” is likely.
• Can put the bottom rods of the rod string in severe “compression”, causing “buckling” failures.
• Can have higher gearbox torque as compared to conventional units when using fiberglass rods. Also,
“improved geometry” units unit may put fiberglass rods into “compression”.
• The unit is more compact and easier to “balance” than other pumping unit types.
• Shipping costs are lower than other units because of less total weight.
• Is manufactured with larger available gearbox sizes than any other pumping unit type.
• Can rotate either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
• An air balanced unit is more complicated and thus requires more maintenance (air compressor, air
cylinder).
• Water condensation in the air cylinder can cause problems.
• Gearbox may be damaged if the air cylinder loses pressure.
Structural Unbalance (see the graphic on the next page) is the force needed at the polished rod to hold
the beam in a horizontal position with the pitman arms disconnected from the crank pins. This force is
"positive" when acting “down” and “negative” when acting "up". Structural unbalance is always negative for
Mark II units and can be either positive or negative for conventional units. The structural unbalance value is
available from the manufacturer.
Crank Off-set Angle (see the graphic on the next page) is the angle between the crank pin bearing and
the counterweight arm. This angle is positive for Mark II pumping units and negative for Baker Torqmaster
pumping units -- while conventional pumping units have an offset angle of “zero”. The purpose of this
angle is to help reduce gearbox torque by improving the timing between the polished rod load and the
counterweight moment.
Tubing Pump
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fluid Pound
Pounding fluid can shorten the life of the rod string, as well as the pumping unit. When pounding fluid, the
rods and the fluid in the top portion of the downstroke act as a “free falling body” at the position of the
plunger. If the point of “fluid pound” is in the upper portion of the pump stroke, the plunger could hit with an
impact greater than the combined rod and fluid weight. Match well displacement to inflow or use “rod
pumped controllers” (RPCs) or percentage timers to prevent fluid pound.
A common operating problem in a sucker rod pumping system is trying to match inflow into a well with a
pumping system that has a fixed displacement. Because the well inflow is constantly changing as the fluid
level in the well depletes or is re-charged, the displacement of the system never exactly matches the well
capacity. The well is either “under-produced” (which means that the maximum capacity of the well is not
being produced) or “over-produced” (which means that the pumping system displacement is larger than the
amount of fluid moving into the well).
Both of these conditions are very undesirable. “Under producing” results in loss of revenue because oil
that could be sold is not produced. “Over-producing” also has quite serious consequences. For example,
when the system has a capacity of one gallon per stroke but only one-half gallon flows into the well bore, a
fluid pound occurs when the downward moving plunger strikes the fluid in the half-filled rod pump chamber.
A percentage timer is a timing device used to control the operation of a pumping well. The timer can be set
to turn the motor “on” for part of a “15 minute” interval and then turn it “off” for the remaining portion of the
“15 minutes”. For example, a timer can be set to run a unit for five minutes and turn it off for ten minutes
(to pump “33%” of the time). Timers are simple, easy to use, and inexpensive. However, percentage
timers are effective only if the operator can keep them adjusted correctly based on well conditions. If a well
remains stable for a long time, a percentage timer may be sufficient to minimize fluid pound. However, a
well with fluctuating production will be very difficult to control with a percentage timer. In this situation, a
rod pumped controller is the only practical way to minimize fluid pound damage, while maintaining
maximum production.
A rod pumped controller (RPC) turns the unit off only if it detects fluid pound. Therefore, it automatically
adjusts pumping rate to changing well conditions. Rod pumped controllers can be thought of as "smart"
percentage timers. On the contrary, percentage timers are "dumb" devices because they turn the motor
“on” or “off” at the pre-set times regardless of well conditions. For example, if the well's inflow rate
increases due to a waterflood response, a percentage timer will continue to pump the well at the same rate
as before. This causes the fluid level to rise and may reduce production. For declining production, a
percentage timer that is not frequently adjusted will not prevent fluid pound. Therefore, system efficiency
and equipment life will decrease.
You can use modern rod pumped controllers either as a stand-along device or as part of a centralized
automation system. You can do this because modern controllers contain all logic needed to operate each
rod pumped well independently. However, when you use them as stand-alone devices, you must visually
inspect them for alarm lights and electronic malfunctions on a regular basis, usually daily. You also must
check the calibration of the load and position transducers periodically with a calibrated stand-alone
dynamometer system. Although stand-alone rod pump control systems require less capital than
supervisory centralized systems, they must be manually checked on a regular basis to ensure they are
functioning properly. Control logic parameters and start-up and shutdown dynamometer cards can be
reviewed or changed with a portable analyzer, usually a lap top computer. This portable analyzer plugs
into a port on the outside of the RPC box.
Supervisory rod pumped control systems represent the “state of the art” in pump off control application.
These systems consist of a central computer that communicates with several rod pumped controllers via
radio, direct cable, cellular telephone or even satellite telemetry. The operator of the central computer
system can monitor any single well or scan several wells using a specially designed software package
such as that provided by Case Services. The system can produce individual well performance reports that
show the average run time, present status of the well (“on”, “off”, “down”), alarms for load or runtime
violations, etc. Dynamometer cards can be transferred from the individual controllers to the central
computer for further analysis. A complete surface and downhole equipment diagnostic analysis can be
done at the central computer to detect problems. Also, RPC control parameters can be viewed or changed
via the central system. Centralized systems have higher capital costs than stand-alone systems and may
require drastic changes in field personnel job functions. However, since central systems can detect well
problems faster and more accurately than stand-alone systems, they help optimize manpower usage.
Instead of manually inspecting each well, field personnel can go only to problem wells. Software packages
such as Case Services' csBeamAnalysis also offer other functionality such as SPC trending of runtime,
Communication
Communication protocol is typically “MODBUS RTU” or some form of “modified modbus” such as
“MODBUS ASCII”. Protocol may also be “native” – such as the eP RPC (CAC 8500 native) now provides.
Communication is most often accomplished through available dedicated radio frequencies or “spread
spectrum” radio technology. Cellular phones (CDPD) or satellite transmission are optional methods.
End Devices
eProduction Solutions provides all the end devices needed to complete the rod pumped automation
solution – including polished rod load cells, clamp-on load transducers, and position sensors of various
types. Other manufacturer’s end devices can be used in the solution – as well as instruments such as net
oil computers, flow control devices, and multi-phase flow meters.
The following several pages are a library of “API 11L2” generated surface cards and actual cards gathered
in the field.
The following several pages show example calculated downhole pump cards and detailed explanations
which are the result of the “wave equation” diagnostic solution.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted toward the surface. At the same time, the pump chamber below
the traveling valve is filling completely with liquid through the open standing valve.
5. At point “C”, the top of the stroke has been reached and the downward tendency of the pump motion causes the
standing valve to close.
6. Between points “C” and “D”, the fluid load is being transferred back to the tubing. Because the pump chamber
has filled completely with liquid (nearly incompressible) the pump cannot move downward until the entire fluid
Important Conclusion
In a pump that fills completely with liquid (with anchored tubing), traveling and standing valve actuation
occurs at the top and bottom of the stroke with little movement of the pump. This gives the downhole card
a characteristic rectangular appearance.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid. The pump
is moving relative to the casing as the fluid load is being picked up. The pump is stationary relative to the tubing.
Since the tubing is not anchored, the tubing shortens as the load is removed from it. Because the pump is riding
along with the tubing, the pump moves relative to the casing. This movement can be detected with the use of the
“wave equation” diagnostic solution. The horizontal distance between points “A” and “B” is the amount of
tubing “stretch” in inches.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted toward the surface. At the same time, the pump chamber below
the traveling valve is filling completely with liquid through the open standing valve.
5. At point “C”, the top of the stroke has been reached and the downward tendency of the pump motion causes the
standing valve to close.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid. If the fluid
in the lower portion of the pump chamber is compressible (very gassy), a slight upward movement of the pump
may occur during the load pick-up.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted to the surface. At the same time, the pump chamber below the
traveling valve is filling with a mixture of liquid and high-pressure gas through the open standing valve.
5. At point “C”, the top of the stroke has been reached and the downward tendency of the pump causes the standing
valve to close.
6. Between points “C” and “D”, the fluid load is being transferred back to the tubing. Because of the compressible
gas that entered the pump during the charging cycle, the load transfer takes place along a “compression curve”.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted to the surface. At the same time, the pump chamber below the
traveling valve is filling with a mixture of liquid and low-pressure gas. Liquid fillage can be much less than the
volume of the pump chamber.
5. At point “C”, the top of the stroke has been reached and the downward tendency of the pump causes the standing
valve to close.
6. Between points “C” and “D”, the fluid load is being transferred from the rods to the tubing. Because the gas is
under low pressure, little compression takes place as the pump descends. Eventually, the plunger encounters
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid. The pump
is moving slowly during this part of the cycle – thus its displacement rate is low. The pump slippage rate is a
sizeable portion of the displacement rate. This causes the fluid load pick-up to be more gradual than usual.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted toward the surface. At the same time, the pump chamber below
the traveling valve is filling completely with liquid through the open standing valve. In addition to this, fluids are
slipping back around the worn traveling valve or plunger into the chamber below. This subtracts from the volume
available for entry of new fluids from the reservoir.
5. At point “C”, the pump speed has again slowed down enough so that the slippage rate exceeds the displacement
rate of the pump. This closes the standing valve. In a worn pump of this type, the load release begins
prematurely near the top of the stroke.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the traveling valve closes and the load begins to be transferred from the tubing to the rods. The
load transfer begins with the pump still on the downstroke. This happens because the slippage rate past the
standing valve exceeds the displacement rate of the slowly moving pump as it approaches the bottom of the
stroke. This closes the traveling valve while the pump is still moving downward.
2. Between points “A” and “B”, tension in the pull rod is increasing as the rods are picking up the fluid.
3. At point “B”, the entire fluid load is borne by the rods and the standing valve opens. When the standing valve
opens, slippage ceases.
4. Between points “B” and “C”, fluid is being lifted toward the surface.
5. At point “C”, the top of the stroke has been reached and the downward tendency of the pump causes the standing
valve to close.
6. Between points “C” and “D”, the fluid load is being transferred back to the tubing. The load can be released with
the pump moving down – even with complete liquid fillage. This can happen because slippage past the standing
valve exceeds the displacement rate of the slowly moving pump.
7. At point “D”, the displacement rate of the pump exceeds the slippage rate of the standing valve and the traveling
valve opens. The pump continues downward.
Louis Ray – Product Line Manager / Trainer / Consultant
22001 North Park Drive, Houston, TX 77339
Tel: 281 348-1167 Fax: 281 348-1284 Mobile: 903-647-6777
E-Mail: louis.ray@ep-solutions.com Website: www.ep-solutions.com
8. Between points “D” and “A”, the pump descends with the traveling valve open (standing valve closed) through
the fluid that entered the pump chamber during the upstroke. Slippage past the standing valve is occurring –
which decreases volumetric efficiency.
9. At point “A”, the pump has slowed down enough so that the slippage rate past the standing valve exceeds the
displacement rate of the pump. This closes the traveling valve and a new pump cycle begins.
Detailed Description
1. At point “A”, the plunger is below the bent section and the load on the pull rod is the same as for a full pump.
2. At point “B”, as the plunger reaches the “bend”, the load on the pull rod increases because the plunger must
“squeeze” by this portion of the pump barrel.
3. At point “C”, the load reaches a maximum value and then decreases as the plunger moves away from the bend.
4. On the downstroke, the load on the pull rod is normal until the plunger reaches the “bad” spot in the barrel at
point “E”.
5. The load on the pull rod decreases until the plunger reaches point “F”.
The graphic shown above helps to explain the downhole card shape for a worn or split pump barrel.
Detailed Description
1. From point “A” to the worn place in the barrel, the load on the pull rod is normal.
2. At point “C”, as the plunger moves through the bad portion of the barrel, fluid leaks by the plunger and causes the
load to decrease on the pull rod.
3. At point “D”, a good seal is again established between the plunger and the pump barrel.
4. On the downstroke, as long as the traveling valve remains open, the load on the pull rod appears to be normal.
5. If, however, the pump barrel is worn, it is possible that a corresponding load increase will occur at the same place
on the downstroke – if the worn spot causes enough pressure loss in the pump barrel for the traveling valve to
start picking up the fluid load.
The graphic shown above helps to explain the downhole card shape for a full pump experiencing fluid
inertia effects. This card shape is representative of wells with large plungers, of shallow depth (less than
4000’), and a high water cut.
Detailed Description
1. From points “A” to “B”, the inertia of the fluid in the tubing causes the load on the pull rod to increase as the
plunger moves on the upstroke and “accelerates” the fluid above it.
2. At point “B”, the load on the pull rod reaches a maximum value.
3. Between points “B” and “C”, the pressure “pulse” travels up the fluid column and the pull rod drops – until the
pressure “pulse” travels up the tubing and reflects back down. When this “reflected” wave reaches the plunger, it
increases the pull rod load, but not as much as before.
4. The pull rod load returns to normal, assuming no further reflected “pulses” are seen by the plunger.
Louis Ray – Product Line Manager / Trainer / Consultant
22001 North Park Drive, Houston, TX 77339
Tel: 281 348-1167 Fax: 281 348-1284 Mobile: 903-647-6777
E-Mail: louis.ray@ep-solutions.com Website: www.ep-solutions.com
More Downhole Pump Card Examples
Open Technology
ePIC controls virtually any rod pumped lift system,
including improved geometry pumping units, long
stroke units (Rotaflex) and even wells using two stage
downhole pumps.
Features Benefits
Control
Patented air balance control Automatically optimizes and controls air cylinder pressure on air-balanced
units.
Peak energy control functionality Inhibits well operation during peak periods of high energy cost as
determined by the operator.
Motor restart protection Prevents motor restart when condensation is present on motor windings.
Power fail recovery method Inhibits selected load alarms following a loss of power to allow a well to
pump down a high fluid level.
Programmable (auto-acting) I/O Unique monitoring and control applications using analogs, meters, and
discretes.
Multiple control methods Point or quadrant, for lower right or upper left hand portions of the surface
cards, and reverse pump-off.
Automatic idle time optimization Improved determination of idle time adjusted for inflow based production.
Pump-up delay timer Eliminates immediate pump-off due to incomplete pump fillage following
well idle time.
Monitor only mode Monitor dyno cards without regard for control setpoints or speed ranges.
Ideal for dyno card generation with VFD controlled pumping system.
Works with all kinds of wells Companies can standardize on one controller for heavy oil, sand, deviated
holes, etc.
Analysis
Gross fluid or inferred production Accurate estimates of total fluid production from shallow and deep wells
calculations without complex well site configuration.
Available ESP operating mode Allows the RPC to monitor submersible pump controllers.
System load analysis Host based detection of load cell drift on changing downhole conditions.
Cycle and run time buffers Easy access to historical data at the well site or using the host software.
Dynamometer card buffers Access to event cards (Full, Current, Shutdown, etc.) and several cards
stored leading up to the event.
Expanded alarm features Host based alarms (torque, stress, pump efficiency, prime mover size,
unbalance, etc.).
New stored card types and Card Area Alarm; Excessive Card Areas; and Hi-Hi, Hi, Low-Low, and
associated alarms Low loads.
Alarm
Extensive communications Capable of analyzing data at the well site to diagnose data transmission
debugging capabilities problems due to faulty radios, etc.
System Configuration
Improved well site configuration Simple menu for configuration, data management, system diagnostics, and
load cell calibration.
Upgradeable modular hardware Auxiliary I/O, communications, and local user interface options can be
Transient Protection
Over voltage/Transient Meets ANSI/IEEE C37.90.1-2989 protection specifications
Dynamometer Card
Resolution Samples and stores load and position data at 20 times-per-second for downhole
analysis
Analog-to-Digital
Conversion Monolithic, successive approximation 12-bit A/D converter
Oilfield Sensors
Clamp on Beam Load Transducer (Beam Sensor)
Operating Temperature -60° to +212°F
Temperature Effect on Zero ±0.19uV°F
Temperature Effect on Output ±0.0008% of full scale/°F
Combined Accuracy 0.5% to 1.0% full scale
DPS (Dual Position Sensor)
Analog Output 0- to 5-Volts
Tilt Range ±45° to ±22°
Accuracy 0.1 degree of tilt
Filters Four selectable digital filters
Input Voltage 8- to 15-Vdc @ 14-mA
Polished Rod Load Cell
Class Quantitative strain gauge
Range 0- to 30,000-lb. or 0- to 50,000-lb.
Maximum Error ±0.5% full scale
Operating Temperature -70° to +190°F (-55° to +88°C)
eP’s total solution allows the use of other software interfaces such as WonderWare
(shown above).
WAN
Application Server Downhole
Beam Suite Sensor
ESP Suite
PCP Tool
Gas Lift Suite
Monitor
LAN
Production Suite
Field Injection Tool
Applications General Monitoring
Control Client
Dial Up
Design OPC
Analyze
Production Client
Optimization
Existing SCADA
or DCS Systems
Indirect Benefits:
Detection of --
• Worn pumps
• Leaking standing or traveling valve
• Tubing leaks
• Rod parts
Accurate downtime is
Information monitored by the well collected on each well
Improve production head controller can be used to every day. In conjunction
accounting improve reporting of unscheduled with accurate well tests,
downtime for allocation purposes this information can be
used to highlight deferred
Rod pumped controllers with central site monitoring capabilities can improve the
quality of well tests in locations that have automatic well testing by monitoring
well performance during the well test.
Economic Benefits
Previous results have documented the following economic benefits from the use
of RPCs:
Analog Stand-alone Rod Rod Pumped
Controller Pumped Controller Controller with
CAO
Energy savings 20% 21% 22%
Pulling cost savings 25% 28% 35%
Net operating cost ----- $50-300 /well/yr. $300-800 /well/yr.
savings
Production acceleration 1% 1% 2%
Given this magnitude of savings, any field with beam pumping should be a
candidate for effective microprocessor based beam pump controllers and a
central site monitoring system unless there is a very compelling reason not to do
so.
• Multiple well control methods for a variety of well operating conditions and
pumping equipment types
• “Automatic Idle Time” determination
• “Peak Energy Control” for reduced well operation during periods of high energy
cost
• Expandable / Programmable I/O for unique point monitoring and control
applications
• “Motor Re-start Protection” to prevent motor restart in case the motor windings
are wet
• “Power Fail Recovery” method automatically pumps a well down following power
outages
• “Air Balance Control” option automatically balances air balanced units
• TV / SV checks and CBE value determination – both available for use by a host
analysis system
• “Run Time” data storage and trending – 6 segments of 4 hours
• Analog point and RPC parameter value logging capabilities: Hourly averages
stored for each 24-hour period and daily averages stored for 30 days
Desktop Intelligence
15000
15000
10000
10000
5000
5000
00
18WC2SE36
18WC2SE36 16WC2NE01
16WC2NE01 6WC2NE01
6WC2NE01 33WC2SE36
33WC2SE36 29WC2SE36
29WC2SE36
Before
BeforePOC
POC POC
POCInstalled
Installed
Average 47.5% Decrease in Strokes/Day
300
300
200
200
100
100
00
18WC2SE36
18WC2SE36 16WC2NE01
16WC2NE01 6WC2NE01
6WC2NE01 33WC2SE36
33WC2SE36 29WC2SE36
29WC2SE36
Before
BeforePOC
POC POC
POCInstalled
Installed
Electrical Use = 14.1% Decrease in KWH
Increased Production
Oil Production, BOPD - Before & After RPC
Pump Off Controller Test/C-13 Test Point
Salt Creek LOU/Crew 3
40
40
Oil Production, BOPD
30
30
20
20
10
10
00
18WC2SE36
18WC2SE36 16WC2NE01
16WC2NE01 6WC2NE01
6WC2NE01 33WC2SE36
33WC2SE36 29WC2SE36
29WC2SE36
Before
BeforePOC
POC POC
POCInstalled
Installed
Total Oil Production Increase = 23-BOPD
600
600
500
500
400
400
300
300
200
200
100
100
00
18WC2SE36
18WC2SE36 16WC2NE01
16WC2NE01 6WC2NE01
6WC2NE01 33WC2SE36
33WC2SE36 29WC2SE36
29WC2SE36
Before
BeforePOC
POC POC
POCInstalled
Installed
Average 201-Ft. Decrease in Fluid Level