Module #2:Calculations

(a) Effects of gas on downhole pump

(b) What is Gassy Well?
(c) Pump Volumetric Efficiency
(d) Pump Compression Ratio
(e) Back pressure regulator

for ALEOC, J. Lea

9/26/2008 1

(a) Effects of Gas on Downhole

Pump

for ALEOC, J. Lea

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 Condition when pump is full of liquid
Full Pump

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Condition when pump is partially full of gas: This is sometimes

called “gas pound” and “fluid pound” when well pumps off.

INCOMPLETE
FILLAGE

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(b) What is “Gassy” Well

A high GOR or GLR may or may not mean that the well
is gassy. If the well is being pumped with a high intake
pressure, the gas may be mostly in solution, in which
case the pump intake conditions may not be very gassy.

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(b) What is “Gassy” Well
Run Program PP in C:/pmpcrv … free gas
calculator

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(c)Pump Volumetric Efficiency

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Pump Volumetric Efficiency

VE = VE(free gas) x VE(leakage) x VE(clearance)

VE (free gas) = (Qo + Qw) / Pump Displaced Volume

VE = (Qo + Qw)
Qo Bo + Qw Bw + Qo(GOR-Rs) Bg / 5.614

for ALEOC, J. Lea

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Pump VE vs. Intake Pressure

A) If all gas is vented, the efficiency decreases with as increase in pump intake
pressure until the bubble point is reached, after which the efficiency increases with as
increase in intake pressure. The volumetric efficiency in this case, where no gas is
present in the pump, is a function of the formation volume factor, only. Thus:

Qo + Qw
VE = x100
QoBo + QwBw

Above is VE for
pressures above
bubble point

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 All Gas Pumped
A) In case that all gas is pumped the volumetric efficiency increases with intake pressure until the
bubble point is reached. At the bubble point all gas is in solution and the volumetric efficiency is a
function of the formation volume factor only as shown in the previous case. The volumetric efficiency,
for pressure below the bubble point pressure, can be calculated from the following expression:

Qo + Qw
VE =
QoBo + QwBw + (GOR − Rs )QoBg / 5.614

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Reverse-Flo Gas Separator

The pump volumetric efficiency, which takes into account both
the efficiency of the gas anchor (the decrease of the efficiency due
to presence of free gas) and the change in the liquid volume from
the bottomhole flowing conditions to the surface condition, is
given by:

Qo + Qw
VE =
QoBo + QwBw + CP 2 / 3V sl1 / 2 QoBo

QoBo + QwBw 5.614

Vsl = x
Aan 86,400

See SPE 15426 for

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separator equations

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 Reverse-Flow Gas Separator
.As the intake pressure increases the bubble size decreases and consequently the bubble rise velocity
decreases which in turn causes poorer gas separation. Thus, the benefit of using a gas anchor decreases
with an increase in intake pressure. At the intake pressure of 400 psig and GOR of 200 scf/stb as shown
in the figure, the volumetric efficiencies for both cases i.e. with and with out a gas anchor are the same.
This is because the fluid downward velocity becomes equal to the bubble rise velocity and no gas
separation occurs. Using a gas anchor beyond this point would be detrimental to the volumetric
efficiency because of the additional gas liberated when fluid passes through the gas anchor

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Summary

Conclusions the general conclusion can be drawn, thus, that the

pump should be set at intake pressures that are equal to or
greater than the bubble point, or at low intake pressures a gas
anchor (reverse flow separator) should be used. However it can
be shown that reverse flow separators ( poor boy separators)
operate well only at lower rates (150-200 bpd).

for ALEOC, J. Lea

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(d ) Beam Pump Compression
Ratio

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Unswept Volumes
(1)Some cage designs
have more dead
space than others.
in Pump
Some manufacturers
can supply this
information
(2)For best spacing
results, lower pump
in dynamic
conditions 1” at a (1)Vol in TV cage
time until bottom tap
occurs and raise
pump 1” or less. This (2)Vol left due to
will not work for
fiberglass rods.
spacing
(3)The valve rod (3)Vol from cutting
should be cut to 1/2” valve rod short
clearance in the
shop. 1/8” clearance
is difficult due to (4)Vol in SV
tapered thread.
cage
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 Definition of CR
(Compression Ratio)
Dead space due to cutting valve rod and
valve cage designs.
CR = Swept Vol+(Spacing + Dead Space)
(Spacing Vol + Dead Space)
= P2, (must be greater than Pd)
PIP, intake pressure
Pd is the discharge pressure above the
pump in the tubing, approximately equal
to .433 x depth x S.G. + tubing surface
Swept Volume pressure.

Spacing
Dead space
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Compression Ratio:
Conclusions & Recommendations
„ In gaseous wells it is good practice to
respace the well under operating
conditions. The spacing clearance should
be reduced to 1 inch.
„ In a real pumping system the effect of
clearance on the volumetric pump
efficiency will be much smaller that the
case just shown this mainly because
some liquid is always present in the
clearance.
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Compression Ratio:
Conclusions & Recommendations
„ In order to properly space the pump,
tubing has to be anchored in
gaseous wells, at least 150 feet
above the gas anchor
„ Avoid double SV or TV arrangements
(this adds unswept volume in the top
cage). The TV should be at the
bottom of the plunger.
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Compression Ratio:
Conclusions & Recommendations
„ The (standing) valve with large flow areas
should always be used (such as circle A or
HIVAC or the H-F “Zero-Cage” SV).
„ Slow pumping speed should be used.
Longer time will be provided for the well
fluids to fill the pump and to cool during
compression, and consequently less gas
will break out of solution (no evidence but
seems logical). Also slow pumping allows
more gas to break out in gas separator if
one is being used.
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Compression Ratio: Pump Construction

Use short hex

plug (out of pump
on left) for seat
plug for SV. It will
help reduce dead
space in cages
only if valve rod
cut to short
clearance
between TV and
SV on the
downstroke (but
not tagging on
clutch on
surface). for ALEOC, J. Lea
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“E” Back Pressure Regulator

Mounted on beam unit to add pressure

wells with high intake pressure that may
be “flumping” or wells slugging to
prevent a dry stuffing box. Typically
can add 200-300 psi at the surface of
the well to set valves in the well.

Flumping is sometimes called type II

gaslock.

Sold by Baird (918) 585 9776 and by

many distributors including H-F by
contacting
9/26/2008
chief_engineer@hfpumps.com
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