API Subsurface Pump Designation

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By Islam Fetoui 3 July 2018

The pump designation is part of API Spec 11AX and describes the main specifications of
an API subsurface pump. It is a nomenclature to classify API sucker rod pumps and tubing
pumps according to their main characteristics. It is comprised of seven parts, separated by
dashes.
Example: 20-125-RHBC-10-4-2-2

Each part, in order, describes the following specifications:

Nominal tubing size (inch – given as a key representing the actual size)
Basic bore size (inch)
Type of pump, type of barrel, location and type of seating assembly (letter code)
Barrel length (ft)
Plunger length (ft)
Length of upper extension, used with heavy-wall barrel (inch)
Length of lower extension, used with heavy-wall barrel (inch)

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Example: A 1 1⁄4 in. (31.8 mm) bore rod type pump with a 10 ft (3.048 m) heavy wall
barrel and 2 ft (0.610 m) upper extension, 2ft (0.610 m) lower extension, a 4 ft (1.219 m)
plunger, and a bottom cup type seating assembly for operation in 2 3⁄8 in. (60.3 mm)
tubing, would be designated as follows:

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20-125 RHBC 10–4–2–2

API subsurface pumps are categorized according to the API pump designation. The basic
types of pumps and letter designation are shown in the following Table:

Important Properties of API Sucker Rod Pumps:

The field of application of an API subsurface pump is mainly determined by the type of
pump, type of barrel and location of the seating assembly. Understanding the
advantages and limitations of these specifications is important in selecting the pump best
suited for one’s pumping operations.

Here are a few tips you need to know on this matter (API pump designation letter codes
given in parenthesis).

Type of Pump:

Rod pump (R) – A rod pump, also called insert pump, is mounted inside the tubing string.

Advantage: Lower service costs compared to tubing pumps, as the pump can be removed
by pulling only the rod string.

Limitation: Lower production capacity compared to a tubing pump due to the smaller
diameter of the plunger.

Tubing pump (T) – The barrel of a tubing pump is part of the tubing string.

Advantages

Largest displacement than any rod pump designated for the same tubing size.
Deployable in wells of all depths due to the rigid design. This robustness is the result of
the pump barrel forming a unit with the tubing string.

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 Good performance with fluids of higher viscosity as the large size of the plunger leads
to a low resistance to flow.

Limitations

Higher service costs, as the barrel can only be serviced by removing the tubing string.
Not suited for gassy production fluids because of a large unswept space at the bottom
of the stroke resulting in a low compression ratio.
The larger bore of the tubing pump also means a larger bore acting on the rod string
and pumping unit.

Type of Barrel:

Thin Wall and Heavy Wall Barrels

Heavy wall – 10-12 mm (0.393 – 0.472 in) wall tubing. Externally threaded, allowing the
plunger to stroke out at both sides of the pump. The stroke-through construction prevents
scale formation inside the barrel. Stronger and more rigid, for greater setting depth.

With metal plunger (H)

With soft-packed plunger (P)

Thin wall – 5-7 mm (0.197 – 0.276 in) wall tubing. Internally threaded. Largest bore relative
to a given tubing size. For moderate depths.

With metal plunger (W)

With soft-packed plunger (S)

Heavy wall with thin-wall thread configuration (X) – 10-12 mm heavy-

wall tubing, internally threaded. As the x-type barrel does not require upper and lower
extensions like a heavy-wall barrel that could fail under pressure, even greater seating

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depths are possible.

Location of Seating Assembly:

Top, with stationary barrel (A): Stationary barrel with moving plunger. The anchor (hold-
down) is located above the standing valve of the barrel.

Advantages

Ideally suited for sandy wells as sand is washed away from the seating nipple when
fluid is pumped.
Reduces corrosive attack on the exterior of the barrel.
Good performance in gassy wells or foamy wells with low fluid levels, when the
standing valve is submerged in the fluid. It is recommended to run the pump in
combination with a gas anchor.

Limitation

Not well suited for deep wells, especially if equipped with a thin-wall barrel. This is due
to the relatively high differential pressure and the tensile load acting on the barrel
during pumping.

Bottom, with stationary barrel (B): Stationary barrel with moving plunger. The anchor
(hold-down) is located below the standing valve of the barrel.

Advantages

Recommended for deep wells as the differential pressure acting on the barrel when
pumping fluid is low.
Appropriate for low static fluid levels as the pump can be seated close to the bottom
hole and the relatively large standing valve improves fluid intake.
Good performance in gassy wells if equipped with a gas anchor. The small height
difference between the pump inlet to the standing valve reduces foaming of the fluid.

Limitations

Not suited in wells with scale formation, as sand and other particles can settle between
the tubing wall and barrel.
Not advisable for intermittent pumping operations, as the barrel can get stuck when
solids settle on the plunger.

Bottom, with traveling barrel (T): Moving barrel with stationary plunger. The anchor (hold-
down) is located below the standing valve of the plunger.

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Advantages

Ideal in sandy conditions as the moving barrel keeps the fluid in motion, thus reducing
the change of sand settling and sticking the pump.
Well suited for wells that are pumped intermittently because the pump design makes it
impossible for sand to settle between the barrel and plunger when pumping is stopped.
More robust construction compared to insert pumps with a stationary barrel.

Limitations

Poor performance in gaseous wells, as gas can escape from the fluid. This is the result
of the comparably small standing valve which makes the pump more resistant to flow.
Reduced performance in wells with low static fluid level as the flow of the fluid through
the pull tube causes an increased drop in pressure.
Not advisable for high viscosity production fluids as the small standing valve can lead
to a significant drop in pressure at the bottom of the pump.
The length of the barrel is limited in deep wells due to the weight of the liquid acting on
the pump.
Not recommended in wells deviated at the seating location due to excessive wear on
the barrel.

Type of Seating Assembly:

Cup type (C): Economical, but normally cannot be re-seated after workover.

Mechanical (M): Metal seat. More expensive than cup type assembly, but seating
mechanism can be used several times.

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