12 - Sucker Rod Pumping

Abstract

Sucker rod pumping, also referred to as “beam pumping,” provides mechanical energy to lift oil from bottom hole to surface. It is efficient, simple, and easy for field people to operate, and it can pump a well down to very low pressure to maximize oil production rate. It is applicable to slim holes, multiple completions, and high-temperature and viscous oils. The system is also easy to change to other wells with minimum cost. The major disadvantages of beam pumping include excessive friction in crooked/deviated holes, solid-sensitive problems, low efficiency in gassy wells, limited depth due to rod capacity, and bulky in offshore operations. Beam pumping trends include improved pump-off controllers, better gas separation, gas handling pumps, and optimization using surface and bottom-hole cards. This chapter presents the principles of sucker rod pumping systems and illustrates a procedure for selecting components of rod pumping systems. Major tasks include calculations of polished rod load, peak torque, stresses in the rod string, pump deliverability, and counterweight placement.