Progressive cavity pump tubing drain valves: operator-savings illustration

Abstract

Three case studies show how three progressive cavity pump (PCP) operators used Zenith® (Baker Hughes) tubing drain valves to protect problematic PCPs from blockage and damage, reducing downtime and avoiding cost of backflush operations. The efficient solids management system incorporated in the Zenith PCP tubing drain valve (PCP-TDV) reliably safeguards pumping equipment from damage or blockage caused by descending solids when the pump is shut down, eliminating unplanned downtime and costly equipment replacement. Addressing the failings of alternative valves, the Zenith PCP-TDV effectively reduces the requirement for well workover, preventing pump-off, increasing uptime and lift system run-life, even in heavy oil and high viscosity fluid operations. The Zenith PCP-TDV provides an innovative solution to costly pump damage, while preventing recirculation and simplifying backflush operations. The addition of backflush capability is designed to allow the pump rotor to be retracted and reset without running out of hole. A further addition specific to the coal seam gas market is the inclusion of a tubing pressure-activated, single-use locking piston, so as to allow external pressure to be subjected to the PCP-TDV without pumping being open, thus allowing the string to be set with no well fluid ingress into the production string and pump before operation.