Abstract
ABSTRACT Oryx Energy has been drilling horizontal wells in the Pearsall Field of South Texas since 1985. While many of these wells came in flowing at rates in excess of 1000 BO/D, it soon became apparent that the wells would need to be artificially lifted early in their life in order to maintain high production rates. Lifting these type wells has proven to be very challenging due to fluctuating rates, varying gas/oil ratios, offset interference and gas interference experienced across the field. As production from these wells declined to rates below 100–200 BBL/D, Oryx started to aggressively pursue lowering the sucker rod pumps into the curved or lateral portion of the hole in order to reduce reservoir pressure and recover additional oil from the highly competitive Austin Chalk formation. This introduced new challenges as Oryx tried to determine the most economical and effective method and material to perform the job. This paper reviews one operator's experience with sucker rod lift in the Pearsall Field and is based on data from over 150 wells, including over 80 which are pumping from the lateral section or "in the curve". Methods to reduce gas interference, increase pumping efficiency and extend the life of downhole equipment are addressed.
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