Artificial Lift Systems: Enhancing Oil Production Through Emerging Technologies
Artificial lift refers to various techniques used to increase hydrocarbon production from a well by reducing the hydrostatic pressure and allowing the reservoir fluids to flow more easily. When wells are no longer able to produce crude oil or natural gas at economical rates using natural reservoir pressures, these artificial lift technologies play a vital role in optimizing reservoir depletion and recovery.
Types of Artificial Lift Systems
Rod Pumping Systems
Artificial Lift Systems, also known as beam pumping, are one of the most widely used forms of artificial lift. A rod pump uses the vertical motion of the sucker rods connected to a reciprocating motor or pump jack at the surface to act on the downhole pump. Rod pumps are suitable for low to medium lift applications of up to around 6,000 feet and can be used in vertical, deviated or horizontal wells producing oil or gas. While relatively simple and easy to operate, rod pumps require regular maintenance and their exposed sucker rods make them susceptible to damage.
Submersible Pumping Systems
As their name implies, submersible pumps are completely submerged below the fluid level in the wellbore. A motor is integrated directly above or below the pump to drive it. Power is transmitted downhole through an electric cable. Submersible pumps are not exposed to hostile wellbore conditions like rod pumps and can operate efficiently in deviated or horizontal wells as well as highly corrosive or hot environments. However, their downhole motors require more power and maintenance. Submersible pumps are well-suited for medium to deep lifts of over 6,000 feet.
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