Alternative Valve Design for SRP Pumps

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Authors

Abstract

One of the most common and widely used artificial lift system is the sucker rod pump. Its basic simplicity, cheap running cost and versatility in power supply makes it an often used choice for lifting oil. The downsides are that it is only usable for liquids and even a little amount of gas can render a pump unusable which makes a costly workover necessary. The aim of this thesis is to find a way to handle gas interference and gas lock by adapting the existing design. The used sucker rod design in this case is based on the Sucker Rod Anti-Buckling System (SRABS) of Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Clemens Langbauer. As a starting point the ideas of a secondary valve system to equalize pressure across the valve body or a surface controlled valve were chosen to get rid of the gas in the barrel if some is getting accumulated there. In the following thesis different approaches are explored and their feasibility is checked. A secondary task is the investigation of the idea of using the motion of the string to produce electricity downhole. The aim is to use it for measurement tasks such as temperature, pressure and force. In this context the possibility of the integration of a linear generator is scrutinized. This thesis will give a short recap of the working principle of a sucker rod pump and the common problems with gas interference. The focus is on the prevention of gas accumulation in the pump to keep it from failing. All basic valve types will be compared to see if there are other opportunities to control the valve action downhole independent of gravity and fluid loads. If there is the space and possibility to implement a secondary valve system as mentioned above is investigated, too. In the second part the idea of a linear generator will be discussed in further detail. The implementation of a downhole generator will be discussed firstly in theory and secondly an experiment is set up to show if it is possible to implement this in an existing sucker rod pumping system.

Details

Translated title of the contributionAlternatives Ventildesign für SRP Pumpen
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date15 Dec 2017
Publication statusPublished - 2017