Artificial Lift Systems The newest face to The DRM Companies

What is Artificial Lift Systems? After a well has been drilled and completed, an oil company will flow it back using the natural pressure of the well. At some point the natural pressure will fall off and/or the well will load up with fluid and kill itself. This is where Artificial Lift comes in, this is a man made (artificial) lifting process to fetch the fluid in the well. There are several systems that a company can use such as rod lift, gas lift, ESP, plunger lift, etc. For rod lift there are two types, using a sucker rod pump and conventional pumping unit and Progressive cavity pump lift. DRM ALS is in the rod lift business using conventional units and sucker rod pump

Sucker Rod Pump A sucker rod pump is a component that is the most crucial part of pumping a well. The pump is at the bottom of the well and connects to the pump jack by sucker rods. The pump is on the inside of the tubing. The plunger assembly is the traveling assembly and is specially machined as is the stationary assembly containing the barrel. It creates a suction affect and using a series of valves can trap fluid and keep it moving upward

Courtesy of Theta Oilfield Services Sucker Rod Pump Courtesy of Theta Oilfield Services

Sucker Rods

The basics of a sucker rod The pumpjack is the visible above-ground drive for the well pump, and is connected to the downhole pump at the bottom of the well by a series of interconnected sucker rods. Sucker rods are usually installed in a taper. Rods come in steel and fiberglass Steel rods typically come in ¾”, 7/8”, and 1” and are usually 25’ long Fiberglass rods are typically 1” and 1-1/4” and are usually 37.5” long Rods are connected by a coupling, the coupling is either a “T” or “Spray metal”

Fiberglass Sucker rod The Fiberglass rod gives the rod string more elasticity, providing over travel of the pump, therefore providing more production. The 2 FG rods weigh less than 3 steel rods, this allows the operator to use a smaller pump jack The FG rod is corrosion resistant due to its make up

Steel Sucker Rods Steel Rods are the most basic form of ALS Available in a variety of sizes and come in 25’ lengths Available in a variety of grades Grade AD is a basic sucker rod with Standard tensile strength and is good for little to no corrosion enviroments Grade KD is a more corrosion resistant rod with the standard characteristics just like the AD such as tensile strength Grade HS is a high strength rod with a higher tensile rating than the AD & KD rod, not good for corrosive enviroments

Sinker Bars Sinker Bars, aka weight bars Used to weigh down the rod string at the bottom of the well to maintain tension and keep the system running smoothely Come in 1.5”, 1-5/8”, 1.25”

Accessories On/Off Tools Shear tools Left hand coupling Guided pony rod Polish rod

Couplings Spray Metal Coupling – Shiny Finish – good for corrosive environment and deviated wells “T” Couplings – Dull metal finish – Standard service coupling

Pony Rods Pony rods are used once the pump and all of the sucker rods are installed in the well. They are used to properly “Space” the well out. They come in lengths of 2’, 4’, 6’, and 8’ for steel and 3’, 6’, 9’, and 18’ for fiberglass. The diameter of the rod is usually determined by the rods in the most upper part of the well. Proper handling of the pony rods is just as crucial as the handling of the sucker rods

Sequence Polish rod Pony rods Fiberglass Steel Sinker bars Pump Keep in mind how the sequence of rods being run in the well is. This will determine how you need to stack bundles at well site. Also need to make sure sinker bars are stacked with the lift neck closest to the well. This makes it to where the crew can pick it up with the rig.

Proper Handling of Sucker Rods Rods should be handled carefully due to the how they stretch when in service, any stress points from the slightest damage can cause a premature failure Rod should never be tied down or back with chains. The metal on metal can cause stress points Tools and other equipment should not be placed or tossed onto rods Rods should always be lifted using a spreader bar and “T’s”, never by picking up under the bundle with a forklift

Proper Handling of Sucker Rods Use a spreader bar and “T” bars ALWAYS when lifting sucker rods

Proper Handling of Sucker Rods Only raise one bundle at a time carefully with forklift or spider lift, only lift bundle enough to clear obstacles to avoid any unnecessary safety hazards and control the load as it will swing

Key points for hauling sucker rods Always stack bundles where the boards are stacked on boards, if the this is not done it can cause bending of the sucker rods Use straps not chains Always strap over the boards, never over the rods.

What the DRM ALS division does Well Site Optimization using rod design software, pump design, tubular design and more The ability to provide the sucker rod pump, Fiberglass rods, steel sucker rods, pony rods, wellhead hookups, and even the pumpjack Well site safety briefings and handling schools Combining these services along with our OCTG and transportation services Provide the most quality, unmatched service to keep the customers coming back to The DRM Companies

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