TECHNICAL PAPERs
Explore our library of technical papers to learn about the latest advancements in well performance diagnostics, acoustic measurements, and rod pumping optimization.
Acoustic Techniques to Monitor and Troubleshoot Gas-Lift Wells
SPE Western North American and Rocky Mountain Joint Meeting, 17-18 April, Denver, Colorado, 2014, SPE-169536-MS
A Polished Rod Transducer for Quick and Easy Dynagraphs
Introduces the Polished Rod Transducer developed to provide an operator with a transducer that could be quickly and safely installed by one technician for the acquisition of dynagraph data. SWPSC, 1998.
A Review of the Non-Dimensional Pumping Parameters and Their Use In Sucker Rod String Design
Discusses the background and physical meaning of Fo/Skr and No/No', show the nomograph of their inter-relationship and provide recommended limits that may assist in reducing sucker rod system failures.
Acoustic Determination of Bottomhole Pressures In Gas Lift Wells
Information about producing and static bottomhole pressures in gas lift wells is useful in designing and operating gas lift installations and measuring over all efficiency.
Acoustic Determination of Producing Bottomhole Pressure
Discusses the acoustic determination of producing bottomhole pressure (BHP). Two different techniques are presented for wells that have liquid above the formation and gas flowing upward through the gaseous liquid column.
Acoustic Determination of Pump Intake Pressure in Wells Producing Low-API-Gravity Crude
Results are presented from field testing of numerous wells where the actual gradients of gaseous liquid columns were measured in well having a variety of gas flow rates and an oil gravity of 10 degrees API. SPE 110726
Acoustic Foam Depression Tests
48th Annual Technical Meeting of the Petroleum Society in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 8-11, 1997.
Acoustic Liquid Level Determination of Liquid Loading in Gas Wells
Discusses tests showing the redistribution of flowing gas and liquid and allows the construction of the corresponding tubing pressure traverses and the determination of the flowing gas/liquid ratio, liquid fallback volume and flowing BHP.
Acoustic Liquid Level Testing of Gas Wells
SPE Production and Operations Symposium, 4-8 April, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2009, SPE-120643-MS
Acoustic Producing Bottomhole Pressures
This paper discusses the determination of acoustic producing bottomhole pressures using the "S" curve to correct for the gaseous liquid column. SPE-14254-PA
Acoustic Static Bottomhole Pressures
SPE Production Operations Symposium, 10-12 March, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1985, SPE-13810-MS
Acoustic Velocity for Natural Gas
Acoustic velocity data for natural gas is useful for determining liquid levels in oil or gas wells and locating obstructions in gas lines.
Advanced Techniques for Acoustic Liquid Level Determination
This paper describes special advanced techniques that can be used to determine the liquid level in wells with these unusual conditions. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX
Advances in Dynamometer Technology
This paper describes advances in dynamometer technology that allow the operator to better monitor and analyze a sucker rod lift system. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2004
Analysis Before Action
Example well data collected on various wells will show opportunities for improvement, more production, more effective operation, and fewer pulling jobs. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2011
Analyzing Well Performance 98
This paper addresses the widespread need of oil field operators to continually verify that wells are being produced as close to their optimum capacity as possible. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX 1998
Analyzing Well Performance XV
Improvements in the acoustic determination of bottomhole pressures for practical needs are presented. Artificial Lift Workshop, Gulf Coast Section, SPE, April 22-24, Houston, 1987
Applications of Acoustic Liquid Level Measurements in Gas Wells
Field examples are presented to illustrate the procedures used in acquiring and interpreting acoustic fluid level tests in gas wells. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2006
Artificial Lift Power Efficiency
llustrates a way to calculate how effective a particular type of lift equipment is in adding power to lift the fluid. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 1999.
Beam Pumping to Dewater Horizontal Gas Wells
Dewatering horizontal gas wells is discussed along with pump placement, gas separation, rod protection, analysis, and horizontal well drilling control are discussed. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2011.
Best Method to Balance Torque Loadings on a Pumping Unit Gearbox
Field case studies of applying three methods to determine gearbox torque, and the pros and cons of each, are presented in this paper. Canadian International Petroleum Conference, Calgary, AB, Canada, June 8-10, 2004.
Best Practices for Pressure Transient Tests Using Surface Based Measurements
Three field cases are presented to illustrate application of the acoustic pressure transient system in different wells and to illustrate best practices that guarantee high quality data. SWPSC, 2008.
Collar Size Separator Performance and Animation
The collar size separator is used to separate liquid from free gas downhole in a well before the liquid is drawn into the pump. SWPSC, 2013.
Determining How Different Plunger Manufacture Features Affect Plunger Fall Velocity
An operator can produce the well more efficiently if the plunger fall rate, plunger location, and time the plunger takes to fall to the liquid and bottom of tubing are determined.
Development of a High Pressure (5000 psi) Gas Gun for H2S and CO2 Service
Industry material requirements, main gas gun components, selection of materials resistant to cracking and corrosion are discussed. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2011.
Down-Hole Gas Separator Performance Simulation Software
Simulation software let the user make adjustments to the separator design to optimize for particular well conditions. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2014.
Downhole Diverter Gas Separator
The Downhole Diverter Gas Separator increases the liquid capacity and gas separation capacity over other downhole gas separators. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2012
Dual Shot Acoustic Technique
The Dual Shot Acoustic Technique is used to troubleshoot Gas-lift Wells by looking for pressure communication between tubing and casing. SWPSC, 2018
DynaPump Field Evaluation
The field performance of a DynaPump system was evaluated on a recent well installation. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX.
Dynamometer Analysis Plots Improve Ability to Troubleshoot and Analyze Problems
Analysis of operational problems can be aided through the ability to graphically compare the various acquired and calculated data values. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX.
Echometer Tech Note: Acoustic Survey Analysis
Discusses questions answered by the analysis of data collected from Acoustic Surveys. Echometer, 2000.
Echometer Tech Note: Pump Card Shapes
Discusses problems that can be identified by recognizing diagnostic Pump Card shapes. Echometer, 2000.
Effect of Buoyancy of Rod String Loads and Stresses
Discusses the true/effective load versus stress argument for display of downhole dynamometer data and analysis of stresses on a rod element. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX.
Effective Loads from Sandia Downhole Dynamometer Testing
The Electronic Downhole Load Cell (DHLC) was used to acquire downhole dynamometer data on 6 well under SANDIA coordination. Dynamometer data acquired at each rod taper for each well is displayed. This paper discusses the true/effective load argument. SWPS
Equivalent Gas Free Pump Fillage Line
Represents liquid fillage inside the pump chamber when the traveling valve opens during the down stroke. Adjustments to production are made for gas in solution, slippage, free gas, and compressibility of liquid. SWPSC, 2015.
Evaluation and Performance of Packer-Type Downhole Gas Separators
Describes techniques for evaluating effectiveness of downhole gas separators. Describes a separation technique that diverts the formation fluids into the casing annulus above the pump inlet for separation by gravity. Oklahoma City, OK, 2013, SPE-164510-MS
Examples of Forces Not Accounted For By the Wave Equation
The application of external unaccounted for mechanical forces acting on the rod string impacts measured surface loads, downhole stroke length and plunger velocity, plus the calculated rod loading at the pump. SWPSC, 2018.
Gas Locked Pumps Are Not Gas Locked
Discusses the definition of a gas locked pump, diagnosing the pump card, and prevention of gas locked conditions. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2014.
Gas Separator Selection and Performance
The discussion in this document is written to help increase the liquid capacity of downhole gas separators. SWPSC, 2017.
Guidelines for the Proper Application of Critical Velocity Calculations
Critical velocity calculations in the form of charts or simple equations are frequently used by field personnel to evaluate a gas well's flowing conditions to determine if the well is experiencing liquid loading problems.
How to Maintain High Producing Efficiency in Sucker Rod Lift Operations
Discusses how to determine existing system efficiency and analyze the operating conditions of a sucker rod lift system. SPE Production and Operations Symposium, 23-26 March, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2003. SPE-80924-MS.
Improve Horizontal Rod Pump Operations Utilizing Isolated Tailpipe
The use of a safely and correctly placed isolated tailpipe used in series with a diverter style of separator can help alleviate challenging production issues in horizontal rod pumped wells. SWPSC, 2017.
Improved Analysis of Acoustic Liquid Level Depth Measurements Using a Dual Channel Analog/Digital Strip Chart Recorder
Discusses operation of the Model M instrument and interpretation of the Model M strip chart
Improved Downhole Gas Separators
Collar-sized gas separators, and gas separator placement are discussed. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 1998.
Intrinsically Safe Well Analysis Instruments
Presents fundamental aspects of intrinsic safety certification with respect to fluid level instruments. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2007.
Measured Plunger Fall Velocity Used to Calibrate New Fall Velocity Model
A theoretical plunger fall velocity model has been developed. Once the fall velocity for a particular plunger at a specific pressure and temperature is known, the model can be used to predict the fall velocities at other pressures and temperatures.
Measurement and Calculation of Key Events During the Plunger Lift Cycle
Information presented in this paper will assist the operator of gas wells who is suffering from gas flow rates below critical and is using plunger lift to alleviate the corresponding liquid loading problem. SPE 110829.
Modified Foss and Gaul Model Accurately Predicts Plunger Rise Velocity
Modified model allows determination of the max shut-in casing pressure before opening the valve and safely bringing the plunger to the surface. SPE Production and Operations Symposium, 4-8 April, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2009. SPE-120636-MS
Motor Power/Current Measurement for Improving Rod Pump Efficiencies
The development of accurate digital measurement of instantaneous power during a pump stroke has made possible a very quick and detailed analysis of the efficiency of the pumping system.
Optimizing Downhole Packer-Type Separators
Describes a technique for evaluating effectiveness of downhole gas separators by comparing the percentage of pump fillage with the percentage of liquid present in the gaseous liquid column. SWPSC, 2013
Optimizing Plunger Lifted Wells by Acoustically Tracing the Plunger Fall
Fluid level measurements are used to monitor the position of the plunger. By accurately measuring the plunger fall velocity, the minimum shut-in time for the plunger lift installation can be determined. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX.
Over-Travel Can Occur on Both the Upstroke and Down Stroke
The pump stroke can be longer than the surface stroke when the dynamic motion of the beam pump system adds momentum to the rod string, resulting in the pup stroke length increasing. SWPSC, 2017.
Overview of Beam Pump Operations
Methodology for designing to efficiently produce the well by selecting pumping speeds, stroke lengths and plunger diameters are reviewed. SWPSC, Lubbock, TX, 2007.
Plunger Fall Velocity Considerations
Data acquired at various wells will be used to correlate the construction features of different types of plungers with their fall velocity.
Plunger Fall Velocity Considerations Presentation Slides
This power point presentation accompanies the technical paper written for the SWPSC 2011.
Plunger Lift Analysis, Troubleshooting, and Optimization
Example data collected from various plunger lifted wells are presented in this paper to show how to identify operational problems such as holes in the tubing, stuck plungers and plungers not getting to bottom. Canadian International Petroleum Conference,
Portable System Takes Guesswork Out of Plunger Lift Analysis and Troubleshooting
Introduces plunger tracking system used on plunger lifted wells to record the acoustic and pressure signals of the plunger and well at high sampling rates during the entire operating cycle. SWPSC, 2007.
Pressure Transient Digital Data Acquisition and Analysis From Acoustic Echometric Surveys in Pumping Wells
Describes the design and application of a fully digital system for automatic calculation of bottomhole pressure from echometric surveys of the annular fluid level. Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference, 18-20 March, Midland, Texas, 1992. SPE-23980
Pressure Transient Testing Using Surface Based Measurements
Canadian International Petroleum Conference/SPE Gas Technology Symposium, 2008 Joint Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 17-19 June, 2008.
Progress Report #4 on "Fluid Slippage in Down-Hole Rod-Drawn Oil Well Pumps"
Presents the results of the last fluid slippage in downhole rod drawn pump fluid slippage testing completed at the TTU test well. SWPSC, 2007.
Pump Card Analysis Simplified and Improved
Plotting a pump card as the effective load on the plunger simplifies analysis, allows checking of measured surface loads and also allows direct and easier interpretation of the actual downhole forces for a more complete and better understanding of the pump.
Pump Intake Pressure: Comparison of Values Computed from Acoustic Fluid Level, Pump Dynamometer and Valve Check Measurements.
Compares the Pump Intake Pressures calculated from an Acoustic Fluid Level, Dynamometer measurement, and Valve Tests. This paper attempts to point out potential problems and presents detailed guidelines that will assist in improved analysis of the data.
Pumping Flumping Suck Rod Lifted Wells
The definition of flumping is when a well flows fluid to the surface up the casing annulus while at the same time fluids are pumped by the sucker rod pump up the tubing to the surface.
QRod, a Practical Beam Pumping Design Program
Presents a computer based tool for predictive rod string design. Outputs include pump size, rod string, surface unit size and motor size for an input depth and production rate. SWPSC, 1994
Real-Time Display of Sucker Rod Pump Performance From Dynamometer Data
The operator can see in real time what is happening inside the pump, how much fluid is being displaced, how valves are functioning and the dynamics of the rods that cause oscillation and delays of the plunger motion. SWPSC, 2011.
Reference Load Lines Aid in Analysis of the Downhole Dynamometer Pump Card
Discusses certain downhole pump problems that can be recognized based on the location of the pump card loads with respect to the three load reference lines. SWPSC, 2009.
Rod String Design Software - Well Simulation Using Sandia's Downhole Load Cell
Provides an analysis of the operating conditions for the Sandia wells at various depths with a special downhole diagnostic tool. QRod, SRod, and RodStar are compared. SWPSC, 2015.
Rotaflex Efficiency and Balancing
RotaFlex balancing can be performed using electrical power measurements. The amount of counterweight that must be added or removed from the counterweight box to balance the unit is calculated directly by using the power measurements. SWPSC.
Solar Powered Rod Pumping System, Where Bigger is Not Better
Continuous Fiberglass Rod pump jack systems designed for low horsepower requirements are beginning to be used for dewatering of gas wells. A solar panel charging system provides power to the DC motor and a bank of batteries are incorporated to provide power.
Sucker Rod Pumping System Design Tools for QRod
QRod's objective is to aid in the design and prediction of the performance of Sucker Rod Lifted Wells. A damped wave equation solution is used to accurately predict surface loads, gearbox torque, and pump capacity with minimum inputs. SWPSC, 2013.
The Three Causes of Incomplete Pump Fillage and How to Diagnose Them Correctly from Dynamometer and Fluid Level Surveys
Describes three causes of incomplete pump fillage, presents several sets of field data, using dynamometer and fluid level records to diagnose, and presents recommendations for possible solutions. SWPSC Lubbock, TX, 2010.
The Use of Polished Rod Velocity and MPRL/PPRL Ratio as an Indicator of Failure Frequency
This paper will focus primarily on polished rod parameters including loading and velocities and how proper analysis can provide guidelines for wellbore designs. SWPSC, 2018.
Timer Control of Beam Pump Run Time Reduces Operating Expense
Wells operate more efficiently and at a lower cost with a device that reduces the amount of pumping unit operating time. SWPSC, 1999.
Total Well Management II
To reduce operating costs, increase oil production and increase net income requires an integrated analysis of the pumping system. Examples of rod pumped wells, ESP, PC, others are presented. SPE
Total Well Management; A Methodology for Maximizing Oil Production and Minimizing Operating Costs
A procedure is described that allows an operator to identify those beam pumped wells which are capable of producing more oil and are operating at reduced efficiency. SPE Third Annual Symposium, Calgary, AB, May 23, 1995
Troubleshoot Rod Pumped Wells Using Tubing Fluid Level Shots
If no pump action or no produce to surface, then a recommended practice is to shoot fluid levels down the casing annulus and also down the tubing. SWPSC, 2014.
Tubing Anchors Can Reduce Production Rates and Pump Fillage
A gaseous liquid column can form above the tubing anchor and cause high pressure in the gas below the tubing anchor that restricts the liquid and gas flow from the reservoir. URTeC: 1918491, Denver Colorado, USA, August, 2014.
Tubing and Wellhead Pressure Integrity Pressure Test
This paper describes the use of a Wireless High Speed Pressure Transducer measuring system that can be used to monitor the operation and performance of beam pumping wells. SWPSC, 2016.
Use of Acoustic Surveys for Field Calibration of Surface Readout BHP Gases in ESP
This paper presents a field method by which it is possible to determine the accuracy of downhole pressure sensors with surface readouts in ESPs. SPE Production Operations Symposium, 9-11 March, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1997. SPE-37452-MS
Use of the Pump Slippage Equation to Design Pump Clearances
Test data collected will be used to show the impact of pump clearance and pumping speed on pump slippage. SWPSC, 2012.
Wireless Motor Power-Current-Voltage Measurements and Analysis
This paper describes the development of a Wireless Electrical Motor Power measuring system that can be used by oil field technicians who may not hold an electrician license to monitor the operation and performance of beam pumping system in conjunction with dynamometer and valve testing that are routinely performed in the majority of wells.
Wireless Simultaneous Acquisition of Dynamometer and Fluid Level Data Facilitates Rod PumpedWell Optimization
This paper describes the hardware and user interface, the procedures for installation and acquisition and several examples of field data and well performance analyses for a variety of rod pumping installations. SWPSC, 2011.
