Downhole Pump Complete Guide
Table of Content
What is a Downhole Rod Pump?
Types of Downhole Oil Pump
Downhole Pump Components
How Does Downhole Pump Work?
Downhole Pump Designs
Factors for Choosing Downhole Pump
Downhole Oil Pump Manufacturer in China
If you are in the field of oil recovery or gas production, you must be familiar with the term downhole equipment. These are pieces of oilfield equipment that are mainly used in the wellbore.
Are you seeking to buy the best downhole pump in China? This is a perfect guide for you. We are going to enlighten you on everything that you should know about downhole pump oil and gas.
What is Downhole Pump?
In the process of oil recovery, the oil from the reservoir is naturally expected to rise above the ground using its pressure. But, what if the pressure is too low to facilitate the movement of oil up the oil well?
This is where the concept of an artificial lift system comes in. These are man-made methods that are designed to ensure that oil from the underground is pumped to the surface for maximum extraction.
Downhole rod pump is one of the key components of the artificial oil lift system. This is an oil pump that is designed to ensure maximum oil is pumped from the oil reservoir to the surface for further processing.
The term ‘downhole’ refers to the underground. This means that the pump is used for pumping oil under the ground. This is different from the surface oil pumps that are used for pumping oil that is already on the surface.
Downhole rod pump comprises of various parts and components which work together for the maximum oil production.
It is also vital to note that a downhole pump can either be single-action or double-action. Your choice will depend on the expected result from the pump.
Types of Downhole Oil Pump
There are two main types of downhole pumps according to the nomenclature. These are the rod pump and tubing pump.
The name rod pumps are also known as insert pumps because they are usually inserted into the production tubing.
The plunger and the valve assembly of the rod downhole pump convert the reciprocating motion from the beam into vertical motion that will facilitate the movement of the fluid upwards.
The name tubing pump is derived from the fact that the working barrel of the pump is enhanced by a production tubing string.
Apart from the two broad categories, downhole pumps can be further differentiated based on their specifications. Of course, all the specifications are defined according to the API standards.
Regardless of the type, one of the features that stands out in the downhole pump is the barrel type. Currently, recommends the barrel for the artificial lift downhole pump.
Additionally, downhole pumps rarely require extension couplings which is a common feature on most pumps.
The design of the downhole pump gives it structural integrity. You will not have to worry about the incidences of collapse and burst due to the pressure of the fluid.
Downhole Pump Components
Various components make up a complete downhole artificial pump for oil recovery. These include:
-Downhole pump barrel
Also known as a barrel tube, this is a component that facilitates the flow of oil from the reservoir.
The type and specifications of the pump rod will depend on the design of the oil pump and the nature of the wellbore.
The rod can either be on a section of tubing or it can be a completely separate component.
Some of the key specifications of the barrel that you should look at when buying a downhole pump include the diameter of the barrel, the type of metal that has been used for making the barrel, the length of the barrel, and the thickness of the metal.
Carbon steel, brass, and stainless steel are some of the most common metal types that are used for making the barrel.
The design and dimension of the barrel are also important in ensuring that it is compatible with other components of the downhole pump.
-Holddown Seal Assembly
Any typical downhole pump, regardless of the nature of the oil well, must have a holddown assembly. The core purpose of this component is to create a foolproof sealing between the tubing and the pump.
A downhole pump is designed to have three types of holddown assemblies: Two of these assemblies are the mechanical options while the other option is a cup type.
The sealing must be installed correctly so that it facilitates a seamless flow of fluid in the tubing string.
The cup-type assembly utilizes two different seating nipple lengths.
Although both the seal assembly options can work, you should consider the conditions of the wellbore before choosing any type. For instance, the mechanical assembly is ideal for the high-temperature wellbores.
-Plunger
The main function of a plunger is to push the oil from the base of the pump upwards. This is facilitated by the movement of the barrel around the plunger or when the plunger travels within the barrel.
A plunger for the downhole pump can either be metallic or nonmetallic. They also come in different specifications depending on the areas of applications.
In most downhole oil pumps, there is a significant space between the barrel and the plunger. The spacing can be rectified during the downhole oil pump installation.
Most plungers and barrels are constructed to withstand corrosion and abrasion which can be due to the conditions in the downhole such as high heat and chemicals such as sulphuric acid.
Such conditions will also determine whether you should use grooved or non-grooved plungers.
Soft-pack plungers, which are also known as the non-metallic plungers are are ideal for oilwells with high corrosive and abrasive properties. This is because they have a high resistance to such conditions.
-Standing Valve
A standing valve is another main component of the downhole PC pump. The valve is located at the base of the pump and is designed to allow the oil to flow from the reservoir to the barrel.
A standing valve comprises of a ball that conveniently rests on top of a lipped seat.
Usually, the fluid pressure from beneath will cause the ball to unseat from its designated position. However, the pressure coming from the top of the valve will cause the ball to remain at its position hence preventing the backflow of the fluid.
While the ball and the seat are positioned against each other, the two work as a single unit. The design and sizes of the ball and seat should be in accordance with the API standards.
-Traveling valve
From the name, you can tell that this is a complete opposite of the standing valve.
Unlike the standing valve, a traveling valve is located at top of the downhole pump. Its main function is to allow the recovered oil to flow out of the barrel and not back.
Although the standing valve and the traveling valve are used at different sections of the downhole pump, the two are designed to have the same properties.
Their construction and even properties are the same meaning that they can be used interchangeably.
How Does Downhole Pump Work?
From the above components, it is pretty easy to visually describe the working mechanism of downhole pump for oil and gas recovery.
Since it is a reciprocating pump, it moves up and down to pump the fluid. The two valves-stay and traveling valves open and close depending on the action of the pump.
Downhole pumps by applying hydraulic force against the piston which will in turn lift the fluid to the surface.
The pumped oil travels through the tubing up to the surface where it will be channeled to storage tanks for processing.
Downhole Pump Designs
Downhole pumps come in different designs which include:
1.Insert pumps
The term ‘insert’ implies that the pump is already complete and you only need to insert a functional pump into a tubing string.
An insert downhole oil pump can have either a stationary or a moving barrel which can be installed either at the top or bottom of the pump.
From this description, you can choose different types of insert rod pump designs. These include:
-Stationary barrel-top anchor
-Stationary barrel-bottom anchor
-Traveling barrel, bottom anchor
-Travelling barrel-top anchor
The main advantage of the travel tubing pump is versatility. It can be used in different oilfields without any technical barrier.
2.Tubing Pumps
This is another popular artificial lift downhole pump design that you may consider
buying in China.
The tubing pump is installed in a downhole as apart of the tubing string while the traveling and standing valves run along the rod string. This is the main feature that differentiates the tubing pump from the insert downhole pump.
The main advantage of the tubing downhole pump is performance. It is capable of pumping large volumes of oil in each cycle.
However, it attracts high maintenance costs to deliver top performance.
While the above two are the main downhole pump designs, other designs are majorly field-specific. This means that they are specifically designed to meet the needs of particular oilfields.
One such pump is the sand screen downhole pump. While buying a downhole pump for sale, it is important that you explain all your needs. This will help the downhole pump manufacturer to help you choose the right pump.
Factors for Choosing Downhole Pump
Buying a downhole pump is not a straight-forward process. As we have seen, there are different types and designs of downhole pumps. They also come in different specifications.
So, you must take time to analyze your oilfield needs before you proceed to buy a downhole pump.
Some of the key factors that you should consider when selecting a downhole pump include:
-The depth of the well
-Temperature of the downhole
-Fluid viscosity
-Size of particles in the recovered fluids
-The targeted production volume as compared to the capacity of the pump
-Corrosivity of the fluid
-Tubing and casing size
-Price of the downhole pump and its maintenance costs
-Well completion type
Once you are sure of these listed factors, together with the downhole pump experts, you should be able to proceed and buy the pump.
Reliable downhole pump manufacturers can even help you analyze these variables and recommend the right pump for your oilfield.
Downhole Pump Manufacturer in China
Let’s face it: With the intensity of the oil recovery process, you cannot afford to use low quality downhole oil pump. Your ultimate goal will always to buy the premium pumping unit downhole pump.
One way of ensuring that you get the right pump is by choosing a reliable and reputable downhole pump manufacturer in China.
Reliable manufacturers’ band suppliers of downhole pumps ensure that your oilfield equipment will deliver optimum results under any condition.
Are you looking for a reliable downhole pump factory in China? We’ve got your back!
We at San Jack Petro are proud to be among the best downhole pump manufacturer and suppliers in China.
We design, assemble, and manufacture quality downhole pump that will meet your ultimate oil recovery goals. We can even recommend the pump in case you are not sure which is the best downhole pump for you.
Our downhole pumps are manufactured to conform with the API nomenclature. This simply means that they meet the international standards and can be used in any oilfield.
Would you like some modifications to your pump? We are ready to make them. Our scope goes beyond the rules as we design and manufacture specialty downhole pumps for different applications.
Some of the out-of-box applications include the gas interference downhole pump and downhole pump for high-viscosity oil
Even when it comes to the downhole pump prices, you will be impressed. We are a go-to manufacturer for the affordable downhole pumps in China. You can contact us for the full quotation of the downhole pump price.
Do you have questions or any burning issue concerning the downhole pump for sale? Just contact us directly and we will be delighted to work together so that you can achieve your oil and gas production needs.
References
https://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms/r/rod_pump.aspx
https://www.rigzone.com/training/insight.asp?insight_id=315&c_id=#:~:text=OIL%20%26%20GAS%20JOBS-,How%20Does%20Artificial%20Lift%20Work%3F,employed%20to%20recover%20more%20production.
https://medium.com/@marleerosegreasebook/3-pump-styles-used-in-downhole-pump-designs-in-oil-gas-production-352ef98542d4
