Experimental and theoretical investigation of a recently patented down-hole direct-acting reciprocating pump system is presented. The technology, (US Patent No. 5,860,795) consists of operating a gas well with gas and liquid phases being produced separately by using the gas phase to power a pump to bring the liquid phase to the surface. This would increase the duration of profitability of many gas wells in North America. Experiments and modeling were used to determine optimum design parameters to maintain flow at a minimum reservoir pressure; an optimum area ratio for the gas/liquid pistons is approximately 40. The effect of friction in the pumping system was predicted to have a small effect on this optimum design. The results of this investigation will now be used to design and construct a prototype for field testing.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
design engineering, pumps, pistons, natural gas technology, reservoirs, friction, two-phase flow
Topics:
Natural gas wells, Pressure, Pumps, Reservoirs, Friction, Design, Flow (Dynamics), Modeling
1.
Lea
,
J. F.
, and
Nickens
,
H. V.
, 2004, “
Solving Gas-Well Liquid Loading Problems
,”
SPE J. Pet. Tech.
,
56
(
4
), pp.
30
–
36
.
Crossref
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2.
Ridley
,
R. K.
, and
DeRocco
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, 1999, “
Method for Underground-Reservoir Fluids Production with Pump Drive Contained within the Wellbore
,” US Patent No. 5,860,795, Issued to the
Alberta Research Council
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,
R. K.
, and
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Alberta Research Council
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, and
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,” Canadian Patent CA2200665, Issued to the
Alberta Research Council
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A. L.
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,
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,
B.
, and
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,
M.
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Laboratory Instrumented Sucker-rod Pump
,”
SPE Production and Facilities
.
6.
Robles
,
J.
, 1999, “
Effect of Free Gas and Downhole Separation Efficiency on the Volumetric Efficiency of Sucker Rod Pumps and Progressing Cavity Pumps
,”
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7.
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J. N.
, and
Podio
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A. L.
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8.
Rudolf
,
J. J.
,
Heidrick
,
T. R.
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B. A.
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Ridley
,
R. K.
, and
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A Pumping System to Enhance Production From Gas Wells
,”
ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol.
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4
), pp.
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.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
9.
Rudolf
,
J. J.
, 2003, “
Numerical and Physical Modelling of Reciprocating Pumps for Use in Gas Wells
,” M.Sc. Thesis, University of Alberta.
Copyright © 2005
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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