Tony O'neal and Rodrigo Ruiz
TRC Services Inc.
The fatigue performance of sucker rods is intrinsically tied to their manufacturing processes and the mechanical properties of various grades. One of the most transformative advancements introduced in the past decade is the application of shot peening, a process that has emerged as a cornerstone of performance enhancement in the sucker rod industry. TRC Services has been a pioneer in integrating shot peening into sucker rod manufacturing, particularly for remanufactured rods, and has developed the most comprehensive database on its effects through years of rigorous field and laboratory testing on both new and previously used rods.
Traditionally, the benefits of shot peening have been evaluated in two dimensions: increasing stress tolerance for a given fatigue life or extending fatigue life under a set stress level. While TRC’s initial efforts focused on prolonging rod life within specific stress ranges, a 2022 engineering initiative shifted focus toward redefining stress tolerance at fixed fatigue lives. This reevaluation of accumulated data revealed groundbreaking improvements in the stress range, demonstrating that treated rods outperformed all commercially available new sucker rods.
This breakthrough technology redefines the operational stress limits for all sucker rod grades. By broadening the fatigue envelope, it allows operators to push the boundaries of their production systems while improving lease operating expenditures (LOE) through reduced downtime and failure rates. Furthermore, this innovation lowers lifting costs by enabling the use of optimized rod strings, such as lighter configurations, or softer materials with lower mechanical properties.
This paper presents a detailed exploration of the process, the testing methodology, and the traceability protocol for these enhanced rods. It further highlights the operational and economic advantages of adopting this fatigue-enhancing technology, including its significant impact on lowering costs and improving operational efficiency across a variety of applications.