RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR LOW COST SYSTEM FOR PUMPING GAS WELLS

This paper describes a new pumping system for low-volume/marginal oil wells and deliquification of gas wells to extend well life by reducing the economic limit. The economic limit is reduced by decreasing capital, installation, and operating costs of low-volume artificial lift. Many low liquid volume gas wells cannot justify the current cost of artificial lift. Although beam pumping is typically the lowest cost lift method, its inefficiency at low rates requires a much higher lift capacity than the well actually produces and requires a minimum +/- 25 horsepower. This new pumping system can operate on as low as +/- 0.5 horsepower, significantly reducing capital, installation, and operational costs.