CASING PLUNGERS SUCCESSFULLY REPLACE CONVENTIONAL ROD PUMP AND JACK IN SOME TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE WELLS
Recent innovations in "PAL" casing plunger cup design and mechanical actuation indicated success in artificial lift applications currently using a conventional rod pump and jack. Several wells, previously produced by tubing plungers with limited success, and subsequently equipped with conventional rod pump and jack, were chosen for field testing fluid removal using casing plungers. The objective was two-fold. First, test the feasibility of a casing plunger as a possible replacement of rod pump and jack, and thereby reduce lease operating expenses. Second, compare the overall production of casing plungers with rod pump and jack performance. Early results and successful installations indicate casing plungers can be considered as rod pump and jack replacements in many applications. Casing plungers might well be considered prior to rod pump and jack installation.