Elton J. Smith, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.; Kirk Mehaffey, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.; Paul Hopper, The Fiber Composite Company, Inc.
This paper describes the derivation of rod string design for use over a range of production parameters. The concerns in achieving said design include: (a) reduction of tubing failures, (b) reduction of rod failures, (c) use of small pumping units and prime mover motors, (d) ease of adaptability to accomplish needed production change(s), (e) operation of system elements within rated capacities, and (9 optimization of system efficiencies. It can be demonstrated that, with proper planning and design, a single rod string design can be made to accomplish these objectives with accommodations to changes in production parameters being performed without entering the well bore.