Floyd Prather, Glenn, Prather & Company & Kent Gantz, Coastal Management Corporation
One of the most expensive pieces of production equipment to be placed downhole is a sucker rod pump. The performance of this pump can greatly affect the ability of a well to produce. By collecting information about a pump and its components through failures and successes, the operator can operating costs, decrease downtime, and increase production. Computers placed at the pump repair shop can capture detailed information about the configuration of a pump when it is assembled or when it is repaired, before being placed downhole. Later, as it is inspected after being pulled from the well, information about the condition of each component may be recorded. This data can be assimilated in a variety of ways to determine statistical trends and provide a foundation for an analysis of what works and what doesn"t. By coupling this information with other facets, such as chemical treatments, surface unit and control panel information, well tests, etc., a very effective program for reducing failures and lifting costs while increasing production may be implemented.