Dual Injection And Lifting Systems Rod Pumps

In 1994 Texaco personnel viewed chemicals as the primary means to reduce water handling costs. They recognized from downhole videos that oil and water remain separated in the tubing-casing annulus. Capitalizing on this revelation of "gravity segregation," they conceptualized a dual-ported, dual plunger rod pump to produce oil and water from the annulus on the upstroke while injecting water on the downstroke. Texaco and Dresser jointly developed this pump and named it the Dual Action Pumping System (DAPS). In January 1995, the first generation prototype was installed. It verified the technical and economic feasibility of this new technology. It substantially increased production while simultaneously reducing power requirements. A second generation prototype was developed to improve the valve design. It has continued to function without problems since its installation in October 1995. Tests in a Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center well and several Talisman wells have further demonstrated that this will be a unique, new tool for the oil industry. These papers will both explain how DAPS works and describe some of the early testing results. Work is continuing to improve the performance predictions. Tests have shown it to be an inexpensive technology that can reduce lifting costs and thereby increase and/or accelerate reserves recovery when the right conditions exist. While many potential applications or benefits of DAPS have been identified, these can generally be classified in three categories: _ Increase oil production _ Reduce water handling costs Reduce potential investment costs