Stanley C. Brown, McMurry Oil Tools, Inc.
Sub-surface plungers are finding a wider acceptance over the last few years. Some operators such as Sell Oil in the Ventura Field in California have gathered considerable data to prove that plungers have a wide range of applications. This paper presents a tabular method of determining the suitability of a well for plunger application, and whether the most efficient plunger lift will require additional gas from an outside source or the production of excess gas from the casing. Tables are developed for tubing sizes of 2-3/8 in. and 2-7/8 in. each to a depth of 12,000 ft. Various downhole and wellhead equipment arrangements are given, with application recommendations for each, depending on well conditions.