James Harris and Robert Harris, H&H Well Services, O. Lynn Rowlan and James McCoy, Echometer Company
The definition of flumping is when a well flows fluid to the surface up the casing annulus, plus at the same time fluids are being pumped by the sucker rod pump up the tubing to the surface. Oil wells usually flump due to high producing bottomhole pressure or due to high rates of gas flowing up the casing annulus. In a flumping wells the operator must maintain high surface tubing wellhead pressure while pumping or the gas in the tubing can unload too much liquid out of the tubing and pump action will stop. Frequently the only way to prevent flumping up the tubing is through use of a back-pressure regulating valve. The additional tubing backpressure applies more pressure on the fluid in the tubing, increasing the pump discharge pressure and stabilizing flow in the tubing. Dynamometer and fluid level data from various wells will be presented to identify and troubleshoot the many flumping symptoms.