Downhole Sucker Rod Sensor – Mystery Solved

With the increase in the number of horizontal wells drilled in the past 15 years, the technology for predicting downhole conditions and troubleshooting problem wells has not kept up with the increased complexity of these deeper and deviated wellbores. The systems in use are no longer accurate or sensitive enough to determine what is causing the problem(s) resulting in shorter meantime between failure and higher workover cost to the operators. To unravel the mystery we introduce the Downhole Sucker Rod Sensor which measures what is happening downhole and enables the customer a systematic approach to troubleshooting and therefore reducing the number of failures while providing a method for measuring the effectiveness of new and existing technologies. These sensors can be strategically placed anywhere in the rodstring and collect high-resolution measured data for pressure, temperature, torque, compression, velocity and position. In addition to generating a high resolution measured downhole DynaCard that can distinguish sync issues with different strokes per minute (SPM). The data is used to uncover issues with string wear i.e. alignment or sync issues, friction, pump and tubing issues as well as calculated values for specific gravity, pump fillage, and pump intake pressure. The main objectives are summarized as follows: o Comparing actual Downhole DynaCard measurements to the Surface and the Predicted Cards o Maximizing reservoir drainage and production optimization o Identifying, isolating and optimizing mechanical issues in problem wells o Measuring the impact of new and existing technologies (such as guides, friction reducers, …) and their effectiveness in extending the service life of the SR system. o Verify if rod guides, friction reducers… are adding value and not just cost! Vision: o Utilize sucker rod sensor(s) on problem wells and convey lessons learned to other wells. o Improve the software systems currently calculating downhole dynagraphs. o Improve the accuracy of (surface) software calculations which will yield improvements for a large number of unconventional wells. o Provide our Customer’s with a competitive advantage.