(2024041) Specialty Rod Pump Reduces Workover Frequency and Associated OPEX Costs In Austin Chalk Well

Effectively managing fluid production with high sand content poses a common challenge in various forms of artificial lift, whether it be addressing formation fines or handling proppant flowback from hydraulically fractured zones. This challenge is particularly pronounced in reciprocating rod lift applications, where the entry of sand and solids into the barrel/plunger interface emerges as a primary cause of pump failures. Conventional designs engineered to navigate fluid through tight space tolerances, experience issues such as plugging and accelerated abrasive wear of critical internal components like the barrel, plunger, and others.

A real-world illustration of this challenge is evident in the Aqua Dulce Field in Jim Wells County. An operator grappling with substantial sand production in mature Austin Chalk vertical wells faced a critical situation. The severity of sand and solids in one well-necessitated workover every 90 days on average, involving the replacement of the three-tube pump. These frequent workovers and pump failures significantly escalated the well's operating costs while contributing to a substantial loss in deferred production. This abstract explores the complexities and solutions associated with efficiently producing from wells characterized by high sand content, with a focus on reciprocating rod lift applications.