Paper: Artificial Lifting With Plunger Lift Systems

The method of artificial lift using the plunger lift system has been, until recently, the most overlooked and neglected of all the lift systems being utilized today. Why? For the most part, it has been misunderstood by operators, or in some cases operators have experienced failures due to antiquated systems, or misapplication on wells not suited to this form of lift. What form of artificial lift could be more efficient or economical than one which allows the energy produced by the well to produce the well? Plunger lift does just that. Yes, the energy stored in the formation in the form of gas and pressure is used to produce the well's own liquids to surface by using a piston as an interface between the liquid slug and the drive gas. This is known as plunger lift. In the past several years, advancements have been made in plunger lift equipment and technology. First, it is appropriate to review how a plunger system works, and what it does.