Paper: Production Optimization By Vortexing In Sucker Rod Pumps

A valve consisting of a standing or traveling valve cage with a fixed vortex producing blades can, in conjunction with oversized valve seat and increased internal flow through capacity, augment pump efficiency while relieving some common sucker rod pump problems. The vortex valve is fitted to the barrel of the pump to form the standing valve or to the plunger to form a traveling valve. In the standing valve position there exists in every pump a restriction to entry of the oil, water, or other well fluids into the pump. The restriction is the standing valve assembly that consists of the cage, ball, and seat. All sucker rod pumps try to overcome this restriction with the vacuum that is created on the up-stroke. Another force that is at work is the formation pressure which when high can help overcome the standing valve restriction and when low offers very little assistance as is found in older pumped off formations. At present sucker rod pumps cannot be made more efficient by increasing the vacuum in the barrel of the pump. The current design of a close fit plunger moving inside a barrel creates approximately 22 inches of vacuum. If the pump manufacturers could increase this vacuum it would revolutionize pumps. Sucker rod pumps manufactured today are the best the oil patch has ever seen and probably will not change much in coming years.