Paper: Economic Selection of Artificial Lift

There are usually two or more methods by which any well can be lifted. Proper artificial lift selection requires an objective economic comparison of all possible methods. Too often one or more methods are eliminated because of prejudice, ignorance, or fear of new or different types of lift. When a well first requires lift, any type lift selected will, of course, show a quick payout; however, a comprehensive study may result in several thousand dollars savings during its productive life. As it becomes necessary to "pump" from deeper and deeper depths, the necessity for proper lift selection become more important. The production engineer has two goals in the selection of artificial lift equipment. His primary purpose is to select equipment which will deplete a specific well. His second aim is to select equipment which will result in the most economical depletion. The lift with the cheapest first cost is not necessarily the cheapest depletion.