Paper: Derek Ellsworth, Production Control Services

Plunger Lifts are one of the most cost effective and efficient ways to artificially lift fluid production from gas wells and high gas/liquid ratio oil wells. In operation the plunger travels to the bottom of the well where fluid is picked up by the plunger. The plunger acts like a swab, and is then brought to the surface removing most liquids from the tubing. It will also keep the tubing free from paraffin, salt and or scale build up. Fluid removal prevents loading and keeps the well from dying. With continual removal of all produced liquids, there is less fluid weight on the formation which results in greater gas productivity from the well. The system uses the wells own energy requiring no additional power expense. Plunger lift operating costs on the average are less than 1000 dollars per year and produce most wells to depletion.