Total Well Management
Authors: McCoy J.N. , Drake W.A. , Becker D.J. , Podio A.L. 
Published: March 2010

A procedure is described that allows an operator to identify beam-pumped wells which are operating at reduced efficiency. A logical sequence of steps is presented for acquiring performance data such as power, dynamometer, and fluid level. The criteria to be used in determining the causes of inefficiency are presented. Following the logical methodology will reduce the time and effort required to perform the analysis. A field case is presented and discussed in detail.

Introduction

The need to increase oil production, reduce operating costs and increase net income from beam pumped wells, requires an integrated analysis of the pumping system including the performance and interaction of all the elements: the reservoir, the wellbore, the downhole pump, the rod string, the beam pump and the prime mover. Such system analysis can now be undertaken efficiently using portable lap-top-based data acquisition systems in conjunction with appropriate transducers and analysis software(1). Field experience undertaking such analysis in numerous wells has resulted in the development of a procedure which insures that good results are obtained with the minimum of effort. It is the objective of this paper to outline this procedure or methodology with the hope that it will be of use to production personnel throughout the industry. The end result of such system analysis should be the complete visualization of the performance of a given pumping well at a given time and a set of recommendations to realize improvement.

In general the following steps should be undertaken:Establish the well's inflow performance to determine if additional production potential is available.Determine the overall energy efficiency as a means to identify wells which are candidates for detailed analysis.Analyse performance of downhole pump and downhole gas separator.Analyse mechanical loading of rods and beam pump.Analyse performance and loading of the prime mover.Design potential modifications to improve existing systemImplement changes and verify improvement.

Although such a procedure is greatly facilitated through the use of an integrated data acquisition and analysis instrument(1) which includes all the necessary hardware and software components, it can be undertaken with a number of other devices and components currently commercially available from other manufacturers.

Methodology

The steps to be followed in defining the performance of a system should result in the maximum of information with a minimum of time and effort. This is facilitated by having access to accurate and timely information about the well's characteristics, completion and well tests. Although this may be initially time consuming it is generally a task that has to be completed only once. Some sort of data base management system is helpful in maintaining this information current. The information should be organized by well into a summary Well Data File which can be accessed by most of the application programs that are likely to be used. This eliminates having to re-enter the data. Figure 1 shows an example of such "Well Data File."