Development of a Control Strategy for a Smart Sucker Rod Pump

Abstract

Summary The sucker-rod pumping (SRP) system is the most used artificial lift method in oil wells in Brazil and in the world. This method stands out for its simplicity and low cost in investments and maintenance, and can be operated in a large range of flow rates, with fluids of different compositions and viscosities. However, the SRP units as well as all other mechanical equipment require periodic adjustments and maintenance, whether corrective or preventive. Two important procedures commonly made at the SRP units are the adjustment for counterbalancing the pumping unit and the adjustment of the polished rod stroke length. Performing these procedures requires stopping the production of the well. Usually, such adjustment procedures are made manually by a work team that is transported to the place where the pumping unit is located. In this context, Petrobras in partnership with Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte and other companies developed a new type of pumping unit, called smart sucker rod pump (SSRP), which is capable of counterbalancing the unit and adjusting the polished rod stroke length without mobilizing a team to go to the field. Thus, this work proposes to develop a strategy to automatically control the SSRP. The development of this strategy aims to ensure that the equipment operates under proper conditions and within its safety limits (previously set by the operator), as well as to optimize the well production. In order to test the control strategy developed for the SSRP, simulations were performed using synthetic wells. It was observed that the developing strategy reached the proposed goals for which it was developed; that is, to keep the parameters of the SSRP within the limits set by the operator and optimize the production flow rate.

Analisa Unjuk Kerja Sucker Rod Pump C-228 D – 213 – 86-7466 Sebagai Metode Pengangkatan Buatan Produksi Minyak Bumi untuk API 15° dan 45°

“…Ada dua kegiatan utama dalam industri perminyakan, yaitu kegiatan di hulu dan di hilir. Operasi di hulu Hadziqul Abror 2* , Eriska Eklezia Dwi Saputri 3 , Riska Laksmita Sari Welayaturromadhona 5 Teknik Perminyakan, Fakultas Teknik, Universitas Jember edwardhamidm@gmail.com 2* hadziqulabror@unej.ac.id…”

“…Pengoperasiannya juga fleksibel, karena kecepatan dan panjang langkah pompa dapat disesuaikan dengan kondisi lapangan. Kerusakan pada pompa SRP dapat disebabkan antara lain oleh pembentukan pasir di bawah permukaan dan pembentukan kerak kapur di dalam pompa [3].…”

A comprehensive review of sucker rod pumps’ components, diagnostics, mathematical models, and common failures and mitigations

“…Adjustable counterbalance sucker rod pump Oliva et al (2020) developed an adjustable counterbalance sucker rod pumping unit that they referred to as "smart sucker rod pump" which can adjust the counterbalance and the polished rod stroke length without the needed for personnel to go to the field. The adjustable counterbalance sucker rod system has the advantage of being able to adjust the polished rod stroke range easily, and the counterweight can also be adjusted at any position inside the adaptable grid.…”

“…Dynamometer is comprised of the word dynamo meaning power or force and meter which is a unit of length Fig. 7 Conventional and smart sucker rod pump (Oliva et al 2020) Fig. 8 Beam rod pump main components (Di et al 2018) measurement.…”

Application of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in Crude Oil Production Optimization Using Pump Efficiency Control

“…Two common procedures are important for the sucker rod pump units: the first one is to adjust the counterbalancing of the pumping unit, while the second is to adjust the polished rod stroke length. Stopping oil well production is required to accomplish these procedures [3]. A special design for the sucker rod pumping unit using a given condition was studied and tested.…”