Artificial Lift technologies selection
Historically ALS is driven by ESP’s for high flow rate and SRP’s for low flow rate. Over the last thirty years new pump technologies arrived on the market to improve efficiency and performance such as PCP’s, jet pumps,…
Operators are well educated on ESP/SRP’s and tend to keep PCP’s only where ESP’s & SRP’s don’t work.
Here below is a comparison between the three main Artificial lift technologies: Electrical submersible pump (ESP), Sucker rod pump (SRP), Progressing Cavity pump (PCP).
Pump type
PCP - PROGRESSING CAVITY PUMP
Volumetric
ESP - ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMP
Centrifugal
SRP - SUCKER ROD PUMP
Volumetric
Max volume
1 112 m3/d
[7 000 bbl/d]
9 550 m3/d
[60 000 bbl/d]
795 m3/d
[5 000 bbl/d]
Max. pressure
330 bar
[4 800 PSI]
450 bar
[6 500 PSI]
400 bar
[5 800 PSI]
Max. temperature
Elasto PCP: 150 °C [300°F]
All metal PCP: 350°C [660 °F]
250 °C
[482 °F]
288 °C
[550 °F]
CAPEX / OPEX
Low CAPEX
Medium OPEX
High CAPEX
High OPEX
Medium CAPEX
Low OPEX
Hydraulic efficiency
50-75%
35-60%
45-60%
Power consumption
Least energy intensive
More energy intensive
More energy intensive
Solids & sand handing
Excellent
Poor
Fair
Gas management
Good
Poor
Poor
Fluid emulsion
No
Yes
Yes
Light oil
Special care on elastomer selection
Good
Good
Medium oil
Good
Good
Good
Heavy oil
Excellent
Limitation due to high viscosity
Risk of rod fall
Footprint
Low
Minimal
Heavy surface equipment
Main applications
Medium to extra heavy oil
Gas well dewatering (CBM/CSG)
SAGD/CSS
Medium to light oil
SAGD
Light to heavy oil
CSS