How Should Oil and Gas Companies Take Advantage of Technology

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How Should Oil and Gas Companies Take Advantage of Technology

If you own an oil or gas field and find yourself looking to make matters easier for extraction and production, you have made it to the right place. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the latest technologies oil and gas companies can take advantage of. Read till the end! 

Artificial Lift Systems 

In many oil wells, such as those in DJ Basin, in Colorado, there already exists plenty of pressure and volume below ground level for gas and oil extractions. However, this pressure decreases over time, and many times, investors start with an efficient artificial lift systems to get the system functioning smoothly from the start. Therefore, we can conclude that such a system maximizes production and also ensures a longer life span for the well. 

A few common examples of this artificial method include Rod Lift, Plunger Lift, Hydraulic Lift, Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP), Gas Lift, and Electric Submersible Pump (ESP).

Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP)

The Progressive Cavity Pump ranks as one of the most commonly used pumps in the process and fits best with horizontal wells. It is one of the most efficient systems to date. However, one of its setbacks is that it needs electricity to function, and many areas that require such machinery do not have electricity available. Hence, they mostly get forced to rent generators to power their pumps.

The machine has a red piece connected to the gear reduction, and a rotating string of rods goes to the pump. A turning screw then forces the fluid out of the well. 

Rod Lift Via Pump Jack

A method most of us are probably familiar with is the Rod Lift Via Pump Jack. The best way to use this is through the pump jack at its surface. Other terms used for a pump jack include a horse head,  sucker rod pump (SRP), nodding donkey, and even a dinosaur.

The machine makes use of a pump jack and sucker rod string pump for pressurizing the well downhole and bringing up resources for surface piping. An added perk is that a pump jack can get powered by either electricity or gas. However, its downside is the volume restrictions. With larger volumes, one might have to replace the pump, which requires a portable rig. 

Gas Lift

Gas Lift is another method to decrease the load on the reservoir to bring the product out onto the surface. Low-pressure gas sent from a producer through a compressor operates the gas lift. It then gets sent back to the length of the well. The pressure builds up forces for the liquid to come up. 

Valves inside the gas lift are at calculated depths and create high-pressure gas to operate inside the tubing so that the liquid gets lifted out of the zone. 

This artificial lift system method is significant because it can lift barrels of fluid ranging between hundreds to several thousand daily.

Electric Submersible Pump

At times producers may use an electric submersible pump (ESPs) to extract the product from a well. If one resides in a rural area with a private water well, ESP becomes your best choice. The functioning of the equipment depends upon its turbine string connected to the long electric motor. The pump consists of blades that move around in the fluid, with a cable running down the length from the surface to the pump. 

The functioning of an ESP also strongly relies on its ability to transport large amounts of liquid. A control box towards its right side detects when the pump needs to get set in motion. 

An added advantage of the ESP is its heat production for the fluid. It helps with the separation before the substance runs into the production vessels. However, if you feel your fluid going into the heater treater, you might have to decrease the burner temperature. 

For this reason, producers often use a high-pressure control valve package that controls the amount of pressure onto the tubing surrounding the wall head. An advantage is that an ESP can produce more than twenty thousand barrels of fluid each day. Get in touch with your local store or authorized distributor if you wish to optimize your artificial lift production better.

Last Thoughts

In conclusion, one needs to go through a list of pros and cons to settle for the best system of choice. However, the best plan always originates from clear-cut speculation between prices and reliability.