VFD Technology for Beam/Rod Pumps, ESPs and PCPs

At a time when the oil and gas industry is making headlines and documentaries about natural gas production are numerous, it is reassuring to know that an advanced variable frequency drive (VFD) pump solution is making oil and gas production more efficient and reliable.

To anyone driving in the Western U.S. and Canada, beam or rod-lift pumps are a familiar sight—with their unmistakable horse-head rocking up and down on the horizon. The pumps are a necessity of life for hydrocarbon producers, because inside most established wells, the pressure is too weak to lift the crude oil to the surface. Even when the pressure is high enough to bring fluids to the surface naturally, artificial lift pump technologies are used to boost production.

The Need for Efficiency

Efficient production is critical to David Ellis of Noble Energy. This independent, Houston, Texas-based energy company is engaged in worldwide oil and gas production and prides itself on innovation. Ellis was happy to hear about an innovative idea that could improve the productivity of the artificial lift used in his Oklahoma fields.

“We’re interested in anything that produces more oil using less electricity,” says Ellis. “Plus, anything that keeps our equipment running longer and more reliably is an idea we’ll consider.”

Ellis heard about the solution from his distributor, Randy Butler from Wilson, an industry leading provider of pipe, valve and valve automation, fittings, and artificial lift systems.

“We supply a lot of equipment to Noble Energy,” says Butler. “So we know what works and doesn’t work when it comes to increasing production and reducing mechanical failures.” He knew Ellis would be interested in the new technology.

“The efficiency of an artificial lift is a factor of the volume of oil that it actually pumps divided by the volume it can theoretically pump,” says Butler. “But in most artificial lift systems, you don’t come close to the theoretical efficiency. That’s because as the pump reduces the fluid level, the pump-off controller shuts the unit down. You don’t want the pump running when fluids are low. Otherwise, shock loads, known as fluid pound, will damage the rod string.