Weatherford introduces Sand-Tolerant Pump

Weatherford International Plc has announced the addition of the sand-tolerant pump (STP) to the company’s artificial-lift solutions offering. Aimed to optimise the life of wells, slow production declines, and reduce workovers, the STP is an alternative to standard rod pumps in wells with high sand production. The STP prevents abrasion caused by sand accumulation in the barrel/plunger that results in decreased pump efficiency or total failure.

The STP is designed to operate at depths reaching 9000 ft. A unique wiper assembly and filter coupling reduce sand damage by moving sand upward through the pump and away from the barrel/plunger interface. Based on field trial results, the STP has demonstrated up to 5.5 times longer run life than conventional rod pumps in sandy conditions.

Bob McDonald, Vice President of Reciprocating Rod Lift at Weatherford, said: “The sand-tolerant pump is a demonstration of the improvements made in pump designs to increase run life and mitigate sand damage. So far, the longest run time with the sand-tolerant pump is 781 days in very harsh, sand-laden environments. We are committed to providing innovative technologies that address our clients’ need to offset natural decline rates by helping to optimise production and improve recovery rates.”

The STP is available in most American Petroleum Institute (API) pump sizes and can perform in temperatures up to 182°C. By lubricating the plunger/ barrel interface and keeping sand out of this critical area of the plunger system, the STP provides efficient and reliable performance and extended run times.

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/product-news/17092015/weatherford-introduces-sand-tolerant-pump-1423/