Dual Horsehead Pumping Unit for Multi-Well Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sucker rod pumping systems require separate surface pumping units and prime movers for each well, leading to high capital and operational costs, as well as significant power consumption, making it uneconomical to produce hydrocarbon fluids from multiple wells efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A self-balancing hydrocarbon pumping system that uses a single prime mover to simultaneously pump hydrocarbon fluids from two wells through a dual horsehead assembly configuration, where each horsehead acts as a counterbalance to the other, eliminating the need for external counterweights and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single surface pumping unit is used for each well with dedicated prime mover and counter weights, then each well can be pumped independently, but capital investment and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pumping systems into a single integrated unit. Two horsehead assemblies are mounted on a common walking beam that is driven by a single prime mover, allowing simultaneous pumping from two wells while sharing power consumption and reducing capital investment in duplicate equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the horsehead assemblies themselves as counterweights to each other. The reciprocating motion of the two horseheads creates natural counterbalancing forces that eliminate the need for separate counterweight systems, further reducing the power required by the prime mover
2Productivity
If separate pumping units are used for each well, then each well has dedicated pumping capability, but the number of prime movers and counter weights increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent pumping units into one integrated system. The walking beam connects two horsehead assemblies, each capable of pumping a separate well, while sharing common components including the prime mover, gearbox, and walking beam structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single pumping unit performs multiple functions by simultaneously pumping from two different wells. The walking beam and prime mover serve both wells, making the system multi-functional while reducing the total number of dedicated pumping units required
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for simultaneous or substantially simultaneous production from two wells using a single prime mover, reducing capital and operational costs, and making unconventional resource developments more economical by minimizing power consumption and eliminating the need for external counterweights.
Implementation Method 1
The first horsehead assembly includes a first horsehead coupled to the first end of the walking beam, and a first sucker rod assembly coupled to the first horsehead, at least a portion of the first sucker rod assembly configured to oscillate within a first wellbore. The second horsehead assembly includes second horsehead coupled to the second end of the walking beam, and a second sucker rod assembly coupled to the second horsehead, at least a portion of the second sucker rod assembly configured to oscillate within a second wellbore different than the first wellbore. The system further includes a prime mover coupled to the walking beam and configured to driveably pivot the walking beam about the post assembly to simultaneously oscillate the first and second sucker rod assemblies within the respective first and second wellbores.
Data Source
AI summary
A sucker rod pumping unit includes a surface beam pivotally coupled to a post assembly mountable on a multi-well pad; two horseheads, each of the two horseheads connected to a particular end of the surface beam, each of the two horseheads including a counterweight to the other of the two horseheads; two sucker rod assemblies, each of the two sucker rod assemblies attached to one of the two horseheads; and one rotary machine driveably coupled to the two sucker rod assemblies through the surface beam.