Hydraulic Downhole Rodless Pump Actuator Eliminates Sucker Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial lift systems for oil and hydrocarbon production face challenges such as high energy consumption, high maintenance costs, complexity, and mechanical stress due to the use of traditional sucker rod configurations, which limit efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hydraulic downhole rodless pump actuator system that eliminates sucker rods, utilizing a self-contained, hydraulically operated plunger pump with a directional control valve to efficiently pump fluids, reducing energy requirements and mechanical loads, while enhancing precision and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional sucker rod configurations are used, then mechanical lift can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and mechanical stress on equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sucker rod system with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic actuator uses fluid pressure instead of mechanical rods to drive the pump plunger, eliminating the need for surface-mounted rods and mechanical connections downhole. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and energy consumption by using hydraulic force transmission rather than mechanical leverage through long rod strings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuator that uses hydraulic fluid under pressure to move the pump plunger. The system includes a hydraulic motor or piston driven by pressurized fluid delivered through the tubing, replacing the mechanical energy transmission through sucker rods with hydraulic energy transmission, thereby reducing both energy consumption and mechanical stress on equipment.
2Reliability
If traditional sucker rod configurations are used, then pump actuation is achieved, but maintenance costs increase and equipment lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuator mechanism from the surface and places it downhole as an integrated unit with the pump. This eliminates the sucker rods that connect surface equipment to the pump, removing the components that require frequent maintenance and replacement. The rodless design means there are no mechanical joints, couplings, or rods to wear, corrode, or fail, significantly reducing maintenance requirements and extending equipment lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator system is designed to be self-contained and self-lubricating, with no external mechanical connections requiring maintenance. The sealed hydraulic system protects internal components from contamination and wear, allowing the equipment to operate reliably for extended periods without intervention, effectively serving itself rather than requiring regular maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If sucker rods are used for pump actuation, then mechanical force transmission is achieved, but precision of control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the imprecise mechanical rod system with a hydraulic control system that can precisely regulate pump actuation. Hydraulic actuators offer fine control over position, speed, and force through fluid pressure regulation, enabling precise control of the pump plunger's motion and injection timing, which is difficult to achieve with mechanical rod systems.
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 leads to energy and cost savings, reduced maintenance needs, increased equipment lifespan, and simplified operations by eliminating the need for sucker rods, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective artificial lift method.
Implementation Method 1
a pump actuator including a piston, a rod, and a spool valve assembly
Implementation Method 2
a spool valve assembly positioned at an end of the rod and configured to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the piston
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a system, apparatus and method for artificial lift including a hydraulic downhole rodless pump actuator.