Slant Well Pumping Unit Beam Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pump jack systems face challenges when dealing with inclined wellheads, as the altered geometry affects operating characteristics, load capacity, and control systems, making it difficult to maintain efficiency and accuracy in fluid extraction from slanted wells.

Innovation Solution

A surface pumping unit with a frame and beam configuration that includes a bend between its ends, allowing for pivotability at a fulcrum point, and a horsehead with a tangentially oriented face to accommodate various inclination angles, reducing bending stress and maintaining operational efficiency comparable to vertical well setups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pump jack geometry is altered to accommodate inclined wellheads, then the pumping unit can access slanted wells, but the operating characteristics and load capacity are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access inclined wellsVSAvoidoperating characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The beam is divided into two distinct sections: a first section that maintains the standard four-bar linkage geometry for reliable operation, and a second section that provides the necessary inclination angle for accessing slanted wells. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bent beam acts as an intermediary element between the vertical pump jack mechanism and the inclined wellbore. It transforms the vertical motion from the four-bar linkage into the appropriate inclined motion required for the well, maintaining operational characteristics while enabling access to slanted wells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the beam is extended or repositioned to reach inclined wellheads, then coverage of slanted wells is improved, but bending stress on the beam increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of slanted wellsVSAvoidbending stress on beam

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The beam incorporates a controlled bend or curvature at the transition between the first and second sections. This curvature is specifically designed to accommodate the inclination angle while distributing mechanical stresses more evenly throughout the beam structure, reducing peak bending stresses compared to a straight extended beam.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pump jack is reconfigured for inclined wells, then access to slanted wellbore axes is enabled, but standard operating characteristics are altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to inclined wellbore axesVSAvoidstandard operating characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the beam geometry is modified to accommodate inclination angles, then versatility for different well configurations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility for different well configurationsVSAvoidbeam structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10760386B2Slant well pumping unit

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A surface unit reciprocates a rod string for a downhole pump in a slanted well. The unit has a beam with a bend and pivots at a pivot between the bend and the horsehead of the beam. A post of the unit supports the pivot and is oriented to support the beam's load along the post and reduce bending stress. A crank arm is rotated by a prime mover about a crank point and translates pitman arms to oscillate the beam on the pivot, which reciprocates the rod string at surface along the slanted axis. The unit can be set at various offset distances relative to the intersection of the well so the unit can be used at various inclinations of slanted axis. The horsehead defines a segment with a face to accommodate at least 70% engagement or greater with the rod load for both largest and smallest inclinations.