Typical PC Pump System
• Surface drive
• Sucker rod or continuous rod
• Progressing Cavity Pump
• Stator connected to tubing
• Rotor connected to rod string
• Accessory equipment
Application
Considerations
TYPICAL MAXIMUM2
2,000’ - 4,500’ TVD 11,000’ TVD
Operating Depth
600 – 1,400 m TVD 3,440 m TVD
5 – 2,200 BPD Over 4,000 BPD
Operating Volume
1 – 350 m3/day Over 635 m3/day
75 – 185 °F 300 °F
Operating Temp
24 – 85 °C 150 °C
System Efficiency 60% to 80% 85%
Prime Mover Type Electric Motor or Internal Combustion Engine
Solids Handling Excellent
Gas Handling Good
Fluid Gravity Below 45 °API
Build Angle < 15°/100 ft
Wellbore Deviation N/A
(15°/30m)
Servicing & Repair Requires Workover or Pulling Rig
PCP Surface Drives
Supplies rotation and torque to downhole
PC pump by suspending and rotating a
drive string.
The drive string is typically made up of
continuous sucker rods.
Configurations available:
Direct electric motor drives
Direct gearbox drives that may be
coupled to an electric motor or gas
engine
Hydraulic drive systems for both gas
and electric applications
PC Pump
• Stator
• Double helix geometry
• Elastomer
• Stationary, attached to tubing
• Rotor
• Single helix geometry
• Hardened
• Rotates, attached to rod string
Pump
geometry
PCP Elastomers
Nitrile NBR
• Elasticity and Flexibility at low temperature
• Resistance of hydrocarbons
Hydrogenated Nitrile HNBR
Excellent resistance to:
• 150º water steam
• Abrasion
• Amine corrosion inhibitors
• Acid gas H2S and CO2
VITON
• Small swelling in the aromatic hydrocarbons
• Excellent strength at temperature (200º C)
Elastomer Analysis
• 12 endurance test benches, 1 slurry test bench
• Numerous performance test benches
• Chemical analysis
• 3-D nonlinear finite element elastomer modeling for
temperature, stress, and deflection.
PCP Rotor
Size from 6 BPD/100 rpm to 1100 BPD/100 rpm
Lift capacity to 12000 feet of equivalent column of water
Pumps engineered for specific applications
o Fluid compatibility
o Geometry and fit
PCP identification (ISO 15136)
Stator code
This code is located not more than 0.8 m from the top
of stator
vvv/hh/eee
o vvv = Displacement in cubic meter per day at 500
rpm
o hh = maximum head rating of the pump in MPa
o eee = Elastomer type
Rotor code
vvv/ hh
o vvv = Displacement in cubic meter per day at 500
rpm
o hh = maximum head rating of the pump in MPa
P C P Advantages
Wide range of liquids and viscosities
Self-priming with good suction
characteristics
High tolerance for entrained air and gases
Pulsation-free flow and quiet operation
Rugged design – easy to install and
maintain
High tolerance to contamination and
abrasion
P C P Disadvantages
High pressure capability requires long
length of pumping elements
Fluid incompatibility with elastomers
can cause problems
Not suited to high speed operation –
requires gear reducer or belt reduction
Temperature limitations
Pump displacement
The displacement (Vo) is determined by the fluid volume produced in one revolution
of the rotor
Vo 4 E * D * Ps
Calculated flow rate per minute:
Qc 4 E * D * Ps * n
Actual pump flow rate:
Qa Qc * Qs
Where is the leak rate
The standard ISO 15136 codifies the daily flow rate of the pump is 500 rpm.
TROUBLESHOOTING
No Liquid Delivered
Pump rotating in wrong direction
Inlet lift too high, check this with gage at pump inlet
Clogged inlet line
Air leaks in inlet line
Faulty pressure relief device in system
Rapid Wear
Excessive discharge pressure
Incompatibility of liquid and pump materials
Speed to high for abrasive present in liquid
TROUBLESHOOTING
Stator problems
Excessive Noise
Starved pump
Air leaks in inlet line
Improper mounting , check alignment thoroughly
Pump Takes Too Much Power Rotor problems
Liquid more viscous than previously anticipated
Operating pressure higher than specified
Incompatibility of liquid and pump materials causing stator swell
Pressure relief device in system not operating properly
