Artificial Lift Methods

What is Artificial Lift?

Artificial lift refers to the use of surface energy (hp) to lift fluids from a wellbore. Artificial lift systems are used to decrease bottomhole pressure on the formation to increase the flow of fluids, such as crude oil, water, or natural gas from a producing well. Artificial lift is used in wells that have insufficient pressure from the reservoir to force the formation fluids (hydrocarbons) to the surface but can also be used in naturally flowing wells (that technically do not need it) to increase the flow rate above what would flow without lift.

Generally, artificial lift employs a mechanical pump inside the well, which is used to decrease the hydrostatic column of fluid in a wellbore that is exerting backpressure on the reservoir. The fluid pumped from the well may be oil, water, natural gas, or a mixture of some or all of these.

Types of Artificial Lift Systems

• Sucker Rod Pump uses a system of reciprocating rods to actuate a downhole positive-displacement pump.
• Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) is a submerged multistage centrifugal pump that is installed on the end of the production tubing. A downhole electric motor is supplied power via a cable that is run from the surface and is banded to the outside of the tubing.
• Gas Lift uses a compressor and a system of mandrels to inject natural gas into the wellbore and lighten the column of fluid holding backpressure on the formation.
• Progressing Cavity Pump (PCP) uses a system of rotating rods to actuate a downhole positive-displacement pump.
• Hydraulic Jet Pump uses fluid power from a surface pump to power a downhole Venturi Pump.