Sand Diverter More Than Doubles Rod Pump Run Time in Sanding Wells for Permian Operator

The Permian basin in West Texas consists of several different formations and many different fields. Most have a wide range of downhole conditions even within the same field. One varying condition is the amount of sand and other solids that must be properly managed to optimize production and minimize downtime. Large volumes of sand and solid material within a well can lead to damaging conditions for the downhole pump.

Each downhole rod pump is designed with a specific clearance in relation to fluid viscosity and stroke speed, among other factors, to maximize production and pump efficiency. When the barrel and plunger are severely abraded, clearance increases beyond the optimal range. The increased clearance results in increased fluid slippage, reduced pump efficiency, and, in the worst case, a stuck plunger.

A leading operator in the Permian basin was experiencing severe abrasion cutting in 15 wells across several fields and asked for a way to improve pump run time.

Sand diverter keeps solids away

Schlumberger recommended adding a sand diverter to minimize the abrasion effects. A sand diverter is a modified plunger adapter that directs sand and solids away from the pump barrel. Compared with the conventional design for plunger adapters, the sand diverter has an increased outside diameter, providing a much closer fit, and a beveled leading edge with upwardly angled discharge ports. This combination of design features prevents sand and solid material from collecting between the barrel and plunger during operation or while the system is idle.