Plunger Lift Downhole Equipment
Engineered tools for reliable, energy-efficient well deliquification
Overview
Liquid loading reduces gas flow, increases downtime, and shortens the economic life of your wells. SLB downhole plunger lift equipment provides a proven, low-energy method to lift accumulated liquids using only the well’s natural pressure. Through advanced metallurgy, precision manufacturing, and validated designs, these tools help maintain stable production across diverse well conditions.
Applications
- Mature gas wells experiencing liquid loading — restore flow rates using natural reservoir energy.
- Low-pressure or marginal wells — achieve deliquification without high operating costs.
- High-sand or high-debris environments — maintain reliable operation with engineered plunger families.
- Wells requiring rapid cycle times — improve lift efficiency with low-friction tool designs.
- Operations prioritizing safety and equipment longevity — reduce impact loads and equipment fatigue.
Lower lifting costs by using well energy rather than mechanical or chemical methods
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Extend equipment life with forged components designed for high impact resistance (rated up to 3,000 ft/min arrival speed per catalog data)
Increase flow efficiency by reducing fallback and optimizing plunger travel
Enhance safety through engineered impact absorption features, including Poly-Spring technology (per manufacturer data)
Support sustainability goals with zero-power lift and minimal maintenance requirements
Engineered plunger families for all well conditions
SLB offers a full portfolio of plungers designed to match well pressures, sand production, cycle rates, and tubing configurations, including:
- Pad plungers for moderate debris and consistent lifting.
- Brush plungers for debris-laden wells requiring cleaning functionality.
- Sand plungers for high-sand environments.
- Solid plungers for high-efficiency lifting and long life.
- Shock absorber plungers to reduce impact loads.
- Flow-Thru plunge designs for bypassed fluid during descent.
- Liquid aeration plungers to reduce fall time in high-liquid wells.
- PCS Ferguson First Responder™ two-piece fast-fall plunger
Bottomhole bumper springs engineered for reliability
- Collar-stop designs for wells requiring fully contained motion control.
- Collet latch springs suitable for standard fishing necks.
- Standing-valve combos that simplify retrieval and reduce installation complexity.
- Tubing-stop combo springs for wells with variable seating depths.
Forged surface components designed for safety and durability
Using forged 4130 steel with consistent grain structure, SLB-supplied forged lubricator bodies provide improved impact resistance and durability (hydrostatically tested to 7,500 psi per lubricator sheet).
- Dual ½-in NPT outlets
- API 6A-compliant
- Rated –50 degC to 82 degC
Additional downhole equipment
- Tubing stops: The tubing stop sets a stopping point for the tubing string without the use of couplings to set the collar stops
- Auto-dump pack off tool: The auto dump pack off tool is used in wells with a tubing stop to pack off tubing to hold fluid
FAQs
How do I choose the right plunger for my well?
Selection depends on pressure, cycle time, sand content, and tubing size. The plunger families above are designed to match specific operational environments.
What equipment helps prevent plunger damage?
Forged lubricators with Poly-Spring technology improve impact absorption and reduce fatigue, per validated design data .
How does plunger lift reduce opex?
It relies on the well’s natural energy—no motors or compressors required—significantly lowering operating cost.
