Articles
October 16, 2012
When should I replace a plunger?
9When should I replace a plunger? The easy answer is before production declines. The practical answer can be a bit more involved. Plungers for 2 3/8” tubing are roughly 12” to 18” long and weigh around 6-8 lbs. These machined cylindrical objects can fall and rise at over 1,000 feet per minute, [..]
October 16, 2012
When should a well be moved to plunger lift?
New wells typically flow at a high rate. The high flow rate carries all the liquid in the well to the surface. As the flow rate declines, liquid collects in the well bore. That liquid creates backpressure on the formation and further restricts the flow of gas to the surface. Because liquid loading [..]
October 16, 2012
Troubleshooting Plunger Lift Wells
Unplanned downtime is a constant, costly menace. A well down for 2 days a month reduces production by 6.5 % annually. For a single 350 mcf/d well, lost revenue equates to $ 25,200 / yr at $ 3/mcf. For a field of 100 wells, lost revenue is over $ 2.5 Million. Problems are sure to […] [..]
October 16, 2012
Do standing valves improve production?
Standing valves are comprised of a ball and seat positioned in the bottom-hole spring assembly at the bottom of the tubing string. The valve opens as gas enters the tubing. When the gas flow stops, the valve closes, trapping liquid in the tubing. As the plunger falls through the liquid, the standi [..]
October 16, 2012
Do fast falling plungers improve production?
Dual row pad plungers are one of the best-selling plungers on the market. The spring-loaded pads press against the wall of the tubing, creating an effective seal. This seal allows efficient use of the available gas energy to surface the liquid column. Padded plungers offer excellent efficiency, seco [..]
