Pump Jack Market Share by Manufacturers
artificial lift system Artificial lift category where pump jacks raise fluids when reservoir pressure is insufficient.
An artificial lift system is any method used to help move oil and gas from a well to the surface. It is necessary when the natural reservoir pressure is no longer sufficient to push fluids to the top. Essentially, it adds energy to the fluid column in the wellbore to improve or initiate production. This is crucial for maintaining production from mature oil fields and for producing from unconventional resources like shale, which often have low natural pressure.
There are several major types of artificial lift systems, each suited for different well conditions and production volumes:
Pumping systems: These use a mechanical pump downhole to lift the fluids.
Beam pumping units (Pump Jacks): The most recognizable type, these use a surface motor and a reciprocating beam to drive a downhole pump via a string of rods. They are highly reliable for low-to-medium production rates, especially in onshore wells.
Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs): A highly efficient, high-volume lift method. An electric motor and a series of centrifugal pump stages are deployed downhole. They are often used in high-rate wells and offshore applications.
Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCPs): These use a helical rotor that turns inside a stator, creating a series of cavities that move fluid up the well. They are particularly effective for wells producing heavy, viscous oil or fluids with a high sand content.
Gas lift: This method involves injecting high-pressure gas from the surface into the well's tubing. The injected gas mixes with the produced fluids, reducing their density and the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column. This "lightens" the load, allowing the reservoir pressure to more easily push the fluids to the surface. Gas lift systems are highly flexible and are common in offshore environments where gas is readily available.
The choice of an artificial lift system depends on various factors, including the well's depth and trajectory (vertical or horizontal), the properties of the fluid (viscosity, gas-to-oil ratio), the required production volume, and economic considerations. The global market for these systems is growing, driven by the need to maximize recovery from existing wells and the development of new, often complex, reserves.
To see how gas lift systems work, check out this video explaining the components and operation of artificial lift gas lift systems.