SPE Artificial Lift Systems 2

Question 1

In a sucker rod pumping system, what does the term 'fluid pound' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The pump plunger striking liquid with incomplete barrel fill

Answer

Excessive pump speed causing fluid hammer

Answer

High wellbore pressure damaging the pump barrel

Answer

Fluid leaking past the traveling valve

Question 2

Which artificial lift method is most suitable for high gas-liquid ratio (GLR) wells with deviated wellbores?

Accepted Answer

Plunger lift

Answer

Sucker rod pump

Answer

Progressive cavity pump (PCP)

Answer

Electric submersible pump (ESP)

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of a gas-lift mandrel with a side-pocket configuration?

Accepted Answer

Ability to retrieve and replace valves without pulling the tubing string

Answer

Higher injection pressure capability

Answer

Larger gas injection orifice diameter

Answer

Reduced annular pressure requirements

Question 4

In ESP design, what does the term 'pump intake pressure' (PIP) represent?

Accepted Answer

Bottomhole flowing pressure at the pump suction inlet

Answer

Surface wellhead pressure measured at the pump motor

Answer

Pressure differential across the pump stages

Answer

Maximum rated pressure of the pump housing

Question 5

For a progressive cavity pump (PCP), what determines the volumetric displacement per revolution?

Accepted Answer

Rotor eccentricity and stator pitch length

Answer

Motor speed and torque output

Answer

Tubing diameter and pump setting depth

Answer

Drive rod length and tensile strength

Question 6

Which gas-lift valve type opens when the casing (annulus) pressure exceeds a set value and is primarily used as an unloading valve?

Accepted Answer

Casing pressure-operated (CPO) valve

Answer

Production pressure-operated (PPO) valve

Answer

Differential pressure valve

Answer

Throttling valve

Question 7

What is the purpose of a 'Y-tool' configuration in an ESP installation?

Accepted Answer

To allow wireline access past the ESP for well intervention below the pump

Answer

To direct produced fluid through dual tubing strings

Answer

To split electrical power between redundant motors

Answer

To recirculate gas-laden fluid around the pump intake