SPE Artificial Lift Systems 3

Question 1

In sucker rod lift design, the 'API unit designation' 640D-365-144 indicates which parameter with value 640?

Accepted Answer

Peak torque rating in thousands of inch-pounds

Answer

In the API pumping unit designation, the first number (640) is the peak torque rating in thousands of inch-pounds, D indicates the geometry type.

Question 2

Which phenomenon causes ESP gas locking, and what is the standard mitigation?

Accepted Answer

Free gas accumulating in the pump, stopping liquid flow; mitigated by a gas separator or shroud

Answer

Gas locking occurs when free gas fills pump stages and prevents liquid from flowing; a rotary gas separator or shroud-and-perforated-pipe assembly routes free gas away from the pump intake.

Question 3

What is the 'GLR test' used for when designing a plunger lift installation?

Accepted Answer

Determining if there is sufficient energy in produced gas to lift a plunger slug to surface

Answer

The GLR test compares the well's producing GLR against the minimum GLR needed to lift a plunger, confirming whether plunger lift is energetically feasible.

Question 4

In hydraulic jet pump systems, what role does the 'power fluid' play?

Accepted Answer

It is injected at high pressure through a nozzle to entrain and lift formation fluid via the Venturi effect

Answer

Power fluid is injected at high velocity through a jet nozzle, creating a low-pressure zone that entrains formation fluid, and both fluids are lifted to surface through the diffuser and return tubing.

Question 5

For sucker rod strings, what is the purpose of using tapered rod designs (mixing rod sizes)?

Accepted Answer

To optimize stress distribution along the rod string and maximize allowable pump depth

Answer

Tapered rod strings use larger-diameter rods near the surface (higher stress) and smaller-diameter rods near the pump to equalize stress distribution and maximize operating depth.

(SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers Certification Practice Test

(SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers Certification Practice Test

SPE Artificial Lift Systems 3