Vortex Barbell System Improving Sucker Rod Pump Efficiencies and Decreasing Failure Frequencies in High-Angle Wellbores

The conventional sucker rod pump system is comprised of ball and seat-type traveling and standing check valves that use positive displacement to produce oil from the reservoir (Takacs 2015). With the advent of horizontal drilling and fracturing, sucker rod pumps are increasingly landed at greater depths and inclinations from vertical to maximize access to reserves and extend the production life of the well. This paper builds upon existing downhole vortex valve systems research to test and understand the potential of a vortex fluid flow profile. The Vortex Barbell System (VBS) was designed to establish and elongate a vortex fluid flow profile that sustains fluid velocity in downhole environments. Early field trials with the VBS showed promising capability to land pumps in the curve with production success. This prompted further laboratory testing. The laboratory environment was designed to model downhole fluid conditions and wellbore trajectory. The results were compared to field data from wells running the VBS. The analysis draws connections between laboratory results and field trials to explain how the VBS elongates a vortex flow profile, sustains fluid velocity, and increases pump fillage so that rod pumps can be landed deeper in high inclination wells (in the curve) to retain pump efficiency, increase production, reduce failure frequency, and extend the pump life.