Abstract

A pragmatic and efficient technique has been developed to perform parametric design for the downhole fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) tubing with successful applications in beam pumping wells. More specifically, hydraulic tubing anchor has been adopted to minimize stretch and recoil of the FRP tubing, while steel tailpipe is used as a counterweight to reduce the axial compression. In lieu of the rough steel rod couplings, wear-resistant rod couplings with smooth surface are utilized to avoid friction damage between the FRP  tubing and the  rod string.  It has been found from five test wells that such parametric design significantly mitigates eccentric wear between the rod string and the tubing together with tubing corrosion.  The average pump efficiency of for the five test wells is found to be 74.5%.

Key words: FRP tubing, beam pumping well, corrosion, eccentric wear, tubing anchor, rod-coupling.