Other Artificial Lift Methods

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the principles of electrical submersible pumping (ESP), hydraulic piston pumping, hydraulic jet pumping, progressive cavity pumping, and plunger lift systems. The ESP is a relatively efficient artificial lift. Under certain conditions, it is even more efficient than sucker rod beam pumping. Hydraulic piston pumping systems can lift large volumes of liquid from great depth by pumping wells down to fairly low pressures. Crooked holes present minimal problems. Both natural gas and electricity can be used as the power source. The chapter presents design guidelines and illustrates example calculations with spread-sheet programs.