Insertable PCP

The Torque Alliance Insertable Progressing Cavity Pump (iPCP) is a thru-tubing pump seated inside the production tubing. This design eliminates the need to pull tubing during pump-related workovers, thereby reducing both operational costs and well downtime.

Challenges Addressed

Traditional tubing-related workovers can be costly, particularly in scenarios with reduced runtimes due to production challenges or in remote locations where servicing expenses are higher. The iPCP offers a solution that saves both time and operating costs.

Our Solution

The iPCP is installed within the production tubing using a hold-down assembly, allowing the stator and/or rotor to be installed, removed, and replaced using rod or flush-by servicing equipment. This approach minimises servicing costs and associated downtimes, leading to lower overall production expenses and reduced well downtime.

Benefits

• Cost Savings and Downtime Reduction: The iPCP’s seating assembly is designed to integrate seamlessly with various industry-standard Pump Seating Nipples (PSN). It enables flushing by allowing the rotor to be completely removed from the stator without unseating the pump, eliminating the need to pull the tubing. This capability allows for the use of smaller flush-by and/or rod rigs, further reducing service and maintenance costs. Additionally, when combined with specialised downhole seating/sealing tools, the modified iPCP assembly permits adjustments to pump landing depth and well optimisation without requiring a seating nipple in the tubing string. Maintaining the tubing in place during pump changes also ensures that all associated downhole monitoring systems and cabling remain intact during workovers.

Features

• Hammer Tail: Engages with the unseating ring inside the seating assembly, acting as a “no-go” during uninstallation or flush-by workovers. An integrated torque anchor at the bottom of the stator assembly contains torque and prevents backoff of the iPCP components, saving time and money. The hammer tail, located at the bottom of the rotor, allows the entire rotor to be removed from the stator before engaging with the unseating mechanism, eliminating the need for flush tubes and reducing the overall length of a flushable iPCP assembly. It is designed to safely drift the stator and position the rotor during landing, seating, and unseating.
• Seating Rings: The iPCP is designed with three different sizes of seating rings to accommodate the internal diameter tolerances of Pump Seating Nipples available in the market. This design allows operators to utilise existing API or non-API Pump Seating Nipples already installed in the tubing completions, especially beneficial for artificial lift conversions. This feature saves time and enables the use of existing downhole equipment.
• Stator Discharge Seal: Positioned at the top of the insert pump assembly, the discharge seal isolates the pump discharge from the Pump Seating Nipple and seating ring annulus, preventing sand packing that could hinder unseating and affect the normal operation of the PCP. By keeping sand above the pump discharge, it is either produced or flushed back through the pump during flush events.

By implementing the Torque Alliance iPCP, operators can significantly reduce servicing costs and downtime, leading to more efficient and cost-effective well operations.