Our proven Hi-Rise System™ including continuous rod, lined tubing, engineering services, well servicing,and EMI technology, overcomes production challenges in unconventional wells.
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Patrick Meyer, Product Line Manager - Thermoplastic Lined Tubing, discusses the critical role of friction coefficients in designing effective rod strings for horizontal wells.
In the world of horizontal wells, tubing repair jobs and rod part replacements can drive up operational costs significantly, especially in highly deviated wells. Solutions to this problem through innovations in thermoplastic lined tubing are essential, as evidenced in our case study from the Permian Basin. Patrick explains the science behind friction and its role in well performance and why managing the coefficient of friction can be a game-changer for operators facing the costly challenges of tubing wear and rod failures in deviated wells.
The Problem with Friction in Horizontal Wells
In deviated well designs, friction between rod strings and tubing can lead to accelerated wear, resulting in tubing holes, rod parts, and even pump failures. To mitigate these issues, operators often turn to solutions like sucker rod guides or thermoplastic lined tubing, or a combination of both. While rod guides have been effective under certain conditions, they’re not always the best option in high-deviation scenarios where side loads are frequently above 200 pounds.
The Advantage of Thermoplastic Lined Tubing
Thermoplastic lined tubing offers a lower coefficient of friction than traditional materials, which translates to a significant reduction in drag, force, and mechanical wear. While industry-standard rod string design software estimates the coefficient of friction for guided rods at approximately 0.25, our thermoplastic lined tubing achieves a much lower coefficient, around 0.1. This difference allows operators to reduce gearbox loading, enhance production rates, and minimize tubing wear – crucial benefits when managing highly deviated wells.
Real-World Success: Case Study from the Permian Basin
Over a two-year collaboration, we partnered with a major operator in the Permian Basin to test the impacts of thermoplastic line tubing in highly deviated wells. The results were nothing short of impressive:
These outcomes demonstrate how thermoplastic line tubing can deliver long-term value for operators, reducing operational costs and boosting production by enhancing system durability.
Why Avoid Bare Tubing in Today’s Highly Deviated Wells Conventional sucker rods with bare tubing might seem like a viable option, but as our case study illustrates, it can be a risky choice. With high side loads in deviated areas, bare tubing lacks the friction reduction that’s essential for extending rod and tubing life. Thermoplastic lined tubing, on the other hand, offers operators an effective, cost-saving alternative that stands up to the unique demands of horizontal wells.
A Solution for Today’s Challenges As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that solutions like thermoplastic lined tubing are essential for operators working in increasingly complex well environments. If you’re looking to reduce friction, extend equipment life, and enhance production rates, thermoplastic lined tubing offers a proven solution.
