October 16, 2024

Rotary displacement cylindrical pumps - New Solutions for Extracting Heavy Viscous Liquids

Recent studies show that nearly half of the world's oil reserves consist of viscous and bituminous liquid deposits, with recovery rates ranging from 5% to 30%. Various technologies have been employed for its extraction, including cold production with mechanical admixtures, steam-assisted gravity drainage, open-pit development, and others. However, all of them are inefficient and create additional problems that reduce profitability.

Novomet has developed a solution unique to the market – rotary displacement cylindrical pumps for extracting high-viscosity oil. This volumetric machine has become an excellent alternative to screw and rod pumping units, which significantly underperform in conditions of high mechanical impurities, gas content, and declining pressure. Additionally, the Rotary displacement pumps can replace electric submersible pumps (ESP) when operating at low flow rates (intermittent mode).

The configuration of the Rotary displacement pumps is similar to classic electric submersible pump systems, but compared to them, the Rotary displacement pumps eliminates operational interruptions caused by low inflow and high gas factors without additional pre-installed devices. It differs from screw pumps in that it uses components in its design that are resistant to aggressive environments, reducing wear and the likelihood of breakdowns. Advantages over rod pumps include a smaller footprint and dimensions, the ability to operate at depths of up to 3000 meters, no need for regular maintenance, and reduced risk of damage to sucker rods. Installation is standardized and does not require additional qualifications.

The volumetric rotary pump is designed for pumping liquids with a viscosity range from 20 to 5000 cSt. It is produced in sizes 5 and 5A. Its areas of application include wells with high-viscosity oil, low-flow wells, and wells complicated by mechanical impurities. It works excellently in wells with low inflow rates of 5-50 m³/day at temperatures up to 170°C. Moreover, the higher the viscosity of the oil, the better its efficiency, which increases extraction effectiveness without the need for complex and costly technologies.

"Today we are working on enhancing the uniqueness of our equipment and increasing the liquid pressure generated by each stage of the pump; we are conducting additional experimental tests," says Andrey Orlov, head of the design bureau for volumetric pumps and filtration systems at Novomet. "Increasing the pressure will reduce the number of stages and, consequently, the length of the pump, decrease material consumption and the risk of premature failure, as well as reduce power consumption per stage, which in turn will lower energy consumption."

Thus, the Rotary displacement pumps by Novomet is an entirely new pump design that provides excellent performance indicators such as output, efficiency, long service life under low flow conditions and heavy oil extraction, despite complications from mechanical impurities and high gas content.