Progressing Cavity Pumps

Progressing cavity pumps (PCP) or screw pumps are increasingly used for artificial lift and have been adapted to a range of challenging lift situations (e.g., heavy oil, high sand production, gassy wells, directional or horizontal wells).

The progressive cavity pump operation principle allows the pumping of highly viscous fluids, chemically aggressive and containing solids up to a certain size, where the centrifugal pumps do not have a good performance.

Progressive cavity pumps have many advantages. Here are some of them:

• Progressive cavity pump is able to operate with much lower suction pressure than rod pumps. As a result, the well column requires less fluid to feed the pump. Under atmospheric suction pressure, it can function with the fluid level of the well close to the suction intake of the pump without affecting its performance. This enables well production to be increased to the maximum level of fluid available.
• The PCP pumps do not require a heater, even when pumping high viscosity oils.
• Pumps oil and water with solids.
• No internal valvesto clog or gas lock.
• Continuous smooth operation helps in preventing and controlling production of undesired reservoir fluids and particles.
• Minimal maintenance costs.