NEW METHODS FOR REDUCING THE IMPACT OF ANNULAR GAS PRESSURE ON DOWNHOLE PUMP OPERATION

Degassing of oil in the process of its production by mechanized method significantly complicates the operation of downhole pumping equipment. Gas entering the pump inlet can lead to a supply failure and a complete shutdown of production. Gas accumulating in the annulus displaces the liquid level above the pump intake or leads to excessively high pressure at the pump intake and, as a result, to losses in oil production and excessive consumption of the underground part of the pumping equipment. Reducing the impact of annular pressure on the operation of downhole equipment is one of the primary tasks in the conditions of development of fields with a high gas factor. The choice of the annulus pressure reduction method depends on the oil production conditions: well operation method, GOR value and allowable gas content at the pump intake.The article analyzes key and new ways to reduce the impact of annular pressure: gas bypass at the wellhead, gas bypass into tubing, gas pumping by a compressor, maintaining bottomhole pressure below the gas saturation pressure. Methodology of application of each method and equipment required for its implementation are presented. The results of field and laboratory tests of the above methods are consecrated. Along with new ways to reduce the effect of annular gas on the operation of downhole pumping equipment, an author's device for automatic bypass of annular gas has been proposed. From the annular space, by means of the proposed device, gas enters the tubing, where it performs additional work to lift the produced fluid.