Experimental Evaluation of a Hydraulically Actuated Double-Acting Positive Displacement Quad-Pump System for SAGD Oil Production Applications

Abstract A novel positive displacement hydraulically actuated quad-pump system (Quad-Pump) has been developed to improve production in deviated and horizontal oil wells. This downhole pump technology can be used in high temperature environment with large volume production such as SAGD wells. This paper describes the working principle of Quad-Pump downhole assembly and its hydraulic power system. Its operation advantages in SAGD environment are also presented. Design details of a test apparatus (flow loop) used to test the newly developed Quad-Pump is provided in this paper. A series of experiment is designed to verify the pump working principle and evaluate pump performance. A 4.75" Quad-Pump was manufactured and tested with producing fluid temperature of 100 °C and 200 °C. Testing results show the pump can produce up to 3600 bbl/day of fluid when a 60 hp electric motor is used to power the hydraulic drive system.