Progressing Cavity Pumping Systems Overview

PCP systems typically consist of a surface drive and a downhole progressing cavity pump with a single helical-shaped rotor that turns inside a double helical elastomer-lined stator. The stator is attached to the bottom of a production tubing string and, in most cases, the rotor is attached to a rod string suspended and rotated by the surface drive.

Also available are the insertable pumps which are run as complete pumps on the rod string inside of the production tubing. Pump operation is simple. The shapes of the rotor and stator form a series of sealed cavities within the stator. As the rotor is turned, the cavities progress to move fluid from the intake to the discharge end of the pump.

The resulting continuous positive-displacement flow provides the highest volumetric efficiency of any conventional artificial-lift system. And the elastomer surface in the stator helps the pump handle abrasive and viscous fluids better than most other pump technologies.