A Plunger Lift System for gas or oil wells is a unique combination of tools, well conditions and producing methods.  The application of these systems results in more efficient use of the formation.

Plunger Lift is often compared to a long stroke pump.  The well tubing from the perforations to the surface acts as a long pump barrel and the plunger itself travels the entire length on each stroke, pushing produced fluid to the surface. Gas from the formation, or in certain instances from outside supply, acts as the power source as it expands under the plunger is controlled at the surface by either time or pressure build up.

With Plunger Lift Systems, gas is the motivating force that operates the plunger. The operating pressure merely determines the amount of fluid that can be produced each cycle.  A general rule for gas requirements to operate a plunger would be 300 cubic feet of gas per barrel of fluid per 1,000 feet of lift.  Many plungers are operating with pressure as low as 120 psig.

The success of the plunger installation depends largely upon the seal element.  The blade or pad plunger seal is free to shift from drift to nominal tubing ID.  This seal gives excellent separation between the produced fluid and the gas preventing slippage and gas breakthrough into the fluid.  Plunger Lift Systems find wide application producing  high ratio oil wells, in liquid removal from gas wells, and in gas lift installation to increase lift efficiency and paraffin removal.

Plunger Lift Systems are simple, economical and automatic means of producing gas wells which periodically load with liquids. 

Any gas well that requires swabbing, soaping, "blowing down" or "stop-cocking" to keep the well flowing is a candidate for Plunger Lift. Typically these wells will flow 200 MCFD to a MMCFD after cleaning up but gradually die or fall to a lower rate over a period of time. 

Plunger Lift will maintain production at a constant rate automatically. This can be done by either free-wheeling the plunger (i.e. cycling without shutting in) or periodic cycling. By keeping the fluid unloaded from the tubing automatically, the maximum flowing tubing pressure is maintained and often the installation of gas compressors can be postponed or eliminated.

High Ratio Oil Wells. 

This type of well Plunger Lift can be applied by utilizing the produced gas and stop-cock flowing the well. In some cases, external gas may be required. This type of well frequently has sufficient bottom hole pressure to flow naturally, but may periodically load up and die. The operator is then faced with high swabbing costs or attempting to produce the well by pump.

The casing annulus is used as a storage chamber for the produced gas and well fluid. This requires opening the tubing to the casing by removing the packer, unseating it, perforating or opening a sleeve in the tubing. The casing pressure is held to the minimum required to surface each slug of fluid produced per cycle. The operation is most successful when the maximum fluid production does not exceed 200 barrels per day.