JP - Chapter 03

Hydraulic Jet Pumps Mohamed Dewidar
1

Chapter 03

Hydraulic Jet Pumps

TROUBLESHOOTING

1.0 Normal SPM, Pressure down, and Low or Zero Production

This condition usually indicates that the pump plunger has become
disconnected from the middle rod. The cause can be a broken middle rod or an
unscrewed plunger.

The loss of pressure is the key to this situation. In hydraulic-pumping there are
two areas exposed to pressure: the pump plunger being exposed to discharge
hydrostatic pressure, and the engine piston being exposed to power fluid
pressures. If the plunger area is lost, the power fluid pressure loss will be
equivalent to the plunger area.

This condition can also indicate a leaking traveling valve ball and seat, a leaking
standing valve ball and seat, worn plunger rings, a split pump barrel, ruptured
seating cups, or a leaking tubing standing valve.

In each case, some (or all) of the pump fluid load is lost and less pressure is
required to run the engine.

2.0 Not Stroking, Pressure up

This condition usually indicates an engine malfunction, such as foreign material
getting in the engine valve, or excessive wear. It can be a stuck pump plunger,
however. In a jet pump, pressure build up indicates a plugged nozzle.

Sometimes it is possible to correct this condition by "bouncing" the pump. To
bounce the pump, reverse the four-way valve to "pump-out". As soon as the
pump unseats, quickly switch to "pump-in" so the force of the fluid will make the
pump hit bottom with some force.

If it is necessary to hit the pump harder, unseat as before and pump the pump
up the hole for one minute. Reverse to pump-in and close the casing valve.
After pressure builds to about 700 psi, open the casing valve quickly.

If this does not help, there is no alternative except to surface the pump.

2

3.0 Unable to Pump out

3.1 Pressure in Casing/Pump Won't Unseat

If pressure can be developed on the casing side, but the pump cannot be
unseated, it is obvious that something has built up around the pump in
the cavity.

The build up could occur around the seating cups in the cavity seal collar
or on the outside of the pump barrel itself, under the cavity seal collar. A
build up under the seal collar would prohibit the lower end of the pump
from moving through the seal collar.

3.1.1 Scale

If fresh water is being used as a power fluid, or if power oil is
carrying a small percentage of water, there is a possibility that
scale has built up in either location mentioned in the preceding
paragraph.

3.1.2 Salt

If salt water is in the power fluid, then there could be a salt build-
up in these same areas.

If there is good reason to suspect salt, and the pump will still take
power fluid, inject fresh water for a few hours to try and dissolve
the salt.

3.1.3 Sand

Sand build up is another possible cause of this problem.

3.1.4 Fishing

If all efforts fail to dislodge the pump, it is time to try fishing the
pump. For this operation, insist on a releasing, or shear-type
pump fishing tool, a sand line, and a set of jars.

Always be sure that you can get off the fish, in case you can't pull
it!

3.1.5 Tubing Job

The last alternative is a tubing job.

It is good practice to swab the tubing down before attempting to
pull it. This will avoid pulling a wet string, and help take the

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hydrostatic load off the packer rubber. It will also reduce the total
string weight.

3.2 Pump Unseats but Won't Surface

If the pump shows a visible unseat, but will not surface after a proper
length of time, chances are that the swab cups on the retriever are blown
out, the standing valve is not holding, or there is some obstruction in the
tubing such as parrafin. This can be checked out, but may get involved.

3.2.1 Standing Valve, Packer or Casing Failure

If it can be determined, by gauging the power fluid tank or a loss
of fluid in the conditioning vessel, that power fluid is being lost in
the hole. If that is the case, the standing valve, packer, or casing
is not holding.

In this circumstance, it will be necessary to fish both the pump and
the standing valve. Visual inspection of the standing valve will
show fluid cuts if the valve is leaking.

3.2.2 Retrieval

The pump can possibly still be retrieved without a rig.

Make up a fishing tool, using a pump retrieving tool and a solid-
type nose, 2-cup swab nose. Pump this into the tubing for the
required amount of time, and it will probably bring the pump back
with it.

The pump can be surfaced without swab cups at a pumping rate
of 3 BPM down the casing annulus if the standing valve is OK.

3.3 Pump Doesn't Unseat/No Pressure Buildup

In pump out operations where there is no indication of pump unseat and
pressure cannot be developed, there can be several reasons, all of them
bad.

3.3.1 Hole in Tubing

A hole in the tubing string is probably the easiest to detect. There
should be no returns back through the tubing string until the pump
unseats. Therefore, if the pump doesn't unseat and there are
returns on the tubing side, then fluid is going from the casing to
the tubing at some point above the pump. This would not involve
any loss of power fluid in the hole.


4

3.3.2 Power Fluid Loss

If loss of power fluid loss is detected, it could be caused by:

a packer leak,
a hole in the casing, or
damage to the outside diameter of the standing
valve seat

3.4 Increased Power Fluid/No increase in Speed

If the pump will not increase speed no matter how much power fluid is
put in the hole:

First make sure that the multiplex, by-pass, four-way valve,
and suction pressure are OK.

If they are OK, the cause can be a worn out engine on the
pump, a damaged cavity seal collar, pump seals blown, or
a high pressure tubing leak.

To correct the situation, change out the pump. If this doesn't improve the
situation, then it's a tubing job to correct either of the other two
possibilities.

The tubing can be tested using a dummy pump.

4.0 System Shut-Down

First, it is necessary to determine cause of shut-down. If the system is equipped
with a tattletale panel (which the Econodraulic
has) then the problem can be

readily determined. If this equipment is not available, then all possible reasons
must be checked out individually.

4.1 Visual Check

Some faults are obvious and may be detected with a visual inspection.

Check all lines for breaks. Spillage will be noticeable. Line
breaks between the multiplex pump and the well can cause
a low-discharge shut down.

Check power fluid level in tank. Loss of fluid between the
tank and multiplex will cause low-suction shut down.

Check multiplex oil level, engine oil level, and engine
temperature switch. If it is the temperature switch, it may
take a while after start-up to detect it.


5

Check the manifold by-pass after start up. If manifold by-
pass is involved it could cause a low discharge shut-down.

4.2 High Pressure Check

After all these points have been cleared up, start the engine, or motor,
being sure high shutdown is set and operable.

Open the by-pass valve fully and kick the clutch in.

Close the by-pass valve slowly while watching the high-pressure switch.
If the pressure goes up past normal operating range and the pump is not
stroking, be sure there is no valve closed in the line.

Go to the manifold and compare gauge readings with the safety switch.
Then go to the well head and check the gauge against the other two.

If all three gauge references are approximately the same, it is likely that
the sub-surface pump is stuck. This would result in a high-pressure shut-
down.

4.3 Multiplex Pump

A common cause of low suction or low discharge shut-down lies in
multiplexes themselves. Be sure that all three plungers are operable.
Often a plunger will stick and shear. Displacement suffers and low
discharge shut-down is the result. Abnormal suction cavitation (fluid
starvation) will cause low shut-down.

4.4 Valve Check

If these checks do not reveal the reasons for low volumes, it is necessary
to check the valves. In checking volumetric efficiency of multiplex
pumps, the following procedure is used:

Check multiplex RPM's

Check plunger size

Calculate rated displacement, from above

Check actual displacement through the power fluid meter.
If actual displacement is under 85 percent of rated
displacement, then appropriate action should be taken.

4.5 Power Fluid Tank Check

In checking lease facilities, one of the most common occurrences is loss
of power fluid from the tank.


6

Be sure the power fluid tank by-pass line is closed.

Some power fluid tanks are equipped with what is called a "siphon" line,
which is actually only an emergency overflow line to the stock tanks to
prevent the power fluid tank from running over. It is situated just above
normal power fluid tank level, but usually has a down-comer inside. If
this line is not vented, it can become a true siphon and steal fluid from
the power fluid tank to the stock tanks.

If you are involved in construction of new power fluid tanks, always be sure there is a small hole
drilled in the top of the elbow, inside the tank, where the down-comer screws in. This will
sometimes avoid refilling the power fluid tank.

4.6 Down-Hole Problems

4.6.1 Low Discharge Shut Down

A low discharge shut down can also be caused by:

a broken middle rod in the down-hole pump,

a bad four-way valve,

a hole in the tubing,

blown or leaking seating cups, or

a bad down-hole pump.

4.6.2 High Discharge Shut Down

A high discharge shut down can be caused by:

blockage in the four-way valve.

a plugged nozzle in the jet pump.

paraffin build up in the tubing.


7

Hydraulic Pumping Systems
Troubleshooting Guide

Indication Cause Remedy
1. Increased operating
pressure
a. Valves closed a. Check valves for proper open
position.
b. Line crimped at unit or at
well
b. Check lines for swabbing.
2. Sudden increase in
operating pressure -
piston pump stroking/jet
pump producing
a. Valves partially or fully
closed
a. Check valves for proper open
position. Check lines for
swabbing.
b. Paraffin build-up or
obstruction in power line,
flow line, or valve
b. Run soluble plug, scraper,
hot oil, or remove obstruction
c. Pumping heavy material,
such as salt water or
mud
c. Keep pump operating. Do
not shut down
3. Gradual increase in
pump producing
a. Valve closed

b. Gradually lowering fluid
level. Standing valve or
formation plugging up

c. Slow build up of paraffin

d. Increase in water
production
a. Check valve for full open

b. Surface pump and inspect

c. Run soluble plug, scraper, or
hot oil

d. Raise SPM on piston
pump/increase pressure on
jet pump

4. Erratic stroking at widely
varying pressure
Failure or plugging of
engine
Surface pump and repair


8

5. Sudden increase in
piston pump not pump
stroking/jet inoperable
a. Valve closed

b. Piston pump stuck or
stalled/jet pump plugged

c. Sudden change in well
conditions requiring
operating pressure in
excess of multiplex relief
valve setting

d. Sudden change in
power fluid emulsion

e. Obstruction in
production line
a. Check valve positions.

b. Piston Pump
Alternately increase and
decrease pressure. If
necessary, unseat and
reseat pump. If this fails to
start pump, surface pump
and repair.

Jet Pump
Surface and remove
obstruction from nozzle.
c. Gradually raise setting on
relief valve.
d. Check power fluid supply

e. Locate obstruction and
correct
6. Stroke "down-kicking"
instead of "up-kicking"
a. Well pumped off - pump
speeded up.

b. Pump intake or down-
hole equipment plugged

c. Pump failure (balls and
seats)
a. Decrease speed. Consider
changing to smaller pump
end.

b. Surface pump and clean.
Pull standing valve and
thoroughly back flush.

c. Surface pump and repair.
7. Gradual or sudden
increase in power fluid
required to maintain
piston pump speed/jet
pump pressure. Low
engine efficiency.
a. Engine wear

b. Leak in tubulars, power
fluid tubing, bottom hole
assembly, seals, power
fluid line, or four-way
valve
a. Surface pump and repair

b. Locate leak and repair


9

8. Sudden decrease in
pump producing
a. Rising fluid level - pump
efficiency up

b. Failure of pump seal
allowing part of power
fluid to be by-passed

c. Gas passing through
pump

d. Tubular failure down
hole or in surface power
fluid line

e. Broken middle rod.
Increased speed

f. Seal sleeve in bottom
hole assembly washed
or failed. Speed
reduced.

g. Four-way valve leaking
a. Speed up piston
pump/increase jet pump
pressure to get desired
production

b. Surface pump and repair
seal

c. Run a gas anchor, check gas
line for obstructions.

d. Check tubulars - run a
dummy pump to pressure up
tubing string. Loss of
pressure indicates leakage.
e. Surface pump and repair

f. Pull tubing and repair bottom
hole assembly.

g. Repair or replace four-way
valve
9. Well not producing -
pressure increase - pump
stroking

a. Engine plugging

b. Flow line plugged

c. Broken middle rod

d. Suction plugged
a. Surface pump and repair.

b. Locate restriction in flow line
and remove.

c. Surface pump and repair.

d. Pull standing valve


10

10. Apparent loss of, or
unable to account for,
system fluid
a. System not full of fluid
when pump was started;
due to water in annulus
U-tubing after
circulating, well flowing,
or standing valve,
casing, or packer
leaking.

b. Inaccurate meters or
measurement

c. Leaking valve, power
fluid, production line, or
packer

d. Effect of gas on
production metering
a. Continue pumping to fill up
system. Pull standing valve
if pump surfacing is slow and
cups look good. Run
isolation sleeve to check
casing and packer.

b. Check meters. Repair if
necessary.

c. Locate leak and repair.

d. Improve gas separation.
11. Sudden decrease in
pump not stroking

a. Pump not on seat

b. Failure of production unit
or external seal

c. Bad leak in power fluid
tubing string

d. Bad leak in surface
power fluid line

e. Not enough power fluid
a. Circulate pump back onto
seat

b. Surface pump and repair

c. Check tubing. Pull and
repair if leaking.

d. Locate and repair leak.

e. Check volume of fluid
discharged from multiplex.
Check for valve failure,
plugged supply line, low
power fluid supply, excess
by-passing, etc., all of which
could reduce available volume.

11

12. Drop in production -
piston pump speed
constant/jet pump
pressure constant
a. Failure of pump end of
production unit

b. Leak in gas vent tubing
string

c. Well pumped off- pump
speeded up

d. Leak in production
return line

e. Change in well
conditions

f. Pump or standing valve
plugging

g. Pump handling free gas

h. Jet pump mixing tube
cavitated
a. Surface pump and repair

b. Check gas vent system

c. Decrease pump speed

d. Locate leak and repair

e. Adjust SPM, check system
and well.

f. Surface pump and check.

g. Test to determine best
operating speed

h. Surface pump and repair


12

Power Fluid Plunger Pumps
Troubleshooting Guide

1. Knocking or pounding in
fluid end and piping
a. Suction line restricted by:
1) Trash, scale build-
up, etc.

2) Partially closed
valve in suction line

3) Meters, filters, not
fully opening check
valves, cut-off
valves or other
restrictions

4) Sharp 90-degree
bends or 90-degree
blind tees

1) Locate and remove.

2) Locate and correct

3) Rework suction line to
eliminate

4) Rework suction line to
eliminate
b. Air entering suction line
through valve stem
packing
b. Tighten or repack valve
stem packing
c. Air entering suction line
through loose connection
or faulty pipe
c. Locate and correct
d. Air or vapor trapped in
suction line
d. Locate rise or trap and
correct by straightening
line. Provide enough
slope to permit escape of
air and prevent build up.
e. Low fluid level e. Increase supply and install
automatic low-level shut-
down switch
f. Suction Damper not
working
f. Inspect and repair as
required.

13

1. (continued) g. Worn pump valves or
broken spring
g. Provide gas boot or
scrubber for fluid
h. Inadequately sized
suction line
h. Replace with individual
suction line of next size
larger than inlet of pump.
i. Leaking pressure relief
valve that has been piped
back into pump suction
i. Repair valve and rework
piping to return to supply
tank, not to suction line
j. Bypass piped back to
suction
j. Rework to return by-
passed fluid to supply
tank, not to supply line.
k. Broken plunger k. Inspect when rotating
pump by hand and replace
as required.
l. Worn cross head pin or
connecting rod
l. Locate and replace as
required.
2. Knock in power end a. Worn cross head pin or
connecting rod
a. Locate and replace as
required. Check oil quality
and level.
b. Worn main bearings b. Replace as required.
Check oil quality and level.
c. Loose plunger,
intermediate rod, or cross
head connection
c. Inspect for damage.
Replace as required and
tighten.
3. Rapid valve wear or failure a. Cavitation is a
predominant cause of
short valve life. Usually
the result of poor suction
conditions.
a. Improve suction conditions
b. Corrosion b. Treat fluid as required
c. Abrasives in fluid c. Treat to remove harmful
solids.

14

4. Fluid seal plunger wear,
leakage or failure
1

a. Solids in power fluid are
likely to cause the greatest
amount of wear.
a. Analyze power fluid for
amount and type of solids
content. Treat to remove
solids
b. Improper installation

c. Poor lubrication
b. Follow written instructions
and use proper tools.
Remember plunger and liner
are matched sets. Assure
proper lubrication at start up.
(Be sure air is bled out of
fluid before starting up.)

c. Check lubrication.
5. Reduced volume or pressure a. Bypassing fluid a. Locate and correct.
b. Air in fluid end of multiplex b. Bleed off air.
c. Inaccurate meter or
pressure gauge
c. Check and correct.
d. Pump suction cavitation due
to improper hook up, suction
restriction or entrained gas
d. Locate and correct.
e. Valves worn or broken e. Test and replace
f. Plungers and liners worn f. Replace
g. Reduced prime mover
speed due to increased
load, fuel or other
conditions
2

g. Determine cause and
correct.

1
The plunger sleeve is secured to the mandrel by a self-locking set screw, which is a safety device against
unexpected over loading from galling, seizing, or misalignment. The set screw is designed to break under these
conditions to prevent serious overloads on the power end of the triples. Screw breakage is usually an indication
of solids in the power fluid or of inadequate lubrication.

2
May be increased pressure due to paraffin, temperature change, etc.

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Hydraulic Jet Pumps Mohamed Dewidar

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