Boron-Carbide Treated Couplings Improve Rod Lift Efficiency in South Texas Wells

Presentation

This study explores the application of boron-carbide (B4C) treated steel couplings in sucker rod pump (SRP) wells, as a solution to the challenges posed by modern-day drilling and completions practices. These practices often result in sandy, corrosive, and highly deviated wellbores, leading to increased wear, frequent interventions, and downtime in rod lift systems. The paper presents an evaluation conducted by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Endurance Lift Solutions on twenty SRP wells in South Texas. The evaluation aimed to assess the benefits of using low friction B4C couplings in the sucker rod string, focusing on wells with more than fifty B4C couplings installed.