Module 6: Hydraulic / Jet Pumping Systems

Power-fluid (HSP) and jet-pump (HJP) concepts, configurations, and field use.

⏱ 45 minutes🎯 Intermediate🎁 Free

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate power-fluid driven pumps (HSP) vs. jet pumps (HJP).
  • Identify common surface/downhole components and flow paths.
  • Match configuration patterns to depth/solids/deviation constraints.
  • Estimate jet-pump rate from nozzle/throat and pressure drop.

📘 Key Terms

Power fluid Nozzle–throat Mixing tube Recirculation Hydraulic horsepower

📎 Prerequisite

Module 5 — Gas Lift Systems
Time: ~45 min Level: Intermediate Format: Reading + figures + quiz

ℹ️ What & Why

Hydraulic lift covers two families: HSP (hydraulic submersible pumps powered by clean power fluid) and HJP (jet pumps that use a high-velocity jet to entrain produced fluids). These methods shine where deep settings, high deviation, or solids make rod/ESP/PCP challenging. Jet pumps have no moving parts downhole; HSP relocates moving parts to the surface power-fluid pump.

⚙️ Principles

  • HSP: Surface triplex/quintuplex pressurizes power fluid that drives a downhole hydraulic motor/pump. Produced fluid returns via annulus or tubing.
  • HJP: Power fluid accelerates through a nozzle, creating a low-pressure zone at the throat to entrain formation fluids; mixing raises momentum, then diffuser converts velocity to pressure.
  • Circulation can be single-string (power fluid down tubing, mixture up annulus) or reverse, chosen for sand handling and equipment constraints.

🧭 Configuration Patterns

1) Jet Pump — Principle of Operation

A compact nozzle–throat cartridge generates suction at the intake. By swapping cartridges (nozzle, throat, diffuser), we can retune for changing rates or fluid properties without pulling tubing.

Jet pump principle of operation showing nozzle, throat, and diffuser
Figure 6.1 — Jet pump principle: nozzle–throat entrains formation fluids.

2) Hydraulic Lift Pumping — Typical System

Power-fluid pump, charge tank, filters, and choke manifold at surface; downhole hydraulic pump assembly with check valves and intake. Clean power fluid quality is critical to valve life and reliability.

Hydraulic lift pumping system configuration with surface power-fluid package
Figure 6.2 — Hydraulic pumping system: surface power fluid + downhole pump.

3) Jet Pump — Typical Installations

Jet pumps can be tubing-retrievable or wireline retrievable. They are well-suited for deviated wells, high solids, and slim IDs. Circulation path selection (normal vs. reverse) helps manage sand deposition.

Jet pump installation options including wireline-retrievable design
Figure 6.3 — Common jet-pump installation options (retrievable cartridge).

4) Jet Pump — Pressure/Energy Diagram

Across the nozzle, pressure drops and velocity rises; at the throat, mixing with produced fluid occurs; the diffuser recovers pressure. System sizing balances jet horsepower, drawdown, and surface pump limits.

Jet pump principle diagram with pressure recovery across diffuser
Figure 6.4 — Jet pump energy conversion: nozzle → throat → diffuser.

🛠️ Operations & Design

  • Sand/solids: Prefer jet pumps with reverse circulation; use desanders and adequate filtration for HSP.
  • Power fluid quality: Control water cut, solids < 50–100 μm, and maintain charge tank level to avoid cavitation.
  • Surface HP: Jet horsepower (JHP) must cover nozzle ΔP and flow; account for pump/motor efficiency.
  • Flexibility: Retune jet cartridges (nozzle/throat) as reservoir conditions change—no rig required.
  • Deviated wells: Jet pumps excel due to no reciprocating or rotating downhole components.
💡
Field Tip
Start conservative on nozzle size—optimize drawdown vs. surface HP, then step up if needed.

🧪 Worked Example — Jet-Pump Rate (back-of-envelope)

Rule-of-thumb

Q_total ≈ Q_power × (1 + C·√(ΔP_nozzle / ρ))

With nozzle ΔP ≈ 1500 psi, Qpower = 1000 bpd water, C ~ 0.4–0.6 (fluid-dependent): expect 1.3–1.6× entrainment. Q_total ≈ 1300–1600 bpd. Use vendor correlations for detailed design.

For projects, apply full nozzle/throat performance curves and account for depth, intake P, and line losses.

✅ Quick Knowledge Check

1) Which best describes jet-pump lift?
Correct: nozzle–throat entrains fluid; diffuser converts velocity back to pressure.
2) A top reason to choose jet pumps is…
Jet pumps are robust where deviation/solids challenge other methods.
3) For HSP reliability, the most critical practice is…
Clean power fluid protects valves and downhole pump internals.

🧾 Summary & Takeaways

  • Hydraulic lift includes HSP (power-fluid driven) and HJP (jet pumps with no moving parts downhole).
  • Configuration choice manages sand, deviation, and workover flexibility (retrievable cartridges).
  • Performance ties to nozzle ΔP, power-fluid rate/quality, and surface HP availability.
  • Jet pumps are highly serviceable from surface; HSP moves complexity to surface equipment.

➡️ What’s Next

Up next: Module 7 — Selection Criteria & Analysis
Bring rates, depths, solids, deviation, power, and economics into a single decision workflow.
Go to Module 7 →
Last updated: Aug 2025 • Author: Atlas ESP Academy
← Previous: Gas Lift Next: Selection →