Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide for wireless sensor packages to monitor various oilfield equipment health status, such as bearing wear and detect out-of-balance condition on reciprocating rod lifts (RRLs). Equipment health data can be collected, analyzed and stored by an IoT gateway, which is a small form-factor, ruggedized, low-power Intel processor computer running a novel message-oriented middleware software stack that leverages the MQTT protocol. Data may subsequently be transmitted to a cloud service via the internet via to a datacenter through SCADA, for analysis and action.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide for wireless sensor packages to monitor various oilfield equipment health status, such as bearing wear and detect out-of-balance condition on reciprocating rod lifts (RRLs). Equipment health data can be collected, analyzed and stored by an IoT gateway, which is a small form-factor, ruggedized, low-power Intel processor computer running a novel message-oriented middleware software stack that leverages the MQTT protocol. Data may subsequently be transmitted to a cloud service via the internet via to a datacenter through SCADA, for analysis and action.

A properly calibrated load-cell is critical for the safe operation of a rod-pumping system. Load readings are utilized for shutdown thresholds, and incorrect measurements can cause those safe load limits to be exceeded. Correct surface load, combined with position measurement, is also important for the diagnosis of the complete pumping system. The diagnostic method for calculating down-hole conditions presents an interesting opportunity to validate surface load measurements, even from the incorrect load measurements themselves. The calculated down-hole dynamometer card will be transposed on a distinct diagonal with respect to both load and position, if the input surface load measurements are incorrect. A load offset can then be identified from this shifting and the surface load measurements can be corrected. Calculated pump cards have been traditionally aligned with the surface dyno card position, and so this diagonal pump card shifting correlation with incorrect, or unexpected, surface load has not been realized.

A properly calibrated load-cell is critical for the safe operation of a rod-pumping system. Load readings are utilized for shutdown thresholds, and incorrect measurements can cause those safe load limits to be exceeded. Correct surface load, combined with position measurement, is also important for the diagnosis of the complete pumping system. The diagnostic method for calculating down-hole conditions presents an interesting opportunity to validate surface load measurements, even from the incorrect load measurements themselves. The calculated down-hole dynamometer card will be transposed on a distinct diagonal with respect to both load and position, if the input surface load measurements are incorrect. A load offset can then be identified from this shifting and the surface load measurements can be corrected. Calculated pump cards have been traditionally aligned with the surface dyno card position, and so this diagonal pump card shifting correlation with incorrect, or unexpected, surface load has not been realized.

A method for detecting operational issues in a beam pump unit includes receiving sensor data representing a position of and a load on the beam pump unit, using a sensor coupled to the beam pump unit, generating a surface dynacard based on the sensor data, predicting a source of inefficiency in the beam pump unit based at least in part on the surface dynacard using a machine learning algorithm, and identifying one or more corrective actions to take to address the source of inefficiency.

A method for detecting operational issues in a beam pump unit includes receiving sensor data representing a position of and a load on the beam pump unit, using a sensor coupled to the beam pump unit, generating a surface dynacard based on the sensor data, predicting a source of inefficiency in the beam pump unit based at least in part on the surface dynacard using a machine learning algorithm, and identifying one or more corrective actions to take to address the source of inefficiency.

A sucker rod guide for use in a well production tubing, the sucker rod guide comprising: (a) a sleeve member, including a first material having a first wear characteristic and including: (i) a passage therethrough for a sucker rod; and (ii) an outer surface; and (b) a wear member overlaying the sleeve member and including a second material having a second wear characteristic, the wear member being fixed in position relative to the sleeve member and including: (i) an inner surface; and (ii) an outer surface defining a flow path for a fluid, when in use, between the sucker rod guide and the well production tubing.

A sucker rod guide for use in a well production tubing, the sucker rod guide comprising: (a) a sleeve member, including a first material having a first wear characteristic and including: (i) a passage therethrough for a sucker rod; and (ii) an outer surface; and (b) a wear member overlaying the sleeve member and including a second material having a second wear characteristic, the wear member being fixed in position relative to the sleeve member and including: (i) an inner surface; and (ii) an outer surface defining a flow path for a fluid, when in use, between the sucker rod guide and the well production tubing.

An apparatus for measuring strain in a polished rod of a beam pump unit includes a body having an upper wide section, a lower wide section, and a narrow section having a reduced width in comparison to each of the upper and lower wide sections. A bore is formed in the narrow section. The apparatus also includes at least two connectors configured to connect the body to the rod. The bore is positioned between the two connectors in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the rod. The apparatus further includes a strain gauge positioned in the bore, so as to measure strain in the rod between the two points of connection.

An apparatus for measuring strain in a polished rod of a beam pump unit includes a body having an upper wide section, a lower wide section, and a narrow section having a reduced width in comparison to each of the upper and lower wide sections. A bore is formed in the narrow section. The apparatus also includes at least two connectors configured to connect the body to the rod. The bore is positioned between the two connectors in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the rod. The apparatus further includes a strain gauge positioned in the bore, so as to measure strain in the rod between the two points of connection.