In hydraulic lift, energy is delivered downhole as a pressurised liquid. In a jet pump the power fluid passes through a nozzle, converting pressure to velocity, and mixes with well fluid in the throat and diffuser, where velocity converts back to pressure and lifts the mixture to surface. Because nothing moves downhole, jet pumps tolerate sand, corrosive fluid and high temperatures, and they can be circulated in and out without a rig.

That tolerance comes at a cost in efficiency, typically much lower than rod or electric pumps, so hydraulic lift is chosen for what it can do rather than for the power it uses. The critical design limit is cavitation: if the pressure at the throat entrance falls too low, the fluid flashes, erodes the throat and limits production. Correct nozzle and throat sizing for the expected intake pressure and free gas content is the heart of jet pump design.

Reciprocating piston pumps are far more efficient and can lift from greater depths at lower power fluid rates, but they have close-tolerance moving parts downhole and need clean power fluid. Common problems across both types trace to power fluid quality, incorrect sizing, and surface systems that were never designed for the water cut and solids the wells now produce.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe hydraulic lift systems and the components of jet and piston pump installations.
• Explain jet pump operation and interpret dimensionless performance curves.
• Select nozzle and throat sizes for given well conditions.
• Check cavitation limits and assess the effect of free gas on jet pump performance.
• Explain piston pump mechanics, pump ratios and efficiency.
• Design power fluid systems, including surface pumps, cleaning and open or closed configurations.
• Compare free, fixed and casing-type installations.
• Calculate expected production, power fluid rate and horsepower requirements.
• Monitor hydraulic lift performance and troubleshoot common problems

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Apply hydraulic lift correctly in wells where other methods perform poorly.
• Avoid cavitation damage and repeated pump changes through correct sizing.
• Improve power fluid system reliability and cleanliness.
• Reduce intervention cost through free-circulating installations.
• Improve performance monitoring of hydraulic lift wells.

Participants will:

• Understand how jet and piston pumps work.
• Be able to size nozzles and throats and check cavitation limits.
• Be able to design and assess power fluid systems.
• Be able to calculate hydraulic lift performance and power requirements.
• Be able to diagnose common hydraulic lift problems.

• Production engineers
• Artificial lift engineers
• Well operations engineers and supervisors
• Completion engineers
• Facilities engineers supporting power fluid systems
• Field technicians working on hydraulic lift wells

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.