The elastomer is truly the heart of the PCP.

This material has been selected to constitute the internal profi-

le of the stator because of its resilience. This quality makes it possible to design pumps with an interfe-
rence fit between rotor and stator which determines the watertightness of the seal between cavities.
Limiting Factors
The elastomers are designed considering the parameters which characterize the wellbore fluid, such as :
Oil specific gravity
Water cut
Gas/Liquid Ratio (GLR) at pump level
Temperature at pump level
and by the presence of physical or chemical agents, such as :
Abrasive particles (sand)
Aggressive agents :
- aromatic solvents
- carbon dioxide (CO2)
- hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
The most common changes in mechanical properties and their consequences are :
- Swelling, leading to excessive interference,
- Hardening, leading to loss of resilience,
- Softening, leading to weakness and seal deterioration.
The selection of the elastomer is a critical step in the design of a PCP system. It influences the performan-
ce and the life time of the pump. The right selection requires a good knowledge of well conditions and
well fluid composition. It is of up most importance to make the best match between elastomer properties
and wellbore conditions. Therefore, a presentation of elastomer properties is given herein based upon
field experience.
Elastomer properties
To find the best adapted elastomer to well conditions, PCM has developed a wide range of elastomers.
These elastomers are mainly made up of nitrile (co-polymer made up of butadiene and acrylonitrile).
The butadiene contributes to mechanical properties, as acrylonitrile contributes to chemical properties.
In addition, PCM develops an hydrogenerated nitrile elastomer to achieve better H
2
S and temperature
resistance, and a butadiene fluorecarbon elastomer to achieve greater resistance to aromatics and CO
2
.
TC/OIL/SELEC/A 01/01-00 1/3
PCM MOINEAU OILFIELD
17 rue Ernest Laval - BP 35 - 92173 Vanves Cedex France
Tel (33) 1 41 08 15 15 - Telex 634 129 F - Fax (33) 1 41 08 15 99
http://www.pcmpompes.com Email:oil@pcmpompes.com
Selection of elastomers
The following parameters are essential in the choice of an elastomer :
- Resistance to aromatic solvents is a major problem, because they cause elastomer to soften and swell.
This is accompanied by a weakening of the elastomer.
- H2S causes elastomer to harden, shrink and crack from the surface progressing inwards.
This is due to the sulphur which increases the crosslinking of the nitrile chain.
- CO2 penetrates the elastomer, leading to softening and swelling and causes explosive decompression.
- Sand presence causes a quick abrasion of the elastomers.
- All nitrile elastomers tend to swell in water, depending on the salt content and water cut. However, in
an oil-water mixture (even with only a trace of oil), the swelling of these elastomers in water is not a
problem.
- Elastomers has to be resistant to explosive decompression to withstand trips out of a well, and shut-downs
in wells with low static fluid levels. When a pump operates in a well with free gas in the fluid, the gas per-
meates the elastomer. The pressure is reduced as the stator is withdrawn from the well and the gas
expands.
If the gas is not released by the permeability designed into the elastomer, gas bubbles will form under
the surface of the elastomer.
These have the appearance of blisters and the stator is damaged because the elastomer is sheared
below the surface by the formation of these bubbles.
This phenomenon is called "explosive decompression" although there are no high velocity particles
projected in the case of rubber.
Explosive decompression can also be caused while the stator is in the well by the sudden release of
pressure which occures when fluid drains out of the tubing during shut-down.
All these parameters have to be taken into account when selecting an elastomer, in order to find the best
compromise between mechanical resistance and chemical resistance.
PCM manufactures its own elastomers.
Following is a description of the elastomers which PCM currently has in service.
TC/OIL/ELAST/A 01/01-00 2/3
PCM MOINEAU OILFIELD
17 rue Ernest Laval - BP 35 - 92173 Vanves Cedex France
Tel (33) 1 41 08 15 15 - Telex 634 129 F - Fax (33) 1 41 08 15 99
http://www.pcmpompes.com Email:oil@pcmpompes.com
Selection of elastomers
Selection of elastomers
Available Elastomers
159 : standard nitrile.
This is the most versatile and field proven elastomer.
It is the standard against which the strength and chemical resistance of the other elastomers are compa-
red.
It is also the standard which is used to define the temperature ratings in the rotor specifications. It is being
routinely employed in 3 % H2S with 3 % aromatics.
The resistance to aromatics is fair (up to 6 % at 30 C).
It performs well at temperatures up to 120 C and the abrasion resistance is fair (good up to 40 C).
Mechanical properties are excellent.
The greatest advantage that this elastomer offers is its excellent resistance to explosive decompression.
199 : nitrile with high ACN.
Its acrylonitrile content is higher than that of 159.
This elastomer has a good resistance to aromatics (has been used in 13 % aromatics at 40 C).
Mechanical properties are quite good, but the abrasion resistance is poor.
It performs well at temperatures up to 100 C.
194/205 : "soft" nitrile.
This elastomer was designed for heavy oil with high sand contents and low aromatics.
The abrasion resistance is good and the softness greatly reduces the wear on rotors in abrasive conditions.
Mechanical properties are good.
The recommended temperature limit is 80 C.
205 is softer than 194 and adapted to severe abrasion.
198 : hydrogenated nitrile.
It was developed to make elastomers which have better H2S and temperature resistance.
The abrasion resistance is good and the mechanical properties are excellent. It is water resistant.
It does not resist aromatics as well as the other elastomers.
PCM recommends it to high temperatures (up to 140 C).
204 : fluorocarboned elastomer.
This elastomer was developed for greater resistance to aromatics, CO2 and H2S.
Pumps made with this elastomer have operated for 3 years in wells with 28 % C02 + 3 % H2S in the gas
and 3 % aromatics in the oil.
Mechanical properties are quite poor.
The resistance to explosive decompression is poor.
The recommended temperature limit is 130 C.
TC/OIL/ELAST/A 01/01-00 3/3