Simulative study and stress analysis of conventional pumping unit using finite element method

A conventional pumping unit is an artificial lift which is widely used in oil and gas production. Due to its main function to lift oil from beneath to the surface, most of the pumping units are continuously operated to maintain production. This paper aims to study the stress analysis of pumping unit structure based on the theoretical calculation of load and simulate the effects on the key components of the conventional pumping unit structure. The mechanical performance of key components was simulated through the Abaqus software with a finite element analysis (FEA). Through the analysis of mechanical behavior in key components according to the simulation results, the damage mechanism of the key components was obtained as the basis in providing a theoretical overview on the structural design and optimization of key components in the conventional pumping.