SLB Introduces New Artificial Lift Technologies for U.S. Land Operations

Oilfield services company SLB has introduced two new artificial lift technologies designed for onshore U.S. operations. These solutions are engineered to extend equipment lifespan and boost production efficiency in mature, complex, and demanding well environments.

The new offerings consist of the Harbison-Fischer Deka diamond technology for rod pump barrels and the Synthetix hydraulic gas lift system. Each technology targets distinct operational hurdles: Deka combats mechanical wear in rod-pumped wells, while Synthetix optimizes gas lift performance as reservoir dynamics evolve.

The Deka technology utilizes a specialized diamond-based coating to protect rod pump barrels against abrasive and corrosive conditions. By minimizing friction and wear between the plunger and the barrel, this coating aims to prolong the life of the equipment, thereby reducing the need for costly pump replacements and well workovers. According to SLB, testing has shown that this diamond coating offers superior abrasion resistance compared to traditional barrel materials.

Meanwhile, the Synthetix system features hydraulically operated downhole valves that enable operators to manage and adjust gas injection rates directly from the surface. This capability allows for real-time optimization of gas lift operations in response to changing well pressures without requiring slickline runs or workover rigs. Additionally, the system allows operators to alter flow configurations between the tubing and the annulus from the surface. Because it relies on a hydraulic design rather than electrical controls, it eliminates the need for expensive downhole electrical cables and infrastructure.

SLB reports that field trials of the Synthetix system have yielded production increases ranging from 10% to 20%, particularly in mature and low-pressure wells.

“Optimizing artificial lift performance relies on extending the operational life of equipment while providing operators with greater flexibility to manage changing well dynamics,” stated Josh Jones, SLB’s Vice President of Production Systems for North America Land. “Deka technology tackles equipment wear at the material level, whereas the Synthetix system empowers operators to optimize gas lift operations from the surface without requiring physical well interventions.”

These two additions strengthen SLB’s artificial lift portfolio in the U.S. land market, offering targeted solutions for rod-pump durability and surface-controlled gas lift optimization.