PCM story since 90 years

Starting in oil and gas in the early 80’s, the French Petroleum Institute collaborated with PCM to develop a pump specific to the petroleum industry.  The challenge was making longer pumps for higher-pressure ratings and a new elastomer compatible with downhole well conditions.  New machining and injection tools were developed.  Next was the challenge on how to drive these new pumps.  In Russia, PCM collaborated on the first ESPCP systems. In France, PCM was working with Total on a rod driven system. 

By the late 80’s, PCM was ready for the market.  The 90’s saw significant growth of PCP completions in heavy oil and of PCM worldwide marketing.  Partnerships were developed in Canada, Venezuela and Argentina.  Canada has since developed into a major PCP user market in the world, with thousands of wells across Alberta and Saskatchewan completed using PCM technology.  In Venezuela and Argentina, PCM pumps were successfully installed in challenging new wells, pushing the envelope of PCP use.  PCM ranked number one for pump performance in the Orinoco heavy oil belt. 

The 2000’s saw further expansion in West Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  With expansion came new challenges. Customers were demanding better services to manage pump performance and run life.  PCM made the decision to go direct to the customer and opened 15 new pump service centers. Working alongside our customers, PCM competencies in pump selection, operation and maintenance have pushed the PCP operating envelope again.  A good example is in Oman, where PCM teams work closely managing operations, training and HSE parameters directly with the client leading to a major performance improvement in Heavy Oil market. 

Over the last two decades, PCM has continued to innovate, bringing new PCP technologies to the market.  PCM developed new elastomers specific to well applications, resulting in PCM 159, 205, 194 and 204 O&G formulations. PCM Vulcain™ and PCM Slugger are patented new technologies providing pumping solutions for thermal and high GOR challenges. Since then, other new technologies have emerged including; PCM Slugger ESPCP to reduce tubing and rod failures in deviated wells, high efficiency Permanent Magnet Motor Driveheads, and more recently  PCM X-Bond elastomer technology applicable for 150°C /300°F well conditions. Well applications have extended past the early days of heavy oil to include light oil, CSG/CBM and thermal plays.  For example, in Australia PCM innovation and service has improved pump performance and run life for de-watering wells in gas production.