Your First Simulation

There are two ways to get started:

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Manual Entry

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Create a Well

Go to Wells > New Well, enter a name, and click Add Well.

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Upload Directional Survey

From your well, open the Directional Surveys tab and import your survey file. For vertical wells, you can skip this.

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Create the Simulation

Click the RodSim tab, then New Simulation to create a blank simulation.

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Configure Simulation Preferences

Start by selecting your pumping unit. Click Select Pumping Unit to open the equipment library where you can filter by manufacturer or search by model number. Set your optimization targets — either a target production rate (BFPD) or target pumping speed (SPM). Then configure:

• Fluid gradient and pump fill percentage
• Pump type (API designation) and plunger diameter
• Casing and tubing pressures
• Fluid composition — water cut, oil API gravity

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Configure Tubing Data

Set the PSN depth (pump setting depth) — this is the measured depth to your pump. If you have a directional survey loaded, TVD and inclination calculate automatically. Add your tubing string by specifying nominal size, weight, grade, and depth intervals for each section.

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Configure Rod Details

Build your rod string from top to bottom. Click Add Rod to add each taper section. For each taper, select:

• Rod type — Sucker Rod, Sinker Bar, or Continuous
• Manufacturer and grade
• Diameter and length

Select your polished rod size and configure rod guides if needed for deviated wells.

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Run Simulation

Click Run Simulation to execute. Processing typically takes 10-30 seconds.

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Review Results

After completion, review the outputs:

• Design Evaluation — Recommendations for rod loading, buckling, gearbox, and unit structure
• Calculated Results — Fluid/oil production, PPRL, MPRL, required HP, system efficiency
• Pumping Unit Analysis — Gearbox torque, counterbalance effect, structure loading
• Rod String Table — Stress and loading at each taper section
• Graphs — Dynamometer cards, buckling tendency, side/axial loading, 3D wellbore

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Import from RodStar or SRod

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Import the File

Go to Wells > Import and select your .rsdx, .rsvx, .inp6e, or .inp7 file. This creates both the well and a simulation with data pre-populated.

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Verify and Adjust

1. Check the Directional Surveys tab to confirm survey data imported correctly
2. Open the simulation and review each tab:
   • Simulation Preferences — Pumping unit, targets, fluid properties
   • Tubing Data — PSN depth, tubing configuration
   • Rod Details — Rod string setup
3. Update any values that need adjustment for your scenario

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Run and Review

Click Run Simulation to execute. Review outputs as described above.

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Next Steps