Plunger Lift Training
Plunger Lift Training for Operators, Engineers, and Field Teams
Plunger lift systems only perform as well as the people operating them. At Trilift Services, we offer hands-on plunger lift training designed to help operators, production engineers, and field personnel confidently run, optimize, and troubleshoot plunger lift systems in real-world conditions.
Built on decades of field experience and proven best practices, our training programs bridge the gap between theory and day-to-day operations—helping customers maximize production, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life.
Success Depends on Knowledge
Why Operator Training Matters
Improper plunger selection or incorrect controller settings can lead to:
- Reduced production
- Excessive shut-in time
- Damage to plungers and bottom hole assemblies
- Increased maintenance costs
Training helps teams make informed decisions that directly impact well performance and operating costs—often delivering immediate production improvements after adjustments are applied.
Training Built For All Levels
Who This Training Is For
Our plunger lift training is built for every role involved in artificial lift operations:
Production Engineers seeking deeper insight into plunger selection, load factor calculations, and optimization strategies.
Lease Operators & Pumpers who need practical, easy-to-apply guidance for daily operations.
Production Superintendents focused on consistency, uptime, and long-term field performance.
New team members needing a strong foundation in plunger lift fundamentals.
Training Program
What Our Plunger Lift Training Covers
Training begins with recognizing the different stages of well flow, including flowback, slug flow, intermittent loading, and extended liquid loading. Operators learn how to identify the point at which plunger lift becomes the most effective artificial lift solution.
We break down the four core parts of the plunger lift cycle:
- On Time
- Afterflow
- Off Time
- Recovery
Participants learn how each phase impacts plunger travel, fluid loading, and overall system efficiency.
Training includes detailed explanations of:
- Conventional plungers (brush, pad, solid, twister)
- Fast-fall plungers (Hydroquake, sliding sleeve styles)
- Bypass plungers (ball-and-sleeve, dart, friction bypass)
Operators learn how well conditions such as sand, paraffin, scale, fluid rate, and gas rate determine the correct plunger type and configuration.
Using real-world examples, trainees learn how to:
- Calculate optimal plunger run times
- Understand acceptable rise velocity ranges
- Interpret fall speed reference charts
- Adjust settings to prevent equipment damage
These calculations are critical to maximizing lift efficiency while protecting downhole equipment.
Our training focuses heavily on practical optimization, including:
- Adjusting off time, afterflow, and on pressure
- Understanding tubing vs. casing pressure relationships
- Diagnosing fast or slow plunger runs
- Identifying plunger wear patterns and failure causes
Operators leave with a repeatable framework for improving performance without guesswork.
Talk to Tri-Lift About Plunger Lift Training
If you want your team to run plunger lift systems with confidence and consistency, our training services can help.
Contact Trilift Services to discuss on-site training, operator education, or system optimization support.