Educational and scientific tasks facing a post-graduate course form the requirements for a specialist. Advanced computer technologies in modeling and designing, widely used for the development of oil fields with hard-to-recover and heavy oil reserves, is the subject of investigation for those interested in modeling progressing cavity pump (PCP) operation.
A computerized system provides data on the overhaul time, production efficiency, productivity and the dynamics of advanced technologies introduction determining the common policy and strategy for solving pumps operational problems. The Republic of Tatarstan (RT) is the leader in application of PCPs with surface drive in Russia. Great experience has been acquired in operating and maintaining these pumping units and the information is carefully studied at our Institute.
Since 1995 Baker Hughes (USA) and KUDU (Canada) progressing cavity pumps have been purchased and introduced into production.
Since1999 high-head Weatherford (USA) PCPs have been put into operation in the wells with low dynamic fluid levels and high pressures in discharge flow lines. KUDU(Canada) PCPs have been used in reservoir pressure maintenance (RPM) systems. Such systems with KUDU unit application have considerable advantages:

• absence of high-head delivery and discharge water conduits;
• wide range of fluid flow rates;
• pump operation under the conditions of minimal intake pressure;
• convenience and ease of handling.

66.2 % of the current pumping well stock have been applying PCPs for artificial lift in RT: Urmyshlinskoye oil field – 76.7 %, Kuzaikinskoye – 72.4 %, Urustamakskoye – 46.2 %. KUDU and Weatherford pumps are installed in the producing wells of these oil fields.
Average pre-failure life of KUDU PCPs is 950 days, Weatherford PCPs non-failure operation time is 1050 days.
The overhaul period of the wells equipped with PCPs and sucker-rod pumps makes 960 and 1140 days respectively .
During operation PCP units showed considerable advantages in comparison with conventional beam pumping units including:

• successful operation of the PCPs with high-viscous fluids and fluids containing mechanical solids;
• less capital investment;
• comparatively small energy consumption and operation costs;
• simplicity of installation , operation and maintenance;
• small specific quantity of metal ( per a structure);
• comparatively long overhaul period of well operation;
• ability to produce fluids with 50% gas content;
• smooth putting the well on pumping conditions and the possibility of flow rate regulation;
• absence of the loads opposite in sign on rods;
• conservation of flow structure;
• absence of pulsation;
• operation under condition of lower intake pressure and increasing the well productivity;
• pressure drop in oil collecting systems;
• ease of to re-installing for various operating regimes;
• high industrial safety and increased accident prevention during pumping unit handling;
• low noise level.

Oil recovery enhancement is associated with the development of radically new pump models mostly effective under the conditions of emulsions, heavy oils, water and ecological factors consideration.