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ABSTRACT
In petroleum industry, various problems may arise during production operations such as reduction in desired oil rate
due to water conning and lifting problems. Gas lift optimization is considered as a prestigious technique for preventing
such problems.
This work is carried out as a consequence of low production problems in one of the oil fields in Iraq. The name of the
field is not mentioned in this work due to the confidentiality of publication and well is named as JAF. Currently oil is
produced in JAF well through gas lift technique, while in other wells oil is produced by their own reservoir pressure.
Before implementing gas lift optimization, the average oil production rate for JAF well was around 1700 (bbl/day), with
relatively low drawdown pressure (psig) between average reservoir pressure and bottom-hole flowing pressure. Thus, to
optimize the production, this well is modelled in PROSPER program, through entering row field data of both reservoir
fluids properties and well testing data for PVT matching and generating IPR + VLP for the well.
In this paper, the JAF well has been modelled in PROSPER step by step. For VLP correlation comparison, Petroleum
Expert-2 was found very close to well test data for all vertical/tubing performance. While for matching pipe correlation
Beggs and Brill correlation is found the best fit correlation for production and flow line test. Design injection pressure
is inputted based on the available source supply and considering bubble point pressure as well.
The sensitivity results, through which maximum oil production rate is achieved as 2343 bbl/day for JAF well at gas lift
injection rate of l.75 MMscf/day.
In addition, maximum and optimum GLR for the well is determined under fixed injection rate of 1.35 scf/day of GasLift
gas rate based on the selected correlation for analysing injected GLR sensitivities and the result is 451 scf/stb for JAF
well.
Finally, optimum injection depths for fixed gas injection rate in MMscf/day for this well is obtained as 2250 ft.
Keywords
Gas Lift, Gas Rate, GLR, Depth, Optimization, Sensitivity, Pressure.
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. Brief history
Field X is a super-giant field and mainly limestone reservoir with fold hydrocarbon trap (Anticline fold) and
its rock type is Dalmatic limestone which is characterized with natural fracture.
The reservoir petro-physical properties are ranged between (5-44) md for average permeability, between (13%
- 26%) for water saturation and between (18% - 27%) of average porosity in matrix. The oil column thickness
is about (60-90) meter with large gas cap and Aquifer, the estimated Gas oil contact at depth 600 ft MSL and
estimated oil water contact at 740 ft MSL.
For proceeding to produce from the field, it was planned to install a gas lift system for the wells which do not
produce in a desired rate relative to other high producer well. To meet the requirements demanded by the local
government.
1.2. Scope of Work and Paper Objectives
The objective of this paper is to analyze the oil production rate variation by implementing the gas lift artificial
method for a well named here as JAF of X field with two different domes. The work is performed by the
application of PROSPER software package.
Furthermore, the objective of this study is to provide some decision supporting document and evaluating each
of the scenarios in detail through using advanced software packages to match the data history and predict
simulation results. Consequently, simulations based on the field data will give an indication of what rates can
be produced and the different solutions will be recommended. A complete production analysis will be
developed by running a simulation program in PROSPER for individual well system and the maximum oil
production rate that could be achieved for the whole production system.
1.3. Pressure and Flow Rate Profile
Most of the wells are completed at a depth that should flow for a period of time after they begin put in
production. This will not be continuous because the energy will be spent and at some time there will not be
sufficient drive force to lift the fluid to the surface. Consequently, the well ceases to flow and the operating
company will be tempted to put the well on one of the forms of artificial lift to provide a good lifting energy
(Lake, 2010).
Figure 1 illustrates the reasons why it is required to lift the hydrocarbons artificially. Through looking at this
figure, wells normally can produce by their own reservoir pressure only for a specific period of time.
through lifting the fluid to reduce the bottom hole pressure as well as the hydrostatic pressure gradient on the
wellbore. A simplified diagram of a particular gas lift system is shown in the below figure (Guo, Lyons and
Ghalamber, 2007).
Figure 2: Pressure relationships in a continuous gas lift (Guo, Lyons and Ghalamber, 2007)
2.2. Gas Lift Well Performance Analysis
Noda analysis is used to analyse the gas lift well performance, the following processes should be done to
analyse the system.
Select the operating gas lift to be analysed.
Select the node location that is most sensitive to change.
Develop the relationship between the inflow and flow of the node.
Calculate pressure drop versus flow rate for all components.
Determine the effect of changing characteristics of the selected node (gas lift valve).
Optimise the production system.
To follow the above mentioned steps, it is more convenient to allocate gas lift working valve as the posistion
of the node. Thus, the node pressure will be the pressure at the tubing exactly in the depth where the valve has
been installed symbolised as P v .
Hereby, the outflow and inflow would be:
Inflow into the node (at the gas lift valve depth)
(equ.1)
Where,
Pv is the pressure at the valve (psi)
Pres is the reservoir pressure (psi)
P res is the pressure difference across the reservoir (psi)
P tbg is the pressure difference across the tubing string (psi)
Outflow from the node;
(equ.2)
Where,
is the pressure at the valve (psi)
is the wellhead pressure (psi)
is the pressure difference across the tubing string (psi)
As the depth of gas injection point is changing with the type of design and at the same time there are more
than two valves usually installed into the wellbore. So, it is better to select the P wf as the node pressure. A
digram between the P wf and flow rate can be drawn, the effect of carrying out sensitive in the gas liquid ratio
will affect the outflow, but inflow will remain constant. This is because, the injection gas will affect the fluid
above valve only. The below figure illustrates more about the effect of changes in GLR.
(equ.5)
Where,
is the gas injection rate (MMscf/day)
is desired liquid production rate (bbl/day)
those calculations and input data are in the right position. PROSPER is able to model a well in different
scenarios to obtain the upstream accurate information based on the surface data.
The below tables in the next pages are the key input data which required while modelling a continuous gas lift
system concerning a well. For example, in this paper JAF well has been brought into analysing and simulate
the effect of gas lift system on its production rate.
The row field data for this well have been brought for analysis in this paper. The well is being proposed to put
under gas lift optimisation, because its production rate declined to unwanted level.
PVT data, IPR entry data, Downhole data (deviation survey and equipment) and well testing data (BHCIP,
BHFP and PI) for the well are provided. These data are arranged separately based on the PROSPER simulator
input requirement and all units will be field unit. This is to give better understanding on correlation and
matching with reality.
3.1. Well Data
Table 1: PVT Data of the Reservoir Fluid
Parameters Quantity Units
Solution GOR 212 scf/stb
Oil Gravity (API) 34 API
Gas Gravity 0 -
Water Salinity 0 ppm
Gas Impurities 0 %
Bubble Point Pressure at MD temperature 950 psig
Oil FVF at MD Temperature and Pressure 1.138 stb/bbl
Oil Viscosity 1.34 cp
0
6.86707 1720.55 3434.22 5147.9 6861.58
In the subsequent analysis of Gas lift sensitivities after inject ion process, the changes in the above parameters;
more specifically increase in oil rate and reduction in solution node pressure should be observed and
discussed. These values which production engineers are more interested in, because the purpose of doing gas
lift for any well is to deliver more quantity of oil and reducing the bottom-hole pressure to increase the
drawdown pressure within the reservoir.
4.2. Gas Lift Sensitivities
These sensitivities are adapted for specific application. For instance, the follow ing parameters can be modified
are related with inflow of the well. Thus any alterations in these parameters will affect the IPR curve rather
than VLP curve.
- Reservoir Pressure and Reservoir Temperature
- Productivity Index
- Water Cut
- Gas Oil Ratio (GOR), Water Oil Ration
2 14 0.48
Oil Rate (STB/day)
1 93 5.53
1 73 0.58
1 52 5.63
0 0 .5 62 5 1 .1 25 1 .6 87 5 2 .2 5
(oil rate specifically) rather than increasing the pressure. By looking at the graph, the trend of the line is
Pre di cti n g Pre ssu re an d T emp e ra ture (o ffsho re)
T e mp era tu re Mo de l Ro u gh A pp roxi mati o n
Co mp an y Un i ve rsi ty o f S al ford
First Nod e 1 X ma s T re Co emp
L ast Nod e 4 Casi ng 34 49(fee
0(fee t) on P erme a bi l ity Re du cti on Mod e l No
acti
.9 t) Re l ati ve Pe rmea bi l i ty No
Ab sol u te Op en Fl ow (A OF)6 81 2.0 (ST B/da y)
Fie l d Fie l d A, Do me B
remaining constant when gas is injected at a rate higher than 2.25 MMscf/day, thus 1.75 MMscf/day is the
L ocati on Ku rdi stan - No rth of Ira q
We l l We l l Numb e r 1
An a lyst Farha d K ho sh n aw
Re servoi r P ressure
1 20 0.00 (psi g)
Re servoi r T em pe rature2 00 .0 0 (de g F)
Wa ter Cu t1 5.00 0 (pe rce nt)
maximum sensitivity of the well. However, this rate should be avoided, because only pressure will increase
Da te 1 0/06 /20 13
D:\Sa l ford Uni versity\M asters Proj e ct\Si mu l ati on Re su l ts\2\1 \Wel l Nu mbe r 1 .Ou t
and probably more gas will be produced than liquid. Table (7) summarises the data of above graph, through
which Optimum, maximum and Uneconomical injection rates are distinguished.
Table 7: Results of Injection Rate Sensitivities
Gas Injection Rate (MM scf/day)
Parameters Optimum Maximum Uneconomical
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0 1.250 1.500 1.750 2.000 2.250
Oil Rate
1526.1 2113.2 2241.6 2283.4 2308.9 2325.9 2336.7 2342.9 2345.4 2345.1
(STB/day)
Sol. Node
1000.51 921.16 903.04 897.07 893.43 891.01 889.47 888.59 888.22 888.27
Press. (psig)
2 34 4.54
2 32 4.98
Oil Rate (STB/day)
2 30 5.42
2 28 5.86
2 26 6.31
2 37 4 77 .7 5 7 18 .5 9 59 .2 5 1 20 0
PVT Figure
Me tho d 9: Bl a Gaslift
ck Oi l Gas Injection GLR Sensitivities 1 50 .0 0 (psi g)
First Nod e Pre ssu re Infl ow Type Si n
Table (8) summarises the data Flo w ofFlu
T yp
i d Oi l
above
e Tu b ingraph,
g through which Bo ttom Economical
Bo ttom Me a su red Dep th
T ru e Verti ca l Dep and
th uneconomical
3 44 9.9 (fee t)
3 44 9.9 (fee t) total GOR areSaCon dmpCol eti on Ca s
ntrol No n
We l l T yp e Pro du ce r
indicated. By looking at figureL ift(4.2),
Arti fici al Li ft it is clear that when injected
Ga s L i ft (Co nti nu ou s)
Type No Fri cti o n Lo ss In Ann ul u s
GLR > 400 scf/STB, the change in the Re
Su rface Eq u ip me nt Co rre l ati on Be g gs an d Bri l l
Ve rtical L ift Co rre la ti on Pe trol eu m Exp erts 2
oilservoi r M od el PI E
Ga s Con i ng No
3002.71 2
2
Injection Depth
2
2 (feet)
1 1 1 1 1
2630.55 1
1
Curve 0 = 1985
Curve 1 = 2550.5
1 Curve 2 = 3116
2
Oil Rate (STB/day)
0 0 0 0
0 0
0
1
2258.39 0
1886.23
1514.07 2
1
0
0 0.5625 1.125 1.6875 2.25
5. CONCLUSION
Before implementing gas lift optimisation, the average oil production rate (bbl/day) for this well was around
1700 (bbl/day), with relatively low drawdown pressure (psig) between average reservoir pressure and bottom-
hole flowing pressure. Thus, to optimise the production, these wells are modelled in PROSPER program,
through entering row field data of both reservoir fluids properties and well testing data for PVT matching and
generating IPR and VLP for each well.
The well is modelled in PROSPER step by step for VLP correlation comparison, Petroleum Expert-2 was
found very close to well test data for all vertical/tubing performance. While for matching pipe correlation
Beggs and Brill correlation is found the best fit correlation for production and flow line test. Design injection
pressure is inputted based on the available source supply and considering bubble point pressure as well.
The sensitivity results, through which maximum oil production rates are achieved as 2343 bbl/day at gas lift
injection rate of l.75 MMscf/day. In addition, maximum and optimum GLR for the well is determined under
fixed injection rate of 1.35 scf/day of GasLift gas rate based on the selected correlation for analysing injected
GLR sensitivities and the result was; 451 scf/stb. And finally, an optimum injection depth for the fixed gas
injection rate in MMscf/day for the well is obtained as 2250 ft.
6. REFERENCES
1. Ahmed, T., and McKinney, P. D. (2004). Advanced Reservoir Engineering. Oxford : Gu lf Professional Publishing
is an imprint of Elsevier.
2. Beggs, H. D. (2003). Production Optimization Using Nodal Analysis. Oklaho ma: OGCI and Petroskills
Publications.
3. Bro wn, K. E. (1984). The Technology of Artificial Methods (Vol. Vo lu me 4). Tu lsa: PennWell Publishing
Co mpany.
4. Economides, J. M ., Hill, D. A., and Ehlig-Econo mides, C. (1994). Petroleum Production Systems. New Jersy:
Prentice Hall PTR.
5. GUO, B., LYONS, W. C., and GHALAM BOR, A. (2007). Petroleum Production Engineering. Elsevier Science
and Technology Books.
6. Hadiaman, F. (2011). GAS LIFT OPERATION, BEST PRACTICE, AN D PERFORMANCE. WLS: Totalattitude.
7. Hall, J. W., and Decker, K. L. (1995). Gas -1ift Unloading and Operating Simulation as Appliedd to Mandrel
Spacing and Valve Design. SPE 29450, 63-78.
8. Lake, L. W. (2010). Petroleum Engineering Handbook (Vol. Vo lu me IV). ZULIA, VENEZUELA : MERCADO
NEGRO.