Gas Lift Applications for Mature Fields

Objective:

Present a list of alternatives to prolong the economic life of the Gas

Lift Method in Mature Fields before considering other types of Artificial
Lift Methods

Contents:

• Introduction
• 1st Stage Optimization (no Work Over required)
• 2nd Stage (Alternative Completions)
• Automation (Control and Data Acquisition)
• Surface Facilities (Adapting to a New Reality)
• Conclusions

Introduction
 Compressors, pipe line gas distribution networks and current
gas lift completions are by themselves expensive.

But it might be even more expensive (if not economically

impossible) to invest in new electric generators and cables, pumps
and new completions, training personnel… for mature fields.

….Can we extend the life of an old gas lift field?

1st Stage Optimization (no Work Over Required)

• Trouble Shooting (System Approach)

o Find QL vs. Qgi (measure flowing bhp at different Qgi)

Do not take computer models as the indisputable truth!

o Identify where and why wells are not optimize

• Shift from Continuous to Intermittent Gas Lift

o Aim: to reduce Inj. GLR (not necessarily to increase liquid
production)
o When?
There is no theoretical approach
Rule-of-thumb: static liquid level = 1/3 total depth
o Where?
Avoid extreme tubing sizes (4-1/2 or < 2-3/8 in tubing)
Avoid extreme annulus volume
Surface facilities
o How?
1-1/2 in vs. 1 in valves
Spring loaded or nitrogen charged valves / single element or pilot v.
Surface controllers or choke control / Use plungers or not
Optimum cycle time to maximize QL / Correct gas inj. per cycle
2nd Stage Optimization (Alternative Completions)
• Reduce Tubing size
Aim: prolong continuous gas lift while reducing Inj. GLR
Continuous GL is operationally always better than intermittent GL
specially in small fields with few operating wells

• Use other type of completions

Last resource
The only way to extend GL to ultimate depletion

CHAMBER INSTALLATIONS

More liquid can be accumulated for a given flowing bottom hole

pressure

Double Packer Chamber

• Can reduce IGLR

• Might increase liquid
production (high
P.I.)
• Max. liquid capacity
than any other type
of chamber

Attention to:

• Bleed valve port size

• Gassy wells
• Sand (difficulty to
pull the completion
and wire line jobs)
• The completion is
more complex. This
increases the risk of
any production
inefficiency due to
completion failure
 Insert Chamber

• Can reduce IGLR

• Might increase liquid
production (not
necessarily high P.I.)
• Max. Draw-down
• Especially suitable for
wells with long perf.
Intervals.

Attention to:

• Bleed valve port size

(chamber and outer
annulus)
• Gassy wells (but perform
better than DPC)
• Sand (difficulty to pull
the completion and wire
line jobs)
• The completion is even
more complex than
double packer chambers

ACUMULATORS

Compared with simple completion, more liquid can be accumulated

for a given flowing bottom hole pressure but with less complex
completions
 Simple Type Accumulator

• Can reduce IGLR

• Might increase liquid
UNLOADING production (high P.I.)
VALVE • Suitable for gassy
wells
• Not as complex as
UNLOADING chamber
VALVE
Attention to:

• Liquid capacity is
SIMPLE TYPE always lower than any
ACCUMULATOR type of chambers
• I.D. of accumulator
cannot be too large

OPERATING
VALVE
PACKER &
STANDING VALVE
 M U L T IP H A S E Insert Type Accumulator
G A S L IF T G A S
FLO W
• Can reduce IGLR
• Increases liquid
production (long perf.
intervals) due to high
M ANDREL draw-down
• Suitable for gassy
wells
S P E C IA L • Not as complex as
PACKER chamber

Attention to:
C O IL E D T U B IN G
• Gas lift valve should
F O R M A T IO N
be at upper mandrel
G A SI N L E T IN Y E C T I O N P O I N T
• I.D. of accumulator
( Y T- O O) L
S T A N D IN G V A L V E cannot be too large
• Bleeb port should
handle two-phase flow

Automation (Control and Data Acquisition)

An automation system can:

• Help the gas-lift Operator to optimize each gas-lift well and
keep it optimized all of the time.
• Help to optimize the performance of an entire gas-lift system:
by automatically coordinating injection cycles, it can reduce the
occurrence of system upsets that may happen when two or
more wells are injected at the same time
• Keep stable condition during a compressor trip or restart, a
production station trip or restart, or the trip or restart of large
wells on the system
• Continuously monitors all wells and the system to provide
surveillance and troubleshooting information to the gas-lift
Operators

Its major drawback is COST, but new technologies are reducing it

Surface Facility (Adapting to a New Reality)

• Lower well head pressure (use of low pressure booster might be

necessary)
• Oversize tests separator (test accuracy)
• Undersize separators (ability to handle gas for intermittent gas
lift, use chokes)
• Gas handling (moisture[∆ p], debris[old pipes] etc)
• Well heads free of restrictions (streamlined wellhead free of
choke box)
• Use of valves instead of orifices as the operating point to
reduce the impact of compressor shut-downs
• Use abandoned wells to storage either high or low pressure gas
to increase the stability of the whole system

CONCLUSIONS

• The injection gas liquid rate can be kept within an economical

level if proper steps are taken
• Long term planning for surface and subsurface equipment
replacement can extend the Gas Lift Method up to ultimate
depletion
• New technologies in automation equipment should make its
implementation economically feasible even for low producing
wells
• Training personnel for present and future operation
requirements is essential for extending the life of the Gas Lift
Method.
Stage Optimization (Alternative Completions)

Insert Chamber with Hanger Insert Chamber with Combination

Nipple Operating-Bleed Valve
Extremely long Insert Insert Chamber for Tight Formations
Chamber
Gas Chamber Pumps
Pilot Control
System
Vent motor
Inj. gas motor valve
valve

Ad Inj. Gas Ad
jChok &
vent jChok
e string e

Flowlin
e
In
j.
Gas
line

Cs
Prod
g
conduit

Chamber dip
Inse
tube
rt
Chamb
er
Discharge check
valve
Perf
s Intake check
valve

• Increase liquid production by reducing fall back losses in wells

with low API oil
• Can handle gassy wells and high temperatures (steam
injection)

Attention to:

• Higher cost in surface controller equipment than in Gas Lift

• For complex designs, parts are subject to wear and
replacement
• A High-Pressure gas source is required
• Gas liquid ratios can be high for some designs due to venting of
high pressure gas