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Artificial Lift Technology

PEP 279

‫ﺗﻜﻨﻮﻟﻮﺟﯿﺎ رﻓﻊ اﺻﻄﻨﺎﻋﻲ ﻟﻠﺒﺘﺮول‬

Dr. Ahmad Alkouh

Second Edition

January, 2016

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Chapter 1: Production Systems Analysis

1.1 Introduction

• Wells are drilled and completed to move oil and gas from the reservoir to the surface then
to stock tanks
• Oil is trapped in the reservoir which is at high pressure due to the layers on top and if the
well is drilled all the fluids (oil & gas) will flow to the surface
• Moving those fluids to the surface requires energy to overcome friction losses in the
system
• Fluids travel through the reservoir (like water through a sponge) and the piping system
(tube and pipeline) and then flow into a separator in the gathering centers (GC)
• Pressure drop in the total system is the initial fluid pressure minus the final fluid pressure,
∆𝑝 = 𝑝% − 𝑝'()
• Pressure drop, ∆𝑝, is the sum of the pressure drops in the system (reservoir, tube, choke,
pipeline, seperators)
• Pressure drop dependes on production rate, q, which is controlled by selected components
(size)
• For example, a large tubing can reduce production rate of the well
• The next section will describe a method to find the location of high pressure drop (flow
resistance) in any part of the system. This part can be change and flow rate will increase

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1.2 System Analysis Approach

• System analysis approach (Nodal Analysis) is used to study the effect of component
in the path of fluid flow
• First, select a node (point) in the well’s system and divide the system in this point
• Components upstream of the node called inflow section, and components downstream
of the node called outflow
• In each component, there is a relationship between pressure drop and flow rate. The
flow rate can be found, if:
o Flow into the node = flow out of the node
o There is only one pressure at the node
• Pressure in all components changes with time, at late time of the well’s life two
pressures are always remain fixed do not depend on flow rate
o Average reservoir pressure, 𝑝%
o Wellhead pressure 𝑝+, , if the well has a surface choke
• After selecting the node location, the node pressure is calculated from both directions
o Inflow to the nod:
𝑝% − ∆𝑝 (𝑢𝑝𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠) = 𝑝9:;(
o Outflow from the nod:
𝑝'() + ∆𝑝 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠) = 𝑝9:;(

• The pressure drop, ∆𝑝 , varies with flow rate, q. A plot of node pressure vs. flow rate
will give two curves. The intersection of both curves will give the rate which satisfy
both above equations
• If an upstream component is change, only inflow curve will change and the outflow
curve will remain unchanged
• If any curve is change, the intersection will shift and a new flow rate and node
pressure will exist
• If fixed pressures (reservoir depletion or separator pressure) are changed, the curves
will be shifted

Node

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• The wellhead as the node:

o Inflow to nod:
𝑝% − ∆𝑝?(' − ∆𝑝@ABC9D = 𝑝+,
o Outflow from node:
𝑝'() + ∆𝑝EF:+FC9( = 𝑝+,

• Increasing tubing size will give higher pressure for a fixed flow rate (as long as the tubing
is not too large) because pressure drop in the tubing will be decreased. This shift the
inflow curve upward and the intersection point to the right
• A larger pipeline will reduce the pressure drop in flowline, shifting the outflow down and
the intersection to the right
• Selecting the node divides the well into a reservoir part and piping part
• The inflow and outflow expressions for the simple system will then be:

o Inflow to nod:
𝑝% − ∆𝑝?(' = 𝑝+E
o Outflow from node:
𝑝'() + ∆𝑝EF:+FC9( + ∆𝑝@ABC9D = 𝑝+E

• The effect of a change in tubing size on the total system producing capacity when 𝑝+E is
the node pressure will shift the outflow curve
• Once a well reaches the stage in which it will no longer flow naturally, it will usually be
placed on artificial lift

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Chapter 2: Reservoir Performance

2.1 Introduction

• The reservoir is the one of the most important components in the total well system
• One of the fixed pressures, at any time in the life of the reservoir, is the average reservoir
pressure 𝑝%
• The flow of fluids into the well depends on the drawdown or pressure drop in the
reservoir, 𝑝% − 𝑝+E
• The relationship between flow rate and pressure drop occurring in the porous medium can
be very complex and depends on parameters such as rock properties, flow regime,
saturation, compressibility, skin, drive mechanism
• The flow from the reservoir into the well has been called "inflow performance" and a plot
of producing rate vs. bottomhole flowing pressure is called "inflow performance
relationship" or IPR

2.2 Well performance Equations

• Well performance equations are based on Darcy's Law

𝑘 𝑑𝑝
𝑣=
𝜇 𝑑𝑥
𝑞=𝑣𝐴

For steady state oil flow:

0.00708 𝑘: ℎ (𝑝( − 𝑝+E )
𝑞: = 𝑟
𝜇: 𝐵: ln( ( )
𝑟+
𝑞: : flow rate, STB/day
ko: oil permeability, md
h: reservoir thickness, ft
pe: pressure at r = re, psia
pwf: wellbore flowing pressure at r = rw, psia
re: well drainage radius, ft
rw: wellbore radius, ft
𝜇: : oil viscosity, cp
Bo: oil formation volume factor, res bbl/STB

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For peudo-steady state oil flow:

0.00708 𝑘: ℎ (𝑝% − 𝑝+E )
𝑞: =
0.472𝑟(
𝜇: 𝐵: ln( )
𝑟+

2.3 Productivity Index

• The relationship between well inflow rate and pressure drawdown has often been
expressed in the form of a productivity Index J
where
0.00708 𝑘: ℎ
𝐽=
0.472𝑟(
𝜇: 𝐵: ln( )
𝑟+

The inflow equation for oil flow can then be written as

𝑞: = 𝐽 (𝑝% − 𝑝+E )
𝑆𝑇𝐵/𝐷
𝐽=
𝑝𝑠𝑖

Example 2.1
A well that is producing from a reservoir having an average pressure of 2085 psig produced
at a rate of 282 STB/day when bottomhole flowing pressure was 1765 psig.
Calculate:
1. The productivity index
2. The producing rate if pwf is decreased to 1485 psig
3. The bottomhole pressure necessary to obtain an inflow of 400 STB/day
4. The inflow rate if pwf is reduced to zero (Absolute Open Flow Potential, AOF, or
qo(max).

]^ cdc klm/n
1- 𝐽 = = = 0.881
( )_ ` )ab ) (cedf`ghif) )'CD

2- 𝑞: = 𝐽 𝑝% − 𝑝+E = 0.881 2085 − 1485 = 528 𝑆𝑇𝐵/𝐷

]^ qee
3- 𝑝+E = 𝑝% − = 2085 − = 1631 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
p e.ddg

4- 𝑞: = 𝐽 𝑝% − 𝑝+E = 0.881 2085 − 0 = 1836 𝑆𝑇𝐵/𝐷

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2.4 Factor affecting Productivity Index

1. Phase Behavior in Reservoirs

• The bubblepoint pressure is the pressure at which free gas first forms in the
reservoir as pressure is reduced
• If the reservoir is above bubblepoint pressure, there is no gas in the reservoir.
However, if the pressure at any point in the reservoir drops below pb, free gas
will form
• Producing at a rate requires that pwf be less than pb and J will be low around
the wellbore.

2. Relative permeability behavior

• As gas forms in the reservoir, oil flow will decrease since the path flow has oil
and gas
• The relative permeability is defined as the ratio of the effective permeability to
a particular fluid to the absolute permeability of the rock.
• The absolute permeability is the permeability to a fluid when the fluid
completely saturates the rock

3. Oil viscosity Behavior

• The viscosity of oil saturated with gas at constant temperature will decrease as
pressure is decreased from initial pressure to bubblepoint pressure.
• Below bubblepoint pressure the viscosity will increase as gas comes out of
solution, leaving the heavier molecules in the liquid phase.

4. Oil formation Volume Factor

• As pressure is decreased on a liquid, the liquid will expand.
• When the bubblepoint pressure of an oil is reached, gas coming out of solution
will cause the oil to shrink

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2.5 Factor affecting Inflow Performance

• The inflow performance relationship (IPR) for a well is the relationship between flow
rate into the wellbore and wellbore flowing pressure pwf
• Plotting pwf versus q will show a plot of IPR
• If the IPR can be represented by a constant productivity index J, the plot will be linear
and the slop of the line will be -1/J, with intercept of pwf =𝑝% and q = qmax at values of q
= 0 and pwf =0
• For oil reservoir, main factors affecting the IPR are:
1. Decrease in oil permeability as gas saturation increase
2. Increase in oil viscosity as pressure decreases and gas is evolved
3. Shrinkage of the oil as gas is evolved when pressure on the oil decreases
4. Formation damage or stimulation around the wellbore

2.6 Drive Mechanisms

• The source of pressure energy to cause the oil and gas to flow into the wellbore has an
effect on both the performance of the reservoir and the total production system

1. Dissolved Gas Drive

• Dissolved gas drive reservoir is closed from any outside source of energy,
such as water encroachment
• Its pressure is initially above bubblepoint pressure and therefore no free gas
exists

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• The only source of material to replace the produced fluid is the expansion of
the fluids remaining in the reservoir
• The reservoir pressure declines fast with production until 𝑝% = 𝑝B , since only
the oil is expanding to replace the produced fluids. The producing gas oil ratio
will be constant during this period
• Once 𝑝% , declines below bubble point, free gas will be available to expand,
and 𝑝% will decline slowly
• As abandonment condition are reached, GOR will begin to decrease because
most of the gas is produced
• Recovery range 5% to 30%

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2. Gas Cap Drive

• A gas cap drive reservoir is also closed from any outside source of energy, but
the oil is saturated with gas at its initial pressure and, therefore, free gas will
exist
• As oil is produced the gas cap will expand and help to maintain reservoir
pressure
• As reservoir pressure declines from production, gas will be evolved from
saturated oil
• Reservoir pressure will decline more slowly than for a dissolved gas drive
• Recovery range 20% to 40%
• Possible recovery is re-injecting produced gas into the gas cap

3. Water Drive

• Oil zone is in contact with an aquifer that can replace produced oil and gas
• Oil will be undersaturated initially, but if the pressure declines below
bubblepoint, free gas will form and the dissolved gas drive mechanism will
also contribute to the energy for production
• Recovery range 35% to 75%

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2.7 Generating IPR Curve for Saturated Reservoir

• A reservoir initially can release gas in the reservoir as pressure is reduced with
production, this reservoir is called saturated reservoir
• Vogel method is the most famous method for saturated reservoir

𝒒𝒐 𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝟐
= 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝒑𝑹 𝒑𝑹

𝟎.𝟓
𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝒒𝒐
= 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔𝟔 − 𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓
𝒑𝑹 𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙

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Example 2.1
A well is producing from a reservoir having an average reservoir pressure of 2085 psig. A
stabilized production test on the well resulted in a producing rate at 282 STB/day when the
flowing bottomhole pressure was 1765 psig. The bubblepoint pressure is 2100 psíg. Using
Vogel's method, calculate:
1. The producing rate if pwf is reduced to zero (qmax or AOF).
2. The producing rate if pwf is reduced to 1485 psig.
3. The bottomhole pressure necessary to obtain an inflow rate of 400 STB/day.

Since the average reservoir pressure is below bubblepoint pressure, it is a saturated reservoir

1- find qo, max (producing rate at pwf = 0) using the below equation
𝒒𝒐
𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙 =
𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝟐
𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝒑𝑹 𝒑𝑹
𝟐𝟖𝟐
𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟐
𝟏𝟕𝟔𝟓 𝟏𝟕𝟔𝟓
𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓
𝒒𝒐 , 𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟔 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚

2- producing rate at pwf = 1485 psig

𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝒑𝒘𝒇 𝟐
𝒒𝒐 = 𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝒑𝑹 𝒑𝑹

𝟐
𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟓 𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟓
𝒒𝒐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟔 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓
𝒒𝒐 = 𝟒𝟗𝟓 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚

3- pwf to get qo = 400 STB/Day

𝟎.𝟓
𝒒𝒐
𝒑𝒘𝒇 = 𝒑𝑹 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔𝟔 − 𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓
𝒒𝒐,𝒎𝒂𝒙
𝟎.𝟓
𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝒑𝒘𝒇 = 𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔𝟔 − 𝟏. 𝟐𝟓 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓
𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟔
𝒑𝒘𝒇 = 𝟏𝟔𝟏𝟖 𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒈

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2.8 Generating IPR Curve for Undersaturated Reservoir

• A reservoir initially can produce oil only (no gas), this reservoir is called undersaturated
reservoir
• This reservoir has no gas in the bottomhole, but will have gas in the surface
• Two test cases must be considered to applying Vogel's method to undersaturated
reservoir
• The flowing wellbore pressure for the test can be either above or below bubblepoint
pressure
• The equation can be derived by considering the productivity index to be constant for pwf
> pb and assuming that Vogel's equation applies for pwf < pb
• Also, it is assumed that the complete IPR is continuous that is the slopes of the two
segments are equal at pwf = pb

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Case 1 (when the test point is pwf > pb)

• Calculate J for a specific point

𝒒𝒐
𝑱=
𝒑𝑹 − 𝒑𝒘𝒇
• Calculate qb
𝒒𝒃 = 𝑱 𝒑𝑹 − 𝒑𝒃

• Generate the IPR for values of pwf < pb

𝐉 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝟐
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐪𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟏.𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛

• Maximum oil production (when pwf = 0)

𝐉 𝐩𝐛
𝐪𝐨𝑴𝒂𝒙 = 𝐪𝐛 +
𝟏. 𝟖

• Generate the IPR for values of pwf > pb

𝐪𝐨 = 𝐉 𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐰𝐟

Case 2 (when the test point is pwf < pb)

• Calculate J using test data

𝒒𝒐
𝑱= 𝟐
𝐩𝐛 𝐩 𝐩
𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 𝐰𝐟 − 𝟎. 𝟖 𝐰𝐟
𝟏. 𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛
• Calculate qb
𝐪𝐛 = 𝐉 𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐛
• Generate IPR for pwf < pb
𝐉 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝟐
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐪𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟏.𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛

• Generate IPR for pwf > pb

𝐪𝐨 = 𝐉 𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐰𝐟

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Example 2.2

The following data pertain to an undersaturated reservoir:

Reservoir average pressure = 3000 psig
Bubble point pressure = 2130 psig
Test date: flowing bottomhole pressure = 2500 psig and oil flow rate = 250 STB/day.
Generate IPR.

First, find J:
𝒒𝒐 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝑺𝑻𝑩
𝑱= = = 𝟎. 𝟓 /𝒑𝒔𝒊
𝒑𝑹 − 𝒑𝒘𝒇 (𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟎) 𝒅𝒂𝒚

Find oil flow rate at bubble point pressure:

𝒒𝒃 = 𝑱 𝒑𝑹 − 𝒑𝒃 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 = 𝟒𝟑𝟓 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝒅𝒂𝒚

For pressure below bubble point pressure use the below equation to calculate oil rate:
𝐉 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝟐
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐪𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟏. 𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛
For the bottom hole pressure = 1000 psi
𝟐
𝟎. 𝟓 (𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎) 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝐪𝐨 = 𝟒𝟑𝟓 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖 = 𝟖𝟔𝟕 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚
𝟏. 𝟖 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎

For pressure above bubble point pressure use the below equation to calculate oil rate:
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐉 𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐰𝐟
For the bottom hole pressure = 2800 psi
𝐪𝐨 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟖𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚

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Example 2.3
The well described in the previous example was retested and the following results obtained:
Flowing bottomhole pressure = 1700 psig and oil flow rate = 630 STB/day
Generate IPR using this test data.

First, find J:
𝒒𝒐
𝑱= 𝟐
𝐩𝐛 𝐩 𝐩
𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 𝐰𝐟 − 𝟎. 𝟖 𝐰𝐟
𝟏. 𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛
𝟔𝟑𝟎 𝑺𝑻𝑩
𝑱= = 𝟎. 𝟓 /𝒑𝒔𝒊
𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝟐 𝒅𝒂𝒚
𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟏. 𝟖 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎
Find oil flow rate at bubble point pressure:
𝒒𝒃 = 𝑱 𝒑𝑹 − 𝒑𝒃 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 = 𝟒𝟑𝟓 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝒅𝒂𝒚

For pressure below bubble point pressure use the below equation to calculate oil rate:
𝐉 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝐩𝐰𝐟 𝟐
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐪𝐛 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖
𝟏. 𝟖 𝐩𝐛 𝐩𝐛
For the bottom hole pressure = 1000 psi
𝟐
𝟎. 𝟓 (𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎) 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝐪𝐨 = 𝟒𝟑𝟓 + 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟖 = 𝟖𝟔𝟕 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚
𝟏. 𝟖 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝟐𝟏𝟑𝟎

For pressure above bubble point pressure use the below equation to calculate oil rate:
𝐪𝐨 = 𝐉 𝐩𝐑 − 𝐩𝐰𝐟
For the bottom hole pressure = 2800 psi
𝐪𝐨 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎 − 𝟐𝟖𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝑺𝑻𝑩/𝑫𝒂𝒚

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Chapter 3: Artificial Lift Methods

2.1 Introduction

• Two main reasons to use Artificial Lift methods in a well: 1- reservoir pressure is low to
move fluids up. 2- The production rate is not economical
• How does Artificial Lift works: 1- using a pump to lift fluids. 2- inject gas to reduce
hydrostatic pressure (fluid pressure due to gravity)
• Types of Artificial Lift methods:
• Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP)
• Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP)
• Sucker Rod Pump (SRP)
• Gas Lift

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2.2 Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP)

• It has electric motor and centrifugal pump unit on a production string and connected back
to the surface control mechanism and transformer via electrical power cable
• Downhole components are suspended from tubing above the perforations.
• The motor is located on the bottom of the string and above it is the seal section, the intake
or gas separator then pump
• The power cable is banded to the tubing and plugs into the top of the motor
• Fluids must pass by the motor and into the pump to cool the motor
• Each stage (Impeller/diffuser combination) adds pressure to the fluids to build up enough
pressure when it reach the top of the pump

• Advantages of ESP:
• High volume and depth capability
• High efficiency over 1,000 BPD
• Low maintenance
• Good in deviated wells

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• Disadvantages of ESP:
• Limited flexibility to major changes in reservoir
• Difficult to repair in the field (require Work Over Rig)
• Sensitive to free gas and/or sand
• Sensitive to high viscosity fluids (above 50 cp)
• High power consumption

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2.3 Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCP)

• Consist of surface drive, drive string and downhole progressing pump.

• The PC pump has a single helical-shaped rotor that turns inside a double helical
elastomer-lined stator.
• The stator attached to the tubing and is not moving
• As the rotor turns, cavities between the threads of the pump rotor and stator move upward
moving the fluids up
• The rotor is most often powered by rods connected to a motor on the surface

• Advantages of PCP:
• High system efficiency
• Low capital cost
• Pumps oil and water with solids
• Pumps heavy oils
• No gas lock
• Low power consumption
• Low maintenance cost
• Use in horizontal/directional wells

• Disadvantages of PCP:
• Limited depth capacity (7,000 ft max)
• Sensitive to high temperature
• Low volumetric efficiencies in high gas production
• Requires constant fluid level above pump

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2.4 Sucker Rod Pump (SRP)

• It is also known as Beam Pump and Donkey

• The pump plunger is connected to surface by long rod string (sucker rod)
• Each upstroke of the beam unit lifts the oil above the pump's plunger
• During upstroke, standing valve is opened by fluid flow and the traveling valve is closed
• During the down stroke, the traveling valve is opened and the standing valve is closed.
Fluid flows into the plunger and no fluid is allowed to leave the well

• Advantages of SRP:
• High system efficiency
• Optimization controls available
• Economical to repair and service
• Flexibility – adjust production through stroke length and speed
• High salvage value for surface and downhole equipment

• Disadvantages of SRP:
• Limited to low production volume of less than 1,000 bbl per day
• Potential for tubing and rod wear
• Sensitive to high GOR
• Volume Decreases as depth increases
• Huge surface equipment size

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2.5 Gas Lift

• Compressed gas is injected through gas lift mandrels and valves into the production string
• The injected gas lowers the hydrostatic pressure in the production string to flow fluids to
the surface
• Source of gas and compressor are required for gas lift
• Two types of gas lift methods: Continues gas lift, Intermitted gas lift method

• Concept of Continues gas lift:

• Gas is injected through casing
• Injected gas is mixed with the fluid in the tubing which reduces the fluid gradient
• The reservoir energy is capable to lift the new fluid which has lower gradient

• Concept of Intermitted gas lift:

• Reservoir fluid accumulates inside the production tubing
• A high-pressure slug of gas is then injected below the liquid
• The liquid is displaced by the injected gas to the surface

• Advantages of Gas Lift:

• High degree of flexibility and design rates
• Gas lift mandrels are wire line retrievable
• Handles sandy conditions well
• Surface wellhead equipment requires minimal space
• Multi-well production from single compressor

• Disadvantages of Gas Lift:

• Sensitive to high fluid viscosity
• Needs huge capital costs (compressors)
• Needs gas source

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Advantage of Artificial Lift Methods

Disadvantages of Artificial Lift Methods

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