Any well’s production will eventually decrease. Even with a well that initially produces oil naturally without the need for pumping, the amount of oil paid will eventually decrease. Production could decrease to the point where daily barrel output decreases noticeably.
Gas lift, which includes pumping gas into the tube line below the surface of the liquid in the well, is one of the techniques you can employ to resume production. The fluid is forced to the surface by the gas through the tubing. Gas lift is a technique that is frequently employed, especially in wells with modest production quantities, as it can increase production by a few barrels per day while remaining economically viable. Additionally, it is frequently employed offshore, where space is at a premium. Gas lifts don’t require much space, and they can be used with a few closely spaced wells. Additionally, during the pumping procedure, no gas is lost.
Other scenarios where gas lift systems are frequently employed include a variety of others. As previously stated, it’s a wise decision when a well requires a little extra force to produce effectively. The gas lift can also be utilized with wells that have a head of water since it clears the water and restores the well’s prior flow. In a similar vein, water can be pumped using it for flood operations. Gas lifts can also be used to inject chemicals and other additions. They are practical in a variety of situations.
Gas lifts are useful in a wide range of situations, but they are also applicable to wells generating a wide range of quantities, from tens of barrels per day to tens of thousands of barrels per day, making them a very versatile device. It’s typically simple to service, and maintenance and installation expenses are typically lower as well. Additionally, it is helpful in situations where sand could jam or harm other lift kinds. It is especially helpful when a well is off-center and rod wear is a potential issue.
A plentiful supply of dry, high-pressure natural gas is the best alternative for gas lift. It is ideal to send produced natural gas, which will probably be wet, to a processing plant to remove fluids. The dry gas can then be transported back to the lease for pumping; often, a single gas distribution network serves all of the wells that can be positioned close to the processing facility.
Wet gas can be used to power a gas lift system. However, upkeep will take a lot of your time, and you’ll also need to install some new tools. To remove all the fluids from the gas, you must install some kind of scrubber. To bring the gas under sufficient pressure for utilization, a compressor will also need to be installed. Water may separate from the fluids in the flow line due to the greater pressure circumstances. Drop pits are necessary to contain the condensation.
Through a control valve that is often located close to where a pipe from the compressor meets the wellhead, the gas is sent to the well. Additionally, a choke valve is put in place at the wellhead to control how much gas is fed into the well. To use gas as effectively as possible, you should adjust the choke valve. A packer is used to seal off the annular space under the casing perforations from the region above towards the bottom of the tubing string.
Similar to other lifting systems, a straightforward recording device at the wellhead can be highly beneficial for troubleshooting. A two-pin pressure recorder is a dependable means to monitor the pressures used in the gas lift valves while they are operating and to monitor the overall effectiveness of the lifting system for a gas lift system. You can track the amount of gas being injected, modify it so you’re hitting the production levels you need, and diagnose several issues using the data the recorder offers.
It’s crucial to think about any modifications or enhancements your tank batteries could need to use the gas lift. The gas lift can affect the machinery required to handle natural gas, well water, and crude oil, so you should prepare for three higher levels of production.