1. Real-Time Gas Lift Optimization
2001 ASME/API Gas Lift Workshop - Aberdeen
Tommy White
Artificial Lift Business Development Mgr.

2. Content Gas Lift Optimization – Focused on Service Delivery
Field trial of a new method – real time optimization
The added value
New solutions
Conclusions
2 TMW

3. Virtuous Circle Diagnosis Implementation Analysis Validation
Artificial lift engineering
Data acquisition
Diagnosis
Implementation
Analysis
Validation
Data acquisition and comparison
Artificial lift products and services

4. Gas Lift Service
A service that optimizes gas lifted wells using multiphase flow-metering technology
This service encompasses
artificial lift engineering expertise
multiphase well testing equipment and expertise – (real time production measurement)
implementation products and services
artificial lift products and services.
4 TMW

5. Multiphase Metering Benefits leading to Production Optimization
Real time data
Extensive data base in short period of time
Quick turn around time for decision making
Resolution
Accuracy
Dynamic response
Accurate data and independent of flow regime
5 TMW

6. Gas Lift Service
Field Trial Well application in Venezuela
6 TMW

7. Gas Lift Service Slickline unit performing flowing gradient survey
7 TMW

8. Gas Lift Service
Portable three-phase tester tied to a gas lift well production line
8 TMW

9. Gas Lift Service
Control bay interprets real time data
9 TMW

10. Gas Lift Analysis Inside control bay during multi-rate test on
800
Total fluid
Total gas
700
600
500
Oil and water rate (BOPD)
400
300
200
Inside control bay during multi-rate test on
gas lift well
100
Time (hr)
Gas and total fluid result
10 TMW

11. Oil and water rate (BOPD)
Gas Lift Analysis
800
Total oil
Total water
700
600
500
Oil and water rate (BOPD)
400
300
200
Inside control bay during multi-rate test on
gas lift well
100
Time (hr)
Oil and water result
11 TMW

12. Flowing gradient survey result
Gas Lift Analysis
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
TVD
(ft)
Flowing gradient survey provides real valve injection points
Stable flow measured by PhaseTester
Temperature (º F)
Flowing gradient survey result
12 TMW

13. Gas Lift Diagnosis
Operating
rate
(STB/D)
Inside artificial lift engineering office during diagnosis
Lift gas injection rate (MMscf/D)
Lift gas performance curves
13 TMW

14. Existing gas injection location
Gas Lift Diagnosis
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
TVD
(ft)
Inside artificial lift engineering office during diagnosis
Temperature (º F)
Existing gas injection location
14 TMW

15. NODAL* production system model match to real well data
Gas Lift Diagnosis
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
TVD
(ft)
Inside artificial lift engineering office during diagnosis
Temperature (º F)
NODAL* production system model match to real well data
15 TMW

16. Gas Lift Diagnosis Artificial lift equipment selection
Venturi gas lift orifice valve
minimizes injected gas
increases well stability by injecting
subcritical gas into tubing
optimizes use of limited gas supplies
maintains the deepest point of injection.
16 TMW

17. Modeled location of Venturi gas lift valve
Gas Lift Diagnosis
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
TVD
(ft)
Inside artificial lift engineering office during diagnosis
Temperature (º F)
Modeled location of Venturi gas lift valve
17 TMW

18. Gas Lift Implementation
Slickline installation of the
Venturi gas lift valve in the deepest mandrel
18 TMW

19. Gradient survey validates predictions
Gas Lift Validation
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
TVD
(ft)
Inside artificial lift engineering office during validation
Temperature (º F)
Gradient survey validates predictions
19 TMW

20. Real-time data acquisition validates production increase and stability
Gas Lift Validation
800
After
Injected Gas Rate
0.675 MMSCF/d
Before
Injected Gas Rate
0.715 MMSCF/d
700
600
500
Oil and water rate
(BOPD)
400
300
200
Inside artificial lift engineering office during validation
100
Time (hr)
Real-time data acquisition validates production increase and stability
20 TMW

21. Added Value Actual gas lift well application results:
16% increase in production
6% decrease in injected gas
cost of operation recovered in 20 days
Maximizing productivity through:
technology
people
process.
Field example of Artificial Lift operation
21 TMW

22. Gas Lift System Optimization
Well Focus
GL Design
Gas Lift Design Performance
Well Focus
Gas Injection
SEPERATOR
Well Focus
3-Phase Flow
3-Phase Measurement
And Stability Monitor
Well Focus
Gas Lift System Optimization
SEPERATOR
The existing set-up optimizes the gas injection on surface. This is not any use if the downhole system and reservoir aren’t being considered. Therefore the need for a closed-loop analysis is needed that encompasses this.
The 3-Phase measurement gives a solid reading on what gains you are actually producing through implementing a change in the system set-up
22 TMW

23. Real Time Optimization Benefits
Real gains can be seen very quickly through
placing a focus on lift optimization
use of real time data acquisition which minimizes the cycle time for optimum data analysis and solution applications
application of accepted technology
Extending product knowledge to add value
identify the right path to take the solution further
implementing a path of long term lift optimization
23 TMW

24. The Future of Gas Lift
24 TMW

25. The Optimization Process
Monitoring
Field
Actuate and Control
InterACT
Instructions
SCADA
Transmission
Data Manipulation
and Storage
Office
Decision Making
Software Tools
25 TMW

26. Automated AL - The Future