1. 2019 Artificial Lift Research & Development Council (ALRDC), International Gas Lift Workshop
Jim Raney, Director Engineering & Technology
Sathish Sankaran, Engineering Manager - Advanced Analytics & Emerging Technologies
Subash Kannan, Reservoir Engineer- EGOM

2. Agenda
Performance Value Pyramid and Artificial Lift Performance Indicators
Levers for Success in a Well with Artificial Lift
Production Optimization
Unconventional (onshore)
Performance envelop
Artificial Lift Solution
Example: Slug flow for shales with gas lift and angle of HZ
Where does Artificial Intelligence (AI) fit into the Artificial Lift Solution?
The Impact of American Petroleum Institute (API) on the industry and specifically Artificial Lift

3. Performance Value Pyramid
Performance improvements is an integrated approach encompassing all that we do.
KPI measurement is only a part of the larger value pyramid.

4. Levers for Success Subsurface Drilling Completion
Where to Drill - Area and zone
Proper Spacing
Drilling
Drilling in Zone (Effectiveness)
Drilling Efficiency
Reliable, consistent results
Completion
Perforation/Entry System and Isolation System
Hydraulic Fracture Design
Rate
Viscosity
Sand Density
Pressure
Deliquification/Artificial Lift
Dewatering gas wells is a critical operation
Evaluate new pump designs and share artificial lift expertise
Production Surveillance

5. Production Optimization – Unconventional
Horizontal Well Flow Dynamics and Artificial Lift Optimization
True wellbore geometries
Flow regimes (slug/turbulent)
Gas and Liquid separation in the lateral
Highly variable fluid rates
Production Surveillance and Optimization
Well rates change dramatically early in life
High early flow rates, efficient conversion from flow to fit-for-purpose lift
Late in life dominated by slug rates. Monitoring critical
Slugs retains fluid in the lateral. AL MUST unload the lateral
Design and redesign to optimize artificial lift is more dramatic
Duration of efficient single AL design is shorter
A well may have 2-3 different types of AL over it life
Minimizing Constraints Induced by Salt/Scales/Corrosion
Shale's may present different long term concerns
Salting and corrosion as most concerning issues
Scales may be present later in life

6. Artificial Lift Envelop
Shale wells are primarily Gas Lift and Rod Pump
Focus on: 1. Efficiency of AL system; 2. Operating Life
Downtime reduction and Production Efficiency

7. Production – Artificial Lift Solution
Process
OPTIMIZATION
AL Selection
Monitoring
Auto
Modify Ops. Parameters
Analysis
Real Time
Post Appraisals
Re-selection
Automated
Iterative Process (Wells Life)
Artificial Lift Integral Solution
Process
Selection of Artificial lift system
Well Performance (Optimization)
Knowledge
Expertise
Training/ Sharing
Looking into detail, there are no major changes in the lift system in the last 25 years(at least). But the Reservoirs have changed. More and more of Reservoir uncertainty. Especially with the wells with Fast declining Reservoir pressures (Shales), the whole fluid dynamics is different .
Selection/ Reselection – Right Equipment in the Right well at the Right time. Justify the cost to produce an extra Bbl
Optimization – Objective - Failure/ downtime reduction, Production Optimization, Increase profit
Technology
Artificial lift systems
Automation
Closed loop
Machine learning
Time between AL changes: Conventional wells = years, Shale wells = months

8. Slugging Behavior - Shale wells (DHPG)
High frequency slugging and associated phase changes can reduce the run life of pumping systems – resulting in underperformance of the wells.
Source – SPE

9. GL – Negative Performance on Wells
BHP Gauge Data
BHP
Time
High frequency measured BHP
BHP
Time
GL reduces the well performance

10. Critical Velocity in HZ Wells
Well Deviation
Length of HZ
The effect of well deviation, i.e. as well becomes more deviated, then difference from vertical becomes more prominent

11. Promises of Data Analytics (DA)
Minimize Downtime, Enhance Safety and Deliver Digital Transformation
The Future Vision for Oil & Gas – The Digital Transformation:
Create a culture of change in upstream O&G which truly fosters digitalization
Accelerate, Automate & Optimize:
Witness real-time support technology, measurement & downhole edge capability innovation to improve well performance
Analytics & Predictive Maintenance:
Wield new automated and integrated systems to dramatically reduce downtime, CAPEX and OPEX at scale
Data Driven Optimization:
The low-down on automation, smart systems, robotics, technology & the skills required to adopt digital technologies
Data Collection, Management & Integration:
Drive efficiency gains across operational units by improving data availability, utility & visualization
Can Data Analytics DELIVER??

12. Data Analytics (DA) Can Deliver
IF:
Data driven analysis is integrated with physics
IPR rooted in physics
PVT accurately described
Data Analytics (calculation/app/model)
Must be tuned & calibrated to
proactively predict the loading scenarios for changing IPR
predict the flow regime (turbulent, laminar, slug, etc.)
predict the onset of liquid loading
Optimize the AL design for the flow conditions for each well
For the transit IPR, the AL design is optimized everyday
Has accurate BHP and PVT data
Understands the hybrid drainage radius
Extends the AL life thru optimization of flow for a longer time

13. American Petroleum Institute (API) Organization

14. API Standard Committees
Upstream Committee
Global Industry Service Committee (GISC)
Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment and Materials (CSOEM)
Drilling and Production Operations Subcommittee (DPOS)
Committee on Refinery Equipment (CRE)
Committee on Petroleum Measurement (COPM)
Transportation Pipeline Committee
Marketing & Distribution
Safety & Fire Protection
CSOEM Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment and Materials
SC2 Offshore Structures
SC5 Tubular Goods
SC6 Valves and Wellhead Equipment
SC8 Drilling Structures and Equipment
SC10 Well Cements
SC11 Field Operating Equipment
SC13 Fluids
SC15 Plastic Tubulars
SC16 Well Control Systems
SC17 Subsea Equipment
SC18 Quality
SC19 Completion Equipment
SC20 Supply Chain
SC21 Materials
Each subcommittee develops and maintains standards through task/work groups according to established policies and procedures
Over 7,000 SMEs are involved in developing and maintaining API standards across all committees

15. Packers and Bridge Plugs Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment
API SC 19 Standards
COMPLETION EQUIPMENT
Perforating
Packers and Bridge Plugs
Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment
Artificial Lift
Sand Screens
Downhole Well Test Tools
Liner Hanger Equipment

16. API SC 19 Standards for AL
RP 11V5 Gas Lift Equipment (under development)
RP 11V6 Gas Lift Equipment (under development)
RP 11V8 Gas Lift Equipment (under development)
Spec 19G1/ISO :2004 Side-Pocket Mandrels (includes Errata 1 dated December 2014)
Spec 19G2/ISO :2007 Flow-Control Devices for Side-Pocket Mandrels (under revision)
Spec 19G3/ISO :2009 Running Tools, Pulling Tools and Kick-Over Tools and Latches for Side-Pocket Mandrels
RP 19G4/ISO :2010 Practices for Side-Pocket Mandrels and Related Equipment- (under revision)
RP 19G5 Gas Lift Related Equipment - (under revision)
RP 19G6 Gas Lift Related Equipment - (under revision)
RP 19G9 Design, Operation, and Troubleshooting of Dual Gas-Lift Wells
RP 19G10 Design and Operation of Intermittent Gas-lift Systems
RP 19G11 Dynamic Simulation of Gas-lift Wells and Systems
Gas Lift Handbook

17. API SC 19 Standards for AL
Get involved to improve AL standards for the industry
What a good standard has:
Performance-based Elements
Establish goals for the standard; Specify assumptions; Establish performance under condition and environment; Establish objectives that meet goals; Establish performance criteria; and Establish verification of performance criteria
Clear objective based on sound technical support
Reasonable practicable
Not restrictive of technology development
“Good” practices not necessarily “Best” Practices.
Input from all/with a consensus process
Addressing what makes a difference
Risk based when necessary
Performance-based preferred (vs Prescriptive)
Allows earlier use of new technology
Encourages innovation
Goals and objectives are clearly stated
Development and maintenance requires less effort

18. Globalization of Standards

19. Thanks to my collaborators: Sathish Sankaran and Subash Kannan.
Questions?
Thank you to 2019 Artificial Lift Research & Development Council (ALRDC), International Gas Lift Workshop for the invitation.
Thanks to my collaborators: Sathish Sankaran and Subash Kannan.