Gas well performance is dictated by the combination of inflow and outflow performance. The outflow performance of any gas well is at risk as soon as the gas rate becomes insufficient to lift the associated liquid water and condensate to surface. This condition is referred to as liquid loading and invariably causes intermittent production and significant loss of well capacity and reserves. Liquid loading can be mitigated by different types of gas well deliquification such as compression, velocity string, plunger lift, foam-assisted lift, gas lift and downhole pump. This course first shows how to predict and recognize liquid loading and then describes how to select, design, install and operate the best sequence of deliquification measures. It also considers deliquification in case of other production threats like water production and halite blockage.
Who should attend
Production engineer, surveillance engineer, completion engineer, production/process chemist, reservoir engineer, production programmer, production operator; responsible for selecting, installing, operating, monitoring and optimizing deliquification.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of petroleum engineering and gas well performance. This course utilizes Excel worksheets introduced in the Gas Well Performance course, and could be scheduled consecutively. To derive maximum learning value, participants are encouraged to use their own field data and to complete unfinished exercises prior to the next session. A list of data requirements will be shared so data can be collected beforehand. Also, the instructor will be available to discuss any remaining queries after the course is finished.
Course content
Develop skills and tools to understand and model gas well liquid loading and deliquification. Get familiar with principles and practicalities of different deliquification methods. Learn how to compare, select and apply deliquification measures.
Day by day programme
Day 1 - Refresh Gas Well Performance
Inflow performance
Calculate inflow resistance
Calculate water of condensation
Outflow or vertical lift performance
Calculate hydrostatic and friction outflow parameters
Calculate liquid loading gas rate
Well performance
Calculate well capacity
Calculate liquid loading reservoir pressure
Reservoir performance
Predict liquid loading date
Make exponential production forecast
Day 2 - Consider Gas Well Deliquification
Do-nothing baseline, (automated) intermittent production, 2-tank model
Discuss (A)IP uptime
Sustain and maximize capacity and reserves
Characterize and compare compression, deliquification, stimulation, water shut-off, wellbore cleanout and well integrity repair
Intermittent and continuous kick-off and deliquification techniques,
Discuss compression, velocity string, plunger lift, foam-assisted lift, gas lift, downhole pump and swabbing operations
Deliquification scenarios, economics
Discuss number, sequence and timing of deliquification measures
Day 3 - Describe Compression, Velocity String and Plunger Lift