SPE APPLIED TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP (ATW)

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR CBM FIELDS

30 March-2 April 2009 • Queensland, Australia

Coal Seam Gas Wellhead Facilities

Some observations & ideas from Australian practice

Geoffrey A . McKee +61 407 456 202 SPE Member 3190919

 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Overview. . . .

What do we mean by “wellhead facilities”?

Design. Where do we start?

Benchmarks. What do other operators do?

Example. One design approach for one project.

Some untested new concepts.

2 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Definition. What are wellhead facilities?

Wellhead Wellhead facilities Gathering system

Basic system:-

Mechanical drive for downhole pumps
Produced water
Fuel gas filter and drier Produced water

Gas and water lines and fittings
API 3000#
Gas flow meter (orifice or proprietary) 150# HDPE

Safety relief valves on gas & water lines

Control panel including flow computer
Produced gas Possible extra items (if justified):-
 Gas (throttling) control valve? Produced gas
 Remotely operated gas shutdown valve? HDPE
API 3000#
 Separator for de-gassing water? 150#
 Separator for de-watering gas?
 Separator for co-mingled water and gas?
Above ground Below ground

3 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Real schematic #1 – basic system

4 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Real schematic #1. . . . . with separator added for “frothy” water

With high water pumping rates:

 gas drawn into downhole pumps
 problems with gas separating at
high points in water gathering system

Produced water downhole

pumps (~300 kPag)

Gas from annulus

(140 kPag)

5 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Real schematic #2 - characterised by gas pressure control valve

6 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Real schematic #3 – comingled gas + water

7 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Design. Where do we start?

• Design Basis Memorandum

1 (DBM)

• Process Flow Diagram (PFD)

2

• Piping & Instrumentation

3 Diagram (P&ID)

Order equipment only after step 3 is complete!

8 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Concept schematic – manual gas throttling

9 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Concept schematic – remote control

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Concept schematic – frothy water separator added

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Concept schematic – comingled water + gas through separator

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities

Concept schematic – comingled water + gas through separator

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Gathering Systems
New concept . . . . .
Install nodal separation stations to eliminate wellhead separators

VERTICAL SEPARATON TANK (MADE FROM LARGE DIAMETER HDPE GAS PIPE)

TO REDUCE HDPE PIPELAYING COST, WITH FAVOURABLE SLOPING GRADIENT CAN

HAVE SINGLE 2-PHASE GAS+WATER LINE FROM SELECTED WELLS

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 CSG Wellhead Facilities
New concept . . . .
Use of PCPump power for boosting gas pressure of weak wells
WELLHEAD
HIGH PRESSURE WATER EJECTOR
(FROM DOWNHOLE PC PUMP

2-PHASE HDPE WATER+GAS LINE

TO NODAL SEPARATION STATION
(NEEDS TO HAVE SLIGHT
DOWNWARD SLOPING
GRADIENT)
VERY LOW POSITIVE PRESSURE
(OR VACUUM)
IN CASING

1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
CSG Gathering Systems & Central Gas Processing Facilities
New concept . . . . .
Eliminate inlet & oily water handling at central compression plant
“DRY” PIPELINE TO
HEAT CENTRAL PLANT
EXCHANGER
NODAL (INFIELD) SKID
COMPRESSION STATION

DX CHILLER
PACKAGE*

* IF ELECTRICAL POWER NOT READILY AVAILABLE, USE NH3 ABSORPTION CHILLER POWERED BY COMPRESSOR ENGINE WASTE HEAT
1 Production Management Best Practices for CBM Fields, SPE Applied Technology Workshop, Queensland, 30 March - 2 April, 2009
 Thank you for listening!

Any questions?

Coal Seam Gas Wellhead Facilities

Some observations & ideas from Australian practice

Geoffrey A . McKee +61 407 456 202 SPE Member 3190919