Proceedings of the ASME 2012 31st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering

OMAE2012
July 1-6, 2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OMAE2012-84124
ARTIFICIAL LIFT MANAGEMENT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UNCONVENTIONAL
OILFIELDS

Clemente Marcelo Hirschfeldt

OilProduction O&G Consulting
Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut,
Argentina

Fernando Flores Avila

PEMEX E&P
Poza Rica, Veracruz,
Mxico

ABSTRACT
This paper presents concepts and recommendations regarding
Artificial Lift Systems (ALSs) management during
productive life of oil fields, envisioning: selection, acquisition,
installation, monitoring and evaluation criteria, as well as
subsequent inspection thereof, and highlighting the more
important that applies particularly to unconventional oil fields.
Issues analyzed herein involve definitions of roles, functions
and competencies related to operator as well as service
companies and sectors involved or required to live up to the
challenges posed by these systems. Two scenarios that
represent Latin American region real cases are presented and
illustrated with the analysis of these ALSs management
topics; one of them, the oldest productive basin in Argentina,
as an example of conventional oilfields with experience in
Artificial Lift Management and the other, an unconventional
field recently re-activated with an accelerated development
pace, being exploited in Mexico. Conclusions are presented in
terms of that ALSs Integral management should be taken with
strategic and integrated vision, in accordance with current
level of development, future plans, and complexity of the
field; not only focused on maximum oil production, but also
on optimizing production costs; and contemplate all parts
commitment that add value to the whole process.
1- INTRODUCTION

Jaime Granados Cliz

PEMEX E&P
Poza Rica, Veracruz,
Mxico

challenges and make their exploitation economic and

technically feasible.
In many conventional fields around the world, ALSs play an
important role in oil field production process. Selection,
acquisition, installation, monitoring, evaluation and
subsequent inspection of these systems, involves different
stakeholders, including internal and external sectors or
companies. Besides, if factors such as field location, local
culture and involved parts experience are added, understand
and analyze all of them is important, not only to maximize an
specific ALS run-life, but also to maximize and optimize field
production and costs in an effective manner. Another
important factors are the stage and dynamic of the fields
development, whether is new or old, or those subjected to
EOR technologies, such as secondary recovery by water
injection, where field requirements and conditions change on
a continuous basis.
On the other hand, development of certain unconventional oil
fields, presents particular technical and management
challenges, among them, those because of the massive use of
ALSs. In many cases technologies and methodologies applied
to conventional fields could be applied to unconventional
fields, but requiring more rigorous analysis of some factors,
such as ALS mechanical limits, for example, and also increase
and improve management and performance monitoring
models. Analysis under this management model uses several
concepts that make it integral and suitable for unconventional
reservoirs.

Whether from the beginning of the exploitation of the

reservoir it does not have enough energy, or it is a mature
field, when energy is insufficient to promote natural flow from
bottom hole to surface facilities, or occasionally to obtain
more production; it is claimed that more than 90% of the oil
producing wells worldwide require ALS in order to solve this

Copyright 2012 by ASME

2 GOLFO SAN JORGE BASIN, ARGENTINA

The Golfo San Jorge Basin (GSJB), located in the central
Patagonia, is the oldest productive basin of Argentina, where
the first economic discovery took place in 1907, in Comodoro
Rivadavia (Figure 1, Annex A). GSJB is the oldest and most
prolific Argentinian productive basin, producing 279,302 bpd
of oil, and 2.950 MM bpd of water, with 13,831 active oil
wells (December 2011). Due to the mature state of the basin,
every year, new waterflooding projects are implemented, but
in deeper reservoirs resulting greater gross production per
well, every new project.
The Main characteristics of this basin are:
Faults and sand stone lenses
HWOR (high water-oil ratio)
Increasing fluid flow rate per well
Complex fluids: corrosive, heavy oil, gas, sand and scale
Multiphase flow
Multilayer reservoir: from 1,800 to 9000 feet
Vertical wells (5 casing)
Semi-desert environment
Within this context, selection, operation, optimization and
management itself of the different ALSs play one of the most
important roles during basin development.
2.1-Artificial Lift Systems experience
From the beginning of oil industry in Golfo San Jorge Basin,
several ALSs have been used to produce oil the wells. At the
present time, systems as Sucker Rod Pumping (SRP),
Progressing Cavity Pump (PCP) and Electric Submersible
Pump (ESP) are the most popular systems used to produce 98
% of the total basin fluids, and smaller quantities of hydraulic
jet pump (HJP), plunger and gas lift systems (GL) are used.
ALSs are distributed as follows: 10,253 SRP; 2,035 PCP and
1,474 ESP. Close than 90% pumps are installed between 3,000
ft and 8,000 ft depth, producing flow rates over 1,500 bpd.
Deeper target reservoirs and wells with higher flow rates mean
a permanent challenge for the different ALSs and specialist
involved.
3 - CHICONTEPEC BASIN, MEXICO
Tertiary Gulf Oil (Aceite Terciario del Golfo) or Chicontepec
Proyect (PATG), with an original volume in situ surrounding
100 billion boe, has the objective of contributing in a
substantial measure to PEMEX Strategic Program goals,
speeding up recovery reserves not only by quick incorporation
of new productive fields, drilling an important number of
wells per year, but supporting production platform giving
special attention to maintain and increase base production by
keeping wells operating efficiently and restoring shut down
wells. However, its development requires unprecedented
capabilities in the oil industry, with important challenges like:

substantial investment, substantial increase in execution

capacity, use of new and selected technologies, best practices
in all the exploration and production processes to increase oil
recovery factor and profitability of the project, and others; all
of them are being confronted.
PATG is located at the Gulf of Mexico Coast Plain (Figure. 2
Annex A) and currently covers near 4,300 km2. It was
discovered in 1926 and began to produce in 1952 but
marginally to 1970, discreetly developed from 1971 to 1991,
and strongly reactivated particularly at the end of the past and
beginning of the present decades. Currently (feb-12) it has
2127 producing wells and 582 shut down wells (with
possibilities). It produces around 65,000 bpd of 18-45 API
oil and more than 130 MMcfd (Oct-11). The project has near
40% of national 3P reserves and itself performs a large
volume of work (Figure. 3, Annex A). In order to better
control, PATG is divided in 29 Fields and classified in eight
Sectors as shown in (Figure. 4, Annex A)
3.1- Geological characterization
PATG, the biggest basin in Mexico, covers Chicontepec Paleochanel geological limits, is a tertiary sub-basin developed into
the Tampico-Misantla Basin. Reservoirs are constituted by
thin alternated sand and shale rock layers of inferior Eocene
superior Paleocene ages, showing up to 1,000 m. gross and 115 m. net thickness, 8-12 % porosity, 0.1-15 md permeability
and 50-330 kg/cm2 initial pressure, as main characteristics.
3.2-PATG, understood as unconventional reservoir
Fractured, tight and unconventional petroleum reservoirs,
although less common and less well understood than
conventional sandstone and carbonate reservoirs, have
become an increasingly important resource base. Usually, oil
and gas shale, tight-gas, heavy oil reservoirs, and coal beds
are the main sources of what is known as unconventional
hydrocarbon resources; also unconventional resources
typically are oil and natural gas resources that exist in
geographically extensive accumulations and when the
assessment methodology and production practices vary from
conventional resources. Geologists and petroleum engineers
find that traditional technics for conventional reservoirs are
often insufficient or ineffective for unconventional reservoirs,
which interpretation involves emerging exploration strategies
for a better understanding, and new drilling-completion and
production technologies in order to optimize productivity;
opportunely new and emerging approaches and technologies
are being used to delineate and develop them.
Since 2002, a new development of PATG began, and with
knowledge acquired until nowadays, important technical
challenges have been recognized; among the principals are:

Copyright 2012 by ASME

 Highly stratified, heterogeneous, discontinuous, and low

permeability reservoirs; demanding arduous reservoir
characterization studies and strategic wells to define the
more productive zones.
Conventional wells with strong and fast production
declination; demanding unconventional wells on the base
of specialized productive studies.
Low recovery factors, due to the initial pressure just
above the bubble point pressure causing short flowing
well periods, in the most of the cases. Consequently
ALSs are systematically required to support base
production. Additionally, secondary or enhanced oil
recovery systems should be evaluated.
Because of extension, topography, and highly quantity of
wells needed to the exploitation, facilities optimization is
mandatory.
Within the framework exposed, as a huge Project in terms of
extension, reserves and scopes, complex in reservoir
characteristics, particularly because of its low permeability
and pressure, with marginal oil production wells dependent of
massive stimulation and ALSs use, or special recovery
systems; and challenges like already exposed that requires
specific technologies and management models; and according
to the Oil Resources Triangle Classification (Figure.1), PATG
is being understood as an unconventional case.

widely application. In this region, diversity of well conditions

has promoted to test a variety of ALSs, and to establish
several of them as common use, where ALS selection has been
primarily based on: observance on better worldwide practices,
suppliers influence, own experiences and technical-operative
staff preferences. Actually, SRP predominate (60%), followed
by GL which was the first one of massive use (33%), PCP
(5%) and HJP (2%), recently subjected to field tests trying to
expand their use. In PATG case particularly, statistic is similar:
SRP predominate (70%), followed by GL (25%), PCP (4%)
and HJP (1%),
3.4- Artificial Lift Systems Challenges
The use of different ALSs in PATG involves not only
technical challenges, but also since management point of
view. The most important technical considerations for ALS
selection are: because of the reservoirs characteristics, wells
production decline hard and quickly, demanding artificial lift
system early in their productive life; diversity of reservoir,
fluids and wells characteristics make difficult to identify
where, when and which one of the different systems better
apply; and well geometry (dog severity and azimuth), which
means special attention on design. Since the management
point of view, the principal topics to consider are: extension of
the project, several work areas
involved, vertiginous
development and few experienced personnel demand to
analyze and to improve artificial lift management schemes in
topics like selection, design, operation, maintenance,
optimization, procurement, contracting and integral
management itself. Identify and learn appropriate technology,
just as operational and administrative best practices, are
considered key elements to support a better ALSs integral
management.
Based on reservoir characteristics and PATG development
plan (number of wells and complexity), ALSs application
presents several challenges, some of the main are listed below:
Low permeability reservoir (0.1 5 md).
Low productivity per well (average around 35 bpd)
Biphasic flow at the reservoir.
Noticeable and early reservoir energy level drop (first
three months).
High back-pressure at surface.
Dog leg severity up to 7 /30m (Figure 2)
Well deviation (type S). (Figure 3)
Sand
production
from
hydraulic
fracture
completion(always needed)
High Gas-Oil Relationship (GOR) > 200 m3/m3
Several participants involved
Accelerated development
Lacking experienced personnel

Figure 1 - Oil Resources Triangle Classification

3.3 Artificial Lift Systems in PATG

To exploit fields of the different projects of PEP (Pemex
Exploration and Production), several technological challenges
are confronted, among them, those related to wells
productivity, particularly because they do not have enough
energy to flow by themselves from bottom hole to surface
facilities. Most of the flowing wells in the assets of the North
Region of PEP, where PATG is located, early present this
problem, which mean that ALSs take significant role and

Copyright 2012 by ASME

are identified: initial evaluation, for initial selection and

implementation; and the Integral Management ALS Cycle,
which by its own development, it becomes in a positive
feedback cycle (virtuous circle) where different work
participation areas and interdisciplinary work becomes key
factors for a correct management.

Figure 2 - Dog Leg Severity examples

Figure 4 ALS Management Cycle

This cycle starts with one or more ALSs alternatives selection
based on the analysis of information on the reservoirs to be
produced, well construction data, and other aspects that will
be discussed throughout this paper. Based on this analysis and
once the best method(s) have been selected, equipment
acquisition, installation and operation are the next stages,
which complete and closes one of the first sub-cycles in a
comprehensive management system.

Figure 3 Well deviation type S

4 ALS MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
The comprehensive management cycle of Oil field
development using ALSs, involves different inherent
processes and participants, which makes necessary an integral
scheme of management. Identifying each of the stages and
people who take part in the processes is fundamental to be
able to optimize existing procedures or implement a comprehensive medium and long-term management strategy.
The scheme in Figure 4 illustrates a management cycle during
ALSs implementation and operation, and can serve as a guide
to analyze different aspects of the whole process. Two stages

Once wells have been started up, monitoring and control

operating variables are essential not only to guarantee
optimum ALS operation within established parameters, but
also to maximize reservoir production. Continuous analysis
may point out the need to work on the system in operation,
either based on surface actions like (changes in sub-systems or
some operating condition), as well as down-hole actions;,
either by replacing elements, or the whole installation, or even
the type of ALS in certain area, in order to meet development
objectives.
Components failure on already installed and operating ALSs
is another situation that may happen, which corresponding
analysis and evaluation thereof, should provide information
for decision making in future ALS selection and/or design. In
other cases, when ALS mechanical limit has been exceeded,
oil field development strategy may have to be redefined
considering topics like implementation of secondary recovery
projects, rethink of geometry and well depth, etc.

Copyright 2012 by ASME

The management cycle above explained, represents in

summary the know-how in artificial lift management in Golfo
San Jorge Basin (Argentina), where widespread use of ALSs
since the beginning of its operation is common. However, this
work strategy could be considered for other kind of oil field
operations.
4.1- ALS Management Model
Different ALSs management models will depend on the
experience of the operating and services companies and of
their professionals. A company (field operator) with wide
experience on the use of ALSs should be in condition to:
evaluate and select products, services and companies
associated offered on the market, processes that should be
leaded by production engineering sector and supported by
operation sector and service companies.
Depending on the scope of these companies, many times
acquisition takes place by alliances (between operators and
product/service suppliers companies), which usually include
issues like maintenance, inspection, monitoring and
engineering services, among others. Production engineers of
the operating companies also should play an active role in
equipment testing, performance evaluation and failures
analysis, at either their own facilities or laboratories or those
of the service companies. This model is usually based on the
knowledge of operator needs, supported by the experience of
a specific company; it could be represented in the figure
below:

Figure 5 ALS Management Model

This model is usually based on the knowledge of operator

needs, supported by the experience of a specific service
company.

4.2- ALS Selection and Design

ALSs selection criteria have been analyzed for the last 40
years in the industry however it is important to review some of
the most significant criteria and considerations on this topic.
Selection criteria include but are not limited to the following:
Theoretical-practical
knowledge
(advantages
/
disadvantages; mechanical limits, technical advances,
knowledge of the particular case, etc.).
Selection through expert programs.
Selection by comparison of Net Present Value (NPV).
Based on the experience of companies using different ALSs,
the conjunction of these ALSs selection methodologies is
common practice, so more than one is usually used.
Selection and design are processes intimately linked, and they
should include a vision of the present as well as the future
field development, without disregarding past experiences.
Also, they include multidisciplinary participation, mainly in
fields subjected to continuous and/or changing development
strategy. These processes definitely begin with the drilling and
termination planning, just as with the awareness of the
development strategy and the related implications for the
involved wells, which productive life could eventually
consider more than one type of ALS.
When a well is designed (diameter and route), many aspects
should be shared in advance with those participants who will
play a direct role in ALS selection and design, because
multidisciplinary analysis could limit the type of systems that
can be used or maximum production capacity thereof, and
therefore affect the development of the reservoir. In addition,
reservoir department should provide information on the
production forecast based on any development plan present,
considering secondary recovery implementation if the project
entails the case. Knowledge of the particular case (rock, fluid,
wells potential, wells geometry, surface installations, power
supply, space, environment, security, statistics, and
maintenance cost operation) by all those implied is important,
and essential input information for selection and design
processes.
Mechanical Limit as ALS Selection and Design Criteria,
can be analyzed from different approaches. The capacity of
the system to transfer power from the power unit to the pump
is one of the most important factors to be considered on the
analysis. Hence, casing diameter becomes one of the most
important border conditions because not only tubing diameter
is restricted, but also other elements such as sucker rods,
valves, valve mandrel, or centrifugal pump shafts, depending
on ALS type. In general casing and tubing diameter
reductions, restrict ALS equipment and tools dimensions, and
as consequence, restrict flow rates, gas handing, and
maneuverability during well interventions and information
capture. Other border condition is the depth, particularly

Copyright 2012 by ASME

 Production Operations, directly involves in to achieve

operative potential, based in applying by direct actions
the operative conditions according to design settings and
taking care of known limits, also is important the
permanent collection of information and monitoring of
the performance system.

because of the limits to resistance, pressure and temperature,

directly dependent of this parameter, of different elements of
the hole system, particularly in down hole.
Another critical factor on mechanical limit criteria for
maximizing ALS systems reliability is premature materials
wear. An everyday task for Production Engineering
Departments is to deal with unpredictable failure occurrence
of the different ALS elements that exceed that mechanical
limit. Failure analysis and subsurface equipment testing
following equipment extraction are fundamental when it
comes to make decisions regarding ALS repairs, or new
designs or selection. In addition, if the corresponding rootcause analysis concludes that ALS mechanical limit has been
reached, a change of ALS type or exploitation strategy could
be required.
4.3- ALS performance evaluation and optimization
ALSs analysis requires appropriate and quality logging of
operating variables, which is fundamental in order to make
right decisions. Regardless whether variables are taken
manually or automatically (sensors/recorders), their
integration and examination is important in order to better
support decision-making in performance and optimization
analysis. Main variables to monitoring include: production
measurement, surface and downhole pressure and
temperature, fluid levels (dynamic pressures), and operating
parameters depending on ALS type like: torque and electric
current, loads in surface units, loads in rods; pumping speed in
revolutions per minute or strokes per minute -PCP and SRP-;
downhole vibrations, downhole equipment temperature -ESP-;
gas injection and discharges frequency, open and close valve
pressures GL-; injection and production flows, pressure and
temperatures HP-; for mention some of them.
Again, like in selection and design processes, in optimization
process practical-theoretical knowledge is vital. And in this
case is particularly important to recognize productive potential
(maximal reservoir potential of total fluids) and operative
potential (maximal well/system oil production potential),
considering optimal ALS operation, without exceeding
mechanical limits of its different components), which
determination will permit to establish appropriately
optimization limits and goals. For this proposes, at least three
sectors are considered key sectors (Figure 6):
Reservoir department, related with productive potential,
production forecasts and general information necessary
for well and ALS designing;
Productivity engineering sector, linked with operative
potential, and based mainly on the productive potential
and mechanical limits, carries out optimization, but
taking care of aspects like water channeling, formation
sand and excess free gas production, as well as
development strategies, among others;

Figure 6 interaction between key areas

The most and better information related should be
interchanged among these main sectors and also should be the
source of periodical meetings to identify requirements,
opportunities and support necessary actions and programming
itself focused on permanent ALS optimization.
4.4-Inspection and failure analysis
As regards ALSs management, logging, analysis and
statistical monitoring failure are important when it comes to
providing feedback for the decision-making circuit. It is wellknown for example, that a recurring failure in a ALS subsuperficial key element, not only causes production losses, but
also involves associated costs by pulling services used to
replace elements of the installed system; also for example
superficial aspects like type of location/environment where the
system is installed (jungle, sea, remote fields, etc.), not only
mean an hazardous environment for the surface elements, but
also higher associated costs, and at times, impossible access
with appropriate equipment to intervention in time and form.
When an ALS is being used, after retiring surface or
subsurface elements previously used, different inspections
should be part of the work routines. These processes not only
give the chance to evaluate the performance of the equipment
removed, but also enable more in-depth failure analysis, for
example root-cause analysis. In order to decrease wells shut
off by superficial or sub-superficial failure causes, is
necessary to investigate causes of incidence and also to
consider the optimization of the whole ALSs, element by
element.
Even that reuse of materials does not mean that low quality
elements are going to be reinstalled, if certain criteria are met,
the reuse of sub-surface components can be considered,

Copyright 2012 by ASME

because is necessary to bear in mind that one of the global

objectives is to maximize the life cycle of production wells. In
addition, proper classification of materials based on the
traceability of their history will help to reduce production
costs.
Dependable data bases are very useful, in order to be able to
identify type, mode, cause-root of failures, as well as to
determine reliability and availability indexes, and to optimize
ALSs operative parameters in a continuous manner.

5.1 ALSs selection criteria based on experience

Two stages are identified during ALS implementation and
operation; initial evaluation and the Integral Management ALS
Cycle, which are represented in the figure below these two
main stages of this process, based on experience in the
management of ALS are presented at the (Figure 7)

When production costs increase significantly, in many fields,

inspection and the reuse of subsurface elements is
fundamental in order to maintain the profitability, but in order
to do so, the operating company and the professionals in
charge have to become directly involved in the process.
5 ALS INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT IN
UNCONVENTIONAL FIELDS
Based on experience in ALSs management for conventional
fields such as showed for GSJB in the above section, as well
as on findings of a recently completed ALSs analysis for the
PATG; concepts and recommendations that could be used for
unconventional fields, will be highlighted in this section:
Formal work schemes that clearly identify participants,
roles, functions, responsibilities, inputs and products for
all involved areas, will permit to benefit aspects so
important like: information interchange, coordination of
activities, teamwork and common: goals, objectives and
achievements. Actors and activities identification for
each process and stage is essential to establish and to
optimize relevant procedures and implement integral
management strategy to medium and long term. To
define these schemes is very essential for unconventional
fields where high quantities of wells are involved and
more if the development pace is accelerated.
Periodical production meetings (well by well review),
where relevant aspects, particularly between Productivity
and Well Operation responsible areas are reviewed, have
as main objectives to identify, to prioritize and to allocate
resources to complete activities focused to get
production increases, a typical key target. The
interdisciplinary interaction and information interchange
in order to take the better decisions well by well also
becomes a key action where high quantities of wells are
involved.
The positive feedback cycle by training and continuous
improvement and as result of its own progress, it
becomes itself in a virtuous circle, working towards its
own optimization. This concept could be considered
universal, but essential to optimize production and costs
in this kind of fields.

Figure 7 - ALSs selection criteria based on

experience
During the first stage of ALS implementation, usually there is
not historical information related to performance indicators, so
that continuous monitoring of operating variables, failure
indicators and the knowledge of others experiences
(benchmarking) are part of this phase on which a primary
selection of the best alternatives for ALS is based, and
continues with an ongoing assessment to reach the most
appropriate ALS for the case.
5.2 - Selection criteria based on mechanical limits
During the second stage of the hole process, design,
operation and optimization sub-processes come into active
play, several challenges are faced, many of them particularly
present and or exacerbated in the case of unconventional
fields. Complexity of many of the non-conventional oil
deposits is not only present in terms of the characteristics
petro physical of the reservoir and of the fluids contained, but
also in the geometry (dogleg severity and azimuth) and
completion characteristics (fracture hydraulic or other
stimulation technics) of producing wells, which make these
reservoirs and wells unconventional themselves. Some factors
related to ALS mechanical limits for unconventional
reservoirs, that should be considered are:

Copyright 2012 by ASME

Dog leg severity and azimuth

Mainly in ALSs using sucker rods (SRP and PCP), system
reliability is based on minimizing wear between tubings and
sucker rods, as well as sucker rods fatigue. In both cases the
use of anti-wear mechanisms is essential. For ESP
applications, Dog leg severity could affect to power cable
integrity as well as to engine and seals. ALSs Systems
without sucker rods like HJP and GL could be evaluated as
alternatives, their use should be analyzed depending on the
expected time between failures.
Gas handling
Depending on natural and/or mechanical gas separation that
can be done, this condition may limit the use or the volumetric
efficiency of systems such as SRP and PCP. In the case of
reciprocating pumping it may cause partial filling of the pump
resulting since low efficiency to total lock (gas lock). On the
other hand, with PCP systems, even when certain amount of
gas is controllable (without locking), too much gas may cause
poor lubrication between stator and rotor, and subsequent
rupture, gas absorption by the elastomer or an heterogeneous
pressure distribution along the pump stages can create pump
failures or poor performance of the system. For ESP systems,
gas separators, Advanced Gas Handler (AGH) and/or
multiphasic pumps will be required, depending on the gas-oil
relationship (GOR). Systems as gas lift and plunger lift
(depending on the flowrate) are friendly to the handle and use
of gas.
Compatibility with fluids produced
Mainly associated with PCP systems, where compatibility of
the elastomer of the stator with fluids produced is essential to
ensure the life of the system it. So, is imperative to
predetermine presence of Aromatics, H2S, CO2, among other
components, as well as implement elastomer compatibility
testing with wellbore fluids before installing. If the fluid
composition produced is unknown, less susceptible systems
should be considered for the evaluation of wells.
Flexibility in flow rate produced
Whether during an abrupt production decline phase, such as in
the case of low productivity compact deposits, or for
increasing production areas under EOR processes, ALS
systems flexibility to accommodate wide well production
rates, without major modifications to the surface or subsurface
installation, is essential.
Uncertainty in the productive potential
Uncertainty in the productive potential, coupled with a sharp
production decline may result in an operational condition
called "Pump-Off", in which no more fluids from the reservoir
enters to the pump. To prevent this condition, the operation
with increasing flow rate and a strict fluid level monitoring
should be realized. In the case of PCP systems, this condition
is critical because the stator elastomer requires to be

lubricated, and the use of downhole pressure and temperature

and variable speed drive (VSD) sensor should be considered.
In the case of ESP systems, if it shall be subject to very low
fluid velocity to cool the engine and also by the lack of fluid,
these situations will cause motor failure or stop of low current
to the motor. Under these conditions, downhole pressure and
temperature monitoring systems and variable speed drives
(VSD), are valid alternatives to protect the equipment. If the
productive potential is unknown, high capacity and more
flexible systems should be considered for the evaluation of
wells.
Well depth
Fluids production from wells is directly related to hydraulic
horsepower concept (the higher pressure and flow to be
pumped, the greater horsepower required). Systems that use
sucker rods as PCP and SRP, will be limited to maximum
mechanical capacity of the sucker rods. GL and HJP will be
limited due to the injection pressure available of gas and water
respectively. For the ESP systems power transmission is
limited by the capacity of the motor drive, seals and pumps
shafts.
Down-hole temperature
The two most vulnerable systems to downhole temperature are
PCP and ESP. In the case of PCP, temperature can affect
elastomer swelling rate, as well as cause degradation of its
mechanical properties. The temperature of the elastomer
during the operation will depend on the downhole
temperature, fluid refrigeration capacity and the heat-build up
of the elastomer (hysteresis). In ESP systems, the temperature
affects mainly dielectric properties of the motor and cable, as
well as lubricating oil properties thereof. Equipment selection
validating temperature resistance of materials and
compatibility testing are recommended.
Solids handling
Sand production during first production stage of hydraulic
fractured wells is typical. Internal components Stuck as well
as subsuperficial pumps completely plugged are usual. At this
stage PCP or HJP are often good alternatives which
performance combines well with sand production until it is
stable and not displaced from the completion.
Slim Hole Wells
Slim-hole wells have different restrictions for its completion.
Casing inside diameter (ID) determines outside (OD) diameter
of the tubing string, and this limits OD of the sucker rods and
other internal components. A slim-hole well could restrict the
OD of the ESP components as motor, seals and pumps, and its
limit the diameter of the shafts. In summary, the power
transmission from the motor to the pump is limited when PCP,
SRP and ESP are used in slim hole completions. If a tubingless completion is used, other mechanical challenges will
appear in order to install and operate any ALS. Particularly in

Copyright 2012 by ASME

slim-hole wells, diverse operations in completion,

intervention, wireline, and ALS operation themselves, become
more difficult, increasing time, risks and costs.
5.3 Optimization process based on knowledge and
plural participation.
As it was pointed out in section four, in optimization process
the ALSs practical-theoretical knowledge is vital, and to
complement the analysis is important to implicate the
understanding of the particular case in associated factors
(rock, fluids, wells potential, surface installations, energy
supply, space, environment, security, statistics and operating
and maintenance costs, productive life; strategic development
plans etc.), that eventually can suggest to consider more than a
type of ALS.
The learning curve and the virtuous circle concept take
particular importance in relation to the optimization process.
Based on technical and economic information (mechanical
limit analysis, statistics of performance, failures and
maintenance, as well as of associated costs) during learning
curve and in a cyclic manner, it is required to establish data
bases and information feedback among overall involved areas,
in order to support interdisciplinary decision making in
selecting, designing and/or optimizing ALSs.
Another essentials aspect to maximize evaluation and
optimization processes effectiveness, particularly important
for unconventional cases and strongly linked to ALSs integral
management are: work methodology establishment, defining
common and individual objectives, roles, responsibilities, and
deliverables, particularly among main involved areas in the
process as are Reservoirs, Productivity and Operations
department. Periodic work meetings, called production
meeting or well by well review, where in an
interdisciplinary manner interest cases are reviewed and
actions pointed to wells optimization, and the responsible
areas are agreed; performance indicators and failure statistics
setting up, as support to do the analysis of operating
evaluations and diverse problematic trends, root cause
analysis and to define possible actions; a whole vision of the
processes involved within ALSs integral management, which
means integral and specialized training.
Incorporating KPI`s on inspection and failure analysis.
When it comes to make decisions during the whole production
process, as a complement to optimal ALS selection and design
process, and as basic part of the ALS optimization process,
monitoring of ALS operations and ALS failure rates are
essential for the evaluation of ALS performance and the runlife of each system thereof, as well as the associated costs.
These tasks can be supported in the use of Key Performance
Indicators (KPI), as statistical tools; classic indicators include:

API (Annual Pulling Index)

This indicator usually logged month by month allows the
visualization of the number of failures by wells and making
forecasting based on average in one year. It is expressed in
#Interventions/well/year. For example, for a population of 100
production wells and, a monthly average of five interventions
with pulling equipment due to failures in the wells, we have:
API= (N of interventions)/(Running Productive wells)
12 months=5/10012=0,6interventions/well/year
This means that each well would fail 0,6 times per year, or
that the life cycle of a well is approximately 1,6 years.
This simple indicator can be applied to monitor failures per
well, per field, per ALS type, per system element (rods, pump,
tubing)
5.4 Recommendations for ALS implementation in
unconventional and new fields
As a summary of this paper, some recommendations are
presented which could be considered for the implementation
of ALSs in unconventional and/or new fields:
Theoretical-practical knowledge about ALSs (principals,
advantages/disadvantages; mechanical limits, technical
advance, etc.).
Particularly case knowledge (rock, fluids, potential wells,
surface installations, energy supply, space, environment,
security, statistics and operating and maintenance costs,
etc.)
Depending on the stage of the productive life of the field
and the strategic development plans, different types of
ALSs eventually can be considered during the productive
well life.
Economic (investment, operation, maintenance).
Learning curve/ virtuous circle:
o Based on Technical and Economic information
(mechanical limit analysis, performance statistics and
failures, as well as associated costs) during learning
curve and in cyclic form, it is required to establish
data bases that make possible analysis that support
ALS selection and/or optimization decision-making.
o Once ALS operation starts, information feedback
from overall involved areas (historical events
registers, (failure, operative problems, corrective
actions,
etc.)
comes
essential
for
redesign/optimization.
The ALSs selection process start with the drilling and
completion design
Implement actions to improve quality, quantity and
opportunity to obtain information for SAEs design and re-

Copyright 2012 by ASME

design,
particularly
measurement
and
fluids
characterization, pressure information, temperature,
dynamic level, etc.
Improve sub-surface equipment availability that helps to
achieve design specifications.
Well schematic related to completions, conversions, and
workovers to ALS must be information deliverable from
Productivity Engineering and should be delivered among
overall involved
areas: intervention, operation,
maintenance, reservoirs, etc.).
Warning in particular conditions changes. Some ALS are
vulnerable to reservoir dynamic conditions changes, but it
does not mean that the system cannot operate or should
remain once certain conditions are stabilized.
Consider
that determining
Inflow Performance
Relationships curves (IPR) by using methods that take into
consideration production real test and dynamic and static
pressure, derived from logging and/or pressure gradients
and fluid levels by echometers.
Define exploitation optimal point (PWF vs Flowrate) and
the optimal potential.

CONCLUSIONS
Although strategies to develop oil fields may be strongly
influenced by the maturity of the fields or by the corporate
philosophy regarding field development itself, ALSs
management should be taken on with a strategic, integrated
vision in accordance with the future development plans for the
field.
ALSs implementation criteria presented in this paper are
considered pertinent on developing any oil field, but needed
for
unconventional fields, which
require
greater
commitment mainly due to potential complexities related with
drilling and completion of wells, as well as with the
uncertainty in the productive potential or with the
abrupt production declination, among others. In these cases it
is very important to know the mechanical limits
of the available ALS, to select the more confined in a first
step.
In the other hand an increasing number of production wells
with ALS in a field, will require the implementation of
management schemes or work methodologies involving
analysis, selection, design, operation, optimization, etc., not
only focused on maximum oil production targets, but also on
taking care of the important economic impact that products
and services associated with the ALSs have on production
costs.
All processes involved not only requires a firm commitment
by the different sectors involved in field operating companies,
but also by the companies that provide products and services,
from which quality products and services, and experienced
personnel is required, as service companies that adds value to
ALSs integral management. Also is pertinent to consider
sufficient and adequate scenarios and avoid rigorous

contractual schemes that limit technical initiatives or do not

meet the necessities of the case.
The already mentioned virtuous learning circle for the whole
ALS management scheme should be a key objective, in order
to get the optimal integral management results.

NOMENCLATURE
AGH =Advanced Gas Handler
ALS= Artificial Lift Systems
API =American Petroleum Institute or (Annual Pulling Index)
bpd.= Barrels per day
CO2 = Carbon dioxide
EOR= Enhanced Oil Recovery
ESP=Electrical Submersible Pumping
Ft=Feet
GL=Gas Lift Pumping
GOR=Gas Oil Relation
H2S=Hydrogen sulfide
HGOR=High Gas-Oil Relation
HJ=Hydraulic Jet Pumping
HWOR=High Water-oil Rate
ID=Inside Diameter
IPR=Inflow Performance Relationship
kg/cm2. - kilogram per square centimeter
Km2=Square Kilometer
KPI=Key Perfomance Indicators
m=Meter
m3/m3 = cubic meter per cubic meter
md=millidarcy
MM bpd.= Millions of barrels per day
MMcfd=Millions of cubic feet per day (of gas).
NPV=Net Present Value
OD=Outside Diameter
PATG.- Aceite Terciario del Golfo or Chicontepec Proyect
PCP.- Progressing Cavity Pumping
PEP.- PEMEX Exploration and Production
PWF.-Downhole Pressure Well Flowing
SRP.- Sucker Rod Pumping
VSD.- Variable Speed Drive

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank PATG and GPEN management authorities for their
information and permission to expose it, as well for
authorization and support to carry out diverse activities in
order to accomplish ALSs diagnostic workshops and
complementary activities, and specially to all the persons
involved in these events, from all participating work areas in
PEP.

10

Copyright 2012 by ASME

REFERENCES
Gestin Integral de Sistemas Artificiales de Explotacin
(GISAE). Diagnstico, Recomendaciones y Plan de Accin,
Docto. Interno de la SGRT-GSPT-PEP.
The Increasing Role of Unconventional Reservoirs in the
Future of the Oil and Gas Business, Stephen A. Holditch.
Schlumberger, SPE/Holditch, dic/2001;
Ponencia Ejecutiva sobre avances y escenarios del PATG, Ing.
Antonio Narvaez Ramirez, Administrador del Activo, nov2011.
Artificial Lift Management: Recommendations and
Suggestions of Best Practices. Hirschfeldt, C. Marcelo. CT&F
- Ciencia, Tecnologa y Futuro. Ecopetrol Magazine
SPE 124737. Selection Criteria for Artificial Lift System
Based on the Mechanical Limits: Case Study of Golfo San
Jorge Basin. Hirschfeldt, C. Marcelo, Ruiz Rodrigo.(2009)
SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
SPE 108054. Artificial-Lift Systems Overview and Evolution
in a Mature Basin: Case Study of Golfo San Jorge.
Hirschfeldt, C. Marcelo , Distel, F., Martinez, P.(2007)
SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering
Conference held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Artificial Lift Experience in Mature Fields Case Study Golfo
San Jorge Basin. Hirschfeldt, C. Marcelo. (2006).
ARTIFICIAL LIFT CONFERENCES . Jakarta, Indonesia
Recommendations and Comparisons for Selecting Artificial
Lift Methods. Clegg, J.D., Bucaram, S.M. & Hein, N.W.
(1993). J. Petrol. Tech.

11

Copyright 2012 by ASME

ANNEX A GRAPHICS AND FIGURES

Fig. 1 Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina

Fig.2 - Chicontepec Project, Mxico

Fig. 3 Contrast PEP-AIATG (activity levels).

Fig. 4 Sectors/Fields distribution

12

Copyright 2012 by ASME