Maestría

en Ingeniería
de Petróleos

Ingeniería de Producción
I-Sem 2018 – Semana 2

Enrique Villalobos - MBA

 Levantamiento Artificial
Reservoir and Hole Considerations in Selecting an Artificial Lift Method (after Brown, 1980)

Reservoir Characteristics:

•  IPR: A well’s inflow performance relationship defines its production potential.
•  Liquid production rate: The anticipated production rate is a controlling factor in selecting a lift
method; positive displacement pumps are generally limited to rates of 4000-6000 B/D.
•  Water cut: High water cuts require a lift method that can move large volumes of fluid
•  Gas-liquid ratio: A high GLR generally lowers the efficiency of pump-assisted lift
•  Viscosity: Viscosities less than 10 cp are generally not a factor in selecting a lift method; high-
viscosity fluids can cause difficulty, particularly in sucker rod pumping
•  Formation volume factor: Ratio of reservoir volume to surface volume determines how much total
fluid must be lifted to achieve the desired surface production rate
•  Reservoir drive mechanism: Depletion drive reservoirs: Late-stage production may require
pumping to produce low fluid volumes or injected water.
•  Water drive reservoirs : High water cuts may cause problems for lifting systems
•  Gas cap drive reservoirs : Increasing gas-liquid ratios may affect lift efficiency.
•  Other reservoir problems : Sand, paraffin, or scale can cause plugging and/or abrasion. Presence of
H2S, CO2 or salt water can cause corrosion. Downhole emulsions can increase backpressure and
reduce lifting efficiency. High bottomhole temperatures can affect downhole equipment.
 Levantamiento Artificial
Surface and Field Operating Considerations in Selecting an Artificial Lift Method (after Brown, 1980)

Hole Characteristics:

•  Well depth The well depth dictates how much surface energy is needed to move fluids to surface, and
may place limits on sucker rods and other equipment.
•  Completion type Completion and perforation skin factors affect inflow performance.
•  Casing and tubing sizes Small-diameter casing limits the production tubing size and constrains multiple
options. Small-diameter tubing will limit production rates, but larger tubing may allow excessive fluid fallback.

•  Wellbore deviation Highly deviated wells may limit applications of beam pumping or PCP systems because of
drag, compressive forces and potential for rod and tubing wear.

Surface Characteristics:

•  Flow rates Flow rates are governed by wellhead pressures and backpressures in surface production
equipment (i.e., separators, chokes and flowlines).
•  Flowline size and length Flowline length and diameter determines wellhead pressure requirements and
affects the overall performance of the production system.
•  Fluid contaminants Scale, paraffin or salt can increase the backpressure on a well.
•  Power sources The availability of electricity or natural gas governs the type of artificial lift selected. Diesel,
propane or other sources may also be considered.
•  Field location In offshore fields, the availability of platform space and placement of directional wells are
primary considerations. In onshore fields, such factors as noise limits, safety, environmental, pollution concerns,
surface access and well spacing must be considered.
•  Climate and Physical environment Affect the performance of surface equipment.

 Levantamiento Artificial
Surface and Field Operating Considerations in Selecting an Artificial Lift
Method (after Brown, 1980)

Field Operating Characteristics:

•  Long-range recovery plans Field conditions may change over time.
•  Pressure maintenance operations Water or gas injection may
change the artificial lift requirements for a field.
•  Enhanced oil recovery projects EOR processes may change fluid
properties and require changes in the artificial lift system.
•  Field automation If the surface control equipment will be electrically
powered, an electrically powered artificial lift system should be
considered.
•  Availability of operating and service personnel and support services
Some artificial lift systems are relatively low-maintenance; others require
regular monitoring and adjustment. Servicing requirements (e.g.,
workover rig versus wireline unit) should be considered. Familiarity of
field personnel with equipment should also be taken into account.
 Levantamiento Artificial
Design considerations and Normal operating
overall comparisons: considerations:

•  Capital cost •  Casing size limits
•  Downhole equipment •  Depth limits
•  Efficiency •  Intake capabilities
•  Flexibility
•  Noise level
•  Miscellaneous [operating]
problems •  Obtrusiveness
•  Operating costs •  Prime mover flexibility
•  Reliability •  Surveillance
•  Salvage value •  Testing
•  System (total) •  Time cycle and pump-off
•  Usage/outlook controllers application
 Levantamiento Artificial
Artificial lift considerations: Economic Considerations

•  Corrosive/scale handling ability •  Initial capital cost
•  Crooked/deviated holes •  Replacement cost
•  Multiple completions •  Monthly operating expense
•  Equipment life (Usually known as
•  Gas-handling ability Runlife)
•  Offshore application •  Number of wells to be lifted
•  Paraffin-handling capability •  Surplus equipment availability
•  Slim-hole completions •  Expected producing life of well(s)
•  Solids/sand-handling ability •  Warehouse, spare parts and
inventory management.
•  Temperature limitations
•  WO Rig, vs Service Unit vs
•  High-viscosity fluid handling WireLine Servicing.
•  High-volume lift capabilities •  Onshore / Offshore servicing
•  Low-volume lift capabilities equipment availability and/or
movement cost
 Levantamiento Artificial
Economic considerations

•  Capital cost considerations may favor one type of system over another, particularly when there is
significant uncertainty regarding well performance characteristics or reserve volumes. Gas lift is not likely
to be a good option for a one or two-well system, for example—particularly if it requires adding surface
compression facilities. For multiple wells, however, it may be a very economical choice. Hydraulic pumping
is likewise less costly when multiple wells are operated from a central injection facility.

•  Projected operating costs also figure into the selection of an artificial lift method. High gas prices will
reduce the profitability of gas lift, particularly if it becomes necessary to purchase additional gas for
injection. But gas lift may be an attractive option in a remote field where there is no market for produced
gas. In the same way, in places where electricity is not readily available, submersible pumps will be less
attractive compared to gas lift or other forms of pump-assisted lift.

•  System reliability and easy access to repair equipment and services must also be considered. Sometimes,
the prevalence of a particular type of lift equipment in a given area will make that system more attractive.

•  If a well is expected to have a short producing life, capital and operating costs will play an important role
in the overall field economics and will affect the choice of an artificial lift system.

•  It is clear that for each well or field situation, a number of factors will affect the choice of artificial lift
system. Equipment manufacturers can explain important advantages and disadvantages of different
systems. Each type of artificial lift method has economic and operating limitations that can make it more
or less desirable when compared to others. Similarly, one artificial lift system will usually have at least one
advantage over all others for a given set of operating conditions.
Levantamiento Artificial