CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Gas Lift Optimization is becoming more important now day in petroleum industry. A
proper lift optimization can reduce the operating cost, increase the net present valve
(NPV) and maximize the recovery from the asset. A widely accepted definition of gas lift
optimization is to obtain the maximum output under specified operating conditions. In
addition, gas lift, a costly and indispensable means to recover oil from high depth
reservoir entails solving the gas lift optimization problems. Gas lift optimization is a
continuous process, there are two levels of production optimization. The total field
optimization involves optimizing the surface facilities and the injection rate that can be
achieved by standard tools software. Well level optimization can be achieved by
optimizing the well parameters such as point of injection. Injection rate, and injection
pressure. All these aspects have been investigated and presented in this study by using
experimental data and (PROSRER) simulation program. The results show that well head
pressure has a large influence on the gas lift performance and also proved that smart
gas lift valve can be used to improve gas lift performance by controlling gas injection
from down hole. Obtaining the optimum gas injection rate is important because
excessive gas injection reduces, production rate and consequently increases the
operation cost keywords- Optimization, production rate reservoir pressure effect, gas
injection rate effect, gas injection pressure.

1.2
 Where to start ?
 Casing pressure
 Production Rates
 Well closest to the house
 New well
 Old well

1.3 PURPOSE OF GAS LIFT

The purpose of gas lift optimization
A. Increase production
B. Extend life of artificial lift system
C. Better utilize compressor HP, and gas lift volumes
D. Reduce operating cost
E. Lower capital expenditure

1.4 Benefits of gas lift

A. accelerates production
B. reduces LOE
C. lower maintenance
D. helps wells recover faster from offset fracture

15. IDENTIFYING CANDIDATES AND SYSTEM ISSUES:

2.1 Identifying candidates and system issues:

Hold production meeting to highlight issues and begin to create list of under-
performing wells. Criteria to identify candidates:

1. Well performance factor (WPF)=(Gas injection Rate MCFD)/(Total Fluid Rate BFPD)
 The higher WPF number are the first well to review for inefficiencies.

2. Target Injection Differential (TID)=(casing pressure psi – Flowing wellhead pressure

psi)/(casing pressure psi)
 Create range for further analysis
  Lowest percentage gets highest importance

2.2 Identifying candidates and system Issues:

 Well performance factor (WPF)=(Gas injection Rate MCFD)/(Total fluid Rate
BFPD).
 The higher WPF number are the first well to review for inefficiencies.

Well Injection Gas Total Fluid Well Review

Number Volume MCFD Production WPF Importance
8 679 131 5.18 1
2 589 159 3.70 2
6 708 216 3.28 3
3 743 290 2.56 4
1 587 261 2.25 5
5 877 668 1.31 6
7 718 737 0.97 7
4 616 719 0.86 8
9 378 673 0.56 9
10 183 739 0.25 10
 2.3 Identifying candidates and system:
1 Target Injection Differential (TID)= (casing pressure psi – Flowing wellhead
pressure psi)/(casing pressure psi
 Create range for further analysis:
 Lowest percentage gets highest Importance

Well Injection gas Total fluid Well Review Operating

Number Volume MCFD Production WPF Importance Casing FWHP TID Finalize
Pressure Importance
8 679 131 5.18 1 523 115 78% 1.5
2 589 159 3.70 2 635 106 83% 3.0
6 708 216 3.28 3 727 281 61% 6.5
3 743 290 2.56 4 850 299 65% 5.0
1 587 261 2.25 5 720 147 80% 6.5
5 877 668 1.31 6 1045 118 89% 10.0
7 718 737 0.97 7 1000 269 73% 9.5
4 616 719 0.86 8 1074 308 71% 13.0
9 378 673 0.56 9 1005 118 88% 12.5
10 183 739 0.25 10 1015 99 90% 15.0
 CHAPTER II

ONCE WELL SELECTION HAS OCCURRED

2.1 Once well selection has occurred …Its time to start Optimizing the wells?
1. Adjustment of injection gas.
a) Removing or reducing surface pressure restrictions
b) System redesign
c) Introduction of secondary artificial lift

1. Adjustment of Injection gas:

a) Utilize tubing critical velocity charts
b) Build NODAL analysis model to predict gas volume
c) Multi-rate well tests verse adjustments in injection volumes

2.2 Once well selection has occurred …Its time to starts Optimizing the wells?
2. Removing or reducing pressure restrictions.
a) Open/Remove wellhead chokes
b) Reduce de Number of 90 degree elbows used in flow line
c) Set well head compression

2.3 Once well selection has occurred …Its time to starts Optimizing the wells?
3. System redesign
a) Run Flowing pressure/Temperature Survey
 Redesign to get optimal injection point and lowest FBHP
b) Adjust for surface or facility conditions
c) Move injection point and EOT deeper into well
 d) Apply special application gas lift
 Dip Tube
 Dead string
 Below packer gas lift

2.4 Once well selection has occurred …Its time to start Optimizing the wells?
1. Introduction of secondary artificial lift system
a) Plunger Assisted Gas lift
b) Surfactant or form Injection

 Efficiently utilizes the injection gas energy in any well by providing a sealing interface
between the lift gas and produced liquid. This change in interface effects the flow
pattern thus minimizing fluid fallback.
 Benefits of plunger assisted gas lift.
 Helps to maintain production on high GLR gas lift wells
 Reduce fluid fallback in both continuous and Intermittent Gas lift wells
 Improves efficiency of gas lift system by cutting back on required Injection gas volumes
 Minimizes paraffin, scale, and other deposits build up on the tubing wells.

CHAPTER III
GENERAL GAS LIFT SYSTEM PROBLEMS

3.1 Problems with your gas lift system are often associated with three areas:

a) Inlet (surface)
b) Outlet (surface)
c) Down hole
  More often than not, the problem can be found at the surface. Thoroughly explore all
potential surface problems before incurring the expense of a rig to investigate down
hole causes.
 Also, keep in mind that poor optimization is most often caused by inaccurate gauge
readings that can occur doe to gauge malfunction or blockage.
 Always troubleshoot you well at the surface before you call a rig?
 Changes in casing pressure and gas volume typically indicate a problem with the
inlet.

3.2 Low casing pressure:

 Check the choke to see if it is plugged, frozen or too small, well not taking gas
 If frozen run warm gas, or set up methanol injection
 Check gauge readings to be sure the problem is real
 Verify gas volume being injected
 Check back pressure regulator

3.3 Excessive Gas Usage:

 Check the casing pressure
 If using manual chock, with low casing pressure, check choke size and replace for
smaller choke
 Over injection, gas fitting through multiple gas lift valves
 Tubing or collar leak
 Cut or washed out gas lift valve

3.4 Choke sizing – Injection control:

 The design gas-liquid ratio or designed injection volume can often give and
indication of the choke size to use as a starting point.
3.5 Faulty Gauges :
 Choke the wellhead casing and tubing pressures with a calibrated gauge.
Inaccurate gauges can cause false indications of high or low casing pressures.

3.6 High back pressure is a common indicator of a problem with the outlet:
 Restriction through choke, debris or choke body. Even with no choke bean in a
choke body, It is usually restricted to less than full I. D. Remove the choke body if
possible.
 Check for paraffin or scale buildup in the flow line. Hot oiling the line will
generally remove paraffin. Scale can be reduced and managed with methods
such as chemical washes, or continual chemical injections

 Flow lines. Loop lines, add line or remove 90 turns or elbows

3.7 Separator Operating pressure:

 The separator pressure should be maintained as low as possible for
gas lift wells. Often well may be following to high or intermediate
pressure system when it dies and is placed on gas lift. Ensure the well
is switched to the lowest pressure system available. Sometimes an
undersized orifice plate in the meter at the separator will cause high
back pressure.

3.8 Valve Restrictions:

 Check to ensure all valves at the tree and header are fully open. Also,
verify the valve is sized properly (for example a 2-inch valve should be
used in a 2-inch flow line). A smashed or crimped flow line is another
possibility. Inspect the flow line in places where it crosses a road, for
example.