Mathematical

Topic modelling of
Liquid loading in
Natural Gas
Reservoir
Natural Gas Reservoir
Flow regime in production tubing
 Critical velocity

The velocity at which

the drag between gas
molecules and liquid
droplets is compensated
by gravity is called
critical velocity.
 Critical parameters for liquid loading

1 1
4.02 45 − 0.0031𝑝 4 5.62 45 − 0.0031𝑝 4
𝑣𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 1 𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑣𝑔𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1 𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐
(0.0031𝑝)2 (0.0031𝑝)2

1 1
1.593𝜎 4 𝜌𝑙 − 𝜌𝑔 4 3.067𝑃𝑉𝑔 𝐴
𝑉𝑡 = 𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑞𝑔 = 𝑀𝑀𝑠𝑐𝑓/𝐷
1 𝑇 + 460 𝑍
𝜌𝑔2
Velocity conditions for different regime
 Gas flow during production

Perforation
Reservoir
and gravel Tubing
matrix
pack

Subsurface
Seperator Flowline
safety valve
 Process of Liquid loading

When gas flows to When the gas velocity

The presence of more
surface, the gas will decreases below
liquids in the
carry the produced critical velocity as the In this way liquid
production conduit
liquid to the surface if well matures, it cannot loading begin
gradually stop the the
the gas velocity is high carry the fluid to
gas production.
enough. surface
 Symptoms of Liquid loading

Presence of orifice
Decline curve analysis
1 pressure spikes 4

Tubing pressure Pressure survey shows

decreases as casing a sharp distinct change
2 pressure increases 5 in Pressure gradient

Liquid production
Annular heading
3 6 ceases
 Nodal Analysis

System Nodal Analysis Tubing performance curve

Mathematical Modelling of
Liquid loading
Schematic of the well model

Depth
𝑋1 Reference point

Gas and water

𝑋2 production point

Water column
𝑋3 Water injection point
 Assumptions
Below 𝑋1 , the well is assumed to be vertical

Reservoir pressure at 𝑋2 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠,𝑔

Reservoir pressure at 𝑋3 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠,𝑤

Depth
Reference At 𝑋1 , the pressure is 𝑃1 and below 𝑋1 the
𝑋1
point frictional pressure loss is neglected

Water is produced with gas at constant water gas

Gas and water ratio 𝐹𝑤𝑔 . At 𝑋2 the pressure is 𝑃2 .
production
𝑋2
point At 𝑋3 , the pressure is 𝑃3 .

Water column

𝑋3 Water injection All water co-produced with the gas (with constant
point water gas ratio) will form back to form the water
column.
 Production and re-injection rates and
Tubing head pressure water column height

Bottomhole pressure
Schematic model of liquid loading process