Gas-lift is one of the predominant forms of artificial lift used for lifting liquids from conventional, unconventional, onshore, and offshore assets. Additionally, proper application of gas-lift to a loaded-up gas wells can be one of the most effective way to improve profitability of a gas well portfolio. Gas-lift and its various forms (intermittent lift, gas-assisted plunger lift) allows life of well lift-possibilities when selected and applied properly. This course is designed to give trainees thorough understanding of gas-lift technology and related application concepts.
Accutant Solutions
Houston, TX, USA
Learning Objectives
Most all oil and gas wells require artificial lift at some point and for most of the life cycle to achieve production objectives. There are at least eight forms of artificial lift technologies available in the market. Each lift system’s applicability often overlaps with other lift system(s) and it is important to understand positioning and strength of a particular lift form.
Unlike mechanical forms of lift methods, gas-lift performance relies heavily on understanding interdependency between reservoir, wellbore, and surface installations. This course focuses on gas-lift applications and related system analysis (often called NODAL analysis) concepts. While providing instructions at intermediate level the training will arm attendees with sufficient details to participate in informative decision-making process. Followings are the main objectives:
- Provide a thorough introduction about the theory of gas lift,
- Demonstrate the advantages and limitations of gas-lift systems,
- Acquaint the student with system evaluation, design, installation, operation concepts.
The course covers main components, application envelope, relative strengths and weaknesses of gas-lift and its different forms like intermittent lift, gas-assisted plunger lift for producing oil wells and Deliquification of gas wells. A unique feature of this course is a discussion on digital oil field and machine learning as applicable to gas lift optimization.
Who should attend?
- Production, reservoir, completion, drilling, and facilities engineers
- Anyone interested in learning about implications of gas-lift systems for their fields and reservoirs.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of petroleum production concepts.
Course level:
Intermediate to Advanced level
Course Duration:
The course will be conducted virtually using either Zoom or MS-Teams (arranged by the instructor) virtually over 8 sessions – each session of three hours to be conducted over two consecutive weeks at a mutually convenient time. The course could be also taught over six sessions of four hours each over two consecutive weeks.
Course Content:
Modules 1 & 2
-
Introduction
- Artificial Lift: When / Why / What of Lift Mechanisms; Types
- How Gas-lift is same and different from other lift forms. Relative market position.
-
Well Performance: Review of Fundamentals
- Systems/NODAL Analysis
- Reservoir Performance: Productivity Index & Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR)
- PVT Analysis
-
Multiphase Flow
- Flow Correlations & Mechanistic models; Flow Regimes/maps
- Pressure Gradient Curves
- VLP: Vertical Lift Performance
-
Gas-Lift
- Types; Application; Advantages, Limitations
- Equipment: Downhole & Surface
- Gas-Lift production rate & well evaluation basics: Operating Point Analysis
Modules 3 & 4
-
Gas-Lift Valve Mechanics
- Valve Classifications: IPO, PPO, Pilot, Dummy
- Continuous Flow Unloading Sequence
- Importance of True Valve Performance
-
Gas-Lift Installation Design
- Overview of IPO design methodology; Valve Spacing & Valve Sizing
- Design & Optimization
Modules 5 & 6
- Gas Well Deliquification Options
- Plunger lift
- Gas-Lift Well Life Cycles
- Gas-assisted Plunger lift (GAPL)
- Plunger-assisted Gas Lift (PAGL)
- Intermittent gas-lift basics & overview of design
Modules 7 & 8
- Injection Infrastructure: Compression & sizing
- Well Unloading procedure and guidelines
- Gas-lift trouble shooting and diagnostics
- Digital oilfield and ML introductions as applicable to gas-lift