Training
Gas Lift Optimization in Unconventional
- 3 days
- Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Synopsis
Almost 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 systems, and it is important to understand the positioning and strength of a particular lift form. Unlike mechanical forms of lift, gas-lift performance relies heavily on understanding the interdependency between reservoir, wellbore and surface installations. Gas-lift is one of the predominant forms of artificial lift used for lifting liquids from conventional, unconventional, onshore and offshore assets. Gas-lift and its various forms (intermittent lift, gas-assisted plunger lift) allow life-of-well lift possibilities when selected and applied properly. This course is designed to give trainees a thorough understanding of gas-lift technology and related application concepts in unconventional and tight oil and gas wells. Related production optimization topics are also discussed.
This course focuses on gas-lift applications and related system analysis (often called NODAL analysis) concepts. While providing instruction at an intermediate level, the training will arm attendees with sufficient detail to participate in the informed decision-making process.
Learning outcomes
- Provide a thorough introduction to the theory of gas lift.
- Demonstrate the advantages and limitations of gas-lift systems.
- Acquaint the student with system evaluation, design, installation and operation concepts.
- Why gas-lift is important for unconventional production and what it competes against.
- Components and application envelope for gas-lift.
- Forms of gas-lift applied successfully in unconventional fields.
- Production optimization of gas-lift installations.
Who should attend
- Production, reservoir, completion, drilling and facilities engineers
- Anyone interested in learning about application of gas-lift systems for unconventional reservoirs.
Prerequisites
- Understanding of petroleum production concepts.
Course outline
- Introduction
- Artificial Lift: When / Why / What of Lift Mechanisms; Types
- How gas-lift is the same as 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
- Gas-Lift Valve Mechanics
- Valve Classifications: IPO, PPO, Pilot, Dummy
- Continuous Flow Unloading Sequence
- Force Balance Theory for IPO & PPO Valves
- Importance of True Valve Performance
- Gas-Lift Installation Design
- Overview of IPO design methodology; Valve Spacing & Valve Sizing
- Design & Optimization
- Artificial Lift lifecycle and what comes next in an unconventional well’s life cycle
- Intermittent gas-lift basics & overview of design
- Plunger lift & Gas-assisted Plunger lift
- Injection Infrastructure: Compression & sizing
- Single Well Optimization Concepts
- Digital oilfield concepts applicable to gas-lift
Formats and customization
- Course duration: three days.