Description
Many gas wells cease producing economically long before their reservoirs have depleted and artificial lift applications for removing liquids from gas wells are becoming more and more important. Natural gas is abundant worldwide, but more importantly, still abundant in North America and sits immediately at the doorstep of the expanding domestic and global industrial needs. Yes, natural gas prices are lower than we would like right now but we know they will bounce back. Artificial lift steps taken now can ensure the maximum, long term recovery from your gas resources.
This presentation will illuminate the importance of gas well deliquification technologies for the future. It will cover the basic fundamentals of the gas well liquid loading phenomena and provide a brief introduction to the Coleman equation used for critical velocity calculations. With these basic concepts covered, the presentation will then present a brief overview of the four most commonly applied artificial lift techniques used for deliquifying a gas well; reciprocating rod lift, foamer injection, plunger lift and gas lift.
We will also introduce some emerging technologies; such has the Weatherford Hydraulic Reciprocating Pump and creative combination lift systems like the XtraLift and iCVR+, which are specifically designed for extended perforation interval completions and combine multiple lift techniques. Many of these lift technologies are being expanded into horizontal applications in the Shale plays and special attention to these applications will be made throughout the presentation. In conclusion, a logical artificial lift application selection process for gas well deliquification called the “Unloading Selector” will be introduced. This tool uses four readily available data points from the well to steer you to a logical first choice lift solution to combat liquid loading.
The low risk to reward nature of these gas well deliquification technologies make this an ideal time to invest in your gas assets to ensure maximum long term recovery. Please don’t forget about your natural gas wells!