AL Methods Comparison Table

ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
AL Methods Comparison Table

Characteristic Production rate Specific Less than 1000 B/D Gas Lift The full range of production rates can be handled. An AOF production rate cannot be achieved with gas lift because as much drawdown as for an ESP cannot be achieved. ESP The full range of production rates can be handled. When unconstrained an ESP can be designed to produce the full well potential to the surface (AOF), thus achieving higher flow rates than with gas lift. PCP Rate is dependent on setting depth, the deeper the setting depth the lesser rates. Generally PCP is suitable for low rate wells. Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet Rod Pump Rate is dependent on setting depth. Feasible for low rates (<100 B/D) and low GOR (<250). Typically are used with 1.5-in nominal tubing. Up to 2000 b/d at 4000 feet. Restricted to shallow depths using large plungers. In general, due to efficiency, rod pump is not recommended as a lift mechanism of choice on high producing wells. Not available. Pump must be landed below dynamic fluid level. Optimal to have intake below perforations, which will allow natural gas separation and vent to annulus. Depth is tied to dynamic fluid level. Maximum 14,000 ft TVD. Due to excessive polished rod load, depth is limited. Rods or structure may limit rate at depth. H2 S limits depth at which a large volume pump can be set. Effectively, about 500 B/D at 7,500 ft TVD and 150 B/D at 14,000 ft TVD. Problems only if high-rate wells requiring large plunger pumps. Small casing sizes (4.5 in and 5.5 in) may limit free gas separation. There is a limitation of downhole pump design in Jet Pump The full range of production rates can be handled. Less than 50 B/D up to 15000 B/D with adequate flowing bottom hole pressure, tubular size, and horsepower. Guideline as below:
1000 to 10,000 B/D
Piston Hydraulic lift: 50 to 4000 BFPD.

Jet Hydraulic lift: >15,000 BFPD of total fluid. AOF production rate cannot be achieved.
Well depth
Greater than 10,000 B/D Less than 2500 ft
Not available. Not restricted by well depth. The benefit of gas lift will be larger with greater depth, as there is more fluid to lighten to enable increased well productivity. Not restricted by well depth. The benefit of ESP will be larger with greater depth as there is more fluid head to overcome to enable increased well productivity. Pump must be landed below dynamic fluid level. Optimal to have intake below perforations, which will allow natural gas separation and vent to annulus. Depth is tied to dynamic fluid level. Maximum 8000 feet.
Not restricted by well depth. However, limited by powerfluid pressure or horsepower as depth increases. A practical depth of 20,000 ft is possible. Guideline as below: Piston Hydraulic lift: up to 17,000 ft TVD. Jet Hydraulic lift: up to 20,000 ft TVD.
2500 to 7500 ft Greater than 7500 ft
Casing size
4 in.
Production tubing restricted to 2-3/8 tubing when installing side pocket mandrels. Packoff mandrels internal to the tubing can allow larger tubing size.
ESP restricted to a maximum diameter of 3.75 with a maximum flow rate of 2000 BPD (320 m3 /D).
Most slim hole models with OD= 3.75 can fit in this size. Up to approx. 3000 b/d at 3000 feet.
Small casing size often limits producing rate owing to high friction losses. Coiled Tubing Jet can be run inside 1-1/4 Coiled Tubing and, therefore, small casing size.
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Characteristic
Specific 5 in.
Gas Lift Production tubing restricted to 2-7/8 tubing when installing side pocket mandrels. Packoff mandrels internal to the tubing can allow larger tubing size. Production tubing restricted to 4 t ubing when installing side pocket mandrels. Packoff mandrels internal to the tubing can allow larger tubing size. Production tubing restricted to 5-1/2 tubing when installing side pocket mandrels. 7 side pocket mandrels are available for large casing. Well suited to vertical wells. Retrieval of gas lift valves from side pocket mandrels is straightforward. Well suited to deviated wells. Retrieval of gas lift valves from side pocket mandrels can be difficult when the deviation angle > 65 degrees.
ESP ESP restricted to a maximum diameter of 4.56 with a maximum flow rate of 5200 BPD (830 m3 /D). ESP restricted to a maximum diameter of 5.40 with a maximum flow rate of 12000 BPD (1900 m 3 /D). ESP restricted by horsepower to a maximum flow rate of 90,000 BPD (14,400 m 3 /D).
PCP The majority of pumps will fit into this casing with OD=4.5. Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet.
Rod Pump of downhole pump design in small diameter casing.
Jet Pump
7 in.
9 5/8 in. and larger
No detriment to performance with pump inside larger casing. Some larger models available with OD=5 -3/8. Up to 3200 b/d at 5000 feet. All pumps will fit this casing.
Well inclination
Vertical
Well suited to vertical wells.
No constraint typical installation with top drive and rods. Can deal with deviation however rod wear is a reliability constraint. Rod guides are used to reduce friction on rods. REDA PC has application where the well is deviated and the reduced risk of failure due to rods is required. Pumps have been installed in horizontal section but same remarks for deviated well are applicable.
Well suited to vertical wells.
Well suited for vertical completions. Well suited for deviated completions.
Deviated
Well suited to deviated wells, however size and running of ESP limited by well trajectory. A straight section of casing is required at ESP depth.
Not highly recommended. Slanted and crooked wells present a friction problem. There are increased load and wear problems in high angle deviated holes (>70 o). Not recommended.
Horizontal
Dogleg severity
Less than 3 per 100 3 to 10 per 100
Well suited to horizontal wells unless the tubing is large preventing produced fluid mixing with lift gas. Retrieval of gas lift valves from side pocket mandrels can be difficult when the deviation angle > 65 degrees. Gas lift causes no constraint.
Well suited to horizontal wells, however size and running of ESP limited by well trajectory. A straight section of casing is required at ESP depth.
Could suit for horizontal completions. However, due to well trajectory, slickline work to pull nozzle could be a problem.
ESP can be deployed without problem. ESP system may be limited as ideal system cannot be readily deployed through this dogleg.
No constraint Pump length dependent. Typical pump length = 35 feet which is relatively short and easy to deploy through doglegs.
No constraint. No big constraint. Centralizer could be utilized.
No constraint. No contraint.
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Characteristic
Specific Greater than 10 per 100
Gas Lift
ESP Not recommended.
PCP Same as above
Rod Pump Zero to 90 landed pump. Some success is accomplished in pumping 15 o /100 ft using rod guides.
o
Jet Pump Applicable for slanted and crooked wells. Short jet pumps can pass through doglegs up to 24-deg/100 ft in 2 in. nominal tubing. Zero to 90 Degrees pump placement. Guideline as below: Piston Hydraulic lift: <15o /100 ft build angle. Jet Hydraulic lift: <24o /100 ft build angle.
Temperature
Less than 250F 250 to 350F Greater than 350F
Recommended for all temperatures
Standard ESP design will handle this temperature. Medium range equipment required. Higher temperatures require specialised ESP designed equipment, which have been shown to operate at 550 F. Note that the motor temperature is significantly higher than the bottom hole temperature. Extremely high temperatures will cause a short run life. 3 barriers can be achieved
Standard PCP design with suitable elastomers will handle this temperature. Above current limit Above current limit
Can lift high temperature and viscous oils.
Operating temperature range from 0 to 550 o F.
Temperature limitation is excellent. It is possible to operate from 0 to 500+o F.
Safety
Barriers
3 barriers can be achieved
Hydrocarbon inventory
Gas lift entails a large inventory of hydrocarbon gas in the annulus or tubing that upon catastrophic failure of wellhead will be vented to the atmosphere. Solution can be to install an annular SSV to limit the inventory.
No hydrocarbon inventory and the extra facility of shutting off produced fluid flow by stopping the pump.
Restricted by rod strings. Surface wellhead valve one barrier. Use of REDA PC would allow deployment of SCSSV. No hydrocarbon inventory and the extra facility of shutting off produced fluid flow by stopping the pump.
Restricted by rod strings. Surface wellhead valve one barrier. No hydrocarbon inventory and the extra facility of shutting off produced fluid flow by stopping the pump.
3 barriers can be achieved.
During operation, large amount of crude is being stored in vessels and surface lines. If rupture takes place and create a major catastrophic at surface, the well needs be shut-in to bleed off.
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Characteristic
Specific Intervention frequency
Gas Lift For gas lift, intervention frequency is low, > 5 years, and is principally slick line, hence safety risk is low.
ESP Full workovers could be required every two years (industry average) hence safety risk is higher than gas lift.
PCP Full workovers could be required every 1 to 1-1/2 years typically. Slickline deployed pump can reduce safety risk.
Rod Pump Workovers to change out rod string could be required every 11/2 year. If it is a highly deviated well, frequent workovers could be required to fix broken rod string. As frequent as once every 6-8 months. Low in electrical fire risk.
Jet Pump As frequent as the nozzle gets plugged up with sand, asphaltene, etc or simply just wear and tear of the nozzle. This is a big draw back since intervention frequency could be as regular as once every month. More risk of injection and production lines rupture. Recommended. Not recommended.
Process
Completion
Simple Dual or multiple zones
Flowing bottom hole pressure
Greater than 1000 psi
100 to 1000 psi
Less than 100 psi
More risk of blow out and gas fire with high-pressure gas lines required. Recommended. Historically wells are successfully completed as multi-string with gas lift. The efficiency of the gas lift determines the achievable FBHP. A gas lifted well normally works with a FBHP in this range. Gas lift can work in the upper end of this range for low reservoir pressure and productivity wells, however there needs to be enough reservoir energy to deliver the produced fluids to the surface. Cannot deliver fluids to surface.
Electrical fire risk is increased.
Recommended Can be achieved with ESP technology but a complicated system is required. Achieving any FBHP is not a constraint with ESP. AOF can be achieved if the well and reservoir properties do not constrain the ESP design.
Electrical fire risk is increased. Risk of gas fire if using a gas driven motor. Recommended Not recommended.
Recommended. Not recommended.
The pump depth and the dynamic head restrict achieving a low FBHP. Small dynamic head will allow low FBHP to be achieved.
The pump depth and the dynamic head restrict achieving a low FBHP. Typical design target is a minimum of 100 psi per 1000 feet of lift. Intake pressure should be > 350 psig to 5,000 ft with low GLR. Typical design target is 25% submergence. Cannot deliver fluids to surface.
Drawdown
Gas coning
Achievable drawdown is limited by ability to lighten head of fluid above gas lift point. AOF can never be achieved. Gas lift can be effective in producing a well that cones gas.
Any drawdown can be achieved with a given ESP design, however well and reservoir constraints limit final drawdown. Not recommended.
The pump depth and the dynamic head limit achievable drawdown.
The excellent result can obtain at intake pressure less than 25 psig providing adequate displacement and gas venting, typically about 50 to 100 psig. The pump depth and the dynamic head limit achievable drawdown.
Good drawdown but cannot completely deplete a well.
Water coning
Gas lift can be effective in
ESP can be effective in
Can be used if free gas < 40% by volume. This limit is imposed, as at least 60% liquid is required for cooling of the elastomer. PCP can be effective in
For gassy reservoir. Rod pump handling is fair to good.
Not recommended. Cavitation in jet pump likely.
Rod pump can be effective in
Jet pump can be effective in
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Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift producing a well that cones water. Gas lift results in simple completions that allow ready access to the reservoir for surveillance and remedial work.
ESP producing a well that cones water. Downhole ESP equipment restricts access. A logging bypass can be installed but this complicates the equipment and downsizes the ESP. Remedial work requires a full workover. Coil Tubing deployed ESP can solve some reservoir access problems, but pulling the ESP would still be required. Not recommended for unstable flow.
PCP producing a well that cones water. No reservoir access.
Rod Pump producing a well that cones water. No reservoir access. Cannot run any type of surveillance log.
Jet Pump producing a well that cones water. Good. If set in a sliding sleeve, the jet pump can be retrieved by wire line allowing access to reservoir.
Reservoir access
Flow Stability
Gas lift is able to handle all types of flow regimes be they stable or unstable.
Recovery
Primary Secondary waterflood
Tertiary
Recommended Recommended, however high water cut reduces the ability to move large fluid volumes. Can be used with tertiary recovery methods. Well suited, however increasing water cut reduces the ability to move large fluid volumes. Recommended as the flexibility of gas lift allows one installation to deal with falling pressure and production rates.
Recommended Recommended
Not recommended. Need continuous fluid through pump. Use of downhole monitoring to control surface VFD could be used. Recommended Recommended
Not recommended for unstable flow.
Continuous and smooth flow of produced fluids.
Can be used with tertiary recovery methods. Recommended as an ESP is able to move the same fluid volume no matter what water cut. Not recommended when there is significant pressure drop the range of production rates that a particular ESP design can handle is limited. Hence the reservoir condition rate of change would define the ESP change out frequency rather than ESP mechanical run life. Variable frequency drives (VFD) allow some operational flexibility on matching the production rate to the ESP design.
Pressure support
Yes
Steam flood will cause a problem, as temperature will be increased. Recommended
Can be used with tertiary recovery methods. Recommended Recommended, as jet pump system is independent of water cut percentage producing from a well. Not recommended when there is significant pressure drop in the reservoir the range of production rates that a particular jet pump design can handle is limited. A new jet pump design needs to be in placed to get optimum lift for the well.
No
Not recommended when there is significant pressure drop the range of production rates that a particular PCP design can handle is limited. Hence the reservoir condition rate of change would define the PCP change out frequency rather than PCP mechanical run life. Variable frequency drives (VFD) allow some operational flexibility on matching the production rate to the PCP design.
If there is no pressure support from the reservoir, production rate will decline and the well will be pumped-off.
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Characteristic Oil Gravity
Specific
Gas Lift No limitations. Preferable > 15 o API.
ESP No limitat ions. Preferable > 12 o API.
PCP Not used for oil with gravity greater than 40 degrees API due to high aromatic content (C6 to C9 should be under 20%) that will deteriorate elastomers. Preferable < 30 o API. Recommended > 8 API.
o
Rod Pump
Jet Pump > 8 to 45 API.

o
Water Cut
Low
Recommended.
Recommended for the full range of water cut. The ESP is largely insensitive to increasing water cut.
Recommended
Recommended
Moderate High
Fluid viscosity
Less than 100 cp gas free viscosity at reservoir temperature 100 to 500 cp gas free viscosity at reservoir temperature Greater than 500 cp gas free viscosity at reservoir temperature
Reduced efficiency due to heavier column of fluid to lighten. Reduced efficiency due to heavier column of fluid to lighten. May not be able to lift well if reservoir pressure is low. Recommended Recommended
Recommended Recommended Up to 100%
Recommended Efficiency of ESP will be reduced.
Recommended Recommended. Pump efficiency will increase as viscosity increases. Recommended for all high viscosity crude. Up to 80,000 cp.
Recommended Good for < 200 cp fluids and low rate. Rod fall problem for high rates. Higher rates may require diluents to lower viscosity. Not recommended, as pump efficiency will reduce.
Has been used with success up to 1000 cp but little case history for very high viscosity.
Not recommended. Pump efficiency is reduced, motors cool poorly in the high viscous fluid, more power is required to pump high viscous fluid and emulsions form. A mixture of ESP and progressive cavity pump technology is a potential alternative.
Corrosive fluid
Recommended. Compatibility of metallurgy and elastomers with the total completion is only required.
Run life will be shortened in a more aggressive environment. Special metallurgy and elastomers will be required leading to more costly equipment.
Run life will be shortened in a more aggressive environment. Design with rotor in stainless steel and matched elastomers. Rod string and tubing is at risk as typically not special
Using corrosion-resistant materials in the construction of subsurface pumps.
Mixture of power and producing fluid is not a major issue in Jet pump. The system is capable of handling high-viscosity fluid. Production with up to 800 cp possible. Oil power fluid in the range of >24 oAPI and <50 cp could be used. If waterpower fluid is used, it will reduce friction losses. Using special metallurgy and/or chemical treatment. Chemicals in the power fluid can treat the tubular for corrosion.
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Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
ESP
PCP metallurgy. Up to 6% H2S can be handled by elastomer design but H2S causes hardening. Similarly the constraint is 30% CO2 content. Recommended. The achievable pump rate will be limited by the amount of gas breaking out of solution in the area of the pump. A maximum 40% free gas by volume limit is imposed to allow cooling of elastomers with liquid flow. Not recommended.
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Gas/oil ratio
Less than 500 scf/STB 500 to 2000 scf/STB
Greater than 2000 scf/STB
Recommended. Gas lift would be only expected to be of benefit at higher GOR.
Recommended. Problems with gas breakout in the pump will be minimised. The achievable pump rate will be limited by the amount of gas breaking out of solution in the area of the pump. An ESP can be designed to a free gas volume handling criteria. Downhole gas handling equipment may be incorporated into the completion FBHP will need to stay above the bubble point pressure to avoid gas cavitation in the pump. Downhole gas handling equipment may be incorporated into the completion.
Feasible for low rate and low GOR Gassy wells usually have lower volumetric efficiency. Gas handling ability is rather poor if one has to pump > 50% free gas. If the gas anchor or natural separation is used and free gas is venting, the volumetric efficiency can be significantly improved. Not recommended
Recommended. Target design is less than 1000 GLR.
Bubble point
High
Recommended for all bubble points. Gas lift is not dependent on the bubble point pressure hence is suitable for any range.
Low
Sand & abrasives
Less than 10 ppm
Recommended for all wells producing sand. Sand has little effect on ability to a gas lift well.
Not recommended, as the high bubble point will limit the maximum drawdown in the well due to the detrimental effects of free gas in the pump. Recommended. The bubble point pressure is low hence the FBHP can be low allowing more production without the affects of free gas in the pump region. Sand at this concentration is normal wear and tear for an ESP.
Not recommended, as the high bubble point will limit the maximum drawdown in the well due to the detrimental effects of free gas in the pump. Recommended. The bubble point pressure is low hence the FBHP can be low allowing more production without the affects of free gas in the pump region. Recommended. PCP handles solids easily.
Not highly recommended.
Not recommended. Gas above 2000 SCF/STB substantially reduces efficiency but helps lift. Vent free gas if possible. The producing of free gas through the pump causes reduction in ability to handle liquids. Not recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
High solids and sand production is troublesome for low oil viscosity (<10 cp). Improved performance can obtain for high viscosity (>200 cp) cases. May be able to handle up to 0.1% sand with special pumps.
Solids/sand handling ability is fair to poor. Jet pumps are operating with 3% sand in produced fluid. Power fluid to jet pump can tolerate 200 ppm of 25 particle size. Fresh water treatment for salt
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Characteristic
Specific 10 to 100 ppm
Gas Lift
ESP ESP may be operated under these conditions but harder surface coatings are required. Not recommended due to friction and wear on ESP equipment.
PCP Recommended.
Rod Pump
Jet Pump build-up possible.
Greater than 100 ppm
Contaminants
Scale
Scale can form close to the operating gas lift valve due to the pressure drop at that location. This may lead to blockage of the gas lift valves and an inability to be able to retrieve them.
If the well is prone to scale, paraffin or asphaltenes deposit then it is likely to occur in the pump area (large pressure drop). This will lead to pump inefficiency, increased wear & tear and eventually failure. Chemical treatment is required to prevent formation of these contaminants.
Recommended. Typically can handle up to 7-8% by volume. Design of elastomers for abrasion is required. Typically not a constraint but may need to be reviewed if well has a high scaling tendency.
Scale could build up at intake and nozzle over time but can be treated.
Paraffin
Asphaltene
Treatment
Scale inhibitor
Paraffin may deposit near an operating gas lift valve due to temperature and pressure drop. This may lead to blockage of the gas lift valves and an inability to be able to retrieve them Introduction of lift gas into the produced fluid stream may increase the risk of asphaltene deposits. Production chemistry analysis for individual fields will determine whether this is likely to occur. Recommended when any treatment is required. These treatments have little to no effect on a gas lifted system.
Not a problem due to the nature of PCP however efficiency will be reduced.
Susceptible to paraffin problems. Hot water/oil treating and/or uses of scrapers possible, but they increase operating problems and costs. Can be treated.
Does not increase deposition and will produce asphaltene to surface as a solid.
Can be treated. Paraffin handling capability is good/excellent. Circulate heat to downhole pump to minimize build up. Mechanical cutting and inhibition possible. Difficult to control.
Materials design will need to be modified to ensure continued service of the ESP after treatment.
Elastomer compatibility is a constraint so needs to be reviewed in detail for design.
Corrosion and scale treatments easy to perform. Good batch treating inhibitor down annulus used frequently for both corrosion and scale control. Corrosion handling good to excellent.
Corrosion inhibitor
Corrosion/scale ability is good and sometimes excellent. Inhibitor with power fluid mixes with produced fluid at entry of jet pump throat. Batch treat down annulus feasible. Corrosion handling good to excellent. Can be surfaced at a predetermined schedule.
Solvent
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Characteristic Acid Location
Specific
Gas Lift
ESP
PCP Ensure cleanout of well prior to re-installation. Recommended Good and recommended. Safety barriers may be a const raint.
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Onshore Offshore platform
Recommended Excellent and recommended.
Recommended Excellent and recommended.
Recommended. Poor and not recommended. Must design for unit size, weight, and pulling unit space.
Subsea
Sensitive environment
Delivery of fluids under a gas lift scenario through a long sub sea delivery system will be significantly reduced. The gravity and friction of lengthy pipelines cannot be fully overcome by a gas lifted system. As the step out from the tie in delivery point is increased the efficiency of gas lift decreases. Running a gas lift system will include a flaring system, hence affecting the environment when the compressor is blown down.
Recommended. The ESP can be designed to overcome the head produced by the subsea delivery system. As step out from the tie in delivery point increases, ESP efficiency decreases, however an ESP is able to handle larger step outs than gas lift before zero flow occurs. Recommended. The ESP when running has little potential impact on the environment.
Not recommended except as REDA PC. Rate will not achieve benefits.
Not Recommended.
Onshore applications are common. Good to excellent. Offshore applications are common. Produced water or seawater may be used as power fluid with well site type system or power fluid separation before production treating system. Not recommended due to intervention requirments and power fluid pump to remote location.
Recommended. Leakage from stuffing box for rod only constraint polished rod through wellhead.
Stuffing box leakage may be messy and a potential hazard. (Anti-pollution stuffing boxes are available.) Fair in term of noise level. Moderately high for urban areas.
Power water (fresh, produced, or sea water) is acceptable. However, there is concern in sensitive areas if oil is used as power fluid , because of the high-pressure injection lines. Low in noise level. Well-site power-fluid units can be sound proofed. Due to surface size, operations are drawbacks in populated areas. Single wells are the most common. Multiple wells operating from one single surface hydraulic package greatly reduces lift cost.
Number of Wells
Single
1 to 20
Typically cost of providing compression for a single well gas lift development is too high to be able to justify. As the number of wells increases the cost of the compression facilities becomes more economic on a well-bywell basis.
Recommended. ESP can be installed for a single well with standalone power generation and control. Recommended. Costs of power equipment will be reduced and rationalised as the number of wells completed increases.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
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Characteristic
Specific Greater than 20
Gas Lift Recommended. Cost benefit for this number of wells justifies high costs for installation of compression. Not required.
ESP Recommended.
PCP Recommended.
Rod Pump Recommended.
Jet Pump
Electrical Power
Gas source
Yes
No
Facilities footprint
Recommended. If a gas source is readily available either from produced gas, import gas or a gas well then gas lift is a viable artificial lift method. Not recommended, as the cost of obtaining a gas source will be large. Large amount of space is required to install a compression system. For areas where space is at a premium this can be a costly issue.
A source of electric power is needed. This can be a tie in to an existing facility, a tie in to a power grid or independent power generation. Does not impact ESP solution.
Gas motor can be used. Less voltage required than ESP hence lower operating cost.
Does not impact PCP solution.
Can use electricity as power source. Prime mover flexibility is good: either engines or motors can be used easily (motors more reliable and flexible). Gas engines could be used in locations with no electricity.
Prime mover can be an electric motor. A diesel or gas engine can be used where electricity is not available. Produced gas from the well can be used to power a gas engine prime mover. Does not impact JP solution.
Does not impact ESP solution.
Does not impact PCP solution.
Does not impact RP solution.
Facilities often have power generation already installed hence the addition of power for ESP does not have as large an impact as for gas compression.
Small footprint. Facilities often have power generation already installed hence the addition of power for PCP does not have as large an impact as for gas compression.
Small footprint on surface. Facilities often have power generation already installed; hence the addition of power for a rod pump unit does not have as large an impact as for gas compression.
Start up
Well intervention
Gas lift is not recommended if after a shut down gas is not easily available. Gas can be sourced from: Produced gas from naturally flowing well or artificially lifted by non gas lift method A flowing gas well Importing gas from an external source e.g. Pipeline For gas lift valve changeouts slick line intervention > 5 years. For subsea wells may not be required for life of well. For
Once power is available to the facility ESP systems will be able to be run.
Once power is available to the facility PCP systems will be able to be run.
Once power is available to the facility, rod pump systems will be able to be run.
Large amount of surface spacing is required. Surface unit can be mounted on one skid or two skids for a dualvessel power fluid cleaning unit. Two skids for a 200 HP unit with engine prime mover may have a footprint of approximately 8 feet by 18 feet each. Requires some fluid (water or oil) to fill the vessels as power fluid prior to start up.
Run life of ESP determines intervention frequency. Change out of total completion required for ESP failure.
Run life of PCP determines intervention frequency. Change out of total completion required for ESP failure. Average run life
Workover or pulling rig. Run time efficiency is greater than 90% if good operating practices are followed and if corrosion,
Hydraulically removed or wirelined. A free jet pump can be circulated to the surface without pulling the
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Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift remedial well work as required with the ability to perform through tubing workovers.
ESP Average run life approximately two years. Remedial work will require completion to be removed
PCP approximately one to one and a half years. Remedial work will require completion to be removed. Total change out can be avoided by using wireline retrievable with REDA PC or put rotor and stator on rod string so doesnt have to pull tubing. Moderate cost for facilities and down hole equipment.
Rod Pump wax, asphaltenes, solids, etc are controlled.
Jet Pump tubing or it can be retrieved by wire line. Must avoid operating in cavitation range of jet pumps throat; related to pump intake pressure.
CAPEX
High for compression and gas distribution system
High for power generation and cabling
Capital costs are low to moderate. Cost increase with depth and larger surface units.
OPEX
Low. Gas lift systems have a very low OPEX due to the downhole reliability.
Moderate to high. Costly interventions are required to change out conventional ESP completions, but productivity and improved run life can offset these costs.
Moderate cost for equipment but high intervention frequency.
Operating costs are very low for shallow to medium depth (< 7500 ft) and low production (< 400 BFPD). Units easily changed to other wells (i.e. reuse) with minimum cost.
Capital costs are competitive with sucker-rod pumps. Cost increases with higher horsepower. Wellhead equipment has low profile. Requires surface treating and high pressure pumping equipment. High power cost owing to horsepower requirement to pump power fluid. Typical jet pump efficiency is 30% thus power fluid at 2-3 times the produced fluid rate is required. No moving parts in pump; simple repair procedures. Low pump maintenance cost typical with properly sized throat and nozzle.
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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE