Unloading Sequence

(of continuous gas lift)

Fluid level in tubing and#1

casing is at
the surface

No gas injected no fluid produced

All gas lift valves are open

Pressure to open valves is provided by

the weight of the fluid in the casing
and tubing

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

Gas injection into the casing has

begun

Fluid is U-tubed through

g all the open
p
valves

No formation fluids being produced

pressure is greater in the wellbore at
perfs than reservoir pressure

All produced fluids are from the tubing

and annulus

Important to unload at a reasonable

rate to avoid fluid damage to valves

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

The fluid has been unloaded to the top

(#5) gas lift valve

The fluid is aerated above this point in

the tubing and fluid density decreased

Pressure is reduced at top valve as

well as all lower valves

Unloading continues through lower

valves

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

Fluid level is now below valve #4

(second from top)

Injection
j
transfers to valve #4 and
pressure is lowered

Casing pressure drops and valve #5

closes

Unloading continues through lower

valves

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

All gas is being injected through valve

#4

Lower valves remain open

A reduction in casing pressure causes

upper valves to close in sequence

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

All gas is being injected through valve

#3

Lower valves remain open

A reduction in casing pressure causes

upper valves to close in sequence

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.

Unloading continued

Valve #2 open Point of Injection:

ability of reservoir to produce fluid
matches the ability of the tubing to
remove fluids

Casing pressure is dictated by

operating valve set pressure

Upper valves are closed

Valve #1 remains submerged unless

operating conditions change in the
reservoir (i.e. formation drawdown)

2009 Production Control Services. All content is confidential to PCS and its respective partners.