S

SPE 1600
003

E
Extending
g the Ran
nge of Ga
as Lift to Long Pe rforations
D
Darryl Polasek & Chandlerr Frost, Produ
uction Control Services (PC
CS)

C
Copyright 2012, Society
y of Petroleum Enginee
ers

T
This paper was prepare
ed for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
E held in San A
Antonio, Texas, USA, 8
8-10 October 2012.

T
This paper was selected for presentation by an a SPE program comm mittee following review of information containned in an abstract submmitted by the author(s)). Contents of the papeer have not been
re
eviewed by the Society y of Petroleum Engine eers and are subject to o correction by the autthor(s). The material ddoes not necessarily reeflect any position of the Society of Petroleu
um Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic
E reproductionn, distribution, or stora
age of any part of thiss paper without the wrritten consent of the S Society of Petroleum E Engineers is prohibite
ed. Permission to
re
eproduce in print is res
stricted to an abstract of
o not more than 300 words;
w illustrations mayy not be copied. The abbstract must contain co
onspicuous acknowled dgment of SPE copyrig ght.

A
Abstract

PProblem being g addressed: Operators

O face many
m challeng
ges when produucing deep verttical wells and long horizontaal or
ddeviated well bores.
b nal artificial lifft methods can prove inefficieent or ineffectivve when applieed to this new breed of
Tradition
wwells.

C
Challenges: In wells with lon ng perforated in
ntervals, insuffficient velocitiees below the paacker can causse liquid loadinng. Many
trraditional artifficial lift metho
ods are limited in their ability
y to address liquuid loading isssues in these tyypes of wells.

SSolution: If gass can be injecteed below the packer and deep p into the perfoorated zones, ggas lift can be aan effective meeans of
ddeliquification. Advances in gas g lift system design now prrovide several ooptions for effe fectively recoveering liquids frrom
ccompletion inteervals below th he packer. We will
w discuss a few f of these syystems, includiing Annular Byypass Assemblly (ABA),
DDip Tube, Enhaanced Annularr Velocity (EAV V), Marathon AVE,
A and Deaad String. Eachh employs uniquue techniques that allow
ffor gas injection n deep into thee perforated zonne by passing the
t lift gas throough or aroundd the packer. U Using the basic principles
oof gas lift, the injected
i d in the perforaated zone, decreeasing the hyddrostatic densityy and flowing gradient
gas aerrates the liquid
aand improving inflow from th he formation. ByB also increasing velocity inn the productionn string, these gas lift system ms allow
ooperators to mo ore efficiently recover
r fluids and
a minimize or o prevent liquuid loading.

RResults: Below
w-packer gas lifft systems are being
b used succcessfully to ecconomically prooduce wells inn unconventionnal plays.
WWe will review
w the design and d mechanics off each of the abbove-mentioneed systems, shaare our experieences working w with
ooperators and discuss
d the seleection criteria in
n choosing a sy
ystem.
2 SPE 160003

Introduction

Gas lift is the artificial lift method that most closely resembles the natural flow of an oil and gas well. For decades, producers
have looked to gas lift as an effective and economical means of artificial lift in wells that lack sufficient natural energy to
move liquids to the surface at desired rates. The appeal of gas lift lies in its affordability, its ease of use, its adaptability to a
range of flow rates, its ability to handle sands and solids, as well as other factors. In short, gas lift is an extremely flexible
artificial lift solution that can be used throughout the lifespan of the well.

Gas Lift Overview

The typical gas lift system uses a high-pressure source to inject gas down the annulus into the tubing. The gas is injected at
prescribed depths downward to the lowest point possible. As the gas flows to the surface, it expands, reducing the density and
column weight of the liquid. By reducing the flowing tubing pressure, differential pressure between the reservoir and the well
bore is created, allowing the well to flow.

Design is the most critical step in the gas lift process. The most common failure or inefficiency in a gas lift well is caused by
initial design errors. A thorough design, accounting for both current and future well characteristics, will ensure optimum
performance of the system throughout the life of the well.

Once the design is completed, the gas lift mandrels are installed at specific intervals in the tubing. The mandrels house the
gas lift valves, the entry points through which gas enters the production string. The gas lift valves open and close based on
present pressure settings. When open, they allow gas to be injected into the production string. They also allow liquids to
escape the casing when using gas lift to initially unload a well.

Continuous Flow Gas Lift

Continuous flow gas lift is most commonly recommended and is ideal for wells that produce at higher rates and with higher
reservoir pressures. In the continuous flow gas lift well, the compressed gas is continuously injected to increase reservoir
drawdown and subsequently maximize production.

Intermittent Gas Lift

For wells that produce at relatively low rates or have low reservoir pressure, intermittent lift is often the solution. As the
name implies, intermittent gas lift injects the gas in cycles. Between injections of gas, the reservoir produces a liquid slug. To
remove the slug, the gas is introduced below it and in a single burst of high pressure. The gas expands quickly, forcing the
slug to the surface. The injection stops and the slug clears the surface. The reservoir pressure builds again, producing another
slug, and the cycle is repeated.

Gas Assisted Plunger Lift

Gas lift can be used to assist plunger lift in wells with certain characteristics, specifically lower gas and higher liquid
production. Because plunger lift utilizes only the wells own energy for operation, it is a highly economical form of artificial
lift. However, sufficient gas volume and pressure is required to lift the plunger and liquid slug to the surface. In wells that
produce higher volumes of liquids, but lack the natural energy to run traditional plunger lift, a continuous gas lift system can
be installed to aid the plunger. The gas lift and plunger lift system work together to reduce the amount of injected gas and
lower compressor costs associated with traditional gas lift. Gas-assisted plunger lift is also beneficial to the tubing as the
plungers cycle prevents scale or paraffin from forming on the inner tubing walls. Advancements of flow-through/continuous
flow plungers make this lift system applicable and an effective artificial lift system in unconventional plays.

Casing (Annular) Flow

A casing flow installation is one in which gas is injected down the tubing string, and well liquids are produced out of the
casing. Particularly efficient in high-volume, continuous flow wells, this application is recommended when very large
amounts of liquids, at volumes exceeding the tubing capacity, must be removed.

Gas Lift for Long, Perforated Intervals

As more wells are being drilled and completed with long perforated intervals, liquid loading and pressure build-ups often
occur as the result of inadequate velocities below the packer. This can negatively impact the effectiveness of gas lift.
SPE 160003 3

For optimum reservoir drawdown in horizontal wells or wells with long perforated intervals, operators need alternatives to
more costly re-fracturing or well abandonment. New innovations in gas lift systems create adequate velocity below the
packer to recover liquids and maintain the lowest possible flowing bottom-hole pressure and most efficient operation.

Several innovative methods have been developed that allow gas lift to be effective in deep and long horizontals. These
advancements allow gas to be injected to a deeper point in the well to maintain adequate velocities and ensure optimum
production rates without applying additional back pressure on the formation. Gas can now be injected below the packer and
deep into the perforated zone by passing the lift gas through or around the packer. Using the basic principles of gas lift, the
injected gas aerates the liquid in the perforated zone, decreasing the flowing gradient and improving inflow from the
formation. By also increasing velocity in the production string, these gas lift systems efficiently recover liquids and minimize
or prevent liquid loading.

Annular Bypass Assembly (ABA)

The Annular Bypass Assembly is a hybrid of the conventional gas lift system with a packer, and the open-ended, packer-less
system. The ABA utilizes tubing and gas lift valves above the packer and a bypass assembly to allow injected gas to pass
through the packer. The ultimate point of lift can be the end of tubing, allowing for decreased flowing bottom-hole pressure
compared to a standard packer completion.

In the ABA system, liquid-injected gas enters the bypass assembly from the tubing/casing annulus, just above the packer, and
exits to the annulus just below the packer. Production is normal up the tubing with no adjustments needed on the wellhead.
This system prevents liquid from re-entering the tubing/casing annulus above the packer, as the ABA is checked from back
flow.

This system allows for optimal production of deviated wellbores and makes it possible to treat the tubing string and casing
with chemicals, by way of injection gas, both above and below the packer. The packer prevents upper gas lift valves from
liquid and well bore contaminants and from re-entering the tubing/casing annulus above the packer, when the well is shut
down or from offset frac activity.

Well characteristics that make for good candidates of the ABA system are deviated wellbores that limit how deep a packer
can be set; horizontal wells where the packer is set at 30 to 45 degrees, but lift if needed at the 90; wells with debris from
drilled out bridge plugs, the produced liquids and debris cant flow through and damage or plug the gas lift valves; and
vertical wells with a liner where the packer needs to be set above the top of the liner. See Figure 1.

Dip Tube

The Dip Tube system is a deep lift method utilizing a crossover flow adapter and a unique mini well bore below the packer.
This assembly will facilitate the deepest point of gas injection without applying additional back pressure on the formation. A
typical installation might have 2 3/8" tubing above the packer, a crossover flow adapter with 2 7/8" tail pipe below the packer
and a 1" or 1 1/4" internal injection string inside the tail pipe.

In this system, compressed gas travels through the casing annulus, through the crossover flow adapter and into the injection
string. The injection gas then exits a gas lift valve and mixes with the produced liquid and gas in the 2 7/8" by 1" annulus.
The liquid and gas flow up through the crossover flow adapter into the production tubing to the surface. Injection gas
pressure is contained in the injection string, isolating it from the perforated interval.

The Dip Tube system is able to accommodate most wellbore characteristics. The installation is an efficient means of lowering
the flowing bottom-hole pressure beyond what is capable with conventional gas lift methods. The Dip Tube system has the
ability to manage large casing wellbores in perforations with lesser amounts of injection gas volumes and pressures. Wells
with low reservoir pressure, where it is important to isolate gas lift pressure from the perforated intervals, also make good
candidates for the Dip Tube system. See Figure 2.

Enhanced Annular Velocity (EAV)

The Enhanced Annular Velocity (EAV) method of gas lift utilizes tubing and gas lift valves above a packer and a selectively
sized injection string with internally mounted gas lift valves below. Success of this system is dependent on the proper sizing
of the tubing and injection string, ensuring adequate flow velocity can be maintained through the entire length of the well
with compression available at the surface for injection gas.

In the EAV system, injected gas flows into the casing annulus through a crossover flow adapter at the packer and into the
4 SPE 160003

injection string below. When the deepest point of injection is obtained, the gas exits the injection string, mixes with the
produced gas and liquids, and flows up the annular area. Liquid and gas then flow up through the crossover flow adapter and
into the production tubing to the surface. The EAV maintains adequate velocity of flow below the packer to ensure there are
no liquid accumulations, heading or liquid loading.

The EAV system is applicable in any well with a horizontal or long perforated interval where a lift point is needed below the
packer. There is no limit to the depth this system can lift from, making it a flexible solution where a deep point of lift is
desired. See Figure 3.

Marathon AVE

The Marathon AVE system allows for gas injection through an injection string below the packer, similar to the EAV system,
but offers the advantage of being wireline retrievable. The entire crossover flow adapter assembly and all gas lift valves
above and below the packer are accessible and retrievable by wireline.

In the Marathon AVE system, injected gas flows into the casing annulus through a crossover flow adapter at the packer and
into the injection string below. When the deepest point of injection is obtained, the gas exits the injection string, mixes with
the produced gas and liquids, and flows up the annular area. Liquid and gas then flow up through the crossover flow adapter
and into the production tubing to the surface.

The Marathon AVE system is applicable in any well with a horizontal or long, perforated interval with multiple co-mingled
zones where the lift point is needed below the packer. With this system, operators are able to anticipate inevitable changes in
well conditions and gas lift requirements by setting wireline retrievable pressure and temperature gauges in mandrels below
the packer. There is no limit to the depth this system can lift from, making it a flexible solution where a deep point of lift is
desired. See Figure 4.

Dead String

A Dead String installation can be run with or without a packer. This system is used to prevent liquid loading in wells with
long perforated intervals or horizontal laterals to ensure stable production and the lowest possible flowing bottom-hole
pressure. The installation consists of production tubing and gas lift valves above a slotted crossover flow sub and a dead
string below.

With a properly sized Dead String, the produced liquid and gas have adequate velocity in the annular area to flow through the
slotted sub and into the production tubing. A traditional gas lift operation occurs and delivers all liquids and gas to the
surface.

The Dead String system reduces the effective flow area in a long perforated interval to maintain adequate flow velocity and
prevent liquid loading in wells. A dead string system can be run on initial completion for a well that will flow, but due to
declining reservoir pressure, it may have loading or heading problems below the production tubing later. See Figure 5.

Considerations When Choosing a Gas Lift System

Employing artificial lift in long, perforated wells in the major shale plays can be challenging. Gas lift is proving to be one of
the most versatile and adaptable forms of deliquification for todays increasingly complex new drills. There are several
factors that need to be considered when selecting a below packer gas lift application. See Figure 6.

Total gas rate requirement is one factor engineers need to consider when looking at below packer gas lift applications. The
Dip Tube application with a crossover flow adapter with 2 7/8" tail pipe below the packer and a 1 1/4" internal injection
string inside the tail pipe has a 400 MCFD total gas rate requirement. Another application with a 400 MCFD total gas rate
requirement is the Annular Bypass Assembly in a 2 3/8" size. In contrast, the Enhanced Annular Velocity and Marathon AVE
(2 7/8" or 3 1/2" x 5 1/2") applications have a total gas requirement of 800-1000+ MCFD. The total gas requirement includes
compressed gas plus produced gas in these examples.

Another factor to consider is liquid production, which can be highly variable depending on well characteristics. For lower
liquid production volumes, less than 500 Bbl/d, the Dip Tube application would be an effective gas lift system. Systems
applicable for higher liquid production volumes, greater than 500 Bbl/d, would be the ABA, EAV and Marathon AVE
systems.

The companys production philosophy should also be considered when selecting a gas lift application for a long, perforated
SPE 160003 5

well. If the company plans for the inevitable future decline of the well, then the wireline retrievable Marathon AVE system
may be the appropriate choice. These systems allows for more flexibility as the entire crossover flow adapter assembly and
all gas lift valves, above and below the packer, are accessible and retrievable by wireline. However, if the company
philosophy is to address current production issues, the Dip Tube, ABA, EAV and Dead String systems may be the
appropriate choice.

The geometry of the wellbore should be considered in the selection process. The different geometry variables to consider are
deviated wellbores, vertical drills and toe-up or toe-down trajectory of the well bore. Declining reservoir pressure, producing
well head pressure and current flowing bottom hole pressure are other variables to consider.

Conclusion

More wells are being drilled and completed with long, perforated intervals, making it challenging to maintain optimum
production rates. Rapidly changing well conditions and declining formation pressure can further contribute to the challenge
of identifying an effective lift method. Gas lift has the versatility to overcome these challenges. The innovative below packer
system designs can accommodate a range of changing well conditions, making gas lift effective throughout the wells life.

These innovations in gas lift now provide a cost-effective and flexible option of artificial lift for wells that might otherwise be
candidates for re-fracturing or well abandonment. Gas lift for deep and long laterals is capable of creating adequate velocity
to recover liquids, reducing flowing bottom-hole pressure and increasing drawdown, literally extending the range of gas lift
to depths previously thought impossible.
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F
Figure 1: Annular Bypass Assembly (AB
BA)
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F
Figure 2: Dip Tube
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F
Figure 3: Enhanced Annula
ar Velocity (EAV)
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F
Figure 4: Mara
athon AVE
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F
Figure 5: Dead String
SPE 160003 11

Figure 6: Considerations When Choosing a Gas Lift System

Gas Rate Requirement Liquid Production

Low High Low High
(400 Mcfd) (800-1000+ Mcfd) <500 Bbl/d >500 Bbl/d
ABA (2 3/8") X X
Dip Tube (2 7/8" x 1 1/4") X X
EAV (2 7/8" or 3 1/2" x 5 1/2") X X
Marathon AVE (2 7/8" or 3 1/2" x 5 1/2") X X
Dead String X X