Artificial Lift Systems for

Oil Production

March 2012
 Table of Contents

– Definition of Artificial Lift

– How an Oil Well is Produced
– Types of Artificial Lift Systems
• Beam Pumping/Sucker Rod Pumps
• Electric Submersible Pumps
• Progressing Cavity Pumps
• Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps
• Gas Lift
– Summary
– Selection of Artificial Lift Method
– References
 Definition of Artificial Lift

– Artificial lift refers to the use of artificial

means to increase the flow of liquids from a oil
production well.

– Generally this is achieved by :

– the use of a mechanical device inside the
well (pumps) or
– decreasing the weight of the hydrostatic
column by injecting gas into the liquid some
distance down the well.
 Why Artificial Lift

Artificial lift is needed in wells when there is insufficient

pressure in the reservoir to lift the produced fluids to
the surface, but often used in naturally flowing wells
(which do not technically need it) to increase the flow
rate above what would flow naturally.

Used to lower the producing bottomhole pressure

(BHP) on the formation to obtain a higher production
rate from the well.

The produced fluid can be oil and/or water, typically

with some gas included.
 Types of Artificial Lift Systems

Artificial-lift methods fall into two groups, those that

use pumps and those that use gas.

Pump Types

• Beam Pumping / Sucker Rod Pumps (Rod Lift)

• Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP’s)
• Progressive Cavity Pumps (PCP’s)
• Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps

Gas Method

• Gas Lift
The most economical (for example using the
net present value) artificial lift method must be
selected based on:

• Geographic location

• Capital cost

• Operating cost

• Production flexibility

• Reliability

• Mean time between failures

 Artificial Lift
• There are approximately 2 Million oil
wells in operation in the world

• Over 1 Million wells utilize some type of

artificial lift

• Close to 900,000 Rod, ESP and PCP

pumps

Source: ABB
Sucker-Rod
Lift System
 Sucker-Rod Lift System

Oldest and most widely

used method of
artificial lift.

This method can lift

150 BFPD from 14000
ft, and more than
3000 BFPD from less
than 2000 ft.
 Rod Pumping
Sucker Rod Pumps (Donkey pumps or beam pumps) are the most
common artificial-lift system used in land-based operations

A motor drives a
reciprocating beam,
connected to a polished
rod passing into the
tubing via a stuffing
box

The rod string continues

down to the oil level and is
connected to a plunger
with a valve (pump) that is
inserted or set in the tubing
near the bottom of the well.
Each upstroke of the beam
unit lifts the oil above
the pump’s plunger.
 Downhole Sucker-Rod Pumps
The most important components are: the barrel, valves (traveling
and fixed (or static or standing)) and the piston.

Barrel: The barrel is a long cylinder, 10 to 36 feet long, with a

diameter of 1¼ inches (32 mm) to
3¾ inches (95 mm).

Piston/Plunger: This is a nickel-metal

sprayed steel cylinder that goes inside
the barrel

Valves: The valves have two components

- the seat and the ball - which create a
complete seal when closed

Piston rod: This is a rod that connects the

piston with the outside of the pump
 Pumping Cycle Operation
At the start of the upstroke, the travelling valve closes due to the high
hydrostatic pressure in the tubing above it. Liquid contained in the
tubing above the travelling valve is lifted to the surface during the
upward movement of the plunger

At the same time, the pressure drops

in the space between the standing
and travelling valves, causing the
standing valve to open. Wellbore
pressure drives the liquid from the
formation through the standing
valve into the barrel below the
plunger. Lifting of the liquid
column and filling of the barrel with
formation liquid continues until the
end of the upstroke.
 Pumping Cycle Operation

After the plunger has reached the top of its stroke, the rod string starts
to move downwards.

The travelling valve immediately

opens, and the standing valve closes.
When the travelling valve opens,
liquid weight is transferred from the
plunger to the standing valve. During
downstroke, the plunger makes its
descent with the open travelling
valve inside the barrel filled with
formation liquid. At the end of the
downstroke, the direction of the rod
string’s movement is reversed, and
another pumping cycle begins.
 Type of Pumps

Rod Pumps:

• Also called insert pumps because they are

run (inserted) in the producing tubing.
• No need to pull out the tubing string, which
reduce maintenance time and downtime.

Tubing Pumps:

• The working barrel of this pump is coupled

with the production-tubing string.
 Rod Pumping

System parts are manufactured to meet

existing API standards.

Numerous manufacturers can supply each

part, and all interconnecting parts are
compatible.

Sucker rods:
• From ⅝ to 1¼ inches in diameter.
• 25 or 30-ft lengths
 DOWNHOLE GAS SEPARATORS
• Used in gassy wells to increase the volume of free gas
removed from the liquids before reaching the pump.

• These separators are called “gas anchors”.

Natural Gas Anchor Poor Boy Gas Anchor
DOWNHOLE PUMP SIZING

2
LEAKAGE LOSSES
PD = 0.1166 ∗ S ∗ N ∗ d

PD = pump displacement, BFPD

S = stroke length, inches
N = pumping speed, spm
d = diameter of the pump
plunger, inches
 Efficiency
• Overall Efficiency 45 - 60%
• Depending on design, higher
energy losses can be on the
subsurface equipment
• Motors for pumping units
between 1 and 125 HP
Videos about Sucker Rod-Pumping System
ROD LIFT SYSTEM ADVANTAGES

• High system efficiency

• Gas or electricity can be used as a power source

• Economical to repair and service

• High-temperature and viscous fluids can be lifted

• Upgraded materials can reduce corrosion concerns

• Flexibility -- adjust production through stroke length and speed

• High salvage value for surface unit and downhole equipment

 ROD LIFT SYSTEM DISADVANTAGES

• Limited to relatively low production volumes, less than 1,000

barrels per day {up to about 40 liters (10 gal) per stroke}

• Incompatible with deviated wells, even with the use of rod

protectors. Maximum of 30° deviated wells with smooth
profiles and low dogleg severity.

• Limited ability to produce fluids with sand.

• Paraffin and scale can interfere with the efficient operation

of sucker-rod pumping systems.

• The polished-rod stuffing box can leak.

 Rod Pumps Market

– Over 750,000 in operation World

Wide

– 350,000 in operation in USA

– 400,000 units installed in rest of

world
Electrical Submersible Pumps
(ESPs)
 ESP Facility

ESP’s incorporate an electric motor

and centrifugal pump unit run on a
production string and connected
back to the surface control
mechanism and transformer via an
electric power cable.
 ESP’s
The downhole components are suspended from the
production tubing above the wells' perforations.

Above the motor is the seal section, the Intake or gas

separator, and the pump.

The power cable is banded to the tubing and plugs

into the top of the motor.
As the fluid comes into the well it must pass by the
motor and into the pump.

This fluid flow past the motor aids in the cooling of

the motor. The fluid then enters the intake and is
taken into the pump.

Each stage (impeller/diffuser combination) adds

pressure or head to the fluid at a given rate.
 The “Pros”

• High Volume and Depth Capability.

• High Efficiency Over 500-1000 bpd.

• Low Maintenance (w/o sand, etc).

• Good in Deviated Wells.

• Minor surface equipment requirements

• Possible in 4 ½ “ Casing and Larger.

• ESP applicable at any time of the

reservoir life.
ESP
 The “Cons”

• Requires Electric Power Source.

• Adapt to Reservoir Changes?

(VSD).
• Field repair usually impossible.
• Problem production: Solids,
gas, other.
• Viscosity: reduces η, flow, etc.
• Usually must pull tubing if
problems.
ESP
 ESP Market

– 90,000 units in the world

– 60,000 units in Russia

– A few thousand units in the US

 ESP Growth Areas
• More ESP’s on depleting wells

• Focus on:
– Deep Water
– More ESP in wells that might be
producing with gas lift
 Design of an ESP installation

Well physical data:

• Casing and liner sizes, weights, and
setting depths.
• Tubing size, type, weight, and thread.

• Total well depth.

• Depth of perforations or open hole

interval.

• Well inclination data.

 Design of an ESP installation

Well performance data:

• Tubinghead pressure at the desired rate.
• Casinghead pressure.
• Desired liquid production rate.
• Static bottomhole pressure or static liquid level.
• Flowing bottomhole pressure or dynamic liquid level.
• Productivity data (PI or qmax for the Vogel model).
• Producing gas/oil ratio.
• Producing water cut or water/oil ratio.
• Bottomhole temperature at desired liquid rate.
 Design of an ESP installation

Fluid properties:

• Specific or API gravity of produced oil.

• Specific gravity of water.
• Specific gravity of produced gas.
• Bubble point pressure.
• Viscosity of produced oil.
• PVT data of produced fluids (volume factors, solution
GOR, etc.).
 Design of an ESP installation

Surface power supply parameters:

• Primary voltage available at the wellsite.

• Frequency of the power supply.
• Available power supply capacity.
 Design of an ESP installation

Unusual operating conditions:

• Production of abrasives, especially sand.

• Paraffin deposition.
• Emulsion formation.
• Type and severity of corrosion.
• Extremely high well temperatures.
How Much can the
well produce?
 How Much does it take?

Fluid will flow up the tubing only if the pressure at the tubing intake
(bottom of the tubing) is greater than the hydrostatic “weight” of the
fluid, plus the friction pressure losses in the tubing, plus the
wellhead discharge “backpressure.”
 Will it Flow?

This intersection point (surface flow rate, bottom hole pressure) is

the point at which the well should actually flow under stabilised
conditions.
 Will it Flow?

The curves do not intersect. This well would not flow at any rate. A
pump must supplement the energy supplied by the reservoir in order
to produce fluid at the surface. The precise amount of energy needed
is represented by the vertical separation between the two curves.
 How Much Do We Have To Add?

By measuring the difference between the tubing intake pressure

requirement curve and the well’s inflow performance curve, we
obtain a curve representing the pressure increase required across the
pump as a function of rate.
.
 The designer must compare
the “well requirements”
curve (similar to previous
Figure ) with the
performance characteristics
of different pumps.
These performance
characteristics are typically
given in the form of pump
curves.

The curves are based on fresh water and a fluid viscosity of 1 cp.
The horizontal axis represents actual rate through the pump. Head,
brake horsepower, and efficiency represent more than one pump
stage.
The intersection of the two curves on this plot represents the point at
which the well would be expected to produce under stable conditions
.
 ESP Design Example

Well Data:
Casing from surface to 5600 ft: 7 in. OD and 26 lbm/ft
Liner from 5530 to 6930 ft: 5 in. OD and 15 lbm/ft
Tubing: 2⅞ in. and 6.5 lbm/ft J55 EUE
Perforations: 6750 to 6850 ft
Pump setting TVD (just above liner top): 5500 ft.

Well Fluid Conditions:

Specific gravity of water, SGw = 1.085
Oil °API = 32 (SGo = 0.865)
SGg = 0.7
Bubble point pressure of gas, Pbp = 1500 psig
Viscosity of oil: not available.
 ESP Design Example (cont)
Production Data.
Tubing head pressure, Pth= 100 psig
Casing pressure, Pch = 100 psig
Present production rate, Q = 850 BFPD
Well flowing pressure, Pwf = 2600 psig
Static bottomhole pressure, Pr = 3200 psig at 6800 ft
Bottomhole temperature, Twf: 160°F
Minimum desired production rate: 2300 BFPD (standard cond.)
GOR: 300 scf/STB
Water cut: 75%.

Power Sources.
Available primary voltage: 12470 V; frequency: 60 Hz.
 ESP Design Example (cont)

Since Pwf > Pbp PI = Q 850

= = 1.42 BPD / psi
( Pr − Pwf ) 3200 − 2600

The new Pwf at the desired production rate Qd is

Pwf = Pr − (Qd / PI ) = 3200 − (2300 / 1.42) = 1580 psig

The PIP is calculated correcting the Pwf for the difference in the
pump setting depth and datum point (1300 ft), friction loss negligible:

→ ∆Ph = ( Head , ft ∗ SGL ) /(2.31 ft / psi)

PIP = Pwf − ∆Ph 

SGL = Xo ∗ SGo + Xw ∗ SGw = 0.25 ∗ 0.865 + 0.75 ∗1.085 = 1.03

PIP = 1580 − [(1300 ∗1.03) / 2.31] ⇒ PIP = 1000 psig

 ESP Design Example (cont)

The solution gas/oil ratio at the pump intake pressure is:

1.2048
 10 0.0125∗ API

Rs = SGg (Pb / 18) ∗ ( 0.00091∗Tf )
 10 

1.2048
 10 0.0125∗32

Rs = 0.7 (1000 / 18) ∗ ( 0.00091∗160 ) = 180scf / STB
 10 

The total flow Vt of oil, gas and water at the pump intake is:

Vt = Vo + VIG + Vw in BFPD
 ESP Design Example (cont)

The flow of oil Vo at the pump intake is:

Vo = Qd ∗ Xo ∗ Bo

Where Bo is the formation volume factor and is calculated by

Bo = 0.972 + 0.000147 F 1.175

F = Rs SGg / SGo + 1.25Tf = 180 0.7 / .865 + 1.25 *160 = 362

Therefore
Bo = 0.972 + 0.000147(362)1.175 = 1.12 actual barrel / STB

And Vo = 2300 ∗ 0.25 ∗1.12 = 644 BOPD

 ESP Design Example (cont)

The flow of free gas at the pump intake is:

VIG = free gas (VFG ) ∗ gas volume factor ( Bg )

VFG = Total volume of gas − Gas in Solution = Vg − VSG

Vg = ( BOPD ∗ GOR) / 1000 = 2300 ∗ 0.25 ∗ 300 / 1000 = 172.5Mscf

And

VSG = ( BOPD ∗ Rs ) / 1000 = [(2300 ∗ 0.25) ∗180] / 1000 = 103.5Mscf

 ESP Design Example (cont)

Therefore:

VFG = 172.5 − 103.5 = 69Mscf

And

Bg = (5.04 ∗ Z ∗ Tf ) / P = [5.04 ∗ 0.85 ∗ (460 + 160)] / 1014.7 = 2.62bbl / Mcf

VIG = 69Mcf ∗ 2.62bbl / Mcf = 181BGPD

 ESP Design Example (cont)

The flow of water is

Vw = Qd ∗ Xw = 2300 ∗ 0.75 = 1725BWPD

Therefore:

Vt = 644 BOPD + 181BGPD + 1725BWPD = 2550 BFPD

% of free gas at the pump intake

% of free gas = (VIG / Vt ) ∗100 = (181 / 2550) *100 = 7%

 ESP Design Example (cont)
The Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is

TDH = Discharge Pressure − Intake Pressure = Pd − PIP (in ft )

Pd = Pump depth + Ft + Hwh

And:

PIP( ft ) = ( PIP ∗ 2.31ft / psi) / SGcomp

SGcomp = TMPF /( BFPD ∗ 5.6146 ∗ 62.4)

The Total Mass of Produced Fluid (TMPF) is

TMPF = [( BOPD ∗ SGo) + ( BWPD ∗ SGw)]∗ 5.6146 ∗ 62.4
+ (GOR ∗ BOPD ∗ SGg ∗ 29 / 379.5)
 ESP Design Example (cont)

TMPF = [(575 ∗ .865) + (1725 ∗1.085)]∗ 5.6146 ∗ 62.4 + (300 ∗ 575 ∗ 29 / 379.5

TMPF = 839064lbm / D

And:

SGcomp = 839064 /(2550 ∗ 5.6146 ∗ 62.4) = 0.939

Therefore

PIP( ft ) = (1000 ∗ 2.31ft / psi) / 0.939 = 2460 ft

 ESP Design Example (cont)

The tubing friction loss (Ft) is read from Figure below for 2550 BPD

Ft = 49 ft / 1000 ft of depth

For 5500 ft
Ft = 270 ft

Hwh = Pth ⋅ 2.31 / SGcomp

Hwh = 100 ⋅ 2.31 / 0.939 = 246 ft

 ESP Design Example (cont)
The discharge pressure is
Pd = 5500 + 270 + 246 = 6016 ft Finally
TDH = Pd − PIP = 6016 − 2460 = 3556 ft
Select the pump type with
the highest efficiency per
stage:
Head =41.8 ft at 2550 B/D

No of stages = 3556/41.8
= 85
BHP= 1.16 *85*0.939
= 92.5 HP
Design of an ESP installation
Design of an ESP installation
Design of an ESP installation
Design of an ESP installation
Design of an ESP installation
Progressing Cavity Pumps
(PCPs)
 Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCPs)

Consist of a surface drive, drive string and

downhole PC pump

The PC pump is comprised of a single

helical-shaped rotor that turns inside a
elastomer-lined stator

The stator is attached to the production

tubing string and remains stationary
during pumping.

The rotor is attached to a sucker rod string

which is suspended and rotated by the
surface drive.
 Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCPs)

Rotation of the rod string by means of a

surface drive system causes the rotor to spin
within the fixed stator, creating the pumping
action necessary to produce fluids to surface.

PCP usually rotates between 300 and

600 rev/min,
SEVERAL PCP DESIGNS
PUMP DISPLACEMENT (Single-lobe PC pump)
Pump eccentricity (e), is the distance between
the centerlines of the major and minor
diameters of the rotor.
ROTOR MOTION IN A SINGLE-LOBE PC PUMP
Pump eccentricity (e), is the distance between
the centerlines of the major and minor
diameters of the rotor.
 Pump Displacement Rate
Pump eccentricity (e), is the distance between
the centerlines
• PC pump displacements generally of the major
range from and minor
0.02 m3/d/rpm
diameters of the rotor.
[0.13 B/D/rpm] to > 2.0 m3/d/rpm [12.6 B/D/rpm].

• The theoretical flow rate of a PC pump is directly proportional

to its displacement and rotational speed and can be determined
by:

where qth = theoretical flow rate (m3/d [B/D]),

s = pump displacement (m3/d/rpm [B/D/rpm]),
and ω = rotational speed (rpm).

• The actual flow needs to consider some slippage rate.

Effect of fluid slippage on volumetric pump efficiency.
Pump eccentricity (e), is the distance between
the centerlines of the major and minor
diameters of the rotor.
Animation about PCP’s
 PCP’s ADVANTAGES

• Low capital investment

• High system efficiency (typically in the 55 to 75% range)

• Low power consumption

• Pumps oils and waters with solids

• Preferred method for lifting heavy viscous, sand fluids

• No internal valves to clog or gas lock

• Quiet operation
 PCP’s ADVANTAGES

• Simple installation with minimal maintenance costs

• Portable, lightweight surface equipment

• Low surface profile for visual and height sensitive areas

• Can be run into deviated and horizontal wells.

• The production rates can be varied with the use of a
variable-speed controller with an downhole-pressure sensor.
 PCP’s DISADVANTAGES

• Limited lift capabilities (approximately 7,000 ft. maximum)

• Current elastomer temperature limits restricts their use to

about 325 °F (163 °C).

• Limited production rates, maximum of 800 m3/d [5,040 B/D].

• Chemical attack to the elastomer (aromatics and H2S)

 PCP market

– Over 60,000 units in the world

– Main markets are Canada and

Venezuela

– Fastest Growing market

Source: ABB
 Electrical Submersible PCP

To alleviate problems inherent with

the conventional rotating-rod PCP
systems (the rotating rods wear and
also wear the tubulars), the ESPCP
system is available.

Because the PCP usually rotates at

approximately 300 to 600 rev/min,
and the ESP motor rotates at
approximately 3,500 rev/min under
load, a gearbox is used to reduce
speed before the shaft connects to the
PCP.
PCP DESIGN EXAMPLE FOLLOWS .….
Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps
 Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps

Consist of a surface power fluid system, a prime mover, a surface

pump, and a downhole jet or piston pump.

Crude oil or water (power fluid) is taken from a storage tank and
fed to the surface pump.
 Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps

The power fluid is controlled by

valves at a control station and
distributed to one or more
wellheads and directed to the downhole
jet or piston hydraulic pump
 Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps

Types of installations

In a piston pump installation, power fluid

actuates the engine, which in turn drives the
Pump, and power fluid returns to the surface
with the produced oil, is separated, and
is sent to the storage tank.

A jet pump has no moving parts and employs

the Venturi principle to use fluid under
pressure to bring oil to the surface.
 HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM ADVANTAGES

Jet Lift

• No moving parts

• High volume capability

• "Free" pump

• Multiwell production from a single package

• Low pump maintenance

 HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM ADVANTAGES

Piston Lift

• "Free" or wireline retrievable

• Positive displacement-strong drawdown

• Double-acting high-volumetric efficiency

• Good depth/volume capability (+15,000 ft.)

 HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM DISADVANTAGES

• High initial capital cost

• Complex to operate

• Only economical where there are a number of well

together on a pad.

• If there is a problem with the surface system or prime

mover, all wells are off production.

Animations about Hydraulic Lift System

1:06 to 3:00 min Hydraulic Jet Pump

Gas Lift System
 Gas Lift
• Compressed gas is injected
through gas lift mandrels and
valves into the production
string.

• The injected gas lowers the

hydrostatic pressure in the
production string to
reestablish the required
pressure differential between
• A source of gas, and
the reservoir and wellbore,
compression equipment
thus causing the formation
is required for gas lift.
fluids to flow to the surface.
 Gas Lift The “Pros”
• Valves are wireline
retrievable
• Sand travels in tubing, not in
valve.
• No restriction to flow
• Wellhead small but
compressor large
• Many wells…one
compressor
• Flexible to changing
Gas is injected between casing
conditions.
and tubing, and a release valve
on a gas lift mandrel is inserted
in the tubing above the packer
 The “Cons”
• Needs High-Pressure
Gas well or Compressor.
• High initial capital
purchase cost.
• One well may be
uneconomical.
• Viscosity causes
problems.
• Can not achieve low
PRBHP
Gas Lift
• Maintenance intensive
Gas
Lift
 Methods of Gas Lift System

• Continuous gas lift

– Reservoir pressure high enough to support a relative
high fluid column
– Capable of rates of 200 to 60000 BPD

• Intermittent gas lift

– Wells producing relatively low production rates,
usually les than 200 BPD
– It is injected until the slug reaches the surface and then
the gas injection ceases
Intermittent Gas Lift System
 Designing a Gas Lift System
• Minimise wellhead back pressure

• Optimum Injection gas pressure

• Gas flow determined by well performance (inflow and outflow)

• Compressor design

• Gas dehydration

• Downhole Gas lift equipment

Minimise wellhead
back pressure, avoid:

No wellhead chokes.

Small flowlines.

Undersized gathering
manifolds.

High compressor suction

pressure.
The injection-gas pressure at
depth must > the flowing
producing pressure at the same
depth.

Less downhole equipment for

higher injection-gas pressures:
the 800-psig design reaches
only the depth of 4,817 ft and
requires seven gas lift valves.
The 1,400-psig design uses only
four gas lift valves to reach the
full depth of the well at 8,000 ft.
Optimum compression
pressure around 2000 psig.
Compressor Design

Use of ANSI Class 900 pipe

(2160 psig working
pressure)

Reciprocating compressors
are used more often than
centrifugal compressors in
gas lift operations because
of their flexibility under
changing conditions and
applicability to small
flowrates.
 Gas dehydration
• Gas is water-saturated at producing conditions

• Water vapour should be removed to avoid:

– Formation of liquids (slugs)
– Hydration formation and blocking of lines/valves, etc

• Gas dehydration:
– Absorption (Triethylene glycol, TEG): 7 lb/MMSCF
– Adsorption (desiccants solids)
 Downhole Gas lift equipment

• Consists of gas lift valves

and mandrels in which the
valves are placed. The API
Spec. 11V1 covers the
manufacture of these
devices.

• A gas lift valve is normally

removed or installed by
wireline operations without
pulling the tubing.
 Depth of the Top Gas lift Valve

• The top gas lift valve should be located at the maximum depth
that permits U-tubing the load fluid from this depth with the
available injection gas pressure.
Animations about Gas Lift
GAS LIFT DESIGN EXAMPLE FOLLOWS .….
Summary of Artificial Lift
Artificial Lift Methods - Characteristics and Areas of Application

Operating Parameters Rod Pumping PCP Hydraulic ESP Gas lift

Piston
Typical Operating Depth 100 to 11000 2000 to 4500 7500 to 10000 5000 to 10000
(TVD), ft

Maximum Operating 16000 6000 17000 15000 15000

Depth (TVD), ft

Typical Operating Flow, 5 to 1500 5 to 2200 50 - 500 100 to 30000 100 - 10000
BFPD

Maximum Operating 6000 4500 4000 40000 30000

Flow , BFPD

Typical Operating 100 - 350 º F 75 - 150 º F 100 - 250 º F 100 - 250 º F

Temperature [40-177 º C] [24-65 º C] [40-120 º C] [40-120 º C]
Maximum Operating
temperature 550 º F 250 º F 500 º F 400 º F 400 º F
[288 º C] [120 º C] [260 º C] [205 º C] [205 º C]
 Artificial Lift Methods - Characteristics and Areas of Application

Operating Parameters Rod Pumping PCP Hydraulic Piston ESP Gas lift

Corrosion handling Good to Fair Good Good Good to

Excellent excellent

Gas handling Fair to good Good Fair Fair Excellent

Solids handling Fair to good Excellent Poor Fair Good

Fluid gravity > 8 º API < 35 º API > 8 º API > 10 º API > 15 º API

Offshore applications Limited Good Good Excellent Excellent

System efficiency 45% - 60% 40% - 70% 45% - 55% 35% - 60% 10% - 30%
 Design comparison: Gas Lift Vs ESP
Data for Gas Lift
Surface injection pressure is 1800 psia

Well # S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4

Num. of valves 3 5 3 4

Setting depth (ft) 3554.8 2714.4 3223.7 3069.6

(valve pressure, psia) (1490) (1470) (1490) (1480)
6389.5 4548.1 5604.4 5140.7
(1535) (1460) (1525) (1510)

5934.8 6595.5
7678.6 (1545) 7432.2 (1625)

6928.9
- (1645) - 7525.2

- 7612.1 - -
 Design comparison: Gas Lift Vs ESP
Data for pumps

ESP depth
ft
Well-S1

5872
Comparison Well-S2

7200
Well-S3

6500
Well-S4

7750
Target Production
STBD 4200 4100 5377 4287
REDA SN 3600,
Pump type REDA GN 5200, 5.13in REDA S5200N, 5.38in 5.38in REDA SN 3600, 5.38in

No. of stages 132 97 137 137

REDA 540-90-0 STD REDA 540_90-0 STD
REDA 540-91 STD 225 Hp, 2075 V, 64 350 Hp, 2700 V, ESP_Inc 540_70
Motor type 180 Hp, 2313 V, 47.5A A 78.5A 240 Hp, 2590 V, 59A

Pump efficiency % 66 70 65 61
Motor efficiency % 85 82 85 83

Liquid rate, STBD 4415 3932 3419 3803

Oil rate, STBD 2799 2493 1911 2240

Water cut
limitations %95 - %44 %90 - %36.6 %90 - %41 %90 - %41
GOR Limitations ( 730 - 658)SCF/STB (650 - 477)SCF/STB (870 - 564)SCF/STB (700 - 373)SCF/STB
Pump wear factor
limitations 0.3 - 0.1 0.3 - 0.1 0.3 - 0.1 0.3 - 0.1
Production Comparison with Gas Lift
Total liquid production comparison
Well # S1 S2 S3 S4
Natural flow (bbl/day) 2500 1657 1147 1218
Gas Lift system (bbl/day) 3928 3262 2209 3110

Injection gas rate 1.5 2.5 1.5 2

(MMscf/day)

%of increase 57.2 96.8 92.6 155.3

Oil production comparison

Well # S1 S2 S3 S4

Natural flow (bbl/day) 1401 1052 643 718

Gas Lift system (bbl/day) 2200 2068 1303 1831.8
%of increase 57.2 96.8 92.6 155.3
 Production Comparison with ESP

Total production, bbl/d

Well-S1 Well-S2 Well-S3 Well-S4

Natural flow 2502 1660 1148 1218

ESP 4091 3932 3419 3803
Increase of production % %63.51 %136.87 %197.82 %212.23

Oil production, bbl/d

Well-S1 Well-S2 Well-S3 Well-S4

Natural flow 1401 1052 643 718

ESP 2594 2493 1911 2240

Increase of production % %85.15 %136.98 %197.20 %211.98

 Profit after 6 months
Bbl Price 100$ Well-S1 Well-S2 Well-S3 Well-S4

ESP Profit per day $119,300 $144,100 $126,800 $152,200

Revenues for 6 months $21,474,000 $25,938,000 $22,824,000 $27,396,000

Total Costs 835,000 835,000 835,000 835,000

ESP Profit $20,639,000 $25,103,000 $21,989,000 $26,561,000

Gas Lift Profit per day $79,900 $101,600 $66,000 $51,900

Revenues for 6 months $14,382,000 $18,288,000 $11,880,000 $9,342,000

Total Costs 274,250 289,250 274,250 281,750

Gas Lift Profit $14,107,750 $17,998,750 $11,605,750 $9,060,250

 Comparison

Total Cost for ESP & Gas Lift

$1,000,000.00

$800,000.00
$600,000.00 Gas Lift Cost
$

$400,000.00 ESP Cost

$200,000.00

$0.00
Well-S1 Well-S2 Well-S3 Well-S4
 Profit ESP vs. Gas Lift after 6 months

$30,000,000.00

$25,000,000.00

$20,000,000.00
ESP profit
$15,000,000.00
Gas Lift profit
$10,000,000.00

$5,000,000.00

$0.00
Well-S1 Well-S2 Well-S3 Well-S4
 References

• Petroleum Engineering Handbook, Volume IV Production

Operations Engineering Joe Dunn Clegg, Editor

• Artificial Lift R & D Council (ALRDC), http://www.alrdc.com

• Gabor Takacs, “Sucker-Rod Pumping Manual”, 2003.

• Centrilift Submersible Pump Handbook, Sixth Edition

• Gabor Takacs, “Gas Lift Manual” 2005

 References

• Basic Artificial Lift, Canadian Oilwell Systems Company Ltd.

• Oil and Gas Production Handbook, ABB 2006

• Artificial Lift Design For Oil Wells, United Arab Emirates

University

• http://www.slb.com/content/services/artificial/index.asp

• Gabor Takacs, “Electrical Submersible Pumps Manual” 2009

• “Recommended Practice for Sizing and Selection of ESP

Installations”, API RP 11S4, 2002.

• Weatherford International Ltd., 2005