ARTIFICIAL LIFT TECHNOLOGY

Oil Field Production Phases

The production of crude oil in oil

reservoirs can include up to three distinct
phases: primary, secondary, and tertiary
recovery.

During primary recovery, the natural

pressure of the reservoir, combined with
pumping equipment, brings oil to the
surface. Primary recovery is the easiest
and cheapest way to extract oil from the
ground. But this method of production
typically produces only about 10 percent
of a reservoir's original oil in place
reserve.
 Oil Field Production Phases

In the secondary recovery phase, water or gas is

injected to displace oil, making it much easier to
drive it to a production well bore.
This technique generally results in the recovery
of 20 to 40 percent of the original oil in place.
 Oil Field Production Phases

When companies talk about enhanced

oil recovery, they're really referring to
the tertiary recovery phase. Tertiary
recovery involves injecting other gases,
such as carbon dioxide, to stimulate the
flow of the oil and to produce remaining
fluids that were not extracted during
primary or secondary recovery phases.
 Oil Field Production Phases

These methods are not used routinely because

they are expensive. When the price of oil
increases, there is greater incentive to use them
and thus increase, to some degree, the proven
reserves of oil.

The amount of oil that is recoverable is

determined by a number of factors including the
permeability of the rocks, the strength of natural
drives (the gas present, pressure from adjacent
water or gravity), and the viscosity of the oil.
Producing The Well

Because oil, gas and water in underground are

under a lot of pressure at first, these fluids flow
up a wellbore all by themselves, much like a soft
drink that has been shaken up. When oil and
gas are produced this way, it is called primary
recovery.

Artificial lift is installed in wells that:

i) Do not have sufficient reservoir pressure to
raise fluids to surface
ii) Need to supplement the natural reservoir
drive in boosting fluids out of the wellbore.
 MODES OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT

Reciprocating Rod Lift Systems

Progressing Cavity Pumping Systems

Hydraulic Lift Systems

Gas Lift Systems

Plunger Lift Systems

Electric Submersible Pumping Systems

 Selection Parameters
Well Completion & profile

Geographical & Environmental conditions

Reservoir characteristics

Reservoir pressure & Well productivity

Characteristics of fluids

Surface Constraints

Services available

Economic considerations

Operating ease
Gas Lift
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS
Hydraulic Beam pump
PC Pumps Pumps

ESP’s
Artificial-lift in Assam Asset
 Reciprocating Rod Lift Systems

Pumping Units

Motors & Controls

Continuous & Threaded

Sucker Rods

Rod Pumps &Accessories

Pumping Unit Services

 Reciprocating Rod Lift
System Advantages
High System Efficiency

Sucker Rod
Optimization Controls Available
Tubing Anchor/
Catcher Economical to Repair and Service

Positive Displacement/Strong
Sucker Rod
Pump
Assembly Drawdown

Upgraded Materials Reduce

Corrosion Concerns

Flexibility - Adjust Production

Through Stroke Length and Speed

High Salvage Value for Surface &

Downhole Equipment
 Reciprocating Rod Lift
System Limitations
Sucker Rod Potential for Tubing and Rod Wear
Tubing Anchor/
Catcher
Gas-Oil Ratios
Sucker Rod
Pump
Most Systems Limited to Ability of
Assembly
Rods to Handle Loads
( Volume Decreases As Depth Increases)

Environmental and Aesthetic

Concerns
Rod Lift System Application Considerations
Typical Range Maximum*
Operating
Depth 100 - 11,000’ TVD 16,000’ TVD
Operating
Volume 5 - 1500 BPD 5000 BPD
Operating
Temperature 100° - 350° F 550° F
Sucker Rod
Wellbore 0 - 20° Landed 0 - 90° Landed
Tubing Anchor/
Deviation Pump Pump -
Catcher
<15°/100’
Build Angle
Sucker Rod Corrosion Handling Good to Excellent
Pump
Assembly
w/ Upgraded Materials
Gas Handling Fair to Good
Solids Handling Fair to Good
Fluid Gravity >8° API
Servicing Work over or Pulling Rig
Prime Mover Type Gas or Electric
*Special Offshore Application Limited
Analysis
Required System Efficiency 45%-60%
Progressing Cavity Pumping Systems

Wellhead Surface Drives

Continuous & Threaded Sucker Rods

Subsurface PC Pumps & Accessories

 Progressing Cavity
Vertical
Pumping System
Electric Wellhead
Drive
Advantages
Low Capital Cost

Casing
Low Surface Profile for Visual & Height
Sensitive Areas

Production Tubing
High System Efficiency

Sucker Rod
Simple Installation, Quiet Operation
Pumps Oils and Waters with Solids
Sucker Rod Coupling

Tubing Collar
Low Power Consumption
Stator Portable Surface Equipment
Rotor

Low Maintenance Costs

Use In Horizontal/Directional Wells
Tubing Collar

Tag Bar Sub

 Progressing Cavity Pumping
Vertical
System Limitations
Electric Wellhead
Drive

Limited Depth Capability

Casing
Temperature

Sensitivity to Produced Fluids

Production Tubing
Low Volumetric Efficiencies in
Sucker Rod
High-Gas Environments
Sucker Rod Coupling Potential for Tubing and Rod
Tubing Collar

Stator
Coupling Wear
Rotor
Requires Constant Fluid Level above

Pump
Tubing Collar

Tag Bar Sub

Progressing Cavity System Application
Considerations Typical Range Maximum*
Operating
Depth 2,000 --4,500’ TVD 6,000’ TVD
Operating
Vertical
Electric Wellhead Volume 5 - 2,200 BPD 4,500 BPD
Drive Operating
Temperature 75 -150° F 250° F
Wellbore N/A 0 - 90° Landed
Casing Deviation Pump -
<15°/100’
Build Angle
Production Tubing Corrosion Handling Fair

Sucker Rod Gas Handling Good

Solids Handling Excellent
Sucker Rod Coupling
Fluid Gravity <35° API
Tubing Collar
Servicing Workover or Pulling Rig
Stator
Rotor
Prime Mover Type Gas or Electric
*Special Offshore Application Good (ES/PCP)
Analysis
Required System Efficiency 40%-70%
Tubing Collar

Tag Bar Sub

 Gas Lift Systems

Gas Lift Valves

Mandrels

Latches

Kick over Tools

Surface Controls

Coiled-Tubing

Gas Lift Equipment

Pack-Off Equipment
 Gas Lift
Injection
Gas In Produced
System Advantages
Hydrocarbons
Out

High Degree of Flexibility and Design Rates

Side Pocket Wireline Retrievable

Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve Handles Sandy Conditions Well
Side Pocket
Mandrel with Allows For Full Bore Tubing Drift
Gas Lift Valve
Surface Wellhead Equipment Requires Minimal Space

Side Pocket Multi-Well Production From Single Compressor

Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve Multiple or Slim hole Completion

Completion
Fluid
Single Production
Packer
 Gas Lift
Injection
Gas In Produced System Limitations
Hydrocarbons
Out

Needs High-Pressure Gas Well or Compressor

Side Pocket
Mandrel with One Well Leases May Be Uneconomical
Gas Lift Valve
Fluid Viscosity
Side Pocket
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve Bottom hole Pressure

High Back-Pressure
Side Pocket
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve

Completion
Fluid
Single Production
Packer
Gas Lift System Application Considerations
Typical Range Maximum*
Operating
Depth 5,000 -10,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD
Injection
Operating
Gas In
Produced Volume 100 - 10,000 BPD 30,000 BPD
Hydrocarbons
Out Operating
Temperature 100 - 250° F 400° F
Wellbore 0- 50° 70°
Side Pocket Deviation Short to
Mandrel with Medium
Gas Lift Valve Radius
Side Pocket Corrosion Handling Good to Excellent with
Mandrel with Upgraded Materials
Gas Lift Valve
Gas Handling Excellent
Side Pocket Solids Handling Good
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve
Fluid Gravity Best in >15° API
Servicing Wireline or Work over Rig
Completion
Prime Mover Type Compressor
Single Fluid
Production *Special Offshore Application Excellent
Packer Analysis
Required System Efficiency 10% - 30%
 Plunger Lift Systems

Lubricators

Plungers

Bumper Springs

Controllers

Accessories
 Lubricator
Plunger Lift
Solar Panel
Catcher

Orifice Control
System Advantages
Controller
Valves
Motor Valve

Requires No Outside Energy Source -

Uses Well’s Energy to Lift
Dual “T” Pad Dewatering Gas Wells
Plunger

Rig Not Required for Installation

Easy Maintenance
Keeps Well Cleaned of Paraffin Deposits
Bumper
Spring
Low Cost Artificial Lift Method
Handles Gassy Wells
Good in Deviated Wells
Can Produce Well to Depletion
 Lubricator
Catcher Plunger Lift
Solar Panel
Controller Orifice Control
Valves
System Limitations
Motor Valve

Dual “T” Pad

Plunger
Specific GLR’s to Drive System

Low Volume Potential (200 BPD)

Solids
Bumper
Spring

Requires Surveillance to Optimize

 Plunger Lift System Application
Considerations
Typical Range Maximum*
Lubricator
Operating
Catcher Depth 8,000’ TVD 19,000’ TVD
Solar Panel
Orifice Control Operating
Controller Volume 1-5 BPD 200 BPD
Valves

Motor Valve Operating

Temperature 120° F 500° F
Wellbore N/A 80°
Dual “T” Pad Deviation
Plunger

Corrosion Handling Excellent

Gas Handling Excellent
Solids Handling Poor to Fair
Bumper
Spring
GLR Required 300 SCF/BBL/1000’ Depth
Servicing Wellhead Catcher or Wireline
Prime Mover Type Well’s Natural Energy

*Special
Offshore Application N/A at this time
Analysis
Required System Efficiency N/A
 Hydraulic Lift Systems

Surface Hydraulic Equipment

Jet Pumps
 Hydraulic Jet Lift System
Surface Power
Fluid Package
Advantages

No Moving Parts
Production
Casing
High Volume Capability

“Free” Pump
High Pressure
Packer Nose
Power Fluid
Deviated Wells
Bottom Hole
Assembly
Multi-Well Production from
Piston or Jet
Single Surface Package
“Free Pump”
Low Pump Maintenance

Standing Valve
 Hydraulic Jet Lift System
Surface Power
Fluid Package Limitations

Production
Casing Producing Rate Relative to Bottomhole Pressure

Some Require Specific Bottomhole Assemblies

High Pressure
Packer Nose
Power Fluid Lower Horsepower Efficiency
Bottom Hole
Assembly High-Pressure Surface Line Requirements

Piston or Jet
“Free Pump”

Standing Valve
Hydraulic Jet Lift Application Considerations
Typical Range Maximum*
Operating
Surface Power
Depth 5,000 - 10,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD
Fluid Package Operating
Volume 300 - 1,000 BPD >15,000 BPD
Operating
Production
Casing
Temperature 100° - 250° F 500° F
Wellbore 0 - 20° 0 - 90° Pump
Deviation Hole Angle Placement -
Packer Nose
High Pressure <24°/100’
Power Fluid
Build Angle
Bottom Hole
Assembly
Corrosion Handling Excellent
Gas Handling Good
Piston or Jet
“Free Pump”
Solids Handling Good
Fluid Gravity >8° API
Servicing Hydraulic or Wireline
Standing Valve
Prime Mover Type Multi-Cylinder or Electric
*Special Offshore Application Excellent
Analysis
Required System Efficiency 10%-30%
 Electric Submersible
Pumping Systems
Wellhead Equipment

Power Cables

Pumps & Motors

Variable Speed Drives

Gas Separators
 Electric Submersible
Motor Control

Vent Box
Pumping System
Produced
Advantages
Hydrocarbons Out

Production
High Volume and Depth Capability
Tubing

High Efficiency Over 1,000 BPD

Pump
Low Maintenance
Flat Cable
Extension
Minor Surface Equipment Needs
Seal Section
Good in Deviated Wells

Adaptable in Casings > 4-1/2”

Use for Well Testing

Motor
 Electric Submersible
Motor Control

Vent Box
Pumping System
Produced
Limitations
Hydrocarbons Out

Production
Tubing Available Electric Power

Pump
Limited Adaptability to Major Changes in

Reservoir
Flat Cable
Extension
Difficult to Repair In the Field
Seal Section

Free Gas and/or Abrasives

High Viscosity

Motor Higher Pulling Costs

 Electric Submersible Systems Application
Considerations
Typical Range Maximum*
Motor Control
Operating
Vent Box Depth 1,000’ - 10,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD
Produced Operating
Hydrocarbons Out Volume 200 - 20,000 BPD 30,000 BPD
Operating
Production
Temperature 100° - 275° F 400° F
Tubing
Wellbore 10° 0 - 90° Pump
Pump Deviation Placement -
<10° Build
Angle
Flat Cable
Extension Corrosion Handling Good
Seal Section Gas Handling Poor to Fair
Solids Handling Poor to Fair
Fluid Gravity >10° API
Servicing Workover or Pulling Rig
Motor
*Special
Prime Mover Type Electric Motor
Analysis
Required Offshore Application Excellent
System Efficiency 35%-60%
 Wellsite Optimization Equipment
Remote Communication

Packages

Data Gathering Systems

 Lift System Selection – How to
Approach
Do more than —
merely offer every type of major lift system.

Provide —
smart solutions for enhanced production.

This means—
systematic evaluations to ensure the final
solution is one that provides the
highest return on your investment.
 Artificial Lift Selection
1. Project Scope

2. Elimination Process

3. Systems Analysis

4. Final Selection

5. Follow-Up Analysis
1. Project Scope

General Field Requirements

Data Collection

Data Confirmation
1. Project Scope

Data Collection/Confirmation

Well Information

Production & Fluid Information

Desired Production Rate

System Details
 Selection Process
2. Elimination Process

Easy Eliminations

More Detailed Reviews

Applicable Systems
 2. Elimination Process

Rod Lift Progressing Gas Lift Plunger Hydraulic Hydraulic Electric

Cavity Lift Piston Jet Submersible
Operating 100’ - 2,000’ - 5,000’ - 8,000’ - 7,500’ - 5,000’ - 1,000’-
Depth 16,000’ TVD 6,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD 19,000’ TVD 17,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD
Operating
5 - 5000 5 - 4,500 200 - 30,000 50 - 4,000 300 - >15,000 200 - 30,000
Volume (Typical) 1 - 5 BPD
BPD BPD BPD BPD BPD BPD
Operating
Temperature 100° - 100° - 120° - 100° - 100° - 100° -
75°-250° F
550° F 400° F 500º F 500° F 500° F 400° F
Corrosion
Handling Good to Good to
Fair Excellent Good Excellent Good
Excellent Excellent
Gas
Handling Fair to Poor to
Good Excellent Excellent Fair Good
Solids Good Fair
Handling
Fair to Poor to Poor
Fluid Excellent Good Poor Good
Good Fair to Fair
Gravity GLR Required -
>8° API <35° API >15° API 300 SCF/BBL/ >8° API >8° API >10° API
Servicing
1000’ Depth

Work over or Work over Wireline or Wellhead Hydraulic or Hydraulic or Workover or

Prime Mover Catcher or Wireline
Pulling Rig or Work over Wireline Wireline Pulling Rig
Pulling Rig Rig
Offshore Gas or Gas or Wells’ Natural Multicylinder Multicylinder Electric
Compressor
Application Electric Electric Energy or Electric or Electric Motor
Overall System
Limited Good Excellent N/A Good Excellent Excellent
Efficiency

45% - 60% 40% - 70% 10% - 30% N/A 45% - 55% 10% - 30% 35% - 60%
2. Elimination Process

Performance Comparison
Characteristic SRP PCP ESP Gas Lift Jet
Rates Poor Fair Good Excellent Good
Gas Production Fair Poor Poor Excellent Good
Viscous Fluids Good Excellent Fair Fair Excellent
Emulsions Good Excellent Fair Fair Excellent
Solid Handling Fair Fair Poor Excellent Excellent
Wax Mitigation Fair Fair Fair Good Excellent
Corrosion Good Good Fair Good Excellent
Reliability Excellent Good Varies Excellent Good
Efficiency Good Good Fair Poor Poor
Capital Costs Moderate Low Moderate Moderate Moderate
Operating Costs Low Low High Low Moderate
2. Elimination Process

SPE 59026
 2. Elimination Process

35,000

Barrels per Day 30,000

ESP Gas Lift

25,000
High
Volume 20,000

Hydraulic
Jet Pumps, 15,000
Hydraulic
Electric Jet Pump
Submersible 10,000
Pumping
and Gas Lift 5,000
4,000

6,000

8,000

9,000

10,000
3,000

5,000

7,000

11,000

14,000

15,000

16,000
12,000
1,000

2,000

13,000
Lift Depth
 2. Elimination Process

4,500

Lower Barrels per Day

4,000
Volume
3,500
Reciprocating
3,000
Hydraulic
Pumps, 2,500
PC Pumps,
Rod Pumps & 2,000
Recip. Hydraulic
Plunger Lift 1,500
Recip. Rod Pump
1,000
PC Pumps
500
Plunger Lift

14,000

16,000
11,000
7,000

10,000
2,000

3,000

15,000
13,000
1,000

12,000
5,000

9,000
6,000
4,000

8,000

Lift Depth
 Selection Process
3. Systems Analysis

Type Lift Programs

Reciprocating Rod Lift Rod Star, NABLA,
API Rod, Tamer
PCP C-Fer

Gas Lift PROSPER, PIPESIM,GLIDE

Hydraulic Jet 4.1, Super H &

Pump Eval
ESP SubPUMP,PROPSER
 Selection Process
4. Final Selection

Proposal for Viable Forms of Lift

Economic Evaluation Model

- Capital Expenditure

- Operating Expenses

- Comprehensive Analysis

What Equipment is Available?

4. Final Selection

CAPEX / OPEX SUMMARY*

Rod Gas Plunger Hydr. Hydr.

Cost Category PCP ESP
Lift Lift Lift Piston Jet

“CAPEX”
Installation Cost
Energy Cost Per
Month

Failure Frequency
Equipment Repair
$/Failure
Well Service Cost
$/Failure

“OPEX” Annual
Total $
5. Follow-Up Analysis

Did System Meet Expectations?

Continuous Process of Evaluation

and Follow-Up on Failure Rates,

Confirm Costs, etc.