SAMPLE #8 INTRODUCTION One of the major factors affecting wellhead pressure isthe length and diameter ofthe flow line to the separator. An increase in flow line diameter from 2° to 3° can significantly reduce the wellhead pressure and increase production efficiency. This particularly is true when production GLA is high WELL DATA English Metric Tubing Size N/A NVA Producing Rate 600 BPD 100 M8 Percent Water NWA NA Water Specific Gravity N/A NA as Specific Gravity NA NA Oil Gravity NA NA Average Flowing Temperature WA WA Depth of Perforations NA NA Depth of Injection NWA NA Flowing Wellhead Pressure (Ph) NA N/A Static Botom hole Pressure (Pohs} N/A NWA Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (Pbht 2160 psig 14,993 KPa Injection Gas Operating Pressure WA N/A Formation GLA 100 sef / bbl 2om8 M3 Production GL. 1200 set / bbl 200 M8 / M8 Injection Rate N/A N/A Productivity Index N/A N/A Separator Pressure sO psig 500 KPa PROBLEM Find the wellhead pressure when the flow line is 4000 feet [1500 meters] long and 2 inch (52.5 mm diameter. Find the pressure when the flow line is 4000 feet [1500 meters] and 3° in [78 mm] diameter. SOLUTION 520f 33 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SOLUTION Step 1 Obtain gas lift graph paper and mark depth of well line Step 2 Mark the flowing bottom hole pressure (Pbhf) on the depth line. Step 3 Locate appropriate working curves. Step 4 Keeping the vertical axis lined up, move the paper up unt the Pont intersects the curve for 1001 [20:1) GLA {formation GL}, Step 5 Trace the curve to the vertical axis, ‘Step 6 Mark the wellhead pressure of 60 psig [500 kPa] Step 7 Calculate produced GLA: English: Metri PGLR = FGLR + IGLA PGLR = FGLA+ IGLR 400 = 100+ 300 70 = 20450 Note: roduced GLR FGLR = Formation GLR IGLA = Injection GLR Step 8 Move the graph paper down until the mark at wellhead pressure intersects the 400 scf / bbl (70 M3 / M3] GLR cue. Step 9 Trace the curve down until it intersects the 100 scf / bbl [20 M3 / M3} curve. Step 10 Read the point of gas injection on the vertical axis where the curves intersect = 4860 ft.1580 meters Step 11 Mark the second wellhead pressure 150 psig [1000 kPal on your design sheet. ‘Step 12 Move graph paper down until a GLR curve is located connecting the wellhead pressure @ the surface and the production pressure atthe operating valve (Point of injection) found in step 10. 800 sof / bbl {100 M3 / M3) ‘Step 13 To find total injection gas required, apply the following formula: Engli Metrie: 50 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999Pwht _~ STEP 2 P@l PRESSURE ——> STEP 10 STEP 14 Pbhf Depth Graphical Solution to Sample Problem #6 48 of 33 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999‘SAMPLE #6 INTRODUCTION Once a gas lift system has been designed and installed, flowing pressure gradients can be applied to determine an approximate Pl ofa well. In order to abtain the P, a flowing bottom hole pressure (Poh) may be obtained graphically. WELL DATA English Metric Tubing Size Nominal 2-1/2 62mm 1 inch LO. Producing Rate ‘800 BPD 1258 Percent Water 100% 100% Water Specitic Gravity 1.08 1.08 Gas Specific Gravity 085 065 Oil Gravity NA NA ‘Average Flowing Temperature aoe. e0eC Depth of Perforation 600 1800 mrs Depth of injection WA WA Flowing Wellhead Pressuce (Pw) 200 p89 1500 KPa Static Bottom hole Pressure (Pbhs) 2400 psig 18500 kPa Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (Pbht N/A A Injoction Gas Operating Pressure NA N/A Formation GLR N/A NA Production GLA NA NA Injection Rate 240. MCFD 5625 M3/D Produetivity Index NA NA Total Gas Production 320 MCFD 7500 M3/0 PROBLEM ‘When valves have been set at 1400, 2400, 3100, 3600, and 4000 feet (426, 731, 945, 1097, and 1219 meters), find the approximate Pl of a well. The operating valve is at 3100 feet, 945 meters. 46 0f 53, Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999‘SOLUTION ‘Step 1 Obtain gas lift graph paper and mark the depth of the perforations. Step 2 Draw a horizontal line at 8000 feet [2400 mtrs] and at 6000 feet [1800 mtrs} Step 3 Mark the flowing wellhead pressure at 100 psig [1000 KPa onthe upper horizontal ais, the production Pressure of 795 psig [5800 kPa on the 6000 foot [1800 mtrs] line and 1390 psig [10750 kPa] on the 8000 foot (2400 mts. fine, Step 4 Turn tothe appropriate working curves, place the graph paper over them and chart shift unt the appropiate SLR curve (5001) [8:1] ines up with the 8000 feet [2400 mars] production pressure and the flowing wellhead pressure Step 5 Chart shift until the appropriate GLR curve (1000:1)[200:1 is found between the 6000 feet {1800 mts) injection pressure and the flowing wellhead pressure. Step 6 Chart shift until the appropriate GLR curve (200:1) [20:1] is found connecting the 6000 feet [1800 mts) Dressure and 8000 feet [2400 mtrs] pressure Step 7 To determine the gas volume required from single point injection, apply the following equation: English Metic: Volume = BPD x GLR Volume = M3/dy x GLR = 2000 x 500 GLR = 1000 MCFD = 350 x 80 = 28,000 M3/dy Step 8 To determine the total gas volume required from multipoint gas injection, apply the following equation: English: Metric: Volume = BPD x GLR at 6000 f. Volume = M3/dy x GLR at 1800 mtrs = 2000 x 1000 = 350 x 200 1000 MCED (since the GLR from = 70,000 M3/dy 8000 to 6000 ft. is 200:1, 400 MCFD of this gas was injected at 8000 fi) ANSWER: 44 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999STEP 12 PRESSURE ——> STEP 14 STEP 10 STEP 2 STEP 4 2 Pont Depth Graphical Solution to Sample Problem #4 ANSWERS: English; Matric: 1. Expected flowing bottom hole pressure Pht} 2000 psig 13800 kPa 2. Injection pressure at depth 950 psig 6500 kPa 3. Optimum point of gas injection 5000 feat 1480 meters 4, Optimum producing GLR 500:1 sef/bbl 110. M8 m3 5. Optimum injection rate 240 MCFD 000 M3 /D 42 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SOLUTION ‘Step 1 Obtain gas lift graph paper. Step 2 Draw depth of perforations at 8000 feet. [2400 meters] Step 3 Calculate the expected flowing bottom hole pressure (Pohf) by applying the following formula: English: Metric: - Q a Par Pag 2 fy =P 2 00 100 = 000 22 Fag = 20945-10- fy 550 1.6 + 0.014 Fy = 2000p ay =138004P« Step 4 Mark the Pbhf on the depth line at 2000 psig. (13,800 kPa] Step § Plot operating gas pressure to depth by lining 800 psig [5500 kPa] on top horizontal axis and 800 (5500 kPa} psig on bottom horizontal axis. (Caleulate the pressure at depth if necessary.) Step 6 Read injection pressure at depth on upper horizontal axis directly above the point where operating pressure line intersects the depth line = 950 psig [6500 kPa] Step 7 Check the answer obtained in Step 6 by applying the rule of thumb: English: Metric: Saeerae ee a Pas, L L=P@S+23x POS, P@L=P@S+15.65x POS, L PO EGS 8 Tg an 680 “305 800, 8000 : 5500, 2400 9 = 800+ 2.3 800, 800 Pe@L= $500 +15,65> 5300, 2400 ee 100 10¢ eS 680 305 P@L=94T psig P@L=6496kPa ‘Step 8 Plot pressure drop line paralle! to and 75 psi [500 kPa] less than the line plotted in Step 5. Step 9 Locate the appropriate flowing pressure gradient and find the given formation GLR curve, Step 10 Trace the formation GLA curve from Pohf to the pressure drop line. Step 11 lead the optimum point of gas injection on vertical axis = 5000 ft. [1480 meters) Step 12- Mark flowing wellhead pressure (100 psig) {1000 kPa] on upper horizontal axis. 40 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999PRESSURE —~ Graphical solution to Sample Problem #3 ANSWER English: Metric: Optimum Point of Gas Optimum Point of Gas Injection = 5,000 ft. Injection = 1480 mtrs 38 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SAMPLE #3 INTRODUCTION One of the most important applications of the flowing pressure gradients is the determination of the theoretical Cotimum point of gas injection. It should be pointed out that the optimum point of injection continues to change ‘throughout the life of the well. This is true because the data used to locate this point, such as GLR, reservoir pressure and percent water da not remain constant, WELL DATA, English Metric Tubing Size Nominal 2-12" 1. 62mm Producing Rate 600 BPD too m3 Percent Water 50% 50% ‘Water Specific Gravity 108 1.08 Gas Specific Gravity 085 065 Gi Gravity 35 AP 0.85 ‘Average Flowing Temperature def. B0eC Depth of Prforations s000 ft 2400 mirs Depth of Injection A N/A Flowing Wellhead Pressure (Ph) NWA N/A State Bottom hole Pressure (Pohs} NA WA Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (Pbhf 2000 psig 13800 KPa Injection Gas Operating Pressure 800 psig 5500 KPa Formation GLA 100:1 sef/bbl 20:1 M33 Production GLR N/A N/A Injection Rate NA N/A Produetivity Index OB bbIAy/psi 0.014 M3jay/KPa PROBLEM Find the optimum point (depth) of gas injection ifthe pressure drop across the operating valve is 75 psig. (500 kPa) SOLUTION 36 of 33 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SOLUTION Step 1 Set up the following tabular headings: Actual Depth Chart Depth Pressure Step 2 Place a zero forthe first actual depth. Step 3 Enter the given depths below zero in order. Stop 4 Enter given flowing wellhead pressure opposite zero depth Step 5 Find wellhead pressure on horizontal axis ofthe gradient curve and drop down ta given GLR. ‘Step 6 Read depth on vertical axis and enter as the first equivalent chart depth, Step 7 Add the depth obtained in Step 6 to each ofthe remaining actual depths and enter in the equivalent depth column Step 8 Find each equivalent chart depth on vertical axis and move across to given GR ‘Step 9 Read the pressure on horizontal axis and record in the pressure column, oO Pressure (psig) ee, ee Pressure (psig) Woo : fe, a Xp z & — Gradient curves Actual transverse Illustration of Gradient Curve Shift 34 0f 33, Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999PROBLEM Find the equivalent chart depth and pressures forthe following actual depths using the chart shifting method: 0 1000 ft., 2000 ft, 3000 ft, and 4000 ft. [0, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 meters} SOLUTION Step 1. Obtain a sheet of gas lft graph paper. Step 2. Mark the wellhead pressure (100 psig) [1000 kPal on the upper horizontal axis, Step 3. Locate the appropriate set of flowing pressure gradients. Step 4. Place the graph paper aver the flowing pressure gradients so that both horizontal and vertical axis lie directly over the axis of the working curves. Step 5, Shift the paper down until the mark representing the wellhead pressure intersects the flowing pressure gradient for the given GLR of 400-1, Step 6. Find the equivalent chart depth for each actual depth on the working curve scale, Remember the first reading is equivalent to zero depth. ‘Step 7. Read the pressure on the upper horizontal axis directly above the point ‘where the flowing gradient intersects with a line drawn from each depth, ANSWERS English: ACTUAL DEPTH on 1000 ft 1000 ft 2000 ft 2000 ft 000 ft 3000 ft 0d ft 4000 ft sooo ft Gas Lift Design And Technology CHART DEPTH PRESSURE 100 psig 25 sig 345 psig 500 psig 680 psig ACTUAL DEPTH Omtrs 00 mts 500 mtrs, 800 mars 1200 mrs 32 0f 33 Metric: CHART DEPTH PRESSURE 400 murs 1000 KPa 700 mitrs 1800 Pa 1000 mis 2650 KPa 1300 mis 3650 KPa 1600 mers 4950 kPa © Schlumberger 1999Bes com Ue Gas Lift Peformance Curve » a ~h— ae | Oper Rte (STG) ' a gsc at MEE Figure 2-10 30 0f 33 Gas Lif Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999oF Gas Liquid Ratio affect either or both the IPR and the TPC, and hence alters the wells production rate, _ Sstematically varying the different system parameters allows one to compare the incremental effects on Broducton. In Figures 2-9 a &b the gas lift njction rate has been systematically increased and the resulting effect on production can be used to produce a well performance curve for use in optimizing gas injection rates see Figure 2- 10. 28 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999modified using the Beggs and Brill corrections (see below). Friction is calculated by the method proposed by Kleyweg. This uses a monophasic fiction factor rather than two-phase, but involves use of an average fluid velocity. This is claimed by Kleyweg to be a better method. * Beggs and Brill again follows the methodology outined by Brown. Ths coreation is unique in that itis based (an a flow regime map for horizontal flow, trom which a regime i fist determined as ifthe flow were horizontal ‘horizontal holdup i then calculated by coreatons. Last, this holdup is corrected for the actual angle of deviation. Beggs and Bris corelation models up- and downflow. It is therefore recommended for all pipeli vertical wells. Friction calculations in Beggs and Brill use an internally defined two-phase smooth pipe friction @ applications. However, since it was not derived for vertical flow, it must be used with caution in factor. This may be expected to under-estimate friction in rough pipes. * Beggs and Brill (no-stip) uses the same methodology as the standard Begos and Bri, withthe exception that ‘he holdup used is not the horizontal holdup described above, but simply the noslip holdup, without deviation correction, * Beggs and Brill (modified) also uses the same methodology as the standard Beggs and Brill, with the following changes. There is no extra flow regime of froth flow, which (asin Duns and Ros (modified) assumes a no-slip holdup. This is triggered by highly turbulent flow. The friction factor is changed fom the smooth pipe ‘model to the method used in Duns and Ros (modified) - a single-phase friction factor using pipe roughness and average fluid velacity. ‘Hagedorn and Brown again is as por Brown, with the modifications to Hagedorn and Brown's orignal work as ‘ecommended by them. These are: the use ofthe Griffith and Wallis correlation for bubble flow (using a simplified flow regime map to detect bubble flow}; and the use of no-slip holdup if it gives greater density than Hagedorn and Brown's correlation, There is no change to holdup with deviation. A two-phase fiction factor using pipe roughness is used * Hagedorn and Brown (modified) involves the adjustment of the standard Hagedorn and Brown holdup for deviation using the Beggs and Brill correction. When Griffith and Wallis’ holdup correlation is invoked {in bubble flow), itis also corrected. Otherwise, this is the same as the standard Hagedorn and Brown correlation. * Fancher and Brown is a no-slip correlation’, with no flow regime map. It has its own friction factor model, whichis independent of pipe roughness. This correlation cannot be recommended for general use. According to 26 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999The calculation of pressure lass inflow lines requires @ horizontal multiphase flowing pressure (gradient. One such Sratient is based on a paper by Eaton et al, in which data was obtained for horizontal low over several conditions including different pipe diameters and lengths. ‘When vertical flowing pressure gradients are compared with horizontal flowing pressure gradients one obvious and ‘important difference can be observed. As the Gas to Liquid Ratio (GLR) increases on the vertical gradient, the Pressure drop decreases, but with increased GLR in the horizontal gradient the pressure drop increases. This can Create problems for the gas lft designer. Ifthe GLR produced by the injected gas necessary to lift the fluids reaches high enough values, the increased pressure drop in the flow line may actually cause loss in production. Only through @ complete understanding of multiohase flow through vertical and horizontal conduits, can a gas lift system be designed to operate efficiently. Some of the cortelation’s most widely accepted in the industry are ‘Duns and Ros (1963) © Hagedom and Brown (1967) © Orkiszewski (1967) © Ait, Govier and Fagarasi (1972) © Beggs and Brill (1973) These correlations are available in most computer software used for predicting outflow performance. Modifications have been made to some of these correlations in an attempt to improve their predictions. These correlation's predict different pressure drops for the same application. Any one of these correlation's or modifications may be successful for a given field, Validation with actual field data in the form of flowing surveys is the only reliable method for choosing a pressure loss prediction method. In the North Sea the Hagedorn and Brown modified correlation generally gives the best fit to measured data, Calculation Background Information (reproduced courtesy of Edinburgh Petroleum Services Ltd.) This section serves as a brief technical reference for the engineering calculations in WellFlo™. Where modification ‘work has been carried out in-house, itis explained briefly here. Pressure Drop Corre Thete are a number of pressure drop correlations in WellFlo™. Six are basically taken from standard theory, four have been modified in various ways (variants of the Duns and Ros, Beggs and Bill and Hagedom and Brown 24 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999ANNULAR, VERTICAL ANNULAR, HORIZONTAL Figure 2.8 Multiphase Flow Patterns Since the pressure drop is caused by a complex interaction of many factors, one of the major problems in analyzing flowing wells and designing gas lift installations has been the prediction of flowing pressure at depth, It is also important to understand the pressure drop in the horizontal flow line in order to determine the back pressure at the wellhead, This problem has been the subject of numerous studies, 22 of 33 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE The outflow performance describes the relationship between the surface flowrate and pressure drop in the tubing The prediction of this relationship is complicated by the multi-phase nature of the fluids. Analysis of the outflow Berformance therefore requires the prediction of phase behavior, flowing temperatures, effective fluid density and frictional pressure losses. The results of the outflow performance are usually presented graphically. The most common plot depicts how the flowing bottom hole pressure (Pbhf), varies with flowrate for a fixed back pressure (usually the wellhead or separator pressure}. The resulting curves are termed tubing performance curves (TPC) or lift Curves. Any point on the curve gives the pressure required at bottom hole conditions, Pw, to achieve the given surface flowrate against a specified back pressure, VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL MULTIPHASE FLOW ‘The pressure of fluids in the tubing and flow line is subject to changes in pressure. Since the fluids are a mixture and because of the large number of factors involved, calculating the fluid pressure at a given point isa very difficult task The proper design of gas lift installation requires this information so solutions to this problem are necessary. Mathematical solutions have been developed which allow the designer to arrive ata specific pressure gradient curve for the well. The available well data is fed into a computer which constructs the curve. Since all data is not known, the curve is approximate but can be used for most design work Without computer curves, existing published curves can be matched with well data. These “working* curves are applied to the solution of numerous problems. The data obtained from these curves are accurate estimates when they are read with great care, As fluids flow from the reservoir to the wellbore and eventually to the surface through the production system, there is @ continual pressure drop. This pressure drop is not constant throughout the system and is caused by many factors. The fluid moving through the system actually may consist of three different fluids (gas, water and oil) flowing at three different velocities. This movement of free gases and liquids at the same time is called multiphase flow. Multiphase flow can be divided into four categories depending on the direction of movement. As can be seen in Figure 2.7, most production systems include: vertical multiphase flaw, horizontal multiphase flow, inclined multiphase flow, and directional multiphase flow. For the purposes of aur discussion, we will consider only vertical ‘and horizontal flow, The gases and liquids may exist as a homogeneous mixture or the liquid may be in slugs with the gas pushing behind it, The liquid and gas may also flow parallel to each other or other combinations of flow patterns may be present. Figure 2.8 illustrates some common vertical and horizontal multiphase flow pattems, Each of these flow patterns will 20 of 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SELF CHECK (S.I. units) 1, Calculate PI for a well with the following data given: A Average reservoir pressure (Pbhs) = 12400 kPa B. Bubble point pressure = 12400 kPa C. Flowing bottom hole pressure (Poh) = 9600 kPa D. Production rate (Q) = 32m3 32m*D T2400KPa—9600kFa ~ 0143 2. Caleulate production using Pl for a flowing bottom hole pressure of 6200 kPa Production = PI x (Pbhs - Pbhf) 0.01143 x (12400 kPa - 6200 kPa) 0.01143 x 6200= 71 m3D. 3. Calculate "Maximum Q" for use with IPR curves from given data. Step A Calculate ratio of flowing bottom hole pressure to static bottom hole pressure: 9600KPa _ 12400kPa 0.77 Step B Locate 0.78 on Figure 2.3 and determine the ratio of actual Q to maximum Q = 0.366 Step C Calculate maximum ( using the formula: 2 38M" 3) Maximum@ =—@.__ 88.234) (Q)/Qnox) Oe 4, Calculate production using IPR for a flowing bottom hole pressure of 900 psig. 6205 Kpa Step A Calculate the ratio of flowing bottom hole pressure to static bottom hole pressure S00psig _ 9.5 6205Kpa _ 9 1800 psig. 12410Kpa 5: 2, "7 Step B Find — = on Figure 2.3 = 0.70 (Qs! Qos) Step C Calculate production by multiplying ratio times production at maximum 18 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999SELF CHECK (Oil Calculate Pl for a well with the following data given: ‘A. Average reservoir pressure (Polis) = 1800 psig B. Bubble point pressure = 1800 psig C. Flowing bottom hole pressure (Pt) = 1400 psig . Production rate (Q) = 200 BPD 2008PD 800psig 1400 psig Calculate production using P! for a flowing bottom hole pressure of 900 psig. Production = PL x (Pbhs - Pbhf) = 0.5 x (1800 psig - 900 psig) = 5 x 900 psig = 450 BPD Calculate “Maximum Q* for use with IPR curves from given data. Step A Calculate ratio of flowing bottom hole pressure to static bottom hole pressure: 1400psig 1800 psig Step B. Locate 0.78 on Figure 2.3 and determine the ratio of actual Q to maximum Q = 0.36 Step C Calculate maximum Q using the formula 200BPD 2 . (Q,/ Qon) v6 S580 MaximumQ Calculate production using IPR for a flowing bottom hole pressure of 900 psig, Step A Calculate the ratio of flowing bottom hole pressure to static bottom hole pressure 900 psig aE 205 1800 psig Q, StepB Find ——=— on Figure 2.3 = 0.70 (Dy! Qos) Step C Calculate production by multiplying ratio times production maximum 16 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999‘SELF CHECK 1, Calculate PI for a well with the following data given: A. Average reservoir pressure (Pbhs) = 1800 psig 12400 KPa 8. Bubble point pressure = 1800 psig 12400 KPa C. Flowing bottom hole pressure (Pbhf] = 1400 psig 9600 kPa . Production rate (Q} = 2008PD 323 2. Calculate production using PI {found in question #1) for a flowing bottom hole pressure of 900 psig. 6200 KPa 3. Calculate “Maximum Q" for use with IPR curves from data given in question #1 140f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999PART 2 Determine Potential Production (02) At The Given Pbht (500 psi) [3447 Kpa] English: 500 900: Stop 7. Using dimensionless inflow performance relationship curve fr solution gas drive reservoir ater Vogel Enter the y axis t 0.5 proceed tothe right unt the IP curves met, proceed down from te intercept of 0.55 - axis) andthe IPR curve tothe x- axis Step 8. Using figure 2.3, read value from x- ais, 0.65. Step 9. Os = Qu. X65 816 0.65 = 530 131% 0.65=85 Although the problem above was solved using the reference curve, an IPA for a specific well can be plotted when Several points are known. For the purpose of this discussion, the general reference curve can be used for your calculations, In summary, both P| and IPR can be used to determine @ well’s production. The producing rate will differ depending (on the method used. This is particularly true as the amount of draw-down is increased as can be seen in Figure 26. {tis evident that IPR data more accurately reflects a well's inflow performance, The production, therefore, can be ‘more accurately determined. Figure 2.6 Comparison of Pl with IPR 12 0f53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999Ha plotted all IPRs as dimensionless. This means that ratios are Used so that there are no units for either variable. The pressure for each point on an IPR curve is divided by the maximum or shut-in pressure for that particular curve, and the corresponding production Tate is divided by the maximum (100% draw-down) producing rate Figure 2.5 Typical Inflow for the same curve. This produced curves that were remarkably Performance Curves similar throughout most ofthe producing life ofthe reservoir. ‘Vogel's work resulted in this construction of a reference curve (Figure 2.3) which is all that is needed from his paper to construct an IPR curve from one flowing test on a wel. This curve should be regarded as a general solution of solution gas drive reservoir flow equations in which flowing pressures are below the bubble point. The constants used for particular solutions depend upon the individual reservoir conditions. itis more accurate for wells during their early stages of depletion than for later stages. Some variation from the reference curve has been noted. For example, the more viscous crudes and reservoirs above ‘the bubble point show significant deviation, however, curvature was still apparent. ‘The reference curve is very simple to use. All that is needed is one flow test of flowing bottom hole pressure (Pbhf} vs. rate (Q) and the static bottom hole pressure (Pbhis). The procedure used to determine the potential production at a liven pressure is outlined below: PART: Determine Potential Maximum Production (Qmax} When Poh = 0 Step 1. Obtain the following data from a well test A. Flowing bottom hole pressure [Poh - (psig -Kpa) B, Production at that pressure (Q}) -(BPD} - (M3) C. Static bottom hole pressure (Pbhs} - (psig| -(Kpa) Step 2. Calculate the ratio of the flowing bottom hole pressure from test data to the static bottom hole pressure (Pohf/Pbhs). Step 3. Locate the ratio on the vertical axis of reference curve. Step 4. Find point on the reference curve Step 5. Locate the ratio of production at that bottom hole pressure to the production at 0 pressure (04 / Omax), 10 of 53 Gas Lifl Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999A clear insight into the factors affecting Pl can be understood by considering three reservoir characteristics: the Bhysical nature of the reserve itself, the nature of the reservoir fluids, and the nature of the reservoir drive ‘mechanism, Most reservoirs are composed of several beds often separated by impermeable layers of rock. These beds are Usually of different thickness and permeabiliy’s, They may or may not be continuous throughout a given reservoir It 'S apparent, therefore, that the productivity of a single wells @ summation of the productivity or capacity of the individual beds. it is known that the capacity of a reservoir containing a series of interconnected beds undor Umstabilied conditions may be over four times greater than the same reservoir when pressure stabilization is reached. Ths is obviously significant and should be given foremost consideration when designing an installation for an extended period, Ifthe reservoir pressure is below the bubble point or saturation pressure, the PJ, as determined fram well test, is @ very unreliable yardstick for estimation of the reservoir capacity for the particular well Since all three fluid phases exist: gas, oil, and water, the achievement ofthe steady state or stabilized concition is then impossible. The effect of this condition on the PI can sometimes be neglected; however, ifthe pressure draw-down is small compared to the absolute pressure ofthe reservoir. When it is realized that 50 to 90 percent of the total pressure draw-down may be in the immediate vicinity ofthe well bore (100 feet or so), then the heterogeneous character ofthe fluids flowing can be more easily visualized 'tis a commonly established principle of reservoir fluid flow that, as the saturation of a given fluid increases, it will flow more readily. Therefore, as a given unit volume of liquid phase and gas phase in the reservoir flow toward the well bore, the absolute pressure on the unit volume decreases more and more with a corresponding increase in the Proportion of gas phase to the liquid phase, This, in tum, means that the reservoir begins to “deliver” the gas phase ‘more readily than the liquid phase. The net result in terms of the Pl of the well is that for a given pressure draw- {down a reasonable amount of oil may be produced with a moderate GOR, However, ifthe pressure drop is doubled over what it was before, one cannot expect to get twice the amount of stock tank oil as before. This is stating in effect that the Pl of a well is nota straight line function and that it will often vary with producing Fates. This is a very common problem in gas lft design. Many operators do not appreciate this fundamental principle of reservoir behavior. The reservoir drive mechanism influences the Pl reliability to a very great extent. As used here, the term drive mechanism is used to differentiate between reservoirs whose mative power is primarily a displacement type as ‘opposed to depletion type. Displacement type refers to strong active water drive or gas cap drive, and depletion type refers to a closed reservoir oF one in which the motive power in the reservoir is primarily from the gas in solution in the oil. The latter is ‘commonly termed a volumetric reservoir. It should be apparent that reservoirs with the displacement type drive will 8 of 3 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999100— __| 20— psig 250 AP i 300: 350— 400— 450— 500: 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700-800 900 1000 Q in BPD Figure 2.4 Example of a Productivity Index (Pl) Curve ‘When given the Pl of a well and the pressure draw-down (Pohs - Poh, production can be determined by multiplying the Pl by the pressure change. A sample problem in which potential producing rate is determined by using PI is illustrated next. WELL DATA: English: Productivity Index (I) = 1.5 BPD/psig Static bottom hole pressure (Polis) = 900 psig Flowing bottom hole pressure (Poh) = 600 psig Metric: Productivity Index (PI) = 0.0375 M3/Kpa Static bottomhole pressure (Pbhs) = 6000 Kpa Flowing bottomhole pressure (Pohf) = 4000 Kpa 6 0f 53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999Water Drive When the formation containing an oil reservoir is uniformly porous and is continuous aver large area compared to the sizeof the al reservoir itself, vast quantities of salt water exist in surounding pars ofthe same formation, "he water often isin direct contact with the oil and gas reservoir. These vast quantities of water provide a great Stare of energy which can aid the production of oil and gas. FIGURE 2-3 illustrates the mechanism called “Water Drive’. The energy supplied by the salt water comes from the expansion of water as pressure in the petroleum reservoir is reduced by production of oil and gas. Water is generally considered incompressible, but will actually compress and expand about one part in 2500 per 100 psi change in pressure. When the enormous quantities of water present are considered, this expansion results in a significant amount of energy which can aid the drive of Petroleum to the surface. The water also moves and displaces oil and gas in an upward direction out of the lower parts of the reservoir. FIGURE 2-3 - Water Drive The "Water Drive’ is the most efficient of the primary drive mechanisms, capable of yielding up to 50% of the Original oil in place. This process is often supplemented by the injection of high pressure treated salt water into the reservoir to maintain the pressure and ‘sweep’ the oil toward the well bore. In practice, most reservoirs subscribe to ‘a combination of two or more of the above mentioned primary drive mechanisms. 40f53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 19992, Well Inflow & Outflow Performance (ia LECTIVE To understand inflow and outflow performance and relevance to gas lit desig, INTRODUCTION Accurate prediction of the production rate of fluids from the reservoir into the wellbore is essential for efficient artificial lift installation design. In order to design a gas litt installation, i is often necessary to determine the wells Producing rate. The accuracy of this determination can affect the efficiency of the design ‘large number of factors affect the performance ofa well. An understanding ofthese factors allows the designer to appreciate the need to obtain all available data before his design work begins. RESERVOIR DRIVE MECHANISMS Introdui Fetroloum reservoirs have been classified to the type of drive mechanism which influences the flow of the trapped fluids. During the process of petroleum formation and accumulation, energy was stored which enables the flow of Gil and gas from the reservoir to the wellhead. The energy is stored under high pressure that drives or displaces the oil through pores of the reservoir rock into the wellbore. There are three basic types of drive mechanisms, Dissolved Gas Drive FIGURE 2-1 illustrates a dissolved gas dri Oil has gas dissolved in it. As the gas escapes from the oil, the ‘bubbles expand and this explanation produces a force on the oil which drives it through the reservoir toward the well and assists in lifting it to the surface. It is generally considered the least effective type of drive yielding only 15% to 25% of the oil orginally contained in the reservoir. 20f53 Gas Lift Design And Technology © Schlumberger 1999