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The Effect of Flow Parameters on Liquid Loading and Tubing Lift Performance
in a Gas Condensate Well
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(5)
(1)
(6a)
By definition;
(1a) (6b)
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Godpower Abaku et al. / IJRES, 7(1), 1-8, 2020
Infield units, equation (6b) can be expressed as a methodologies/options used in this study are presented
function of T, P, and Z since f(Bg) = f(T, P, Z) as follows below in Figure (2).
(7)
(8)
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Godpower Abaku et al. / IJRES, 7(1), 1-8, 2020
suggests excessive choking/high-pressure drop at the because; in mist flow, the less dominant phase is almost
wellhead, which declines the rate to 50.627MMscf/day evenly distributed in the dominant phase such that slip gas
with Turner's limit set at 31.6721MMscf/day. If this velocity, Vsg, equals the slip liquid velocity, Vsl. In the
well is continued at this condition, liquid loading Vsg and the Vsl column of Table (6), at the bottom hole
readily sets in at very early life of the well. The conditions where slug flow exits through a gas column of
corresponding VLP pressure in either situation reveals 59ft, the slip gas velocity, Vsg is far greater than the slip
that, as Turner limit extends, the required Vertical Lift liquid velocity, Vsl. T his results in the gas phase
pressure increases. slipping over the liquid phase leading to liquid drop
out or loading in the well.
B. Liquid-Gas Ratio and Tubing Vertical Lift
Performance Sensitivity IV. CONCLUSION
The phenomenon of liquid loading in producing In this study, the effect of flow parameters
gas wells cannot be thoroughly analyzed without (tubing head pressure, WGR, CGR, tubing size and flow
reference to the source of liquids in the well. The results regimes) on liquid accumulation was analyzed. From the
in Figures (4) and (5) below show that the condensate- study, it can be inferred that high pressure at the wellhead
gas ratio and the water-gas ratio of the in-situ leads to a greater tendency of a liquid holdup. This is
fluid characteristically determine the extent of Turner's because as first node pressure increases, the minimum
limit. The results show that the more liquid in the gas unloading velocity/Turner's limits also increases. The
stream, the higher the minimum unloading velocity and implication is that if a well is excessively choked up,
consequently, the more likely the tendency of liquid there is a greater tendency of liquid load up as production
load up. Figure (6) precisely reveals that condensate declines to Turner's flow rate criterion. The sensitivity
rich gas wells will most likely experience liquid-load analysis of WGR and CGR shows that the more liquids
up. From the ongoing analysis, excessively choking this are in the gas stream, the higher the tendency of liquid
kind of well is an easy way of bringing it to the end of load up.
life. Contrary to empirical relationships, the study
also shows that the effect of tubing size on liquid load-up
C. Tubing Size - Tubing Vertical Lift Performance in a gas well is not often felt even though this relationship
Sensitivity Analysis holds for most oil wells. The sensitivity analysis ranges
From empirical relationships, flow through tubing from 2.5 in to 7.5in, and there is no remarkable effect on
can be significantly affected by the tubing diameter the tubing VLP (or TPC). Hence, for the optimal
regardless of the nature of flowing fluid. In real field operating condition, the tubing size has little or no effect
situations, this relationship holds for most oil wells. on the gas well liquid load up. Finally, the study also
However, since gas-well tubing sizes are remarkably analyses and tracts the flow regime along the well profile
larger, the effect of tubing size is not often felt. The to determine the predominant flow regime. To ensure that
result of Figure (7) below validates this industrial liquid droplets are continuously and simultaneously
practice. As shown in the Figure, the sensitivity results transported to the surface in a gas well, mist flow regime
of tubing diameter range from 2.5 in to 7.5 in; there was should be maintained at the wellbore region. The findings
no remarkable effect on the tubing VLP (or TPC). in this work are limited to the analyzed operating
Hence, for the optimal operating condition, tubing size scenarios.
has little or no effect on a gas well liquid load up.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
D. Effect of Flow Regime on Liquid Load up in gas We wish to express our profound gratitude to
wells God Almighty. We also wish to acknowledge, Eng.
The presence of liquid droplets in a gas stream KK.Dune for his supervision and the entire team of
causes a multiphase flow in the well. To ensure the Petromario Consults Group, RSUST, who provided the
liquid droplets are continuously and simultaneously simulation tool (IPM SUIT-PROSPERTM) used in this
transported to the surface, there must be even or near analysis.
even distribution of the dispersed liquid phase in the gas
medium. This can be achieved if the bubbly or mist flow REFERENCES
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Fig 4: First Node Pressure VLP (or TPC) Sensitivity Fig 7: Tubing Size - Tubing Vertical Lift Performance
Sensitivity Analysis
Fig 5: Water- Gas Ratio VLP (or TPC) Sensitivity Fig 8: Effect of Gas Slip on Well Profile Flow Regime
Fig 6: Condensate- Gas Ratio VLP (or TPC) Fig 9: Effect of Gas-Liquid Slip-on Turner's Critical
Sensitivity (Minimum Unloading) Rate
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Godpower Abaku et al. / IJRES, 7(1), 1-8, 2020