Gas Lift

Gas Lift Definition:

It is the injection of gas through the annulus until it enters through the valve
inside the well and mixes with the oil and dissolves with it and reduces the
density of the oil and at the same time with the flow of the gas and its flow
towards the top as well as reduces the hydrostatic pressure so the gas bubbles
expand and after the expansion their size increases so a larger amount of oil
rushes upward

Why use gas lift?

Because of the cost, in most cases gas lift will be the most cost effective form
of artificial lift and there are several reasons for this :

-Operating costs are low for the entire system because natural gas is used as
compressor fuel.

-It does not require additional downhole equipment for maintenance and
installation as opposed to other artificial lift systems.

-With few moving parts, repairs are quick and economical.

-When there is a change in the flow conditions, producers can inexpensively

remove and replace the gas lift valve without a workover rig.
Gas lift types :
1. continuous gas lift
In continuous-flow gas lift, the formation gas is supplemented with additional
high-pressure gas from an outside source. Gas is injected continuously into the
production conduit at a maximum depth that depends upon the injection-gas
pressure and well depth. The injection gas mixes with the produced well fluid
and decreases the density and, subsequently, the flowing pressure gradient of
the mixture from the point of gas injection to the surface. The decreased flowing
pressure gradient reduces the flowing bottomhole pressure below the static
bottomhole pressure thereby creating a pressure differential that allows the fluid
to flow into the wellbore.
Advantages and Disadvantages of this type :
1-Advantages

• Gas lift is the best artificial lift method for handling sand or solid materials.
Many wells produce some sand even if sand control is installed. The
produced sand causes few mechanical problem in the gas-lift system;
whereas, only a little sand plays havoc with other pumping methods, except
the progressive cavity pump (PCP).

• Deviated or crooked holes can be lifted easily with gas lift. This is especially
important for offshore platform wells that are usually drilled directionally.
• Gas lift permits the concurrent use of wireline equipment, and such downhole
equipment is easily and economically serviced. This feature allows for
routine repairs through the tubing.

• The normal gas-lift design leaves the tubing fully open. This permits the use
of BHP surveys, sand sounding and bailing, production logging, cutting,
paraffin, etc.

• High-formation GORs are very helpful for gas-lift systems but hinder other
artificial lift systems. Produced gas means less injection gas is required;
whereas, in all other pumping methods, pumped gas reduces volumetric
pumping efficiency drastically.

• Gas lift is flexible. A wide range of volumes and lift depths can be achieved
with essentially the same well equipment. In some cases, switching to annular
flow also can be easily accomplished to handle exceedingly high volumes.

• A central gas-lift system easily can be used to service many wells or operate
an entire field. Centralization usually lowers total capital cost and permits
easier well control and testing.

• A gas-lift system is not obtrusive; it has a low profile. The surface well
equipment is the same as for flowing wells except for injection-gas metering.
The low profile is usually an advantage in urban environments.

• Well subsurface equipment is relatively inexpensive. Repair and maintenance

expenses of subsurface equipment normally are low. The equipment is easily
 pulled and repaired or replaced. Also, major well workovers occur
infrequently.

• Installation of gas lift is compatible with subsurface safety valves and other
surface equipment. The use of a surface-controlled subsurface safety valve
with a 1/4-in. control line allows easy shut in of the well.

• Gas lift can still perform fairly well even when only poor data are available
when the design is made. This is fortunate because the spacing design usually
must be made before the well is completed and tested.

2-Disadvantages

• Relatively high backpressure may seriously restrict production in continuous

gas lift. This problem becomes more significant with increasing depths and
declining static BHPs. Thus, a 10,000-ft well with a static BHP of 1,000 psi
and a PI of 1.0 bpd/psi would be difficult to lift with the standard continuous-
flow gas-lift system. However, there are special schemes available for such
wells.

• Gas lift is relatively inefficient, often resulting in large capital investments

and high energy-operating costs. Compressors are relatively expensive and
often require long delivery times. The compressor takes up space and weight
when used on offshore platforms. Also, the cost of the distribution systems
onshore may be significant. Increased gas use also may increase the size of
necessary flowline and separators.
• Adequate gas supply is needed throughout life of project. If the field runs out
of gas, or if gas becomes too expensive, it may be necessary to switch to
another artificial lift method. In addition, there must be enough gas for easy
startups.

• Operation and maintenance of compressors can be expensive. Skilled

operators and good compressor mechanics are required for reliable operation.
Compressor downtime should be minimal (< 3%).

• There is increased difficulty when lifting low gravity (less than 15°API)
crude because of greater friction, gas fingering, and liquid fallback. The
cooling effect of gas expansion may further aggravate this problem. Also, the
cooling effect will compound any paraffin problem.

• Good data are required to make a good design. If not available, operations
may have to continue with an inefficient design that does not produce the
well to capacity.

Potential gas-lift operational problems that must be resolved include:

• Freezing and hydrate problems in injection gas lines

• Corrosive injection gas

• Severe paraffin problems

• Fluctuating suction and discharge pressures

• Wireline problems
Other problems that must be resolved are:

• Changing well conditions

• Especially declines in BHP and productivity index (PI)

• Deep high-volume lift

• Valve interference (multipointing)

Additionally, dual gas lift is difficult to operate and frequently results in poor
lift efficiency. Emulsions forming in the tubing, which may be accelerated when
gas enters opposing the tubing flow, also must be resolved.

2. Intermittent gas lift :

Intermittent flow is the periodic displacement of liquid from the tubing by the
injection of high-pressure gas. The action is similar to that observed when a
bullet is fired from a gun. The liquid slug that has accumulated in the tubing
represents the bullet. When the trigger is pulled (gas lift valve opens), high-
pressure injection gas enters the chamber (tubing) and rapidly expands. This
action forces the liquid slug from the tubing in the same way that expanding gas
forces the bullet from the gun .The disadvantage of intermittent-flow gas lift is
the need for high-pressure gas, which presents a gas-handling problem at the
surface and causes surging in the flowing bottomhole pressure that cannot be
tolerated in many wells producing sand. Because of the intermittent production
of the well, intermittent-flow gas lift is not capable of producing at as high a
rate as continuous-flow gas lift. Intermittent flow should not be considered
unless the flowing bottomhole pressure is low, and the well is gas lifting from
the bottom valve.

Advantages and Disadvantages of this type :

1-Advantages

• Intermittent gas lift typically has a significantly lower producing BHP than
continuous gas-lift methods.

• It has the ability to handle low volumes of fluid with relatively low
production BHPs.
2-Disadvantages

• Intermittent gas lift is limited to low volume wells. For example, an 8,000-
ft well with 2-in. nominal tubing can seldom be produced at rates of more
than 200 B/D with an average producing pressure much below 250 psig.

• The average producing pressure of a conventional intermittent lift system is

still relatively high when compared with rod pumping; however, the
producing BHP can be reduced by use of chambers. Chambers are
particularly suited to high PI, low BHP wells.

• The power efficiency is low. Typically, more gas is used per barrel of
produced fluid than with constant flow gas lift. Also, the fallback of a
fraction of liquid slugs being lifted by gas flow increases with depth and
water cut, making the lift system even more inefficient. However, liquid
fallback can be reduced by the use of plungers, where applicable.

• Fluctuations in rate and BHP can be detrimental to wells with sand control.
The produced sand may plug the tubing or standing valve. Also, pressure
fluctuations in surface facilities cause gas- and fluid-handling problems.

• Intermittent gas lift typically requires frequent adjustments. The lease

operator must alter the injection rate and time period routinely to increase
the production and keep the lift gas requirement relatively low.
A Mechanism Of Gas Lift :

Unloading sequence

1. After a well is completed or worked over, the fluid level in the casing and
tubing is usually at or near the surface.

2. Casing and Tubing are in hydraulic communication because the gas lift
valve are in open position

3. The gas lift pressure available to unload the well is generally not sufficient
to unload fluid to the desired depth for gas injection.
This is because the pressure caused by the static column of fluid in the well at
the desired depth of injection is greater than the available gas pressure at the
depth of injection.

4. In this case a series of unloading gas lift valves are installed in the well for
the purpose.

5. These valves are designed to use the available gas injection pressure
(depending on gas compression system characteristics) to unload the well until
the desired depth of injection is achieved.
Some cases in which gas lift is used:

The gas lift process is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to improve
the production of oil wells. It involves injecting gas into the wellbore to
lighten the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column and enhance the flow of
oil to the surface. Here are some applications and conditions in which gas lift
is employed:

1. Deep Wells: Gas lift is often used in deep oil wells where the reservoir
pressure is insufficient to lift the oil to the surface naturally. By injecting gas
at specific depths, the overall density of the fluid column is reduced, allowing
the reservoir pressure to push the oil to the surface.

2. High Viscosity Oil: When dealing with high viscosity oil, the natural flow
to the surface can be challenging. Gas lift helps by reducing the effective
viscosity of the fluid, making it easier to produce.

3. Wells with Low Pressure: In cases where the reservoir pressure has depleted
over time, gas lift can be employed to restore or maintain the flow rate. By
injecting gas into the well, the pressure is increased, aiding in oil production.

4. Wells with Liquid Loading: Liquid loading occurs when the produced fluid
contains a significant amount of liquid, which can hinder the flow of gas. Gas
lift can be used to mitigate this issue by injecting gas to lift the liquids,
preventing them from accumulating and impeding the flow.

5. Wells with Paraffin or Scale Deposition: Paraffin and scale deposits can
accumulate in the production tubing, reducing the flow area and restricting oil
production. Gas lift can help by introducing gas bubbles that can agitate and
remove these deposits, ensuring a more efficient flow.

6. Unstable Flow Conditions: Gas lift can stabilize the flow in wells that
experience slug flow or intermittent production. By injecting gas, the flow can
be smoothed out, preventing slugging and improving the overall production
rate.

Limitations of gas lift:

The primary limitation for gas lift operations is the lack of formation gas or an
injection-gas source. Wide well spacing and lack of space for compressors on
offshore platforms may also limit the application of gas lift. Poor compressor
maintenance can increase compressor downtime and add to the cost of gas lift
gas, especially with small field units. Compressors are expensive and must be
properly maintained. Generally, gas lift is not as suitable as some other systems
for single-well installations and widely spaced wells. The use of wet gas without
dehydration reduces the reliability of gas lift operations
 Gas Injection

Gas Injection Definition:

A reservoir maintenance or secondary recovery method that uses injected gas

to supplement the pressure in an oil reservoir or field.

Gas injection is also used for pressure maintenance of the reservoir and
displacing the oil from injection towards production wells.

The gas used for injection is typically hydrocarbon based, but carbon
dioxide(CO2) and nitrogen (or nitrogen-rich flue gas) can also be used.

Gas injection involves injecting gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen
(N2), or natural gas into underground reservoirs primarily for the purpose of
enhancing oil recovery or managing reservoir pressure

The injected gas helps to maintain or increase reservoir pressure, displaces oil
towards production wells, and can also dissolve in the oil, reducing its viscosity
and making it easier to flow.

Gas injection is commonly used in mature oil fields where primary and
secondary recovery methods have been exhausted, and additional methods are
needed to recover remaining oil.
Gas Injection Types:

Gas injection into a gas-cap

Define a process of maintaining the reservoir pressure while forcing gas into
the oil zone and driving the oil towards the production wells. This process is
analogous to the rise of the oil water contact when water is injected into an
underlying aquifer.

Gas injection into an oil zone

When gas injection takes a place in a reservoir wihout a gas-cap the injected
gas flows radially from the injection wells, driving the oil towards the
production wells

Applications :

Gas injection is utilized for various purposes in the oil and gas industry,
primarily aimed at enhancing oil recovery and managing reservoir pressure.
Some of the key uses of gas injection include:

1.Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Gas injection is employed as a tertiary

recovery method to enhance the production of oil from reservoirs where
primary (natural reservoir pressure) and secondary (water flooding) recovery
methods have been exhausted. Injected gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2),
nitrogen (N2), or natural gas help displace the remaining oil towards production
wells by maintaining reservoir pressure and reducing oil viscosity.

2.Reservoir Pressure Maintenance: In mature oil fields, where natural

reservoir pressure has declined due to production, gas injection is used to
maintain reservoir pressure. This helps to sustain or increase oil production
rates over an extended period by preventing reservoir collapse and facilitating
the flow of oil to the surface.

3.Gas Cycling: Gas injection can be employed in cyclic processes where gas is
alternately injected into and produced from the reservoir. This cyclic process
can help improve sweep efficiency, reduce residual oil saturation, and increase
overall oil recovery from the reservoir.

4.Miscible and Immiscible Flooding: Gas injection can be conducted in both

miscible and immiscible modes. In miscible flooding, the injected gas mixes
with the oil in the reservoir, reducing its viscosity and improving displacement
efficiency. In immiscible flooding, the injected gas acts as a displacing agent,
pushing the oil towards production wells.

5.Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): In addition to enhancing oil recovery,

carbon dioxide (CO2) injection is also used for carbon capture and storage
purposes. CO2 captured from industrial sources or natural reservoirs is injected
into depleted oil reservoirs, where it can be permanently stored underground,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.

Overall, gas injection plays a crucial role in maximizing oil recovery from
mature reservoirs, extending the productive life of oil fields, and contributing
to efficient reservoir management practices
Mechanisms of Gas Injection:

The mechanism of gas injection involves several processes that work together
to enhance oil recovery and manage reservoir pressure. Here's a simplified
overview of the mechanism:

1.Pressure Maintenance: Gas injection helps maintain reservoir pressure,

which may have declined due to natural depletion or previous production
activities. By injecting gas into the reservoir, the pressure is increased, which
provides the driving force necessary to push oil towards production wells. This
maintains reservoir integrity and prevents reservoir collapse.

2.Oil Displacement: The injected gas, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen
(N2), or natural gas, acts as a displacing agent within the reservoir. When the
injected gas contacts the oil in the reservoir, it reduces the oil's viscosity and
improves its mobility. This makes it easier for the oil to flow through the porous
rock formations towards production wells.

3.Gas Solubility and Swelling: Depending on the type of gas injected and the
characteristics of the reservoir fluids, the injected gas may dissolve in the oil.
This process reduces the oil's viscosity, making it less resistant to flow.
Additionally, some gases, like CO2, can cause the oil to swell, further
improving displacement efficiency.

4.Miscibility: In some cases, the injected gas mixes with the reservoir oil,
forming a homogeneous mixture. This is known as miscible flooding. Miscible
displacement enhances oil recovery by efficiently displacing oil from the pore
spaces in the reservoir rock and sweeping it towards production wells.

5.Immiscible Displacement: In immiscible flooding, the injected gas does not

mix with the reservoir oil but instead displaces it through physical
displacement. This process relies on the mobility contrast between the injected
gas and the reservoir oil to push the oil towards production wells.

Overall, the mechanism of gas injection involves increasing reservoir pressure,

improving oil mobility, displacing oil from pore spaces, and ultimately
enhancing oil recovery from the reservoir. The specific mechanisms at play can
vary depending on factors such as reservoir characteristics, fluid properties, and
injection strategy.

gas injection advantages & disadvantages:

Advantages and Disadvantages by using CO2 as a Solvent in

Miscible Floods

CO2 is regarded to be affine solvent for miscible CO2 floods. But still there
are both advantages and disadvantages to take into consideration when
considering an EOR project.
Advantages

The largest difference compared to other gases is that CO2 can extract heavier
components up to C30. The solubility of CO2 in hydrocarbon oil causes the oil
to swell . CO2 expands oil to a greater extent than methane does. The swelling
depends on the amount of methane in the oil. Because the CO2 does not displace
all of the methane when it contacts a reservoir fluid, the more methane there is
in the oil, the less is the swelling of oil.

CO2 has the following characteristics in a flood process :

• It promotes swelling

• It decreases oil viscosity

• It increases oil density

• It is soluble in water

• It can vaporize and extract portions of the oil

• It achieves miscibility at pressures of only 100 to 300 bars

• It reduces water density

• It reduces the difference between oil and water density, and then reduce the
change for gravity segregation

• It reduces the surface tension of oil and water, and result in a more effective
displacement
Disadvantages

One of the main problems in achieving profitable CO2 flooding has been the
high mobility of the CO2 . The relative low density and viscosity of CO2
compared to reservoir oil are responsible for gravity tonguing and viscous
fingering. The effect of CO2 is more severe than those problem are in a water
flood. In order to avoid those negative effects, several attempts have been done
to improve the sweep efficiency.

Those can be :

• Installation of well packers and perforating techniques

• Shutting in production wells to regulate flow

• Alternating CO2 and Water injection (WAG) Addition of foaming solutions

together with CO2
 Quick compression between both
Gas lift and gas injection are two different techniques used in the oil and gas
industry to enhance production from reservoirs. Here are the key differences
between gas lift and gas injection:

1. Purpose:
- Gas Lift: Gas lift is primarily used to lift fluid (oil or water) from the
wellbore to the surface. It is employed when the reservoir pressure is not
sufficient to naturally lift the fluid.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection is used to improve reservoir sweep efficiency
and increase the amount of recoverable oil or gas. The injected gas displaces
the hydrocarbons towards the production wells.

2. Injection Point:
- Gas Lift: In gas lift, the gas is injected into the production tubing, typically
at the bottom of the well, to reduce the density of the fluid column and enable
its ascent to the surface.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection involves injecting gas (such as natural gas or
nitrogen) into the reservoir through dedicated injection wells. The injected gas
mixes with the reservoir fluids, pushing them towards production wells.

3. Gas Selection:
- Gas Lift: The gas used in gas lift operations is usually produced along with
the oil and separated at the surface. It is often a mixture of hydrocarbon gases,
including methane, ethane, and propane.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection methods involve injecting gases that are not
typically produced with the reservoir fluids. Commonly used gases include
natural gas, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, depending on the reservoir
characteristics.

4. Objective:
- Gas Lift: Gas lift aims to reduce the hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore,
allowing the reservoir fluids to flow to the surface. The primary goal is to
maintain or increase the production rate.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection is employed to improve oil or gas recovery by
enhancing the displacement of hydrocarbons in the reservoir. It helps maintain
reservoir pressure and sweep the reservoir to recover a higher fraction of the
original hydrocarbon volume.

5. Reservoir Conditions:
- Gas Lift: Gas lift is typically utilized in situations where the reservoir
pressure has declined significantly, making it difficult to lift fluids to the
surface.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection techniques are applied in reservoirs with
sufficient pressure but poor sweep efficiency, where additional pressure
support and improved displacement are required.
6. Operational Complexity:
- Gas Lift: Gas lift is relatively simpler to implement compared to gas
injection. It requires surface facilities for gas separation and compression,
along with downhole valves for gas injection.
- Gas Injection: Gas injection is more complex as it involves the construction
and operation of injection wells, surface gas compression facilities, and
monitoring systems to ensure proper gas distribution and reservoir
performance.

Both gas lift and gas injection are valuable techniques used to optimize
production and improve recovery from oil and gas reservoirs. The choice
between the two depends on the specific reservoir characteristics, production
objectives, and economic considerations.