SPE-186362-MS

Extending Life of Liquid Loaded Gas Wells Using Velocity String

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Application: Case Study & Candidate Selection

Satria Andrianata, Keken Rante Allo, Ade Lukman, and Ari Taufiq Kramadibrata, VICO Indonesia

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, 17-19 October 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
Depletion of the reservoir leads to a decrease in production rate and continuously drops below its minimum
critical velocity. At this point, the liquid which flows vertically upward with gas begins to fall back into the
wellbore. Liquids accumulation in the tubing creates additional pressure drop and gives more flow restriction
to surface. Smaller diameter tubing string (so-called, velocity string) installation is a simple yet successful
methods applied in Semberah field to overcome liquid accumulation in wellbore of low production critical
gas wells. This paper discussed case studies and screening improvement of velocity strings installation in
the observed field. The project delivered an improvement of candidate screening and design to achieve the
continuously flow after installation. Case studies were introduced in this paper as example of success and
non-success application. Screening improvement was delivered based on post-mortem analysis. Selection
candidate included identification of liquid loading symptom by well behavior, critical rate analysis on each
wellbore section, and flow regime analysis. Pressure and temperature bottom-hole survey, either at static or
flowing condition had to be provided and matched with velocity string model. Evaluation of new critical
rate each wellbore section and new flow regime after installation must be calculated. This applied method
was proven to extend production life and increase gas cumulative production in observed field. Better
understanding of comprehensive well screening is an important factor to enhance success ratio of velocity
string installation project. The improved screening based on field experiences can be used as a reference
of velocity string selection candidate and design in other liquid loaded gas field. This paper also discussed
further opportunities of un-success cases, which apply a tandem de-liquefaction technology: velocity string
and wellhead compressor or gas lifted injection for gas well.
Keywords: velocity string, liquid loaded gas well, deliquification

Introduction
As mature field, Semberah experiences depleted reservoir pressure and declined gas production rates.
Production rates drop below critical rate causes liquid droplet unable to lift to surface and accumulated in
wellbore. Liquid accumulation or liquid loading in wellbore leads decreasing production over time, and
eventually can stop producing completely.
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Installing a smaller diameter coiled tubing string inside the production tubing is one method applied in
Semberah to restore liquid loaded wells back to flow. The simple idea of coiled tubing velocity string is to
reduce cross-sectional flow area and increase velocity at certain wellbore section. The higher gas velocity
provides more transport energy. Gas velocity is expected to rise above minimum critical velocity and able to
lift up liquid droplet in wellbore. Oudeman (2007) stated that selection of the proper coiled tubing velocity
string size is critical step prior installation. When the flow conduit size is too small, production is restricted

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due to higher pressure loss. In contrary, when the string is too large, production rates is still below minimum
critical rates and may only have shorter production life.
Velocity string installation is relatively low expenses and easy to install, compared to tubing replacement
work-over job. However, this simple application deliver low success ratio based on other company's
experiences (Hutlas, 1972). Hence, Martinez (1998) improved the guideline to model velocity string for gas
wells. Availability and quality of bottom-hole data, fluid-property adjustment, and correlation choice was
important step to model accurate velocity string in wellbore.
Total 5 (five) velocity strings installed in Semberah, with 60% ratio of success. The post-review of project
resulted in improvement for candidate selection and design which were not captured in previous work, to
deliver expected well performance after installation. It is realized that well selection and velocity string
design is the most important part to have a success velocity string installation project.

Life Cycle of Gas Well

Gas wells which potentially produced liquid usually have a multiphase flow regime. This flow regime
changes by time and depends on gas rate. Figure 1 showed life cycle of gas well from initial production
until died. In several cases, it was able to be reactivated in intermittent or cyclic mode.

Figure 1—Life cycle of gas well (After G.E. King, 2005)

At initial condition, a high gas rate leads to annular mist flow regime. In this condition, gas phase is
continuous and pipe wall coated with liquid film. By the time, depletion of the reservoir leads gas rate
decreases and changes flow regime from mist flow to transition and slug flow. This unstable condition
results an erratic rate production and a sharp decline rate. As gas rate decreases, flow regime changes to
bubble flow, which fluids accumulate in wellbore, increase flowing pressure and kill the well.
Coleman et al (1991) explained that the primary source of liquid loading was condensed water in most
cases. The presence of condensed water vapor must be included in nodal analysis to predict performance
of well. A liquid loading in a low pressure gas well generally occurred at a depth of one half to one third
of total wellbore depth (Moltz, 1992).
Lea (2008) identified several symptoms that indicate a liquid loaded gas wells, including: presence of
orifice pressure spikes, erratic production, increase in decline rate, pressure survey indicates liquid level,
and liquid production ceases. Liquid loaded symptoms could be identified by plotting log of gas rate versus
production time (Figure 2).
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Figure 2—Plot of log gas rate vs production time showed liquid loading symptoms

Gas Critical Velocity

The gas critical velocity was initially studied by Turner (1969), and improved by Coleman (1991). Turner
characterized loading as occurring when droplets of liquid in the tubing either rise (not loaded) or fall
against the flow. Turner (1969) calculated the minimum gas velocity to remove liquid droplet from a vertical
wellbore, using droplet physical model and theoretical analysis of flow regime. This model fit with field
data for wellhead pressure above 1000 psig, and the equation results as below:

(1)

Coleman (1991) modified the Turner equation and fit with their data for wellhead pressure below 1000
psig, as below:

(2)

Regarding of Turner's and Coleman's study, minimum critical velocity depends on interfacial tension,
liquid and gas density, surface pressure, and surrounding temperature. In this study, Turner's equation was
preferable used to calculate critical rate to evaluate velocity string performance.

Well Candidate Selection

Regarding velocity string installation project result, it was summarized to select velocity string candidates,
by evaluating parameters: well behavior, surface backpressure, and production tubing size.

Well Behavior
Well behavior identification is a first selection step prior coiled tubing velocity string design. As Lea (2008)
stated on his study, an early liquid loading symptom was presented by orifice pressure spike monitored
on Barton chart or real-time wellhead surveillance while well naturally flowing. Furthermore, bottom-hole
survey during shut-in indicated fluid level or bottom-hole survey during flowing indicated mixture gradient
of gas and liquid. In several cases, gas well was unable to naturally flow and put production system as cyclic
or intermittent mode. Period of cyclic production indicated amount energy to unload liquid from wellbore
to surface and its wells deliverability. Hence, a long period production mode of cyclic well was preferable
for velocity string installation candidates.
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Surface Back-Pressure
Higher surface back-pressure required higher minimum gas rate to lift liquid droplet in wellbore. Sensitivity
study by nodal analysis simulation showed minimum gas flow rate has linear relationship with surface
back-pressure (Figure 3). High backpressure was caused by distance from compression system. Installing
velocity string on high surface backpressure delivered opportunity to reduce minimum gas rate and keep
well continuously flow. In this work, reducing surface backpressure (i.e. installing additional wellhead

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compressor) successfully improves velocity string performance.

Figure 3—Sensitivity study shows minimum gas rate has linear relationship with surface back-pressure

Production Tubing Size

Larger production tubing size has higher potential of liquid loading in wellbore. Sensitivity study by nodal
analysis simulation is showed by Figure 4. When the coiled tubing size is too small, production is restricted
due to higher pressure loss. On the other hand, when the coiled tubing is too large, production rates is still
below minimum critical rates and may only have shorter production life. In this work, 1.5″ and 1.75″ OD
velocity string was mostly suitable for 3.5″ – 7″ OD production tubing.

Figure 4—Sensitivity of production tubing and coiled velocity string size

Designing Coiled Tubing Velocity String

After selecting candidates, the next step was designing coiled tubing for velocity string. The objective of
designing coiled tubing velocity string was to determine an optimum coiled tubing size and depth that would
restore well back to produce gas. Workflow was developed to design coiled tubing velocity string in order
to have expected condition after installation (Figure 5). The workflow includes:
a. Build performance curve and match with measured data.
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b. Sensitivity study of coiled tubing size and setting depth.

c. Evaluate design for flow regime alteration and critical rate after installation
d. Post-review after installation: expected well performance and extended application

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Figure 5—Workflow of designing coiled tubing velocity string

Performance Curve and Measured Data Matching

Inflow performance relationship (IPR) and tubing performance relationship (TPR) were used to estimate the
steady state production rate before and after coiled tubing velocity string installation. Matching performance
relationship with measured data was important to establish an accurate performance curve (Martinez, 1998).
Measured data included gas and fluid PVT properties (SG gas and API gravity of liquid sample), reliable
production test, and bottom holes pressure and temperature survey. There was uncertainty in developing
performance curve and matching it with measured data, i.e. LGR (liquid gas ratio) and skin. Flowing
gradient survey should be conducted at stable flow condition to ensure a reliable wellbore model.
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Sensitivity Study
Sensitivity study was conducted to evaluate optimum coiled tubing (CT) size and setting depth after
matching with measured data. It was important to ensure gas rate for each wellbore section was above
minimum required critical velocity to lift liquid droplet. For simpler application, CT setting depth in front
of perforated zone interval is preferable to ensure gas velocity at that section above critical velocity.

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Design Evaluation
Tubing performance relationship showed difference between flow regime before installation and after
installation. New required critical velocity was calculated after selecting an optimum coiled tubing size. To
prevent liquid loading of gas wells, the liquid in the tubing must be suspended as a mist or flow regime in
the tubing must be in annular flow. In this flow regime, as long as the gas velocity exceeded the settling
velocity of liquid droplets, gas velocity was able to unload liquid in the wellbore (Turner et al, 1969).

Post-review after Coiled Tubing Installation

Post-review was executed to evaluate velocity string design and actual performance. Multi-phase production
test was conducted to ensure liquid produced after installation. If velocity string design did not meet
with expected performance, the extended application of velocity string might be applied. VICO currently
applied tandem deliquification technology for pilot wells, including velocity string tandem with wellhead
compressor, and velocity string as gas lift injection to unload liquid loaded of gas wells.

Case Study
Case Study #1
Well A was completed by 3.5″ dual mono-bore production tubing (cemented), TD 11,800′ MD / 11,631′
TVD (Figure 6). The short-string (SS) penetrates single depletion reservoir X. Initial production of SS was
14 MMSCFD with no indication of produced liquid. After a year of production time, well diagnostic and
static bottom-hole pressure survey indicated the well suffered liquid loaded in wellbore (Figure 7). Well died
with last production test was 1.5 MMSCFD and surface backpressure was 310 psig. It was routinely online
as cyclic well with average initial gas rate about 1.2 MMSCFD and long periods of cyclic. The estimated
reservoir pressure based on BHP survey was 2210 psig.
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Figure 6—Well A completed by 3.5′ dual mono-bore production tubing

Figure 7—Well diagnostic and bottom hole pressure survey indicates Well A suffered liquid loading in wellbore

The 1.5″ coiled tubing velocity string was installed on short-string with target setting depth 7,720′.
Installed coiled tubing was expected to deliver 0.62 MMSCFD with new critical rate at each wellbore section
was 0.26 MMSCFD. It was much lower than initial critical rate at 3.5″ production tubing (1.49 MMSCFD)
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(Figure 8). After installation, Well A was able to deliver gas 0.75 MMSCFD (Figure 9), continuously to
production system, with estimated incremental reserves is 0.25 BSCF (Figure 10).

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Figure 8—Velocity string design evaluation of Well A

Figure 9—Well behavior comparison (before and after installation)

Figure 10—Incremental recovery by installing velocity string in Well A

Case Study #2
Well B was completed by 3.5″ dual mono-bore production tubing (cemented), TD 11,750′ MD / 11,614′
TVD. The short-string (SS) penetrates single depletion reservoir Y at depth 9,107′. Initial production of SS
was 9.2 MMSCFD with no indication of produced liquid.
After a half and one year production time, gas rate decreased and well died. Then, it was online in cyclic
mode with average gas gain 1.3 MMSCFD. Flowing bottom hole pressure indicated liquid loaded at depth
SPE-186362-MS 9

9,000′ with estimated reservoir pressure at that time was 1,200′ psig. Velocity string design resulted that Well
B fit to be installed 1.5″ coiled tubing velocity string and expected to flow 0.62 MMSCFD, with calculated
new critical rate at tubing section area was 0.27 MMSCFD.
After 3 (three) months, velocity string was installed on this string. However, Well B was not able to
continuously flow. Post-review resulted on over-predict current pressure of target reservoir zone and higher
backpressure. Reservoir Y was penetrated by other more up-dip offset well, and still flowing. Offset well's

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production caused depletion of reservoir pressure. Current pressure was estimated 760 psig (Figure 11).
Design re-evaluation with update current pressure explained that gas rate was still below critical rate after
installing 1.5″ coiled tubing (Figure 12).

Figure 11—Reservoir pressure decreased due to depletion of more updip offset well

Figure 12—Design re-evaluation after installation

Extended Application of Velocity String

Two pilot wells were successfully applied as extended application of velocity string, i.e. applied tandem
velocity string and wellhead compressor, and velocity string and gas lift to unload liquid in wellbore. In this
work, we discussed case study which is applied tandem velocity string and wellhead compressor.
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Case Study #3
Well C was a completed by 7″ to 3-1/2″ tapered single production tubing with packer, TD 8,534′ MD /
8,536′ TVD. The string (SS) penetrates depletion reservoir Z at depth 8,445′. Initial production of SS was
11 MMSCFD, condensate 39 BPD, water 26 BPD. After 18 years of production, total 53 BCF gas has been
recovered by Well C. Due to its depleted pressure (465 psig), well was not able to flow continuously and
needed to routinely vent to unload liquid. Latest test before well died was 1.1 MMSCFD, with backpressure

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74 psig.
The 1.75″ OD velocity string was installed at depth 8,038′ (Figure 13) and resulted flow 0.9 MMSCFD.
However, it lasted only 5 (five) day and ceased to flow. Post-review suggested there was liquid loaded at
section 2 (Figure 14) and might be solved by lowering backpressure from 110 psig to 50 psig. In this work,
reciprocating wellhead compressor was installed to lower backpressure. Compressor successfully kept well
continuously flow 2.1 MMSCFD with backpressure 50 psig. Figure 15 showed incremental recovery by
installing velocity string tandem with wellhead compressor.

Figure 13—Coiled tubing installation of Well C

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Figure 14—Critical rate evaluation at each section

Figure 15—Incremental recovery by installing velocity string in Well C

Conclusion
• Better understanding of comprehensive well screening is an important factor to enhance success
ratio of velocity string installation project. There are 3 (three) parameter to be considered:
evaluation of well behavior, backpressure, and tubing production size.
• The improved screening based on field experiences can be used as a reference of velocity string
selection candidate and design in other liquid loaded gas field.
• Extended application of velocity string, by applying tandem de-liquefaction technology, were
proven to increase cummulative gas production and prolong life of gas wells.

Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the management of VICO Indonesia and SKK Migas for permission to publish
this paper. We also would like to thank to Semberah Resource Development Team for support and discussion
during the research.

Nomenclature
ρl = liquid density (lbm/ft3)
ρg = gas density (lbm/ft3)
σ = interfacial tension (dyne/cm)
v = critical velocity (ft/s)
12 SPE-186362-MS

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