2004 Gas Lift Seminar

Schlumberger Private
© Schlumberger
Day 1
ING Gas Lift Seminar
Jakarta, Indonesia
March 8-11, 2004
Instructor:
Tommy White
WCP AL BDM, Gas Lift Systems
© Schlumberger
DAY 1
PRODUCED FLUID CONSTANT FLOW GAS LIFT WELL
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
8:30a to 5:00p 0
WIO
NG
• Introduction
TU
1000
BIN
CASING PRESSURE WHEN
GP
• Introduction to Artificial Lift
WELL IS BEING GAS LIFTED
RE
2000
SS
• Overview of Gas Lift
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
RA
• Continuous Flow Unloading Sequence
DIE
NT
OPERATING GAS LIFT VALVE
• Gas Lift Valve Mechanics
4000
• Gas Lift Equipment Overview

5000
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
DAY 2
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
8:30a to 5:00p 0
WIO
NG
•Overview of Inflow & Outflow Performance
TU
1000
BIN
GP
• Natural Gas laws Applied to Gas
Lift
RE
2000
SS
• General Principles for Gas Lift Design
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
RA
• Overview of Gas Lift Design Methods
DIE
NT
• IPO Gas Lift Design 4000
5000
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
DAY 3
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
Morning – 8:30a to 11:30a 0
INJECTION GAS 0
WIO
NG
• WCP Answer Products and Software Developments
TU
1000
BIN
• Mark Stracke
GP
RE
2000
SS
Afternoon – 1:00p to 6:00p
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
• IPO Gas Lift Design Continued
RA
DIE
NT
• PPO Gas Lift Design 4000
• Gas Lift Optimization 5000

• Troubleshooting
6000
• Stability
SIBHP
• Nova Valve 7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
DAY 4
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
0
WIO
NG
TU
• Overview of Pipesim 1000
BIN
GP
• Gas Lift Analysis 2000

and Design
RE
SS
UR
• Pipesim Case Studies3000
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
RA
• New Gas Lift Technologies
DIE
NT
4000
• XLift
• Fiber Optic DTS 5000
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
Course Introduction
• Introductions
• Class Aims
• Instructor Aims
Insight into an “in-exact” science
Informed questions
Understand limitations
Participate in gas lift design
Manual Version
Pipesim Version
© Schlumberger
Introduction to Artificial Lift
© Schlumberger
Artificial Lift for High-Volume
Production
• Artificial Lift is needed when reservoir
drive mechanisms do not sustain
acceptable rates or cause fluids to flow at
all
• Lift processes transfer energy downhole or
decreases the fluid density in wellbores to
reduce the hydrostatic load on formations
• Artificial Lift improves recovery by
North America
reducing the bottom hole pressure at which
wells become naturally uneconomical to
produce
© Schlumberger
SLB Opportunity and Business Growth
Potential
• Less than 10% of the world’s producing oil wells flow naturally
– the remaining 90+% are produced by some form of artificial lift
• A significant majority of artificially lifted wells are in mature fields
• When oil prices and the rig counts are low, installing and optimizing
artificial lift systems increases oil output and economic return
Unlocking Value – Output Above a Baseline Decline is the Target of Artificial Lift
© Schlumberger
Artificial Lift
Systems
Selection involves many
parameters, criteria and
constraints.
Making artificial lift decisions is

primarily a process of choosing the
lift method most applicable to
expected surface, reservoir, fluid and
operational conditions
© Schlumberger
Reciprocating Displacement Rod
Pumps
Rod Pumps combine a cylinder (barrel) and
piston (plunger) with valves to transfer well
fluids into the tubing and displace the to the
surface.
© Schlumberger
Rod Pumps
• Most widely used lift • Restricted flow rates

method • Potential wellhead
• Simple application leaks or spills
• Low intervention cost • Problems with deep
• Economic value less producing intervals
than 1,000 BPD • Restrictions in
deviated wells
© Schlumberger
Progressing Cavity Displacement
Pumps
Progressing cavity pumps are based on
rotary fluid displacement. This spiral
system consists of a rotor turning inside
a stationary stator.
© Schlumberger
Progressing Cavity Pumps
• Flexible application • Restricted setting

methods depths
• Reliable when • Not compatible with
properly applied some chemicals
• Resistant to abrasives • Limited operating
and solids temperatures
• Efficient power usage • Restricted flow rates
© Schlumberger
Injection Gas Lift
Gas Lift uses relatively
high pressure gas to
supplement formation
gas. Produced fluids are
lifted by reducing fluid
density in wellbore to
lighted the hydrostatic
column, or back pressure,
load on formations.
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift
• Takes full advantage of • Must has a gas source
the gas energy available in • Freezing and hydrates are
the reservoir problematic
• High volume lift method • Difficulty depleting low
• Valves may be retrieved productivity and low
by slickline or tubing pressure wells completely
• Handle abrasives and sand
© Schlumberger
Hydraulic-lift Pumping Systems
Hydraulic systems transfer energy
downhole by pressurizing a
special power fluid, usually a light
refined or produced oil, that flows
through well tubing to a
subsurface pump, which transmits
the potential energy to produced
fluids. Common pumps consist of
jets (venturi and orifice nozzles),
reciprocating pistons, or less
widely used rotating turbines.
© Schlumberger
Hydraulic Pumps
• High volumes can be • Vulnerable to solids
produced from great • Least efficient lift method
depths • Well testing can be
• Pumps can be changed difficult due to power
(circulated out) without fluid included in the
pulling the tubing production stream
• Heavy and viscous fluids
are easier to produce after
mixing with lighter power
fluids
© Schlumberger
Electric Submersible
Centrifugal Pump Systems
Electric submersible systems
use multiple pump stages
mounted in series within a
housing, mated closely to
submersible electric motor on
the end of tubing and
connected to surface controls
and electric power by an
armor protected cable.
© Schlumberger
Electric Submersible Pumps
• Wide performance • Tubing must be pulled

range and versatility to change or repair the
• Can operate in high pump
angle and horizontal • Depth and GOR
wells restrict capacity and
• Most efficient and operating efficiency
economical lift method • Large volumes of gas
on a cost-per-barrel can lock up the pump
basis
© Schlumberger
Overview of Gas Lift
© Schlumberger
Periods of Gas Lift Development
• Prior to 1864: Some laboratory experiments performed
• 1864 – 1900: This era consisted of lifting by compressed air through the annulus or
tubing. Several mine shafts were unloaded.
• 1900 – 1920: Gulf Coast Area “air for hire” boom. Such famous fields as Spindle Top
were produced by air lift.
• 1920-1929: Application of straight gas lift with wide publicity from the Seminole Field
in Oklahoma.
• 1929-1945: This era included the patenting of about 25,000 different flow valves. More
efficient rates of production as well as proration caused the development of the flow
valve.
• 1947 – 1970: Since the end of WWII, the pressure-operated valve has practically
replaced all other types of gas lift valves. Also in this era many additional companies
have formed with most of them marketing some version of the pressure operated valve.
• 1970 – Present: Schlumberger pioneers the use of Nodal Analysis as a basis for
analyzing gas lift wells and predicting flowing performance as a function of the total
well system.
© Schlumberger
Camco’s Gas Lift History
1946 Camco founded as Carlisle and
Mills Company to sell
conventional gas lift equipment.
1947 Patent Issued on pressure
treatment of gas lift bellows
assembly to stabilize opening
pressure.
1951 Side pocket mandrel license

obtained from Sid W.
Richardson, Inc.
© Schlumberger
Circa 1951
© Schlumberger
Camco’s Gas Lift History
1958 Developed software for gas
lift installation design.
1971 Patented G series side pocket mandrels for
highly deviated wells.
1995 Nova gas lift orifice valve was

developed (acquired by Camco
from HES in 1996)
© Schlumberger
Schlumberg
er
© Schlumberger
WCP Headquarters – Houston, TX USA (Original home of Camco & Camco International Inc.)
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift
Gas lift decreases fluid density in wellbores by reducing

the hydrostatic load on formations, so that available
reservoir energy can cause inflow, and commercial
hydrocarbon volumes can be boosted or displaced to the
surface.
By injecting relatively high pressure gas from the surface

to a predetermined depth in the wellbore, the operator can
effectively reduce the pressure exerted on the formation
and achieve desired levels of fluid production.
© Schlumberger
APPLICATIONS OF GAS LIFT
• TO ENABLE WELLS THAT WILL NOT FLOW NATURALLY TO PRODUCE
• TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING WELLS
• TO UNLOAD A WELL THAT WILL LATER FLOW NATURALLY
• TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS
• TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS
• TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS
© Schlumberger
ADVANTAGES OF GAS LIFT
• Initial downhole equipment costs lower
• Low operational and maintenance cost
• Simplified well completions
• Flexibility - can handle rates from 10 to 50,000 bpd
• Can best handle sand / gas / well deviation
• Intervention relatively less expensive
© Schlumberger
DISADVANTAGES OF GAS LIFT
• Must have a source of gas

• Imported from other fields
• Produced gas - may result in start up problems
• Possible high installation cost

• Top sides modifications to existing platforms
• Compressor installation
• Limited by available reservoir pressure

and bottom hole flowing pressure
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Types of Gas Lift
• Continuous Flow Gas Lift
• Intermittent Gas Lift
© Schlumberger
CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS LIFT
• ONLY ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHOD THAT FULLY UTILIZES THE
ENERGY FROM THE FORMATION GAS PRODUCTION
• EXTENSION OF NATUAL FLOW BY SUPPLEMENTING THE
FORMATION GAS WITH ADDITIONAL HIGH PRESSURE GAS
• GAS IS INJECTED CONTINUOUSLY INTO THE PRODUCTION CONDUIT

AT A MAXIMUM DEPTH BASED ON AVAILABLE GAS PRESSURE
• INJECTION GAS MIXES WITH THE PRODUCED WELL FLUIDS AND

DECREASES THE FLOWING PRESSURE GRADIENT OF THE MIXTURE
• THE LOWER FLOWING PRESURE GRADIENT REDUCES THE FLOWING

BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL DRAWDOWN
© Schlumberger
APPLICATIONS OF CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS LIFT
• TO ENABLE WELLS THAT WILL NOT FLOW NATURALLY TO PRODUCE
• TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING WELLS
• TO UNLOAD A WELL THAT WILL LATER FLOW NATURALLY
• TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS
• TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS
• TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSI)
INJECTION GAS 0 1000 2000
0
FL
OW
ING
1000
TU
BIN
G PR
ES
2000
SU
R
EG
RA
DIE
3000
DEPTH (FT TVD)
NT
4000
5000
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSI)
0 1000 2000
INJECTION GAS
0
FL
OW
IN
G
1000
TU
BIN
G
PR
ES
2000
SU
RE
GR
AD
IEN
3000
DEPTH (FT TVD)
T
4000
5000
OPERATING GAS LIFT
VALVE
6000
SIBHP
7000
© Schlumberger
FBHP
INTERMITTENT FLOW GAS LIFT
LOW PRODUCTION WELLS (TYPICALLY <500 BFPD)
API GUIDELINES :
– 2-3/8” TUBING - 100 TO 150 BFPD
– 2-7/8” TUBING - 200 TO 300 BFPD
– 3-1/2” TUBING - 300 TO 400 BFPD
3 CATEGORIES
– INTERMITTENT GAS LIFT
– CHAMBER LIFT
– PLUNGER LIFT
© Schlumberger
Intermittent Gas Lift
© Schlumberger
INTERMITTENT GAS LIFT
• INTERMITTENT INJECTION INTO THE TUBING
• LOW BHFP
• CHOKE CONTROLLED UTILISING A PILOT OPERATED
VALVE OR MOTOR CONTROLLED
• 3 TYPES OF COMPLETION : OPEN, SEMI-CLOSED OR
CLOSED
• FALLBACK LOSSES TYPICALLY 5 - 7% PER 1 000 FT OF
TUBING
• REQUIRES RAPID INJECTION OF GAS = PILOT OPERATED
GAS LIFT VALVE
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
IMPORTANT TO
MINIMISE
BACK
PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
CHAMBER LIFT GAS LIFT
© Schlumberger
CHAMBER LIFT GAS LIFT
• NORMALLY FOR LOW BHP APPLICATIONS
• FACILITATES LARGE SLUGS (MORE PRODUCTION) - USE OF ANNULAR
VOLUME
• DUAL PACKER OR CHAMBER DESIGN
• REQUIRES BLEED PORT TO ENABLE CHAMBER TO FILL
© Schlumberger
PLUNGER LIFT
• MECHANICAL BARRIER AT THE INTERFACE REDUCES FALLBACK

• NEED WELLHEAD MODIFICATIONS AND BY-PASS THROUGH PLUNGER
• NO TAPERS IN THE WELL = NO SAFETY VALVES
© Schlumberger
Continuous Flow Unloading
Sequence
© Schlumberger
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
INJECTION GAS
INJECTION GAS
© Schlumberger
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
INJECTION GAS INJECTION GAS
© Schlumberger
INJECTION GAS
INJECTION GAS
PLUGGED
© Schlumberger
PRODUCED FLUID
INJECTION GAS
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE PSI
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJECTION GAS
CHOKE CLOSED
2000
TOP VALVE OPEN

4000
CA
SI
N
G
TU
PR
BI
6000
ES
DEPTH FTTVD
SU
G
SECOND VALVE
RE
PR
OPEN
E SS
UR
E
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000
14000
TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE PSI
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
TOP VALVE OPEN 4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000
14000
TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
TOP VALVE OPEN 4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000
14000
TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
TOP VALVE OPEN 4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000
14000 DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
© Schlumberger
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
TOP VALVE OPEN 4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
UNLOADING GAS LIFT VALVE
• Normally required during unloading phase

only
• Open only when annulus and tubing
pressures are high enough to overcome
valve set pressure
• Valve closes after transfer to next station
• May be spring or nitrogen charged
© Schlumberger
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
INJECTION GAS
CHOKE OPEN
2000
4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
CLOSED
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000
FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000
14000 DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
• Typically an ‘orifice’ type Gas lift valve

• always open - allows gas across Passage whenever
correct differential exists
• Gas injection controlled by size and differential
across replaceable choke
• Back-check prevents reverse flow of well fluids from
the production conduit
© Schlumberger
Continuous Flow Gas Lift – Unloading
Sequence
© Schlumberger
FIGURE 3-8: Example of the Unloading Sequence
Casing Operated Valves and Choke Control of Injection Gas
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
Pressure psi
1000
800
600
400
200
0
12:00 AM 03:00 AM 06:00 AM 09:00 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 06:00 PM
Time
PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE TUBING
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift Valve Mechanics
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT VALVE MECHANICS
3 basic types of gas lift valve, each available in 1” & 1-1/2” sizes:
Dummy valves Orifice valves Unloading valves
• Square edged • Injection pressure (casing)
• Venturi (nova) operated valves
• Production pressure (fluid)
operated valves
© Schlumberger
Diaphragm/
Atmospheric Bellows
Spring
Stem Upstream/
Casing
Stem Tip
Upstream
Downstream
Port
Downstream/Tubing
Pressure Regulator Spring Operated Gas Lift Valve
© Schlumberger
UNLOADING VALVES
© Schlumberger
VALVE OPENING & CLOSING PRESSURES
F=PXA
WHEN THE VALVE IS CLOSED

TO OPEN IT…..
Pd Pd
1
Pd x Ab= Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap
2
Pc
1
Pc
WHEN THE VALVE IS OPEN
TO CLOSE IT…..
2
Pd = Pc (Ab)
Pt
UN BALANCED VALVE
© Schlumberger
CLOSING FORCE (IPO VALVE) Fc = PbAb
OPENING FORCES (IPO VALVE) Fo1 = Pc (Ab- Ap)

Fo2 = Pt Ap
TOTAL OPENING FORCE Fo = Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap
JUST BEFORE THE VALVE OPENS THE FORCES ARE EQUAL
Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap = Pb Ab
Pb - Pt (Ap/Ab)
SOLVING FOR Pc Pc = --------------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
WHERE: Pb = Pressure in bellows
Pt = Tubing pressure
Pc = Casing pressure
Ab = Area of bellows
Ap = Area of port
© Schlumberger
Pb - Pt (Ap/Ab)
Pc = ----------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
Pb - Pt (R)
Pc = ----------------------
1-R
Pb = Pc (1 - R) + Pt (R)
Pd = Dome Pressure @ Depth
Pb = Pd and Pd = Pvc Pvc = Closing Pressure @ Depth
* Where R = Ratio Ap/Ab

© Schlumberger
PRODUCED FLUID
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

INJECTION GAS
2000
4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
8000
10000
12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT VALVES CLOSE IN SEQUENCE
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
2000
4000
DEPTH FTTVD
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP ©
Schlumberger
CASING P. CASING P
TO OPEN TO CLOSE
PRODUCED FLUID
DOME P.
INJECTION GAS AT SURFACE 1200 PSI ? PSI
TUBING P.
@ DEPTH
VALVE # 1 1260 PSI ? PSI 1233 PSI
560 PSI
740 PSI
890 PSI
Pd = Pc (1-R) + Pt (R)
NOTE : ALL VALVES 3/16” R-20

R = 0.038 1-R = 0.962 © Schlumberger
Pb Pb
Dome Dome
Chevron Chevron
Packing Packing
Stack Stack
Bellows Bellows
Stem Tip (Ball)
Square Edged
Pc
Seat Pc
Stem Tip (Ball)
Square Edged
Seat
Pt
Chevron Chevron
Packing Pt Packing
Stack Stack
Check Valve Check Valve
Nitrogen Charged Bellows Type Nitrogen Charged Bellows Type

Injection Pressure (Casing) Operated Gas Lift Valve Production Pressure (Fluid) Operated Gas Lift Valve
© Schlumberger
Dome Pb
Atmospheric
Spring Bellows
Chevron
Packing
Stack
Bellows
Chevron
Packing
Stack
Pc
Pc
Spring
Adjustment
Large T.C. Ball Nut & Lock Nuts
Tapered
T.C. Seat
Stem Tip (Ball)
Square Edged
Chevron Pt Seat
Packing
Stack Chevron
Packing
Stack Pt
Check Valve Check Valve
Nitrogen Charged Bellows Type Spring Operated

Proportional Response Gas Lift Valve Injection Pressure (Casing) Operated Gas Lift Valve
© Schlumberger
Typical Gas Lift Valve Test Bench
• Pressure Gauge Calibrated in 5 PSI Increments
• Operator Manuals available via InTouch

• Valve Calibration & Repair Procedures
• Bellows Aging Procedures
P r o c e d u r e s a n d S p e c ific a t io n s
• I n s p e c t in g E la s t o m e r ic S e a lin g • R e c e iv in g I n s p e c t io n
C o m p o n e n ts • F in a l a n d I n - P r o c e s s I n s p e c t io n
• C o n t r o l o f E n g in e e r in g • G a s L if t V a lv e B e llo w s
D r a w in g s & B ills o f M a t e r ia ls A s s e m b lie s
• D e s ig n C o n t r o l o f G a s L if t • V a lv e A s s e m b ly
P ro d u c ts
• F u n c t io n a l T e s t in g f o r G a s L if t
• M a n u f a c t u r in g P r o c e s s C o n t r o l V a lv e s a n d R e v e r s e F lo w
C h e c k V a lv e s
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
UNLOADING GAS LIFT VALVE
• Normally required during unloading phase

only
• Open only when annulus and tubing
pressures are high enough to overcome
valve set pressure
• Valve closes after transfer to next station
• May be spring or nitrogen charged
© Schlumberger
• Typically an ‘orifice’ type Gas lift valve

• always open - allows gas across Passage whenever
correct differential exists
• Gas injection controlled by size and differential
across replaceable choke
• Back-check prevents reverse flow of well fluids from
the production conduit
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift Equipment Overview
© Schlumberger
Typical Gas Lift System
INFLOW
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Subsurface Gas Lift Valves
The choice of valve and operating principle

depends on well parameters and well
intervention costs. Retrievable valves in
side-pocket mandrels that are offset from
the centerline of the tubing are used
offshore and in remote locations where rig
interventions are expensive.
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT VALVE FEATURES
Bellows protection
Max dome charge
Check valve
Stem travel
Metallurgy
Elastomers
© Schlumberger
Critical Valve Components
• Dome Tail Plug
• Valve Core
• Bellows / Bellows Assembly
• Valving Mechanism
• Ball Stem
• Seat
© Schlumberger
Critical Valve Components
Reverse Flow Check Valves
© Schlumberger
Typical Production Pressure Operated
(PPO) Gas Lift Valve and Latch
1” BKF-12 1” BK-2 Latch
© Schlumberger
Typical Injection Pressure Operated
(IPO)
Gas Lift Valves
1” BK 1.5” R-20
© Schlumberger
Typical Gas Lift Valve Latch
1” BK-2
© Schlumberger
Orifice Valves
There are 2 Types of Orifice Valves:
• SQUARED EDGED ORIFICE
• VENTURI (NOVA)
• Orifice Valves are designed for accurate gas passage prediction.

• One-way check valve for tubing integrity.
© Schlumberger
Conventional Wireline Wireline Wireline
Tubing Retrievable Gas Retrievable Gas Retrievable
Retrievable Gas Lift Valve Lift Orifice Valve Dummy Valve
Lift Valve
IPO
IPO
© Schlumberger
Conventional Gas Lift Equipment
Conventional Mandrel
Conventional Gas Lift Valve
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
5 1/2” MMRG-4, 1 1/2” POCKET
ROUND MANDREL DESIGN CAMCO
Orienting Tool ‘G’ Latch Polished

Sleeve Discriminator Lug Seal Bore
ENGINEERING DATA
PART NUMBER 05712-000-00001
SIZE 5 1/2”
MAX O.D. 7.982”
MIN I.D. 4.756”
DRIFT I.D. 4.653”
THREAD 17 LB/FT MANN BDS B x P
TEST PRESSURE INTERNAL 7740 PSI
TEST PRESSURE EXTERNAL 6280 PSI
LATCH TYPE RK, RK-1, RKP, RK-SP
KICKOVER TOOL OM-1, OM-1M, OM-1S
RUNNING TOOL RK-1 15079
PULLING TOOL 1 5/8” JDS 15155
MATERIAL 410 S.S., 13 CR 22 HRC MAX
TENSILE STRENGTH (EOEC) 490,000 LBS
CAMCO 1996
© Schlumberger
Side Pocket Mandrel
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
SPM Nomenclature
© Schlumberger
Running and Pulling Gas Lift
Valves
© Schlumberger
Retrievable Gas Lift Valves
Slickline-retrievable gas-lift valves can be
installed or removed without pulling
tubing. Kickover tools are designed to
selectively locate side-pocket mandrels.
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Critical Dimensions for Wireline
Retrievable Gas Lift Valves
• Overall Length
• Outside Diameter
• Packing Element Spacing
• Packing Sealing Surfaces
• Latch No-Go
• Latch Ring
• Latch Running/Pulling Surfaces
© Schlumberger
The Camco OK Series Kickover Tools
are slickline service tools used to install
and retrieve side pocket, subsurface
control devices in Camco series side
pocket mandrels.
© Schlumberger
Slickline Operations
© Schlumberger
Running and Pulling Gas Lift Valves
© Schlumberger
Surface Flow Control Equipment
• Primary Purpose
– Control and measure flow from a producing
oil and gas well, secondary recovery water or
gas injection well and injected gas in a gas lift
field operation.
• Secondary Purpose
– Real time flow control measurement which
allows precise valve positioning from a remote
RTC by use of an electronic actuator with 4-
zoma or digital hart communication control.
© Schlumberger
Surface Flow Control Equipment
• Applications
– All producing oil and gas wells
– Platform gas lift manifolds
– Water or gas secondary recovery/pressure maintenance projects
– All wells employing electrical submersible pump systems
© Schlumberger
Manual Injection Control for Gas
Lift
• Packing and trim
changed without
CN00998
removing body from
line
• Easy-to-read indicator
ring in 1/64 in. scale
• Variety of trim sizes,
materials and
connections
Camco/Merla FCV flow control valve
© Schlumberger
Prevent Reverse Flow into Gas
Lift Lines
• Floating seat acts as check valve to prevent
reverse flow
CN00998
CN00998
Optional Seat for Reverse Flow Check
Camco/Merla FCV flow control valve

© Schlumberger
Remote Flow Control
Applications
• Actuators for electric control and
automation systems
– Available for FCV and ACV series
valves
– 120 Vac or 24 Vdc with low current
draw for remote applications
– High modulation rate for precise
positioning
– 4-20 ma or Digital Hart
CN01069 communication control
– Corrosion resistance housing
FCV with electric actuator
© Schlumberger
Adjustable Choke Valves for
Production
• Three body sizes for accurate match to flow rate
– ACV-5, ACV-8 and ACV-12
• Common Features
– Available with API or ANSI flanges, socket weld, butt weld
or threaded connections
– Variety of trim and body materials to match application
– No stem leaks with spring-loaded, bubble-tight sealing system
ACV-5 ACV-8 ACV-12
© Schlumberger
End of DAY 1
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
8:30a to 5:00p 0
WIO
NG
• Introduction
TU
1000
BIN
GP
• Introduction to Artificial Lift
RE
2000
SS
• Overview of Gas Lift
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
RA
• Continuous Flow Unloading Sequence
DIE
NT
• Gas Lift Valve Mechanics
4000
• Gas Lift Equipment Overview

5000
6000
QUESTIONS?
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Day 2
DAY 2
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
8:30a to 5:00p 0
WIO
NG
•Overview of Inflow & Outflow Performance
TU
1000
BIN
GP
• Natural Gas laws Applied to Gas
Lift
RE
2000
SS
• General Principles for Gas Lift Design
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
RA
• Overview of Gas Lift Design Methods
DIE
NT
• IPO Gas Lift Design 4000
5000
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
Overview of Inflow and Outflow
Performance
© Schlumberger
Single Well Production System
Pwh Surface Separator
Choke
Pdsc Psep
Safety Pdsv
Valve DP1 = Pr - Pwfs = Loss in Porous Medium
Pusv DP2 = Pwfs - Pwf = Loss across Completion
DP3 = Pur - Pdr = Loss across Restriction
DP4 = Pusv - Pdsv = Loss across Safety Valve
DP5 = Pwh - Pdsc = Loss across Surface Choke
Bottom Pdr DP6 = Pdsc - Psep = Loss in Flowline
Hole
Restriction Pur DP7 = Pwf - Pwh = Total Loss in Tubing
DP8 = Pwh - Psep = Total Loss in Flowline
_
Pwf Pwfs Pr Pe
Possible Pressure Losses in Complete Production System
© Schlumberger
SURFACE PRESSURE PRODUCED FLUID
INJECTION GAS
WELL OUTFLOW
RELATIONSHIP
(VLP) or (TPC)
BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE AS A FUNCTION OF FLOWRATE
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL AS A FUNCTION OF PRODUCTION RATE
SANDFACE WELL
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
PRESSURE BHFP INFLOW (IPR)
© Schlumberger
SUCCESSFUL DESIGN DEPENDS
UPON PREDICTION OF FLOWRATE
Predicting Flowrates and Pressure
Transients for Different Cases
© Schlumberger
WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW PERFORMANCE
( Successful design depends upon prediction of flow rate)
TYPES OF RESERVOIR DRIVES
• Solution gas drive
• Gas cap drive
• Water drive
© Schlumberger
SOLUTION GAS DRIVE RESERVOIR

• Constant volume
• No water encroachment
• Two phase flowing reservoir below bubble point
• No gas cap – gas coming out of solution does not
migrate upwards
• Productivity Index is not linear for higher draw-downs
• PI will declines with depletion
• Formation GOR increases with depletion
• Least efficient with circa 15% recovery
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
GAS CAP DRIVE RESERVOIR
• Gas from solution will form gas cap
• With production gas cap increases providing drive
• Excessive drawdown can cause gas coning
• Productivity Index is usually not linear
• GOR constant except near depletion
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
WATER DRIVE RESRVOIR
• Not constant volume – oil produced and replace by
water
• Reservoir pressure more constant
• Productivity index is more constant
• Gas to Oil Ratio is more constant
• Often supplemented by water injection
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
DEPLETION DRIVE
• Small isolated pockets
• No pressure support
• High rates initially
• Very quick depletion
• May use several artificial lift methods
• Natural flow initially
• Continuous gas lift
• Intermittent gas lift
© Schlumberger
IDEAL FLOW ASSUMPTIONS
• Ideal well
• Purely radial flow
• Infinite reservoir
• Uniform thickness
• Stabilized flow
• Single phase
• Above bubble point
• Homogeneous & isotropic reservoir
• Perforations penetrate throughout reservoir
• Reservoir shape
• Proximity of wellbore
• Wellbore clean / uncased
• No skin
• Darcy’s law
© Schlumberger
NON IDEAL FLOW
• Departures from Darcy’s law
• Effects at boundaries
• Position of well
• Non homogeneous reservoir
• Perforation positions
• High velocities
• Fluid type / high GOR
• Transient behavior
• Relative permeability effects - oil/water/gas near the wellbore
• Depletion if reservoir
• Flow restrictions (skin)
© Schlumberger
PRINCIPLE ORIGINS OF SKIN
• Formation damage (+ve)
• Perforations (+ve)
• Partial completions/limited entry (+ve)
• Gravel packs (+ve)
• Non-Darcy flow (+ve)
• Multiphase flow (+ve)
• Natural fractures (-ve)
• Hydraulic fractures (-ve)
• Deviated/horizontal wells (-ve)
© Schlumberger
• Straight line productivity index (PI)
• Inflow performance relationship (IPR)
© Schlumberger
PRODUCTIVITY INDEX
The relationship between well inflow rate and pressure
drawdown can be expressed in the form of a Productivity
Index, denoted ‘PI’ where:
q
q = PI(Pws - Pwf) or PI = ------------------
Pws - Pwf
© Schlumberger
FACTORS AFFECTING PI
1. Phase behavior
•Bubble point pressure
•Dew point pressure
2. Relative permeability behavior
•Ratio of effective permeability to a particular fluid (oil, gas or
water) to the absolute permeability of the rock
3. Oil viscosity
•Viscosity decreases with pressure decrease to Pb
•Viscosity increases as gas comes out of solution
4. Oil formation volume factor (bo)
•As pressure is decreased the liquid will expand
•As gas comes out of solution oil will shrink
© Schlumberger
AS RATE INCREASES IS NO LONGER STRAIGHT LINE

• Increased gas sat. Near wellbore - rel. Perm. Effects
• Laminar > turbulent flow
• Exceeds critical flow of sandface
© Schlumberger
VOGEL
Dimensionless reference curve based on the following
equation:
Q/Qmax = 1 - 0.2(Pwf/Pws) - 0.8(Pwf/Pws)2
where: Q = the liquid production rate, stb/d

Qmax = the maximum liquid rate for 100% drawdown
Pwf = bottom hole flowing pressure, psi
Pws = the reservoir pressure, psi
© Schlumberger
Dimensionless Inflow Performance Relationship Curve for Solution
Gas Drive Reservoir (after Vogel)
1.00
0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
Pbhf/Pbhs
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
Q/Qmax © Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Typical Inflow Performance Curves
© Schlumberger
SUMMARY OF FACTORS AFFECTING PREDICTION

OF WELL PRODUCTION
• Presence of three phase flow
• Nature of drive mechanisms
• Physical nature of reservoir (non homogeneous)
• Availability of stabilized flow
• Changes over time & drawdown
• Increased gas solution near wellbore
• Stabilised flow near wellbore
• Flow regime near wellbore
• Critical flow at wellbore
© Schlumberger
INJECTION GAS
WELL OUTFLOW
RELATIONSHIP
(VLP) or (TPC)
SANDFACE WELL
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
MULTIPHASE FLOW
OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE
MOVEMENT OF A MIXTURE OF FREE GASES AND LIQUIDS
Vertical flowing gradients
Horizontal flowing gradients
© Schlumberger
OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND MULTIPHASE FLOW

• Select correct tubing size
• Predict when artificial lift will be required
• Design artificial lift systems
• Determine BHFP
• Determine PI
• Predict maximum and/or optimum flow rate
• Determine maximum depth of injection
© Schlumberger
FACTORS EFFECTING TPC/VLP
• TPC is a function of physical properties not inflow
• Tubing id
• Wall roughness
• Inclination
•
Liquid / gas density
• Liquid / gas viscosity
• Liquid / gas velocity
• Well depth / line lengths
• Surface pressure
• Watercut
• GOR / GLR
• Liquid surface tension
• Flowrate
© Schlumberger
FLOW REGIMES
© Schlumberger
CORRELATIONS
• Babson (1934)
• Gilbert (1939 / 1952)
• Poettmann & Carpenter (1952)
• Duns & Ros
• Hagedorn & Brown
• Orkiszewski
• Fancher & Brown
• Beggs &Brill
• Duckler Flannigan
• Gray
• Mechanistic
• Proprietary
© Schlumberger
Fluid Properties
© Schlumberger
Static Fluid Gradients
A fluid gradient is a measurement of the rate of change of
fluid pressure for a given vertical column length. It is
most often expressed in pounds per square inch per foot of
vertical length, psi/ft.
Pressure (psi) = Gs (psi/ft) x L (ft.)

Gs = Static fluid gradient in psi/ft
L = Fluid column vertical length in feet
© Schlumberger
Fluid Properties
Specific Gravity – a dimensionless ratio of

the weight of a fluid to the weight of fresh
water.
The gradient of fresh water is 0.433 psi/ft
A fluid with a specific gravity of 1.10 would be 1.1 times as heavy
as fresh water
Gs (psi/ft) = Specific Gravity x .433 (psi/ft)
© Schlumberger
Fluid Properties
Fluid Density – the weight of a fluid for a given volume
and is most often expressed in pounds per gallon
(lbs/gal).
The density of fresh water is 8.34 lbs./gal
Gs (psi/ft) = 0.052 psi per ft / lb per gal x fluid density (lb/gal)
Example: Gs = 0.052 x 9.3 lb.gal Gs = .484 psi/ft
© Schlumberger
Fluid Properties
API Gravity – expressed in degrees API and is another to calculate the weight of oil in
psi/ft. It is not a measure of viscosity and is most often expressed in pounds per gallon
(lbs/gal).
The API gravity of fresh water is 10°
Gs = (141.5°) / (131.5° + API°) x 0.433 psi/ft
Example: What is the gradient of 33° API Gravity Oil?

Gs = (141.5°) / (131.5° + API°) x 0.433 psi/ft
Gs = (141.5°) / (131.5° + 33°) x 0.433 psi/ft
Gs = .372 psi/ft
© Schlumberger
Gas Volume
For Gas Lift applications various gas measurement

calculations are important. Gas volume is typically
expressed in Standard Cubic Feet (SCF), one thousand
standard cubic feet (MCF) etc.
© Schlumberger
Gas Volume
In Gas Lift the gas-to-liquid ratio (GLR) and the gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) are
important.
GOR = Gas Volume (SCF) / Qo (BBL)

GOR = Gas-to-Oil Ratio (SCF/BBL)
Gas Volume = total formation gas in SCF
Qo = total volume of oil in barrels
FGOR (SCF/BBL) = Formation gas Volume (SCF/Day) / Qo

FGOR = Formation GLR (SCF/BBL)
Gas Volume = Total volume of gas from formation
Qo = oil production rate (BBL/day)
© Schlumberger
Gas Volume
In Gas Lift the gas-to-liquid ratio (GLR) and the gas-to-oil ratio (GOR) are important.
FGLR = FGOR x % Oil
FGLR = Formation GLR
% Oil = Oil as a percentage of total fluid
IGLR = Injection Gas Volume (SCF/Day) / Qt (BLPD)
IGLR = Injection gas-to-liquid ratio
Qt = Total fluid production (BLPD)
TGLR = Total Gas Volume (SCF/Day) / Qt (BLPD)

TGLR = Total gas-to-liquid ratio (SCF/BBL)
© Schlumberger
Natural Gas Laws Applied to
Gas Lift
© Schlumberger
GAS CALCULATIONS RELATED TO GAS LIFT SYSTEMS
• Gas injection pressure at depth
• Temperature effect on bellows-charged dome pressure
• Volumetric gas throughput of a choke or G.L. Valve port
© Schlumberger
GAS INJECTION PRESSURE AT DEPTH
S.G. x L
53.34 x T x Z
P@L = P@Se
Where: e = 2.71828
P@L = Pressure at depth, psia
P@S = Pressure at surface, psia
S.G. = Gas Specific Gravity
L = Depth, feet
T = Average Temp Degrees R
Z = Average Compressibility for T
and average pressure
© Schlumberger
GAS INJECTION PRESSURE AT DEPTH
“Rule of thumb” Equation based on S.G. of 0.65,
a geothermal gradient at 1.60F/100ft and a surface
temperature of 700F
P@L = P@S + (2.3 x P@S x L )

100 1000
Where: P@L = Pressure at depth, psia

P@S = Pressure at surface, psia
L = Depth, feet
© Schlumberger
GAS WEIGHT
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
2000
4000
DEPTH FTTVD
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP ©
Schlumberger
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON CONFINED BELLOWS
CHARGED DOME PRESSURE
Major Advantages of Nitrogen
•Availability
•Non-explosive
•Non- corrosive
•Predictable compressibility
•Predictable temperature effect
© Schlumberger
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON CONFINED BELLOWS
CHARGED DOME PRESSURE
P2 = P1 X Tc
Where: P1 = Pressure at initial temperature
P2 = Pressure resulting from change of temperature
Tc = Temperature correction factor
and
1 + 0.00215 x (T2 - 60)

Tc = --------------------------------
1 + 0.00215 x (T1 - 60)
Where : T1 = Initial temperature, Deg F

T2 = Present temperature, Deg F © Schlumberger
VOLUMETRIC GAS THROUGHPUT OF A CHOKE OR A
GAS LIFT VALVE PORT
Equation based on Thornhill-Craver Studies
Since this equation is so complex a chart provides
a means of quickly obtaining an approximate gas
passage rate for a given port size
© Schlumberger
GAS INJECTION RATE (MMSCF/D)
SUB-CRITICAL
FLOW
ORIFICE FLOW
PTUBING = 55%
PRESSURE (PSI) PCASING
© Schlumberger
Gas Passage through a RDO-5 Orifice Valve with a 1/2" Port
(163 deg F, Gas S.G. 0.83, Discharge Coefficient 0.84)
9
7
6
Gas Flow Rate MMSCF/D
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000
Pressure psi
© Schlumberger
RDO-5 Orifice Valve, 24/64" Port, Cd = 0.86
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
G a s F lo w rate (m m sc f/d )
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate

1.00
0.50 Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate
0.00
0.00 200.00 400.00 600.00 800.00 1000.00 1200.00 1400.00 1600.00 1800.00 2000.00
Downstream Pressure (psig)
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT DESIGNS
• Learn basics
• Do the designs by hand graphically
• Build mental picture of dynamic system
• Introduce ‘design bias’
• Think about it then apply
© Schlumberger
Review Gas Lift Designs
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT WELL KICK-OFF
© Schlumberger
CAMCO GAS LIFT TECHNOLOGY
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
DEPTH FTTVD
5000
6000
ST
AT
7000 IC
GR
AD
IE
NT
( 0.4
8000 6 5P
S I/
FT
)
9000 DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
S.I.B.H.P.
10000
SLIDE 2
© Schlumberger
CAMCO GAS LIFT TECHNOLOGY
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
FLO
GL
R
W IN
1000
CASING P
GG
RA
2000 DIE
RESSURE
NT
200
0
BL P
3000
GRADIENT
D, 9
9%
W
4000
.C.,
0.6
DEPTH FTTVD
100
5 S.G.
0:1
5000
6000
FL ST
OW AT
7000 IN IC
G GR
GR AD
AD IE
I EN NT
T2 ( 0.4
00 6 5P
8000 0 BP S I/
D, FT
9 9% )
W.
C.
,0
9000 DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS) GL
R
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
SLIDE 5
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT WELL KICK-OFF
• Unload well carefully
– 50 - 100 psi (3.5 bar) per 10 min
– 1 - 2 bbl per min
• Maximize production choke opening
• Gradually increase gas injection rate
• Monitor well clean up and stability
• Get to target position
• Perform step rate production test
• Optimise gas injection rate
• Note - when unloading all valves open!
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT DESIGN METHODS
• Variety of design methods published
– Pmax / P min
– Casing Pressure drop
• Vary with application
• Vary with data
• Vary with experience
• Not an exact science
• We are dealing with a very dynamic system
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT DESIGNS
Design Bias
© Schlumberger
DESIGN BIAS IN GAS LIFT DESIGN
• Tubing head pressure
• Tubing pressure / minimum gradient
• Casing pressure drops to close valve systematically (disadvantage?)
• Re-opening valves / Valve interference
• Differential at bottom point
• Casing pressure available
• Design bias will vary depending on condition
• Gas passage
• Well coming in
• Add some more mandrels?
• Usually called ‘safety factors’
© Schlumberger
CAMCO GAS LIFT TECHNOLOGY - EXAMPLE DESIGN
Ptmin-Ptmax Method - with Design Bias
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
DEPTH FTTVD
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
10000
FIGURE 1
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
CASING PR
1000
ESSURE GR
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
IE NT
(0.4
6000 65
P SI/
FT
)
7000
8000
9000
S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 2
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
CASING PR
1000
ESSURE GR
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
FL IC
OW GR
ING AD
IE NT
GR
AD (0.4
6000 IE NT 65
P SI/
200 FT
0B )
PD
, 99 %
W.
7000 C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 3
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
CASING PR
1000
ESSURE GR
FL
2000
O
WI
NG
ADI
GR
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
AD
ENI
T2
000
4000
G.
B
PD
DEPTH FTTVD
,
99%
W.
5000 ST
C.,
AT
IC
100
GR
AD
0:1
IE NT
FL
OW (0.4
GL
6000 ING 65
R
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 4
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
FL IE NT
O WI (0.4
6000 NG 65
GR P SI/
AD FT
I EN )
T2
00 0
BP
7000 D,
99%
W .C.
, 0G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 5
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
TU
5000
IEN
RE
T
GR
AD
FL
O WI ST
IE
6000 NG AT
IC
NT
GR GR
AD AD
I EN IE
T2 NT
00 0 (0.4
BP 65
7000 D, P SI/
99% FT
W )
.C.
, 0G
LR
8000
9000
DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS) F.B.H.P. #1
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 6
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1 Ptmax1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
Ptmin1
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
ERA
AD
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
FL NT
O WI (0.4
IE
6000 NG 65
NT
GR P SI/
AD FT
I EN )
T2
00 0
BP
7000 D,
99%
W .C.
, 0G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. F.B.H.P. #2 S.I.B.H.P.

10000
FIGURE 7
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
65
CASING PR
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GRA
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
WING
DI
3000
TEM
ENT 0.65 S.
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
Ptmax2
ATU
IC
4000
TE
RE
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
Ptmin2
GR
E RA
AD
MANDREL #3
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
(0.4
IE
6000 65
NT
P SI/
FT
)
7000
8000
9000

10000
FIGURE 8
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GRA
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
WING
DIENT 0.65
3000
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
S.G.
IC
4000
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
MANDREL #3
TU
5000 Ptmax3 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
Ptmin3 AD
IE
AD
NT
MANDREL #4 (0.4
IE
6000 65
NT
P SI/
FT
)
7000
8000
9000

10000
FIGURE 9
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
MANDREL #3
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
MANDREL #4 (0.4
IE
6000 65
NT
P SI/
FT
)
7000
MANDREL #5
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 10
© Schlumberger
Constant Pdrop Method - with Design Bias
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
DEPTH FTTVD
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
FIGURE 1
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
CASING PR
1000
ESSURE GR
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
IE NT
(0.4
6000 65
P SI/
FT
)
7000
8000
9000
S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 2
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
CASING PR
1000
ESSURE GR
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
IE NT
FL
OW (0.4
6000 ING 65
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 3
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
FL
CASING PR
1000 O
WI
NG
GR
ESSURE GR
AD
IEN
2000
T2
000
ADI
B
PD
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
,9
9%
W.
C.
,10
4000
G.
00:
DEPTH FTTVD
1G
LR
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
IE NT
FL
OW (0.4
6000 ING 65
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 4
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
ADI
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
4000
G.
DEPTH FTTVD
5000 ST
AT
IC
GR
AD
IE NT
FL
OW (0.4
6000 ING 65
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 5
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
FL NT
OW (0.4
IE
6000 ING 65
NT
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000 F.B.H.P. #1
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 6
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
ERA
AD
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
FL NT
OW (0.4
IE
6000 ING 65
NT
GR P SI/
AD FT
IEN )
T2
000
BP
7000 D,
99%
W.
C. ,0 G
LR
8000
9000

10000
FIGURE 7
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
MANDREL #3
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
(0.4
IE
6000 65
NT
FL P SI/
OW FT
ING )
GR
AD
IEN
7000 T2
000
BP
D,
99%
W .C.,
0 GL
8000 R
9000

10000
FIGURE 8
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/ ft
1000
ESSURE GR
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
W
ADI
ING
3000
ENT 0.65 S.
TEM
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
ATU
IC
4000
G.
TE
RE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
GR
E RA
AD
MANDREL #3
TU
5000 ST
IEN
AT
RE
IC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
MANDREL #4 (0.4
IE
6000 65
NT
P SI/
FT
)
7000
8000
9000

10000
FIGURE 9
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/f t
1000
ESSURE G
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
RADIEN
WIN
G
3000
TEM
T 0.65 S.G.
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
A
IC
TUR
4000
TE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
EG
E
RAD
RA
MANDREL #3
T
5000
UR
IE N
ST
A TIC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
MANDREL #4 ( 0.4
ENI
6000 65
PSI
T
/ FT
MANDREL #5 )
7000
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 10
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE (PSIG)
TEMPERATURE F
0 1000 2000
100 150 200
0
0.4
CASING PR
65
psi
/f t
1000
ESSURE G
MANDREL #1
2000
FLO
RADIEN
WIN
G
3000
TEM
T 0.65 S.G.
ST
PER
MANDREL #2
AT
A
IC
TUR
4000
TE
DEPTH FTTVD
MP
EG
E
RAD
RA
MANDREL #3
T
5000
UR
IE N
ST
A TIC
T
GR
GR
AD
IE
AD
NT
MANDREL #4 ( 0.4
ENI
6000 65
PSI
T
/ FT
MANDREL #5 )
7000
MANDREL #6
8000
9000
F.B.H.P. S.I.B.H.P.
10000
FIGURE 11
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Day 3
DAY 3
“GAS CONSTANT FLOW GAS LIFT WELL
LIFT PERFORMANCE”
PRODUCED FLUID
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
0
WIO
NG
• Overview of Nodal of1000 Nodal Analysis
TU
BIN
GP
• System Performance
RE
2000
SS
• Gas Lift Performance
UR
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
• Nodal Analysis Exercise
3000
RA
DIE
• Gas Lift Rate Predictions
NT
4000
• Lift Gas Requirements
• Gas Lift Design 5000
• Review of Pipesim Gas
6000
Lift Analysis
and Design
SIBHP
• Work Flow 7000
• Functionality FBHP
© Schlumberger
APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING
Production Systems Analysis
Gas Lift Optimization
Products Installation Design
© Schlumberger
SINGLE WELL SYSTEM
Surface Separator
Pwh
Choke
Pdsc Psep
Safety Pdsv
Valve DP1 = Pr - Pwfs = Loss in Porous Medium
DP2 = Pwfs - Pwf
Pusv = Loss across Completion
DP3 = Pur - Pdr = Loss across Restriction
DP4 = Pusv - Pdsv = Loss across Safety Valve
DP5 = Pwh - Pdsc = Loss across Surface Choke
Bottom Pdr DP6 = Pdsc - Psep = Loss in Flowline
Hole
Restriction Pur DP7 = Pwf - Pwh = Total Loss in Tubing
DP8 = Pwh - Psep = Total Loss in Flowline
_
Pwf Pwfs Pr Pe
Possible Pressure Losses in Complete Production System

© Schlumberger
INJECTION GAS
WELL OUTFLOW
RELATIONSHIP
(VLP) or (TPC)
SANDFACE WELL
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
MULTIPHASE FLOW
OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE
© Schlumberger
OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND MULTIPHASE FLOW

• Select correct tubing size
• Predict when artificial lift will be required
• Design artificial lift systems
• Determine BHFP
• Determine PI
• Predict maximum and/or optimum flow rate
• Determine maximum depth of injection
© Schlumberger
FACTORS EFFECTING TPC/VLP/TPR
• TPC is a function of physical properties not inflow
• Tubing id
• Wall roughness
• Inclination
• Liquid / gas density
• Liquid / gas viscosity
• Liquid / gas velocity
• Well depth / line lengths
• Surface pressure
• Watercut
• GOR / GLR
• Liquid surface tension
• Flowrate
© Schlumberger
PRESSURE LOSS IN WELLBORE
TOTAL
PRESSURE GRAVITY FRICTION ACCELERATION
DIFFERENCE TERM TERM TERM
2
P/Ztotal = g/gccos + fv /2gcd + v/gc[P/Z]
© Schlumberger
OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND
MULTIPHASE FLOW
• Multi-phase flow
• Holdup
• Superficial velocities
• Slip
• Flow regimes
• Flow maps
© Schlumberger
FLOW REGIMES
• Based on observations
• Different flow patterns
– Proportion of phases
– Flow velocity
– Viscosities
– Interfacial tension
© Schlumberger
FLOW REGIMES
© Schlumberger
CORRELATIONS
• Babson (1934)
• Gilbert (1939 / 1952)
• Poettmann & Carpenter (1952)
• Duns & Ros
• Hagedorn & Brown
• Orkiszewski
• Fancher & Brown
• Beggs &Brill
• Duckler Flannigan
• Gray
• Mechanistic
• Proprietary
© Schlumberger
VLP MATCHING
CORRELATION SELECTION
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
2000
4000
6000
DEPTH FTTVD
8000
10000
12000
14000
DRAWDOWN
TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP © Schlumberger
INFLOW AND OUTFLOW
PERFORMANCE
Pressure, psig
0
1000
2000
3000
5200
4000
5000
5000
FBHP, psig
4800
Depth, feet
6000
7000 4600
8000 4400
9000 4200
10000 0 1000 2000 3000
11000 Rate, bbls/d
12000
13000
14000
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
NODAL EXERCISE
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Day 4
DAY 4
“GAS LIFT OPTIMIZATION”
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
0
WIO
NG
TU
• Overview of Gas Lift &1000Production Optimization
BIN
GP
• Introducing to PowerLift
RE
2000
SS
UR
• Concept
EG
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000
RA
• Applications
DIE
NT
• Operations and Support
4000
• Business / Commercial
5000 Models
6000
SIBHP
7000
FBHP
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Day 5
DAY 5
“GAS LIFT OPERATIONS”
PRESSURE (PSI)
1000 2000
FL
INJECTION GAS 0
0
WIO
• Gas Lift Trouble-shooting
NG
TU
1000
• Overview of Trouble-Shooting Techniques
BIN
GP
RE
• Case Studies 2000
SS
UR
EG
• New Products and Services
DEPTH (FT TVD)

3000
RA
DIE
• Sensa DTS, Phoenix
NT
4000
•General Business / Commercial Models

• Overview of Gas Lift 5000
Sales Strategies
• WCP On-line Catalog 6000
• General Use
SIBHP
7000
• Course Wrap-Up FBHP
• Review / Q&A
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING
ING
OP
OR
TIM
NIT
ZA I
MO
T
ION
FOCUS
ORGANISATION
& PROCESSES
TROUBLESHOOTING
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING
GAS LIFT TROUBLESHOOTING INFERS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN
THE GAS LIFT SYSTEM.
Action
Project
FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTION WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THE

OPERATION, ANY PROBLEMS NEED TO BE LOCATED AND
CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN.
Diagnosis
Opportunity GOOD MONITORING WILL ENSURE EARLY RECOGNITION OF ANY

Recognition
PROBLEMS.
A WELL CAN BE SAID TO PROBLEMATIC IF :

•IT IS NOT OPERATING IN A STABLE
Surveillance
CONDITION
Opportunity •THE PRODUCTION IS AFFECTED.
Occurrence
•THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE
INSTALLATION IS COMPROMISED.
•THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE
WELL CHANGES DRASTICALLY.
© Schlumberger
THE FOLLOWING DATA SHOULD BE REGULARLY MONITORED :
• GAS INJECTION (PRODUCTION ANNULUS) PRESSURE
• GAS INJECTION RATES
• TUBING HEAD PRESSURE
• WELL TESTS
• TOTAL PRODUCTION
• WATER CUTS
• TEMPERATURE
SLUGGING : AN UNSTABLE SYSTEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
SEVERE SLUGGING IS A MAJOR CONCERN.
THE INITIAL START-UP AND UNLOADING IS THE WHEN THE WELL IS
AT IT’S MOST UNSTABLE.
© Schlumberger
CHANGE IN THE INJECTION PRESSURE
INJECTION PRESSURE :
CAN MEAN
THE MOST INFORMATIVE, IT INDICATES:
• WHICH UNLOADING VALVES ARE
 RESTRICTIONS TO THE GAS FLOW,
OPEN UPSTREAM OF THE GAS INJECTION
• AND THE MAXIMUM DEPTH OF CIRCULATING VALVE.
INJECTION
 OPENING OF THE UNLOADING VALVE.
 A CHANGE IN THE TUBING PRESSURE
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 AT DEPTH (CHANGE IN WATER CUT)
Pb
2000
 A CHANGE IN THE GAS INJECTION RATE
4000  A RESTRICTION IN THE CIRCULATING
6000
VALVE
DEPTH FTTVD
8000
 THE CIRCULATING VALVE’S PORT HAS
Pc
BEEN FLOW CUT.
10000
 LOSS OF PRESSURE INTEGRITY IN

12000
Pt
EITHER THE TUBING OR THE INJECTION
14000
DRAWDOWN GAS FLOW LINE
TUBING PRESSURE
© Schlumberger
GAS INJECTION RATE:
HAS A LARGE INFLUENCE ON
THE PRODUCTION RATE
INABILITY TO INJECT GAS.
THIS NORMALLY
INDICATES A MECHANICAL
FAILURE.
GAS INJECTION IS
RESTRICTED.
COULD INDICATE :
 AN INCREASE IN
WATER CUT
 WE ARE OPERATING
AT THE UNLOADING
VALVE.
© Schlumberger
WELL TESTS
• ACTUAL PRODUCTION
RATE & WATER CUT
• MULTI-RATE TESTING -
BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF
THE WELL
WATER CUTS
• ERRATIC WATER CUTS CAN INDICATE A SLUGGING WELL
© Schlumberger
TUBING PRESSURE :
THE TUBING HEAD PRESSURE (THP) & WELL HEAD TEMPERATURE
INDICATE THE WELL IS FLOWING.
A DECREASE IN TUBING PRESSURE CAN INDICATE A LOSS OF
PRODUCTION DUE TO :
•
A CHANGE IN THE INJECTION DEPTH
• AN INCREASE IN WATER CUT.
AN INCREASE IN TUBING PRESSURE :
• COULD BE AS A RESULT OF EXCESS GAS INJECTION
• CAN AFFECT THE CASING PRESSURE.
TUBING INSTABILITY CAN BE CAUSED BY :

• CASING PRESSURE INSTABILITY (MULTI-POINTING OR
INCORRECTLY SIZED CIRCULATING VALVE)
• TOO LARGE A TUBING SIZE.
© Schlumberger
TEMPERATURE
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING
•Inlet problems
•Choke sized too large
•Choke sized too small
•Low casing pressure
•High casing pressure
•Verify gauges
•Low gas volume
•Excessive gas volume
•Compressor fluctuations
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING
•Outlet problems
•Valve restrictions
•High back pressure
•Separator operating pressure
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING
•Downhole problems
•Hole in tubing
•Operating pressure valve by surface closing
Method
•Well blowing dry gas
•Well will not take any input gas
•Well flowing in heads
•Installation stymied and will not unload
•Valve hung open
•Valve spacing too wide
© Schlumberger
TROUBLESHOOTING TECHNIQUES
• Calculations - analysis of casing pressure
• Echometer surveys
• Tagging fluid level
• Two pen pressure recorder charts
• Multi-rate test analysis
• Historical well test analysis
• Computer modeling
• Flowing pressure and temperature
surveys
© Schlumberger
TYPICAL CALCULATED CHECKS
• Casing pressure analysis

• Effect of reservoir pressure & pi with well test data
• Gas passage calculations
• Well temperature effect
• Frictional/downhole pressure effects
• Performance curve
• Well stability
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT
· GAS LIFT DATA SHEET
Flowing Continuous Flow
Survey Design Diagnostics
WELL FLOWS WELL DOES NOT FLOW
WELL TAKES WELL TAKES

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5
WELL DOES NOT WELL DOES NOT

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
CHART 4 © Schlumberger
WELL FLOWS
CHART 2 WELL TAKES GAS
Injection Thru Injection Not Thru

Gas Lift Valve Gas Lift Valve
Injection At
Deepest Valve?
Sidepocket
Hole in Tubing
Mandrel Leak
Evaluate for
Deeper Injection
Point Install Pack Off Re-install Valve
Mechanical
Problems? Install Pack Off
Remove Re-design for

Restriction Deeper Injection
Consider
Workover
Re-evaluate
OPTIMISE GAS
INJECTION RATE © Schlumberger
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
WELL FLOWS
CHART 3
WELL DOES NOT TAKE GAS
G.L.V. Design
Failed Gas G.L.V. Setting Surface Gas
Casing Bridge Temperature
Lift Valve Too High Input Problem
Too Low
Redesign Redesign for
Change Out Pump Plugged
for Lower Higher
Valve Chemical Surface Choke
Pressure Temperature
Frozen
Pump Water Surface
Choke
Re-evaluate
OPTIMISE GAS
INJECTION RATE
© Schlumberger
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
WELL FLOWS
CHART 4 IRREGULAR GAS INJECTION
SubSurface Surface Problem

Problem
Casing Pressure Casing Pressure Unstable Gas Unstable Back

Low High Supply Pressure
Unloading Valve Compressor Adjacent Well
Hole in Tubing Gained Pressure Discharge Heading in
Unstable Shared Manifold
Unloading Valve Operating Valve Intermittent Well Unstable

Lost Pressure Too Deep Robbing Supply Separator Back
Gas Volume Pressure
Valve Port Fluid Valve Port Size

Cut Too Small
Leaking
Sidepocket
Mandrel
Re-evaluate
OPTIMISE GAS
INJECTION RATE
© Schlumberger
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
WELL DOES NOT FLOW
WELL TAKES GAS
CHART 5
Casing Pressure Casing Pressure

High Low
Lower Valve Gas Lift Valve Mechanical

Won't Open Problem Problem
Fluid Load on
Bottom Below Unloading Valve
Design Pressure Lost Dome Hole in Tubing
Pressure
Bridge in
Casing Cut Out Valve Leaking Mandrel
Port Pocket
Lift Gas Injection
Rate Too High Trash in
Unloading Valve Leaking Tubing
Port Hanger
No Inflow To
Evaluate for Wellbore
Orifice Insert
Re-evaluate
OPTIMISE GAS
INJECTION RATE
© Schlumberger
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
WELL DOES NOT FLOW
CHART 6 WELL DOES NOT TAKE GAS
Surface Problem Subsurface

Problem
Wellhead or Gas Lift Valve Subsurface

Manifold Plugged Problem Safety Valve
or Closed Closed
Injection Choke
Plugged or Tubing Closed
Closed
Bridge in Casing
Valve Set
Plugged Pressure Too Valve Gained Top Valve Spaced
Operating Valve High Charged Pressure Too Deep
Rock The well Re-design for Change Valve Unload to Lower

Lower Pressure Back Pressure
Circulate Fluid Displace Casing

Thru Valve with Lighter Fluid
Change Valve Use Higher

Injection Pressure
Re-evaluate OPTIMISE GAS

INJECTION RATE
© Schlumberger
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
GAS LIFT WELLS
Case Studies using Echometer, Two-Pen
Recorder and Nodal Analysis
© Schlumberger
CASE #1
• New gas lift string
– Expected production: 1350 bbls/d @ 580 MCF/D gas
injection.
– Actual Production: 1050 bbls/d @ 520 MCF/D gas injection.
• Corrective Action Taken
– Well modeled to aid in diagnosis.
– Acquired fluid level in casing.
– Wireline ran in well with impression block to confirm valve
was out of pocket. Attempted to re-set valve.
– Flowing gradient survey ordered.
© Schlumberger
CASE #1
GAS LIFT DESIGN
VLV # MD TVD Temp. TCF Port R TRO
1 1850 1837 144 0.847 3/16" .094 945
2 2820 2698 150 0.838 3/16" .094 940
3 3640 3305 156 0.829 3/16" .094 935
4 4500 3902 161 0.822 3/16" .094 930
5 5370 4502 1/4" Orifice Valve N/A
6 6260 5106 GLV in place
Figure 1
© Schlumberger
CASE #1
FLUID LEVEL SHOT
End
Mandrel #2 @ 2820 ft. Mandrel #3 @ 3305 ft. Mandrel #4 @ 4500 ft.
MD (13.6 in.) MD (17.8 in.) MD (21.5 in.)
SCSSV @ 398 ft. Mandrel #1 @ 1850 ft.

Start
MD (1.9 in.) MD (9.1 in.)
Figure 2
© Schlumberger
Case #1
Pressure vs. Depth Plot
Figure 3
© Schlumberger
CASE #1
SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
• As figure 2 shows, the fluid level was found at
the 4th mandrel. The well has failed to
unload to the orifice.
• As figure 3 illustrates, there is sufficient
pressure differential at depth to unload to the
orifice in mandrel #5.
• Wireline operations confirmed the valve in
mandrel #4 was out of pocket, preventing the
well from unloading.
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
• Well has been severely heading with

tubing pressures ranging between 120 -
350 psi. Casing pressures have varied
between 900 - 1000 psi.
• Well believed to be multi-point injecting
between 2 or more valves.
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
GAS LIFT DESIGN
VLV # MD TVD Temp. TCF Port R TRO
1 1802 1802 105 0.912 3/16" .094 1005
2 3111 3110 121 0.884 3/16" .094 995
3 4105 4087 134 0.863 3/16" .094 980
4 4803 4747 1/4" Orifice Valve from #10 N/A
5 5418 5333 149 0.839 3/16" .094 960
6 5939 5805 156 0.829 3/16" .094 945
7 6491 6313 163 0.819 3/16" .094 930
8 7012 6794 170 0.809 3/16" .094 920
9 7563 7306 174 0.803 3/16" .094 910
10 8115 7829 N/A N/A 3/16" .094 970
Figure 4
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
FLUID LEVEL SHOT
End
Mandrel #4 @ 4803
Mandrel #3 @ 4105 ft.
ft. MD (23.8 in.)
MD (20.4 in.)
Mandrel #2 @ 3111 ft.

MD (15.4 in.)
SCSSV @ 614 ft. Mandrel #1 @ 1802 ft.

Start MD (3.0 in.) MD (8.9 in.)
Figure 5
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
TWO-PEN RECORDER CHART
Figure 6
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
FLOWING GRADIENT SURVEY
Figure 7
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
CASING PRESSURE ANALYSIS
VALVE NO DEPTH TVD TRO Pd@60F Pt R 1-R PtR OP Tv TCF Op Force Cl Force
1 1802 1005 911 340 .0940 .9060 32 971 139 .855 912 1065 Closed
2 3110 995 901 587 .0940 .9060 55 995 147 .842 957 1071 Closed
3 4087 980 888 822 .0940 .9060 77 1020 158 .826 1001 1075 Closed
4 4747 1/4" BKO-3 Orifice Valve N/A N/A Open
Figure 8
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
• As figure 5 illustrates, the well has unloaded to the

orifice in mandrel #4.
• Figure 6 is a 2-pen chart showing both tubing and
casing heading, typical of multi-point injection
and/or un-regulated gas passage due to
communication.
• The flowing survey in figure 7 indicates gas
passage through valves # 1,2,3 & 4.
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
• The casing pressure analysis in figure 8
shows that all unloading valves should
be closed at the given pressures and
temperatures.
• Well appears to be multi-point injecting
through leaking or cut-out valves.
• Appears to be error in bottom three
survey points.
© Schlumberger
CASE #2
• Valves were sent to shop and replaced. The

seats in each of the unloading valves were
confirmed to be cut out
• After replacing cut-out valves, well was
returned to production. Total fluid rate
increased by over 150 bbls/d (60 BOPD).
• 4 training sessions were then scheduled for
field personnel to better inform them about
proper unloading / operating procedures.
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
· WELL TEST DATA
· WELL HISTORY
· TWO PEN CHART
· WELL EQUIPMENT

GAS GAS
CHART 2 CHART 5

TAKE GAS TAKE GAS
CHART 3 CHART 6
IRREGULAR GAS
INJECTION
WELL FLOWS
CHART 4 IRREGULAR GAS INJECTION
SubSurface Surface Problem

Problem
Casing Pressure Casing Pressure Unstable Gas Unstable Back

Low High Supply Pressure
Unloading Valve Compressor Adjacent Well
Hole in Tubing Gained Pressure Discharge Heading in
Unstable Shared Manifold
Unloading Valve Operating Valve Intermittent Well Unstable

Lost Pressure Too Deep Robbing Supply Separator Back
Gas Volume Pressure
Valve Port Fluid Valve Port Size

Cut Too Small
Leaking
Sidepocket
Mandrel
Re-evaluate
OPTIMISE GAS
INJECTION RATE
© Schlumberger
HEADING / INSTABILITIES / SLUGGING
• TUBING HEADING PHENOMENON
• CASING HEADING PHENOMENON
• INSTABILITY / SLUGGING ON START UP
• VALVE PROBLEMS
© Schlumberger
INJECTION PRESSURE OR PRODUCTION ANNULUS SLUGGING (HEADING)
CAN INDICATE
• INSUFFICIENT GAS INJECTION RATES
• INCORRECTLY SIZED CIRCULATING VALVE FOR THE GAS
INJECTION RATE
• THE WELL COULD BE MULTI-POINTING
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
INSTABILITY - The perpetuation of slugging
(whilst sub-critical flow across the operating valve)
Fluctuation in Slight decrease in CSG
Tubing pressure pressure until drop in
gas inj. rate
g
si n
Increased Decreased Ge
a e n Increase TBG
c re R a t Pro eral D
Decreased gas inj. rate gas inj. rate
n
I n du pressure
ral ctio
fluid density e c
e cti rea
n u on s
Ge rod R a i ng
P te
Slight increase in CSG
Decrease TBG pressure until sufficient
to increase gas inj. rate Increased fluid
pressure
density
© Schlumberger
CRITICAL FLOW SUB-CRITICAL

FLOW
CRITICAL FLOW
PTUBING = 55%

© Schlumberger
STABLE & OPTIMUM POINT OF INJECTION
THEORETICAL
UNSTABLE GAS OPTIMUM
INJ. RATE GAS INJ. RATE
PRODUCTION RATE (Qrate)
OPTIMUM GAS INJ. RATE
WITH SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS
GAS INJECTION RATE (Qg)

© Schlumberger
STANDARD APPROACH TO REDUCING INSTABILITY
• CHOKE WELL : DAMPENS TUBING SLUGS
LOSS OF PRODUCTION
• INCREASE GAS INJECTION RATE : FORCE ORIFICE INTO
CRITICAL FLOW
NORMALLY INJECTION RATE EXCEEDS ECONOMIC
INJECTION RATE
ADDITIONAL LOAD ON COMPRESSOR
• REDUCE ORIFICE SIZE

INCREASE UPSTREAM PRESSURE FOR SAME INJECTION
RATE (ADDITIONAL LOAD ON COMPRESSOR = REDUCE
COMPRESSOR THROUGHPUT)
© Schlumberger
NOVA VALVE
© Schlumberger
CRITICAL FLOW SUB-CRITICAL

FLOW
CRITICAL FLOW
PTUBING = 55% PTUBING = 90%

© Schlumberger
OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF THE VENTURI
200
180
CHARACTERISTICS OF A
160
140
Flow Rate (MCF/d)
120
100
The Square-edged orifice SQUARE-EDGED ORIFICE
performance curve
80
• Large sub-critical flow
60
40
regime
20
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 • Gas passage dependent on
downstream pressure until
Tubing Pressure
40 - 50% pressure lost

• Poor pressure recovery =
large pressure drop & large
energy loss
© Schlumberger
OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF THE VENTURI
THE VENTURI DESIGN ALLOWS THE FOLLOWING :
• BETTER PRESSURE & ENERGY RECOVERY
• LOWER DISCHARGE COEFFICIENT
• DRASTICALLY REDUCED SUB-CRITICAL FLOW REGIME
• CRITICAL VELOCITY (VELOCITY OF PRESSURE
TRANSMISSION/SONIC VELOCITY) ATTAINED WITHIN 10%
PRESSURE DROP
• REDUCES INFLUENCE OF DOWNSTREAM PRESSURE ON GAS
PASSAGE = REDUCED RISK TO PROPAGATING INSTABILITY
Nozzle-Venturi Gas Lift Valve Project
Pressure vs. Flow Rate Summary
4000
1400 psi Upstream
3500
3000
Flow Rate (Mcf/d)
Improved Orifice Valve

2500
Conventional Orifice Valve
2000 900 psi Upstream
1500
1000 400 psi Upstream
500
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Downstream Pressure (psi)
Data shown is from actual flow tests
© Schlumberger
VALVE RELIABILITY
• INSPECTION REPORTS
• HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
• VALVE TRACKING DATABASE
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
CHEMICAL INJECTION
CIRCULATING VALVES
CORROSION MONITORING
GAUGE CARRIERS
AUTO LIFT
SIDE STRING GAS LIFT COMPLETIONS
DUAL GAS LIFT COMPLETIONS
ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC GAS LIFT VALVE
INTERMITTENT LIFT
INSERT STRING GAS LIFT COMPLETIONS
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift Sensor
Summary
© Schlumberger
Phoenix Gas Lift Sensor
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift Sensor System
• Annulus Pressure
• Tubing Pressure
• Downhole Temperature
• Vibration
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift
 Gas Lift Sensor
 Never Run.
 Same as PCP sensor
(>170 systems run)
 Must be run with the
completion
 Placement – below the
orifice
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift
 Production
 Immediate
indication of lost
production.
 Troubleshooting
 Scaling Orifice
 Changing watercut
 Automation
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift
 Optimization
 Well by well
basis
 BBLS / MMSCF
 Field gas
allocation
© Schlumberger
Why Measured Data Is Needed
 Software/Modelling
 All models are wrong until proven correct.
 Artificial lift software tends to focus on the
pump not the wellbore (production).
 Not real-time
 Fluid properties (PVT)
© Schlumberger
Automation – Gas Lift
Statistics indicate 70% of Gas Lift wells are not injecting at
the orifice
 Production
 Generate lift performance curve
 Field wide gas allocation
 Protection
 Immediate indication of lost production Prevent
excessive Pd (shut in or low flow).
 Indication of changing conditions
© Schlumberger
Sensor – Strategy $
 Gaslift
 Sensor has great potential
 Need trials
 PCPs
 Sensor proven
 More opportunity if work
with Pump manufacturer.
 Dual Completions
 Monitrol
© Schlumberger
Strategy
“How you gather, manage, and use
information will determine
whether you win or lose.”
Bill Gates, Microsoft - worlds richest man.
© Schlumberger
© Schlumberger
Sensa
Who Are Sensa?
• Sensa – World Leaders In Oilfield Fibre Optic
Measurement
• Over 180 Installations In 6 years
• Where: USA, Canada, Venezuela, UK, Norway,
Indonesia, Oman
• Who: BP, Shell, PDVSA, Chevron, Caltex,
BHP, Texaco, Statoil, PDO
• Why: Producers, Injectors, Steam flood, Gas
Lift, Horizontal, Vertical, Pipelines
© Schlumberger
Fibre Optic Distributed
Temperature Measurement
© Schlumberger
Distributed Temperature System
How does it work?
Surface Downhole
Directional Multimode
Coupler Fibre Optic Line
Pulsed
Laser
Source
Anti-Stokes Rayleigh Stokes

Raman Band Raman Band
Brillouin
Signal
Processing
Pulsed laser Time =ƒ(depth)

Anti-stokes vs. Stokes amplitude = ƒ(temperature)
© Schlumberger
How Does It Work?
• 0.1°C resolution
• 0.1°C accuracy
• Readings every 1metre
• Operates over 12km
• Intrinsically safe
• -40°C to +300°C
© Schlumberger
Xmas Tree Fibre reel
Sensa® Signal
Adaptor Flange Conditioner
Water Pump
Real Time Data
Management
System (RTMS)
Optical Fibre
 Accuracy & resolution up to 0.1°C
 Deployment
Datapoint every metre
Packer  Up to 10,000 datapoints
 Operates -40°C to + 300°C
 Up to 10 wells per surface unit
Casing
© Schlumberger
TA-27 Well Status
Wellhead zero reference depth Dual encapsulated
Mean sea level @ 61 metres 0.25” control line
Sea bed @ 229 metres
Gaslift valve @ 1,068 metres
Tubing
Gaslift valve @ 2,640 metres Optical
‘Turn around’ sub @ 3,091 metres fibre
Production Packer @ 3,195 metres
Perforated zone @ 4,023 metres
Fig. 3
© Schlumberger
What Can You
Measure?
Any effect in the well that causes
a temperature change > 0.1C
over a distance >1m
© Schlumberger
What Can It Measure? Typical Profile
75
Gas Breakout ESP Effect
70
Temperature Deg C
65
Horizontal
60 Reservoir Area
16/03/99 07:11:51 100% Flow
55
17/03/99 09:16:09 75% Flow
17/03/99 21:41:03 50% Flow

50
03/02/99 20:06:06 Feb 3rd Flow
45
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Depth m BRT
© Schlumberger
What Can You Measure?
• Identify Flowing • Gas Lift Monitoring
Zones • Tubular Integrity
• Identify Water
• Near Well Bore
Breakthrough Effects
• Water Injection
Monitoring
• Steam Flood
Monitoring
© Schlumberger
TA-27 Well Status
Wellhead zero reference depth Dual encapsulated
Mean sea level @ 61 metres 0.25” control line
Sea bed @ 229 metres
Tubing
Gaslift valve @ 2,640 metres Optical
‘Turn around’ sub @ 3,091 metres fibre
Production Packer @ 3,195 metres
Perforated zone @ 4,023 metres
Fig. 3
© Schlumberger
Casing Pressure and Wellhead Temperature Trends During TA-27 Unloading
120 t1 t2 t 3 t4 t5 t6
100 Casing Pressure

CHP (barg)
80
60
Flowline Temperature
FL TEMP (C)
40
20
0
12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00
© Schlumberger
Observations:
• Wells together beneath the platform
• Lift gas:
– 100+ °C at wellhead
– cooled by seawater
• Sensor tube plastic encapsulated:
– insulated from the tubing
– effectively Tannulus is measured
• Above lift point:
– Ttubing > Tannulus > Tformation
• Below lift point:

– Ttubing ~ Tannulus
© Schlumberger
T (C)
t1 Initial situation
ahd (m)
t 1 = 14:16 h - kick-off started
© Schlumberger
T (C)
ahd (m) t 2 = 17:16 h - top ULV open
© Schlumberger
T (C)
t 3 = 18:01 h - 2nd ULV and orifice pass gas
© Schlumberger
T (C)
ahd (m) t 4 = 18:46 h - ULVs closed, inflow started
© Schlumberger
T (C)
ahd (m) t 5 = 21:46 h - ULVs re-open at higher gas rate
© Schlumberger
T (C)
ahd (m) t 6 = 23:01 h - ULVs closed, tubing warming
up
© Schlumberger
T (C)
ahd (m)
t 6 = 23:01 h - estimated tubing temperature
© Schlumberger
SEPERATOR
Well Focus
Gas Lift System Optimization
3-Phase
GL
GasDesignFlow
Injection
3-Phase
Measurement
And Stability
Monitor
Gas Lift
Design
Performance
© Schlumberger
SEPERATOR
DTS Multi -
Sensor
Gas Lift
Design
Performance
Fiber Optic DTS – Logs Temperature Changes
Multi-Sensor – Monitors Gas Injection Differential

Press and Flowing Tubing Pressure at POI
Monitoring allows for detection of System

Inefficiencies including: Improper Valve
Performance, Multi-Point Injection, Tubing
Leaks, Packer Leaks, Inflow
© Schlumberger
RT Monitoring &
Control
Future
Real Time
production
(downhole and
surface)
measurement and
control
© Schlumberger
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
“Don’t do gas lift designs!”
© Schlumberger
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
• SIS Baker Jardine - Pipesim
• Petroleum Experts
• Edinburgh Petroleum Services - Wellflo
• WEM
• SSI
• Numerous others
© Schlumberger
GAS LIFT DESIGN METHODS
Gas lift design for the life of the well
©CAMCO 1997 © Schlumberger

SUMMARY OF GAS LIFT DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
• Maximize oil production
• Minimize well intervention (especially in subsea wells)
• Maximize design flexibility without compromising production
•
Maximize depth of injection
• Well stability
• Uncertainties in reservoir performance
• Range of reservoir pressures and PIs over well life
• Range of watercuts over well life
• Range of gas injection rates
• Valve port sizing and gas passage pressure drops in system
• Valve performance
©CAMCO 1997 © Schlumberger

TYPICAL DATA REQUIRED
Well Data
Mean Sea Level: _____ft.MDRKB Well Head Depth: _____ft.MDRKB
Well Schematic Yes No (if no, fill in information below)

Deviation Survey Yes No
Size Weight Depth (MDRKB)
Tubing Data: _________ __________ __________
Casing Data: _________ __________ __________
Length O.D I.D
Flowline Data: _________ __________ __________
Insulation Diameter: __________
Fluid Parameters
Oil API or S.G __________ Production Gas S.G __________

Water Salinity or S.G __________ Formation GOR __________
Expected Water Cut Range _______ to ________
© Schlumberger
PVT Data
Attach PVT Data Sheet Yes No
Solution GOR (at STD conditions) __________

Pb (at measured Temperature) __________ @ __________
Value Pressure Temp
Bo (at pressure & Temp) ________ _________ ________
Uo (at pressure & Temp) ________ _________ ________
PVT Correlation (if any) _______________________
Inflow Parameters
Initial Final
Layer Pressure Range ________ ________
Layer Temperature ________
Depth to Mid Perfs ________
PI Range ________ ________
or Test Rate, FBHP & Depth ________ _________ ________
© Schlumberger
Gas Lift Data
Kick off Pressure ________ Operating Inj. Pressure ________

Injection Gas S.G. ________ Lift Gas Availability ________
Deepest Point of Inj. ________
Production Information
Unloading THP ________
FTHP & Rate ________ @ _________
FTHT & Rate ________ @ _________
Separator Pressure ________
Flow correlation (if any) ____________________
Test Data
Flowing Gradient Survey Yes No

Well Test Yes No
Well Test History Yes No
Current Condition : New Drill Flowing Gas Lifting

Total Rate (b/d): _______ Oil Rate (b/d): ______ Water Rate (b/d):______
© Schlumberger
Multi-rate Gas Lift Design
MD TVD Ptbg Pcsg Port
Flo
2402 2400 421 1067 3/16” 130
wi
ng
St
at
Te
ic
mp
Te
m
3852 3850 600 1091 3/16”
.
153
Gr
p.
ad
G
ra
ien
di
en
t
4952 4950 764 1121 3/16” 163
t
5728 5725 883 1140 3/16” .45
ps 169
i / ft
6265 6250 913 1151 3/16” gra
die 173
n t
6755 6700 1/4”
7290 7150
7885 7600
8504 8050
9110 8500
© Schlumberger

2004 Gas Lift Seminar

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Schlumberger Private

• Gas Lift Equipment Overview

• Gas Lift Optimization 5000

• Gas Lift Analysis 2000

Selection involves many

Making artificial lift decisions is

• Most widely used lift • Restricted flow rates

• Flexible application • Restricted setting

• Wide performance • Tubing must be pulled

1951 Side pocket mandrel license

1995 Nova gas lift orifice valve was

Gas lift decreases fluid density in wellbores by reducing

By injecting relatively high pressure gas from the surface

• TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING WELLS

• TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS

• TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS

• TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS

• Initial downhole equipment costs lower

• Low operational and maintenance cost

• Flexibility - can handle rates from 10 to 50,000 bpd

• Can best handle sand / gas / well deviation

• Intervention relatively less expensive

• Must have a source of gas

• Possible high installation cost

• Limited by available reservoir pressure

• Continuous Flow Gas Lift

• EXTENSION OF NATUAL FLOW BY SUPPLEMENTING THE

• GAS IS INJECTED CONTINUOUSLY INTO THE PRODUCTION CONDUIT

• INJECTION GAS MIXES WITH THE PRODUCED WELL FLUIDS AND

• THE LOWER FLOWING PRESURE GRADIENT REDUCES THE FLOWING

• TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING WELLS

• TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS

• TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS

• TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS

DEPTH (FT TVD)

DEPTH (FT TVD)

• MECHANICAL BARRIER AT THE INTERFACE REDUCES FALLBACK

INJECTION GAS INJECTION GAS

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE OPEN

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

TOP VALVE CLOSED

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

• Normally required during unloading phase

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

• Typically an ‘orifice’ type Gas lift valve

PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE TUBING

Dummy valves Orifice valves Unloading valves

Pressure Regulator Spring Operated Gas Lift Valve

WHEN THE VALVE IS CLOSED

OPENING FORCES (IPO VALVE) Fo1 = Pc (Ab- Ap)

JUST BEFORE THE VALVE OPENS THE FORCES ARE EQUAL

* Where R = Ratio Ap/Ab

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

INJECTION GAS AT SURFACE 1200 PSI ? PSI

VALVE # 3 1340 PSI ? PSI 1323 PSI