Analysis of Well Performance Based on Bottom Hole Pressure Calculations for Gas Lift Application

Abstract

This paper focuses on optimizing gas lift techniques in four wells located in the North Sea to overcome the common issue of low reservoir pressure. Gas lift is a common artificial lift technique used in wells with low reservoir pressure where the natural pressure of the reservoir is insufficient to bring the oil to the surface. The success of gas lift optimization depends on identifying the deepest injection point, gas injection rate, and pressure of the gas injected. The paper proposes the deepest injection points for wells A-03, A-09A, A-10T2, and A-12BT2 as 3809.38 ft, 6649.7 ft, 3559.88 ft, and 3979.04 ft, respectively. The injection rates analyzed in this paper range from 1-10 mmscf/day, and injection pressures of 500 psia, 1000 psia, and 1500 psia were used. The response of each well to gas lift was analyzed, and increasing injection rate and pressure were found to increase oil production rate. The optimal gas injection rate and pressure for wells A-03, A-09A, and A-12BT2 were found to be 10 mmscf/day and 1500 psia, while for well A-12BT2, the best oil recovery was obtained at an injection rate of 3 mmcsf/day and injection pressure of 1500 psia. Tubing size within the range of 1-5.5 inch was examined, and it was found that increasing tubing size enhances oil flow rate. The optimal tubing size for the wells was found to be 5.5 inch, taking into consideration factors such as flow rate, pressure, temperature requirements, and fluid type.