Artificial Lift Production Systems Sizing and Simulation Software

Abstract

Abstract Determining the proper artificial lift technology for the reservoir requirements and the downhole environment is critical for ensuring economic production rates over the life of a well. To effectively select the best artificial lift solution requires sophisticated tools to simulate and design different artificial lift systems in various production scenarios. This paper presents the challenges in developing artificial lift software and simulation tool to design, simulate, and effectively apply to different forms of artificial lift systems to improve well efficiency, optimize production and increase ultimate recovery. In addition to determining the best applications for different artificial lift production systems, this software can be used to design application-specific electrical submersible pumping (ESP) systems; electrical submersible progressing cavity pumping systems; rod-driven progressing cavity pumping systems; horizontal surface pumping systems; and gas lift systems and LEAP system. This user friendly software can be used for both fixed speed and variable speed applications. In addition, this software provides sensitivity analysis to quickly evaluate a system design in a wide range of possible operating conditions to maximize production and increase oil recovery. Information from various wells has been compiled to provide actual field usage data to support the accuracy of the design and simulation tool with different forms of artificial lifts. The artificial lift systems design and simulation tool has the capability to size the right system by conducting sensitivity analysis for wells and projecting different scenarios to maximize well production and enhance system run life. The result shows how the design and simulation tool can be used to optimize production and improve system efficiency.