Assessment of Intermittent Gas Lift Performance Through Simultaneous and Coupled Dynamic Simulation

Abstract

Abstract The assessment of Intermittent Gas Lift (IGL) by computer calculations using the mechanistic models found in the literature usually approaches the IGL's operating cycle as a sequence of independent non-interacting stages, occurring back-to-back, without overlapping in time; that approach restricts the system analysis to the limited range of operational conditions when such particular behavior indeed exists. In fact, out of such range, some stages of the IGL cycle may be rather simultaneous than sequential, as previously assumed. This paper presents a new IGL mechanistic model and simulation scheme to consider the possible occurrence of both sequential and simultaneous stages throughout the IGL cycles. The dynamics of the IGL cycles is assessed through a simultaneous and coupled variable set of non-linear algebraic and time-differential equations, interactively defined on the run and solved according to the ongoing stages of the IGL cycle. A case study for a typical IGL well, producing from a low productivity reservoir partially depleted, at different operational conditions, shows how the IGL computer simulator can help the operator to set up the IGL parameters to maximize the well production or its economic gain.