ESP Performances for Gas-Lifted High Water Cut Wells

Abstract

Abstract Electrical Submersible Pumping (ESP) and Gas lift (GL) are a part of the long term production sustainability solutions in the fields with increasing water cuts, and depleting reservoir energy. In order to increase the production from this type of fields and sustain the field target rates, production optimization and revisiting of the artificial lift selection proves to be the best cost effective solution. This paper summarizes the methodology used and the results of a review of artificial lift strategy in a brown field environment with severe gaslift constraints. Potential use of alternative artificial lift technologies in selected high water cut wells was justified. ESP were shown to provide particular advantages related to high water cut oil well applications and easy surveillance access in addition to operating flexibility for changing conditions. Present GL flow conditions were simulated to determine the operating envelope and the conditions at which GL flow ceases. GL vs. ESP performance comparisons were then carried out for each well over their lifecycle. The incremental revenue and cost impact of ESPs were demonstrated. For all design cases, ESPs can match or exceed the GL performance in this case for the present, middle and late life cases.