Abstract
Well DEF, a well located in Niger Delta region of Nigeria was shut down for 7 years. On gearing towards re-starting production, different options such as installation of gas lift mechanism, servicing and installation of packers and valves were evaluated for possibility of increasing well fluid productivity. Hence, this research was focused on optimizing well fluid productivity using PROSPER through installation of continuous gas lift mechanism on an existing well using incomplete dataset; in addition, the work evaluated effect of gas injection rates, wellhead pressure, water cut and gas gravity on efficiency of the artificial lift mechanism for improved well fluid production. Results of the study showed that optimum gas injection rate of 0.6122 MMscf/day produced well fluid production of 264.28 STB/day which is lower than pristine production rate (266 STB/day) of the well. Also, increment in wellhead pressure resulted in decrease in well production, increase in water cut facilitated reduction in well fluid productivity while gas gravity is inversely proportional to well fluid productivity. Based on results obtained, authors concluded that Well DEF does not require gaslift mechanism hence, valves and parkers need to be re-serviced and re-installed for sustained well fluid.
Highlights
Production of well fluids is a function of natural driving mechanisms in the reservoir; as well fluid production increases over time, natural driving mechanisms decrease which impedes the natural economic production rate of hydrocarbon and profitability of the asset (Abdalsadig et al, 2016; Yakoot et al, 2014)
An artificial lift method that involves the injection of gas into the production tubings to lighten hydrostatic column of the fluid and reduce backpressure has been proven to be effective in improving the production of reservoirs whose primary driving mechanisms has diminished over time; about 98% of artificial lift mechanisms for
The work has highlighted the feasiliblity of carrying out optimization studies on wells using incomplete dataset when gas lift mechanism is introduced for improvement in well productivity
Summary
Production of well fluids is a function of natural driving mechanisms in the reservoir; as well fluid production increases over time, natural driving mechanisms decrease which impedes the natural economic production rate of hydrocarbon and profitability of the asset (Abdalsadig et al, 2016; Yakoot et al, 2014). There is a need to assist the primary production of hydrocarbons from the reservoir using artificial lift mechanisms or pressure maintenance systems to prolong the life of the well and economic value of the asset These artificial lift mechanisms induce a pressure differential in fluid column in the well and production tubings, increase production pressure drawdown, reduce bottomhole pressure and facilitate improved production of well fluids; this is achievable by addition of external energy to the fluid that aids its production at the surface (Ghazali et al, 2014). An artificial lift method that involves the injection of gas into the production tubings to lighten hydrostatic column of the fluid and reduce backpressure has been proven to be effective in improving the production of reservoirs whose primary driving mechanisms has diminished over time; about 98% of artificial lift mechanisms for
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