Abstract
Abstract Determining artificial lift options in mid to late-life unconventional wells is paramount to the economic success of hydrocarbon recovery. This paper will compare two different artificial lift methodologies (HPGL & ESP) in wells in the same formations. Key comparisons of economics (CAPEX/OPEX), operational limitation, and ultimate hydrocarbon recovery between the two lift methodologies will be presented. HPGL is known for its’ operational advantages such as its high tolerance for solids production, high gas-liquid ratios (GLR), and its’ overall versatility. Two wells targeting the same Wolfcamp A zone were converted from conventional gas lift to HPGL and ESP. This project's objective was to test HPGL's performance and economic viability in order to be utilized for future workover operations in the area. A year's worth of production, economic, and operational data will be presented in this paper. In the first nine months after the initial lift installation, the well at which the ESP was installed suffered two ESP failures due to production solids causing equipment damage. The average run-life of each ESP was approximately 50 days. During the same time, Well #2 (on HPGL) continued producing with no downtime and minimal decline when compared to initial IP rates. After 9 months of production operations, the HPGL well outperformed the ESP well in terms of cumulative production. More importantly, the capital and operating cost per BOE produced between the two artificial lift systems was substantially lower in the HPGL well. Similar issues occurred in a third well (Well #3 Wolfcamp B formation) in the field. This time the ESP was replaced with HPGL- achieving better production performance compared to the ESP. The operational simplicity and lower capital/operating costs of the HPGL system proved that it can be a competitive alternative to ESPs and Conventional Gas Lift in unconventional wells (Wolfcamp A & B formations). Considering that HPGL can be installed at the early production life and be the lift system of choice for early to late life of a well makes it an attractive option for production sustainability of wells that traditionally experience high decline rates and downhole equipment failures.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call