Hybrid Artificial Lift-SRP/Gas Lift for Oil Production in High GOR Environment

Abstract

Abstract Gas Lift is the ideal candidate in the high GOR environment. Due to different surface constraints, a rod pump is adopted at the field scale. This necessitates the installation of a downhole gas anchor. Free gas vented, is utilized by the installation of gas lift valves above the pump depth. The flowing gas is recombined with liquid and decreases fluid density. The Casing Gas Pressure Operated Rod Lift (CGPORL) consists of a sucker rod, pump, gas lift valves, downhole gas anchor, and tubing string. The gas injection valve is open once the annulus pressure has built over the valve closing pressure. Once the gas is released into the tubing and the injection valve is closed, the annulus becomes a closed system. It is open gas lift completion, with intermittent gas lift operation. Gas lift valves and rod pump were tested on the surface at both these wells. The placement of the gas lift valve in these installations is critical. The pump was placed at a deeper depth and gas lift valves were designed at different depths above the pump. In the first well, very good self-flow through the annulus was observed for 6 days, and the pump was kept stopped. When the self-flow ceased, the pump was started again. In the second well, good withdrawal was observed through the tubing, due to the pump effect. Diagnostic studies are carried out regularly to monitor the pump's performance. Two pen recorder charts tracked continuous flow through the gas lift valve. The productivity of the wells was increased four times post application of this technology. Due to a limited supply of gas and the availability of a compressor network, rod pumps are used in low productivity and high GOR wells. This paper will benefit the operators in enhancing the rates and exploiting maximum from these low productivity, high GOR wells of the field.