Increasing the Efficiency of Artificial Lifting System in the Production of Heavy Crude: A Colombian Field Application

Abstract

Abstract The light crude reserves are increasingly scarce and every day there are new discoveries of heavy oil. The heavy oil, extra heavy and bitumen make up approximately 70% of total oil resources of the world, which focuses the attention of the industry in this type of oil. An adequate management of heavy crude oil production in mature fields requires optimizing the efficiency of artificial lifting systems (ALS), in order to increase the productivity of the assets at appropriate levels. The main difficulty in the low efficiency of ALS in the production of heavy crude oil is the high friction pressure losses in the system due to high viscosities that are handled (greater than 1000 cp). The selection, evaluation and application of chemical treatments to reduce the viscosity of crude oil in down hole was visualized, in order to improve the efficiency and ensure the adequate conditions of extraction and recollection to maintain optimal levels of production. This study presents a detailed assessment of mobility enhancing additives (MEA) in fields operated by the Colombian state owned oil company, Ecopetrol, Which includes: Characterization of the problem Selection of candidates State of the art of the MEA Characterization and Evaluation Methodology: Qualitative Evaluation, Rheological Behavior, Evaluation in the capillary viscometer Evaluation of compatibility with the additives added in the extraction, recollection and treatment system. Selection and Evaluation of treatment at different conditions of temperature, Shear Rate, percentage of water in emulsion Effect of viscosity in the efficiency of ALS (optimum range of operation) Nodal analysis to determine incremental production Evaluation of the technical and economic benefits. This paper presents the application results in an Apiay oilfield well, in Colombia. Finally, conclusions, recommendations and field results obtained in this study are presented and among which are: Increased of the efficiency of the ALS in 30%.Increased of oil production in 50%.Profit of USD $1, 000, 000 for implementation of the MEA in the Apiay Well.