Multiphase Flow Boosting Without Using a Mechanical Multiphase Pump – Use of Innovative Surface Mounted Technology for Boosting Production from Inactive Multiphase Wells

Abstract

Abstract Depleting reservoir pressures of mature fields or wells backing out due to high production line pressures can cause severe restriction in production from many oil wells, eventually leading to a complete cessation of production. These wells, however, still have considerable hydrocarbon reserves that can be recovered. Conventional methods to bring such marginal or inactive wells back into production involve power hungry multi-phase pumps or well intervention techniques such as N2 injection, workover, redrilling and artificial lift systems. Such methods are highly expensive and may require substantial infrastructure, especially on offshore satellite platforms which have limited facilities and space. Multi-Phase Surface Jet Pumps (MPSJPs), innovatively combined with novel compact separation, provide a surface mounted, compact, maintenance free and simpler method for boosting production from inactive multi-phase wells, without consuming any electrical power or fuel gas and avoiding any well intervention. Multi-Phase Surface Jet Pumps (MPSJPs) are passive devices which use the energy of existing high pressure single/multi-phase fluids to reduce the Flowing Wellhead Pressure (FWHP) of low pressure multi-phase wells and boost their pressure to the downstream production header pressure. This patented system involves the use of a compact in-line separator upstream of the MPSJP to separate the gas & liquid phases and use the predominant liquid phase as the high-pressure motive fluid. MPSJPs can be used on their own or in combination with other boosting systems (e.g. ESPs, gas lift etc.). The applications also include revival of watered out, idle oil and gas wells. Results from multiple worldwide applications have shown that MPSJPs can successfully boost production from low producers as well as revive dead wells that have not been flowing for a period of time. Wellhead pressures have been considerably reduced and production increases have ranged from 20% to 40% per well. The advantages that MPSJPs offer over conventional technologies such as Multi-phase pumps, ESPs and well intervention techniques are several. MPSJPs are surface mounted (so well intervention is not required), comparatively low cost, have no moving parts, consume zero fuel gas/electrical power, have low footprint and use already available fluid energy. They are tolerant to variations in flow conditions, gas volume fractions (GVF) and associated slugging. They reduce the CO2 footprint by not consuming power and provide a radical, innovative, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods. This paper discusses the use of MPSJPs and cites various case studies. The design and operational criteria are also highlighted.