Optimisation of Artificial Lifts Using Prosper Nodal Analysis for BARBRA-1 Well in Niger Delta

Abstract

Hydrocarbon exploration basically requires effective drilling and efficient overpowering of frictional and viscosity forces. Normally, frictional power losses occur in deep well systems and it is essential to analyse each component of any well system to determine where exactly pressure is lost, and this can be done using Nodal Analysis. In this study, nodal analysis has been carried out with the use of PROSPER, a software for well performance, design and optimisation. Artificial lifts can then be used to solve the problem of frictional power losses. To increase the production of Barbra 1 well in the Niger Delta and hence extend its functional life, we have applied nodal analysis. Modelling results for three artificial lift methods; continuous gas lift, intermittent gas lift and electrical submersible pump were found to be 1734.93 bbl/day, 451.50 bbl/day and 2869 bbl/day respectively. The output from the well performance without artificial lift was 1370.99 bbl/day by applying Darcy’s model. Meanwhile, the output from the well without artificial lift is 89.90 bbl/day when aided with productivity index (PI) entry, the normal model for intermittent gas lift. Hence, from the comparative analysis of the results obtained from this study, it was deduced that when artificial lifts are employed, the well output increases significantly from 1370.99bbl/day to 2869 bbl/day (electrical submersible pump). This study concludes that wells such as Barbra 1 are good candidates for artificial lift, and this is evidenced by increasing productivity.
 Keywords: Production optimisation, nodal analysis, prosper simulator and barbra well.