Production Optimization Using the Capillary Technology in the Loma La Lata Field

Abstract

Abstract Ever since its discovery in 1977, the Loma La Lata field, located in the Neuquén basin, has been considered one of the most important gas fields in South America. During the last decade, the progressive reduction in the reservoir pressure has led to successive changes in the field's operation conditions: from high to medium pressure, and, most recently, to low pressure. As the reservoir pressure depletes, the subsequent reductions in the gas velocities bring about changes in the flow regimes and the increasing liquid flow rates. These liquids produced at the wellbore and/or generated by vapor condensation through the production string, contribute to increase the pressure drop along the tubing as well as the flowing bottomhole pressure, and will eventually reduce or prevent production. In most cases, not only does liquid loading arise as a consequence of these changes in operation conditions, but also other production problems such as mineral scales and organic deposits, and the difficulty to implement corrosion prevention conventional batch treatment programs aimed at extending the life of the production strings. In addition to the above, the increasing hydrocarbon demand, Argentina's energy policy and economical restrictions are also matter of relevance when it comes to implementing conventional solutions that imply several shutdown hours per treated well. The aforementioned problems have encouraged the operating and services companies to search for technological alternatives providing not only technical solutions but also economical benefits. After one year since a novel capillary string system that allows for the injection of chemical products, and/or the deployment of special devices such as memory gauges, at the desired depth was introduced in the country, the results obtained in several tests show a very promising future. This paper summarizes the first-year results achieved using the capillary string technology as a tool for production enhancement and optimization in the Loma La Lata field.