Technology Focus: Artificial Lift (July 2008)

Abstract

Technology Focus Artificial lift plays a fundamental role in several international plays. This month, artificial lift in oil-sand and deepwater developments is highlighted. In both cases, artificial lift is not just accelerating production but is vital to the economic success of the overall development. Today, the Canadian oil-sand developments have followed these different approaches: mining, cyclic steam injection, and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). As reservoir depth increases, artificial lift, rather than mining, is used to bring hydrocarbons to the surface. While cyclic steam injection and SAGD both push the high-temperature envelope for pumping, new techniques are being proved for this harsh environment. During the production phase of cyclic steam injection, the wells initially flow to the surface. Later production moves into the "flumping" stage (simultaneous flowing and pumping) and then into pumping. While sucker-rod pumping has been dominant, progressing-cavity pumps and electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) are being proved under these extreme conditions. In addition to downhole pumping, there is widespread use of surface multiphase pumps. Technologies that allow pumping high-temperature fluids without cooling represent opportunities to retain heat and improve the overall process efficiency. Surface pumping of a high-temperature multiphase mixture has become an established technology in Alberta. For deep water, artificial lift plays a strategic role, enabling companies that possess advanced technology to develop fields that other companies may determine to be too difficult. The ability to deliver an advanced artificial-lift system is the difference between booking reserves and walking away from deepwater discoveries. Only recently have we seen rapid growth in the application of subsea multiphase pumping. In addition to seafloor boosting, several other artificial-lift methods are applied in deep water, including gas lift and wellbore ESPs. In all cases, the ultimate success of these developments depends on the reliability of the artificial-lift system combined with the cost of intervention. Artificial Lift additional reading available at the SPE eLibrary: www.spe.org SPE 113904 • "Recent Advances and Practical Applications of Integrated Production Modeling at Jack Asset in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico" by Umut Ozdogan, Chevron Energy Technology Company, et al. IPTC 11594 • "A New Approach to Gas Lift Optimization Using an Integrated Asset Model" by Fernando Gutierrez, Schlumberger, et al. SPE 110234 • "Overview of Beam-Pump Operations" by O. Lynn Rowlan, Echometer Company, et al. Additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org OTC 18820 • "The Use of Subsea Gas Lift in Deepwater Applications" by Subash S. Jayawardena, Shell Global Solutions, et al. (See JPT June, 2008, page 64.)