Gas Lift2021
Gas Lift2021
Gas Lift2021
Third Year
Instructor :
Tarek . N . A . Daw
Production Operations & Workover Engineer Specialist
Gas Lift System
Introduction
Gas lift is one of a number of processes used to artificially lift oil
from wells where there is insufficient reservoir pressure to produce
the well.
The process involves injecting high pressure gas through both the
casing annulus or through the tubing to reduce fluid density from
the point of gas injection, then a lower formation pressure is able
to lift oil to the surface.
The heavy fluid in the tubing is lightened and lowers the
hydrostatic pressure in the production string by mixing with the gas
injection and is raised to the surface by expanding gas and the
formation fluids starts to flow to the surface under the reduced
back pressure of the lightened fluid column.
The injection gas separated from the oil at the surface, treatment,
repressurized and re-injected to start the production. 2
Gas Lift Method
Method of artificial lift in which uses additional energy (high compressed
pressure gas) to supplement formation gas.
Produced fluids are lifted by reducing fluid density in wellbore to lighten
the hydrostatic column, or back pressure, load on formations.
The main objective of gas lift system is to reduce pressure drop in the
tubing when the reservoir is being produced, the pressure drop is due to:-
The weight of the fluid on its way to the surface.
Gas lift is the only form of artificial lift that does not require the
use of adown hole pump.
Gas is typically injected down the csg. and passes through the
SPM and valve for production up the Tbg. It is unlikely to inject
down Tbg and production through csg.
8
Advantages Of Gas Lift System
Most efficient in wells that have high GOR or GLR and better
performance in sandy well conditions.
The use of wire line unit allows for the economy (less costly)
of service and maintenance operations(with out killing the well
or pulling the tubing if replaced gas lift valves).
Wet gases (gas freezing) will reduce the reliability of gas lift
operations.
T.N.Daw
Gas Lift System Applications
Constraints Typical Range Maximum*
Operating Depth 5,000’ - 10,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD
Injection Gas
From Tubing
(2)
Metering and
control choke
14
Day-2 GLD1-Intro
and Valve
Calibration-15
Surface Equipment For Gas Lift System
For proper selection, installation and operations of gas lift systems, the production
engineer and operator must know the equipment and the fundamentals of gas lift
technology. The basic equipment for gas lift technology includes the following:
1- Gas distribution manifold.
2- Gas Compressor's Station.
3- Distribution lines to conduct the gas to the wellhead.
4- Differential pressure recorder.
5- Surface gas flow controllers (Root) (Choke).
6- Dehydration unit (Anti-freezing , Scraper).
Gas – Liquid Gathering System
Gas and Liquid Gathering System (Gas injection manifolds) in the field can
reduce the total installed pipe length and centralize operations such as gas flow
measurement and control.
The optimum number of manifolds to be installed will depend on the total
surface area of the field and the number of wells. The number of wells per
manifold may range from less than 10 to more than 30 well.
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Gas Injection Manifolds
Gas injection manifolds in the field can reduce the total installed pipe length
and centralize operations, and the diameter of the pipeline depends on the
flow rate, the number of wells, and the length of the pipelines.
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20” Gas distribution line
Differential Pressure
Recorder
Casing Pressure
Tubing Pressure
20
Gas Control
Valve
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Sample Point
Root
Gas Injection Line
Daniel Orifice
Box
22
Manual chock ( Root )
(Surface Controller)
Open or Close
This valve (choke) is installed through the gas flow injection line to control the
gas pressure and volume required to produce the well at maximum rates. 23
Gas Scraper
Used to separate any hydrates that may fund in the gas such as water
or condensate and that to get as much dray gas. 24
Vertical
Methanol Tank
This tank is always near the well and there is a Methanol inside it using to
avoid the freezing problems especially in cold winter nights. 25
Horizontal
Methanol Tank
26
Glycol Dehydration Unit
PBTD
Gas Lift System Installation
The type of gas lift installation to be used in a particular well depends
upon whether the well is to be placed on continuous or intermittent lift:
In these installations lift, gas is injected down the casing and production
takes place through the tubing string.
The main disadvantage of this type, when the well is shut-in, the
annulus will fill with fluid and therefore when the well start again,
the valves will be flow liquid this effect usually result in the leaking
failure of the valves.
30
Gas Injection Production
PBTD
Perforation
Zone T.N.Daw
Semi-Closed Type Installation
32
Gas Injection Production
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Closed Type Installation
Usually the standing valve is wire line set in a landing nipple near
the packer .
34
Gas Injection Production
Standing Valve
(Bull Plug)
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Casing Flow Installations
It is used in continuous flow gas lift wells producing very large liquid
rates.
The tubing is bull-plugged and injection gas can only enter the well
through the gas lift valves.
The tubing has not been unloaded every time after the well is shut
down.
Standing Valve
(Bull Plug)
Perforation
Zone
T.N.Daw
Gas Lift Down-Hole Equipment
The Tubing in a gas lift well usually has several gas lift valves and
mandrels installed at different depths.
Mandrel of gas lift valves (GLM)
Side pocket mandrel (SPM).
Conventional mandrel.
Can be defined as a special pieces of pipe that have the primary application as
receivers for retrievable gas lift valves. The mandrel provides a fully open bore
permitting(passing) wireline operation through the mandrel.
SPM may also be utilized as receivers for dummy valves, circulating valves,
chemical injection valves……etc.
Ft KB
Sliding Side Door (SSD). Type Port Ptro
Side Pocket
Mandrel
,developed in 1953
Conventional
Mandrel developed
in 1930
39
Conventional
Valve
Gas inlet
Holes
Valve Pocket
41
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Depending on the direction of gas flow for which they are
designed, Mandrels can be for both:
Mandrel Ports
Bottom of
Mandrel 42
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(B)- 2 ⅞” Casing Flow Side Pocket Mandrel
Gas outlet
Holes
43
Gas lift valve installation and retrieval methods :
Gas lift valves are installed in side-pocket mandrels and spaced out along the
production string.
Conventional valves and mandrels stalled/retrieved with the tubing by using
Workover Rig..
Wire line unit used to installed / retrieved valves set inside SPM in the tubing
string by a special wireline tool called kick over tool.
Un-Loading( Kick-off )Valves
1- Used for the start-up of gas lift operations only to unload the well to the desired
point of injection with the available kick-off gas pressure and are usually closed
during normal production.
2- May be spring or nitrogen charged type and used in the upper SPM.
3- Open only when annulus and tubing pressures are high enough to overcome valve
set pressure.
4- Conventional Valve.
it's attached to the outside of the tubing in special mandrels and
can be run and retrieved along with the tubing string only Need
Workover Rig.
Fishing Neck
Latch Ring
47
47
Pulling Tool
Valve Latch
Running Tool
Dummy Valve
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Tool String for Running & Pulling Gas Lift Valves
► Rob-socket. ► Rob-socket.
► Stem Bars. ► Stem Bars.
► Knuckle Joint. ► Hydraulic Jar.
► Mechanical Jar. ► Knuckle Joint..
► Centralizer. ► Mechanical Jar.
► Kick-over Tool.(Type-R) ► Centralizer.
► Running Tool.w/valve. ► Kick-over Tool.(Type-R)
► Pulling Tool.w/valve.
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The KOT is used for placing the valve in the mandrel inside the
tubing and for replacing the damaged valve with a new valve.
1 2 3 4
Knuckle
Joint
Running Tool
Pulling Tool
1 2 3 4 50
Gas Lift Assembly Before Running
Rob-socket Stem
Knuckle Joint
Mechanical Jar
Valve with Latch
51
Pulling Tool
52
Casing (Injection) Pressure Operated Valve
Unbalanced bellows valve with pressure charged dome
(Single Loading Element)
Ab
Stem
Transmission Element
Gas flow –inlet
(Pc)
Ball
Plug Mixture Fluid
Ap (Pt)
Seat T.N.Daw
(IPOV) Opening and Closing Equations (Single element)
Valve closed Ready to open
Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab
F=PXA
Fc= (summation of all forces trying to push the ball on seat)
Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab
Spread
Is important in intermittent gas lift because it controls the volume
of gas used in each cycle. As the spread increases the amount of gas
injected during the cycle increases.
If spread is big→ means it will give chance to gas to enter tubing.
If spread is small→ only small amount of gas will enter tubing.
T.N.Daw
Production Pressure Effect Factor (Tubing Effect Factor) &
Tubing Effect
R AP
P.P.E.F TEF x100 x100
1 R Ab AP
R
T .E Pt xT .E.F Pt
1 R
AP
TEF x100
Ab AP
59
T.N.Daw
Example (1)
Suppose a pressure operated valve is located @ 6200 ft with
following data:
Tubing pressure(Pt) = 325 psi
60
Solution
800 325x0.167
PVO PC 895psi
1 0.167
PVC Pd 800psi
0.167
TEF x100 20%
1 0.167
This means tubing pressure effect factor on system is 20%.
And casing pressure effect factor on system is 80%.
Pd
The casing pressure required to open
the valve with No effect tubing
Ptro
1 R
pressure→ Pt = 0 In valve tester
.
°F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F °Ct
61 0.998 101 0.919 141 0.852 181 0.794 221 0.743 261 0.698
62 0.996 102 0.917 142 0.850 182 0.792 222 0.742 262 0.697
63 0.994 103 0.915 143 0.849 183 0.791 223 0.740 263 0.696
64 0.991 104 0.914 144 0.847 184 0.790 224 0.739 264 0.695
65 0.989 105 0.912 145 0.845 185 0.788 225 0.738 265 0.694
66 0.987 106 0.910 146 0.844 186 0.787 226 0.737 266 0.693
67 0.985 107 0.908 147 0.842 187 0.786 227 0.736 267 0.692
68 0.983 108 0.906 148 0.841 188 0.784 228 0.735 268 0.691
69 0.981 109 0.905 149 0.839 189 0.783 229 0.733 269 0.690
70 0.979 110 0.903 150 0.838 190 0.782 230 0.732 270 0.689
71 0.977 111 0.901 151 0.836 191 0.780 231 0.731 271 0.688
72 0.975 112 0.899 152 0.835 192 0.779 232 0.730 272 0.687
73 0.973 113 0.898 153 0.833 193 0.778 233 0.729 273 0.686
74 0.971 114 0.896 154 0.832 194 0.776 234 0.728 274 0.685
75 0.969 115 0.894 155 0.830 195 0.775 235 0.727 275 0.684
76 0.967 116 0.893 156 0.829 196 0.774 236 0.725 276 0.683
77
78
79
0.965
0.963
0.961
117
118
119
0.891
0.889
0.887
157
158
159
0.827
0.826
0.825
197
198
199
0.772
0.771
0.770
Ct = 0.841
237
238
239
0.724
0.723
0.722
277
278
279
0.682
0.681
0.680
80 0.959 120 0.886 160 0.823 200 0.769 240 0.721 280 0.679
81 0.957 121 0.884 161 0.822 201 0.767 241 0.720 281 0.678
82 0.955 122 0.882 162 0.820 202 0.766 242 0.719 282 0.677
83 0.953 123 0.881 163 0.819 203 0.765 243 0.718 283 0.676
84 0.951 124 0.879 164 0.817 204 0.764 244 0.717 284 0.675
85 0.949
Tv = 148 F
125 0.877 165 0.816 205 0.762 245 0.715 285 0.674
0 FxDV
TV TS
86 0.947 126 0.876 166 0.814 206 0.761 246 0.714 286 0.673
87 0.945 127 0.874 167 0.813 207 0.760 247 0.713 287 0.672
100 ft
88 0.943 128 0.872 168 0.812 208 0.759 248 0.712 288 0.671
89 0.941 129 0.871 169 0.810 209 0.757 249 0.711 289 0.670
90 0.939 130 0.869 170 0.809 210 0.756 250 0.710 290 0.669
91 0.938 131 0.868 171 0.807 211 0.755 251 0.709 291 0.668
92 0.936 132 0.866 172 0.806 212 0.754 252 0.708 292 0.667
93 0.934 133 0.864 173 0.805 213 0.752 253 0.707 293 0.666
94 0.932 134
Pd @ 600 F
0.863 174
1
0.803
214 0.751 254 0.706 294 0.665
TCF Ct
95 0.930 135 0.861 175 0.802 215 0.750 255 0.705 295 0.664
96 0.928 136
97 0.926 137 0.858 177 0.799 217 0.748 257 0.702 297 0.662
98 0.924 138 0.856 178 0.798 218 0.746 258 0.701 298 0.662
99 0.923 139 0.855 179 0.796 219 0.745 259 0.700 299 0.661
100 0.921 140 0.853 180 0.795 220 0.744 260 0.699 300 0.660 64
R
TRO PVO Pt PC xCt
1 R
Note :
To set dome pressure @ 60F to a value representing dome pressure
@ valve depth condition.
Real Gas Low must be used for correction:
Tv
Nitrogen Dome pressure
@ Valve Temp.,psig
Pd @ 60 F
67
Example (2)
Given :
Dv = 6000 ft Actual Avg. T= 110F
Gas Sp.g = 0.6 Pt = 500 psi
R= 0.1 Pd @ Tv = 815 psi
Ts= 70 F
1 .3 F
TV 70
Calculate , Ptro → Assuming → 100 ft
Solution
1.3 x6000
TV 70 148F
0
Ct 0.841 fromTable A.1
100
Pd @ 600 F
TCF Ct Pd @ 600 F 0.841x815 685 psi
Pd @Tv
Pd @ 600 F
Ptro 685 761psi
1 R 1 0.1
T.N.Daw
Example (3)
Gas.Sp.gr = 0.75
Find :
Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?
69
Solution
Find :
1- Pvo , Pvc and ∆P @ valve depth ?
2- Surface closing pressure (Pvcs) ?
3- PValve @ surface?
4- Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?
T.N.Daw
Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve is :
Pd PtxR
Pc PVO
1 R
Pd 655x0.256
957 Pd 880 psi Pvc
1 0.256
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Fig # (3A-1)
73
Gas pressure gradient, psi/1000 ft
The Spread = P 957 880 77psi
Pd @ 600 F
Ct P 0.795x880 700psi
Pd @Tv d @ 600 F
Pd @ 600 F 700
Ptro 941psi
1 R 1 0.256
74
H.W #1
An operating valve in an intermittent installation is run to 7,500 ft.
where the following data are available:
75
H.W# 2
Given the following data (Single element IPOV):
Tubing pressure = 400 psig
Operating valve depth = 7500ft @190 F
Surface operating pressure = 900 psig
Gas Sp.gr = 0.8
Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.
Area of port (Ap) = 0.2 inch sq.
Calculate :
1- Pvo and Pvc @ valve depth .
2- Spread (∆P) @ valve depth.
3- Test rack opening pressure.
76
Charged Dome and Spring Pd Nitrogen
Gas Charge
Unbalanced bellows valve with
pressure-charged dome and spring
(Double Loading Element) Metallic Bellows
RDO 5 , 1½”
When using this type of valve in high Ab
pressure installations, it may be
Spring
necessary to supplement the spring
Supplement Force
force with a dome charge because a
spring alone may not develop
St
adequate closing force.
Gas flow –inlet
Spring (Pc)
Adjustment Nut
Reservoir Fluid
Ap
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Spring prevents damage to the
bellows due to excessive collapse Check Valve
when exposed to forces much
greater than those generated by
the nitrogen charge
Oaring
(Seal Rubber)
Valve Latch
Pc PVc Pd St 1 R
Pd Pt xR
Spread P S t Pd S t 1 R
1 R
Note:
When the valve is open, the pressure under the ball is casing pressure Pc.
Pd @ 600 F
Ptro St
1 R
T.N.Daw
Example (5)
Given the following data: ( Spring Not Effect )
Tubing pressure = 325 psi
Dome Pressure = 520 psi
Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.
Area of port (Ap) = 0.129 inch sq.
Calculate:
Pvo , Pvc and the spread for the single element loading valve?
Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve @ setting depth is :
Pd Pt xR 520 325x0.167
PVO St 0.0 559psi
1 R 1 0.167
The Pressure required to open the valve @ setting depth is :
Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve :
P Pt xR 240 325x 0.167
PVO d S t 280 503psi
1 R 1 0.167
The Pressure required to open the valve :
PVc Pd St 1 R 240 2801 0.167 473psi
P 503 473 30psi T.N.Daw
Example (7)
R = 0.256
Z @ 60F = 0.8
Find :
Pvo , Pvc & Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?
T.N.Daw
Solution
ft
460
2
520x0.8 x821
Pd ( 600F ) 686psi P 686 0 922psi
586x0.85 1 0.256
tro
H.W# 3
One has a spring with a spring force effect (St) = 500 psig
Ab = 0.77 sq.inch
Ap = 0.154 sq.inch
Find :
Find the bellows charge pressure required for each valve.
T.N.Daw
Fluid Operated Valve Pd Nitrogen
Gas Charge
It is similar to pressure valve except, the
tubing pressure acts on the larger area of
the bellows and the casing pressure acts Metallic Bellows
on the area of the port General force
balance equations will be resultant which
can be used for: Ab
1- Dome charge with No Spring.
2- Spring with No Dome charge. Spring
At effect the spring charge to open this valve → The dome pressure = 0.0
Then St = Ptro
--------------------------------------------------
87
At effect the dome charge to open this valve → The spring tension = 0.0
Valve opened Ready to close
Opening Force → Fo = Pt x Ab
Just Before The Valve Close, The Force are Equal → ( Fc = Fo )
PVC Pt Pd St 1 R
Calculate:
1- Opening pressure @ valve depth (Pvo) ?
2- Test rack opening pressure (Ptro) ?
89
Solution
ft
460
2
PVc Pd St 1 R
770 Pd 3001 0.0407 Pd 482psi
P R 482 0.0407
PVO d S t Pc
300 957 761psi
1 R 1 R 1 0.0407 1 0.0407
Pko Pwh
DV 1
Grd kf
Where:
Dv1= Depth from surface to valve (1), ft.
Pko = Available gas pressure for kick-off, psi.
Pwh = Surface back pressure on the tubing, psi.
Grd(kf) = Kill fluid gradient to be unloaded, psi/ft
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PSO1 DV 1 xGrdU Pwh
DV 2 DV 1
Grd kf
Where:
Pso1= Surface operating pressure of valve (1), psi
Pso2= ( Pso1 – pressure drop between valves ), psi
Pso3 = ( Pso2 – pressure drop between valves )
Grdu = Unloading gradient at desired rate, psi/ft (Fig.3F-1, 3F-2).
for ( ID ) tubing size and desired flow rate ( B/D )
92
T.N.Daw
PSO 2 DV 2 xGrdU Pwh
DV 3 DV 2
Grd kf
T.N.Daw 93
Problem(1)
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2- Determine the desired tubing pressure ( Pt ) at each depth of gas
lift valve.
PC PVO1 Pso1 Gasgrd xDV 1
75 460
Gas.grdcor 0.0215 0.0171 ft
psi
210 460
.
F
Geothermal.Grd . 100
o BHT TSS
x100 TV TFS
0 FxDv
ft
Depth 100 ft
. .Temperature
Surface.Flowing
1.58x1900
TV 1 100 130F
0
100
1.58x 2907
TV 2 100 146F
0
100
1.58x3550
TV 3 100
100
156F
0
GeothermalGrd . Fo
100 ft
. 210 75
8500
X 100 1.58
1.58x3942
TV 4 100 162F
0
100 T.N.Daw
Work Sheet Calculation
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H.W
BHT = 210 F
Tubing = 2 ⅜”ID
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Method of obtaining analysis of gas lift installation
Temperature Survey:-
Leaking valve seats and tubing leak.
These problems are clearly detected by this survey from the
decrease in the temperature opposite the point of gas entry into
the tubing .Bottom hole temperature, temperature gradient along
the well depth.
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Pressure survey are the best and most widely used method of
properly analyzing gas lift installation.
Static pressure survey:-
1- Static fluid level.
2- Static gradient.
3- Static bottom hole pressure.
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Possible Causes and Treatments of some common failures of gas lift system
Reason Cause Repair
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Possible Causes and Treatments of some common failures of gas lift system
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Recommended Practice Prior To Unloading Gas Lift Well
After a continuous flow design is completed and the down hole
equipment is installed, several checks required prior to unloading
well with gas lift system:
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(A) Fluid from casing being
transferred into tubing
through all valves by
injection gas pressure
from surface . All Valves
Open
(B) Fluid in tubing being
aerated to separator by
injection gas through top
All Valves Open
valve as fluid in casing is Open
transferred into tubing
through lower valves .
110