CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

ARTIFCIAL LIFT
INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS
The artificial lift is needed when a well comes to the end of its
natural flow life or no longer economic to flow naturally.

Will help the to restore its production life.

The well is not economic or will dead when P
wf
keep
decreasing until unable to lift the fluid to the surface at
required flow rate.

The reason for artificial lift is to restore the depletion of P
wf
so
that the formation still can produce at required flow rate.

The basic of artificial lift is to restore the P
wf
.

There are two basic forms of artificial lift: downhole pumping
and gas lift.

Downhole pumping is accomplished by operating a pump at
the bottom of the well. Several type of pumps: sucker rod
pump, hydraulic pump, electric pump, centrifugal pump, ect.

CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
The gas lift is accomplished by injecting gas into the lower
part of the production tubing.

Downhole pumps boosts the transfer of liquid from the
bottomhole to the wellhead, while the injection gas will
aerates the flowing fluid, thus increase the production rate.

Factors need to be considered in selecting the artificial lift
method.

Well Factor.

PI and flow rate into the well are the important factors.
Shallow well with high volume of fluid continuous gas lift,
centrifugal pump and hydraulic pump.
Shallow well with small volume of fluid sucker rod pump
Deep well, small volume and directional hydraulic pump.




CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Reservoir Factor

Type of drive mechanism and type of reservoir.
Water drive reservoir cheaper method like gas lift, if high
pressure gas available.

Fluid Factor.
GOR, composition, SG and viscosity.
High GOR will create problem to pump (create more buble). Gas
lift is most suitable method
Oil with paraffin content may deposited due to pressure of
temperature decline. Hydraulic pump is not suitable.
High viscosity and low gravity oil, sucker rod pump is suitable.

Environment Factor.

Pollution to an environment.
Choose method that produce less pollution such as gas lift and
hydraulic pump.
.


CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Reason of Artificial Lift

Restore well production.
Increase production capacity
Unload wells.




CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
CHAPTER 2
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure 4-1: Artificial Lift System
CHAPTER 2
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure 4-1: Artificial Lift System

CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Assignment (Group)
You are required to prepare a report and presentation slide
on:

Gas Lift (1, 6)
Sucker Rod Pump (2, 7)
Hydraulic Pump (3, 8)
Submersible Electric Pump (4, 9)
Separator (5, 10)

The report should include:
Mechanism
Main components and function
Types (if applicable)
Advantages and disadvantages
And any suitable sub topic.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Gas Lift
Gas lift technology increases oil production rate by
injection of compressed gas into the lower section of tubing
through the tubing-casing annulus.

Upon entering the tubing, the gas affects liquid flow in two
ways:
The energy of expansion propels (pushes) the oil to the surface
The gas aerates the oil, thus reduces the density of the fluid
Basic surface equipments:
Compressor
Choke
Timer
Flow line
Pressure recorder





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Sub-surface basic equipments:
Gas lift valves
Standing valve
Packer

Reason for Gas Lift:
Restore well production
Wells not capable to flow naturally due to increasing watercut or drop in
reservoir pressure.

Increase production capacity
Wells can produce naturally but at low rates

Unload wells
wells dead after workover or well servicing
Water injection wells that need to be back-flowed
Water in gas wells which need to be unloaded





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Type of Gas Lift:
Continuous Gas Lift operation
High pressure gas injected continuously into the tubing
Used in wells with high PI (> 0.5 stb/day/psi) and reasonably high
reservoir pressure

Intermittent Gas Lift operation
Characterized by a start-and-stop flow from the bottom of the well to surface
Suitable for wells with high PI and low reservoir pressure, and low PI and low
reservoir pressure, but usually used for PI < 0.5 stb/day/psi.
Give low production rates.






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Gas Lift Valve
Basically, the gas lift valve is a downhole pressure regulator
and mainly used to lift up the fluid in the tubing.

The valve is installed in gas lift mandrel attached to the
tubing.
Generally, the valve must fulfill two following condition:
For continuous flow gas lift, the valves must be able to:

Push the gas into the tubing string
Restore the constant pressure in the tubing
Produce orifice measurement which acting as regulator which
control the gas injection rate at surface
Can be operated by:

cumulative casing pressure
cumulative tubing pressure
combination






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
For intermittent flow gas lift, the valves must be able to:

Open the port immediately when the opening pressure is applied
Restore the full open position until closing process taking place
Can be operated by:

cumulative casing pressure
cumulative fluid load in the tubing
Combination

Gas Lift Valve Components.

Body
Loading element spring, gas, combination
Reflection element metal bellow, piston or rubber diaphragm
Transmission element metal stem, rubber diaphragm
Metering element orifice or port






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Type of Gas Lift Valves

Casing pressure-operated valves
Usually called a pressure valve

Throttling pressure valve
Also called a proportional valve or continuous flow valve

Fluid operated valve
Also called fluid valve

Combination valve
Also called fluid open-pressure closed valve




CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Pressure Valves

Unbalanced bellow valve

As shown in figure, the valve has
a pressure-charged nitrogen
dome and spring loading element

The forces due to tubing &
casing pressure act to cause
opening of the valve.

The forces from the dome
pressure and spring act to cause
closing of the valve.

The minimum casing pressure
required to open the valve is
called the valve opening
pressure, P
vo
.






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID



where:
P
vo
- valve opening pressure, psig
P
d
- pressure in the dome, psig
S
t
- equivalent pressure caused by spring tension, psig
P
t
- tubing pressure at valve depth when the valve open, psig
R - area ratio, A
p
/A
b

A
p
- valve seat area, in
2
A
b
- total effective bellows area, in
2


The maximum pressure required to close the valve is called the
valve closing pressure, P
vc
.



where:
P
vc
- valve closing pressure, psig




CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
1
1 1
= +

vo d t t
R
P P S P
R R
(1 ) = +
vc d t
P P S R


Balanced pressure valve

Tubing pressure does not
influence valve status when in
closed or open condition.

The valve opens and closes at
the same pressure dome
pressure.

The valve act as expanding orifice
regulators, opening to pass any
amount of gas injected from the
surface, and partially closing to
control the lower gas rate.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID


Pilot valve

Used for intermittent gas lift when a
large port for gas passage is
required.

It has two ports: the smaller port
(control port or pilot port) used for
opening calculations, and the large
port (power port or main port) used
for gas passage calculation.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID


Throttling pressure valve

The basic elements are the same
as the pressure-operated valve
except that the entrance port of the
valve is choked to drop the casing
pressure.

The valve will close on a reduction
in tubing pressure with the casing
pressure held constant.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

Fluid operated valve

The basic elements are identical to
the pressure-operated valve except
that tubing pressure now acts on
the larger area of the bellow, and
casing pressure acts on the area of
the port.

This configuration makes the valve
mostly sensitive to the tubing fluid
pressure.

The tubing pressure required to
open the valve:








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
1
1 1
= +

vo d t c
R
P P S P
R R

Combination valves

Consist of two portion

The upper portion is essentially the
same as pressure-operated valves,
and the lower portion is a fluid pilot
device incorporating a stem and a
spring.










CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

Gas Lift Valve-1















Gas Lift Valve-2














Gas Lift Installation

The selection of installation types is important to ensure the
success of the operation.

Factors need to be considered:

Well condition
Type of completion
Possible production problem sand production, water coning or
gas coning
Future performance of the well BHP decline, PI decline

Types of Gas Lift Installation
4 main types:
Open installation
Semi-closed installation
Closed installation
Chamber installation



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Open Installation

No packer is set in this type of
installation and the gas is
injected through the annulus.

Suitable for continuous flow gas
lift in wells with good fluid seal.

It exposes all gas lift valves
beneath the injection point to
severe fluid erosion due to the
dynamic changing of liquid level
in the annulus.

Is not recommended unless
setting packer is not an option.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Semiclosed Installation

Identical to open installation
except that a packer is set
between the tubing and casing.

Can be used for both continuous
and intermittent flow gas lift
operation.

It avoid all problems associated
with the open installation.

However, it still does not prevent
flow of well fluids back to the
formation during unloading
processes, which is especially
important for intermittent
operating.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Closed Installation

Identical to semiclosed
installation except that standing
valve is placed in the tubing
string or below the bottom gas
lift valve.

The standing valve effectively
prevents the gas pressure from
acting on the formation and to
avoid back pressure in the well.

If used in the intermittent flow
gas lift, it will help to increase
the daily production rate of the
well.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Chamber Installation

Used for accumulating
fluid volume at bottom
hole of intermittent-
flow gas lift wells.

Ideal installation for a
low BHP and high PI
well.

The chambers can be
configured in various
way including using
two packers, insert
chamber, and reverse
flow chamber.




CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Unloading Sequence

Usually all valves are open at
the initial condition due to high
tubing pressure (a).

When the gas enter the first
valve (b), it create a slug of
gas-liquid mixture of less
density in the tubing above the
valve depth.

Expansion of the slug pushes
the liquid column above it to
flow to the surface.

As the length of the light slug
grows, due to gas injection, the
BHP will decrease to below
reservoir pressure, which
causes inflow of reservoir fluid.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

When the P
t
at the depth of the
first valve is low enough, the
first valve begin to close and
the gas should be forced to the
second valve (c).

The gas will gasify the liquid in
the tubing between the first and
second valve. This will further
reduce BHP and cause more
inflow.

The same process should
occur until the gas enters the
main valve (d).

The main valve (operating
valve) is usually the lower most
valve. It is an orifice type of
valve that never closes.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Continuous Flow Gas Lift Design
The initial step in design of continuous flow gas lift system
include determination of:
The point of gas injection
Gas volume required
the injection pressure

The gradient curve is then prepared using the following data:
Well depth
Desired fluid production rate
Size of tubing
Water/oil ratio
Gas/liquid ratio
Flowing tubing pressure at surface, P
wh
Static bottomhole pressure, P
s
Well productivity index, PI
SG of injection gas
Surface operating pressure, P
so
(injection gas pressure)









CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure shows a
sketch of continuous
gas lift.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure shows the pressure relationship in a continuous flow gas
lift.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Injection operating
pressure gradient,
(P
c
)

P
wh

The basic equation used:



where:

P
t
= tubing pressure
G
fa
= flowing pressure gradient above injection point
D
v
= depth of injection point
G
fb
= flowing pressure gradient below injection point
D = well depth
P
wf
= flowing bottomhole pressure







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
( ) = + +
wf t fa v fb v
P P G D G D D
Design Approach (Guidelines)
1. Pressure required: 100 psi/1000 ft.
maximum = 800 psi
minimum = 300 psi

2. Volume of gas required:
150 250 SCF/bbl/1000 ft lifting

3. Allowable depth (maximum depth for continuous flow gas lift)
= (P
c
-P
t
)/0.15
where: P
c
= casing pressure, psig
P
t
= tubing pressure, psig

4. Pressure due to gas column
P = (2.5)(P
c
/100)(D/1000)






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
c
D
P
40, 000
=
5. Production flow rate (@ tubing size):










6. Well normal pressure: P = 0.465/D








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Tubing diameter,
in
q
max
, bpd q
min
, bpd
1 350 25 50
1 600 50 75
1 1000 75 125
2 2500 200
2 3000 250
3 4000 300
3 5000 -
4 8000 -
7. Well normal temperature: T
d
= T
s
+ T(D/100)
where: T
d
= temperature at depth D,
o
F
T
s
= temperature at surface,
o
F
T = temperature gradient,
o
F/100 ft
D = depth, ft






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Determination of Injection Point
1. Draw Depth axis (y axis) and Pressure axis (x axis).

2. Plot the static reservoir pressure point (P
s
) at corresponding
depth (well depth or mid-perforation depth).

3. From PI, determine pressure drawdown and then the flowing
bottomhole pressure (P
wf
).

4. From P
s
point, draw a line of static pressure gradient (G
s
)
until intersect with depth axis (point A).
Point A = static fluid level (the level at which the fluid
will rise in a wellbore under conditions of pressure
equilibrium.
G
s
(psi/ft) can be determined from Gradients for Salt Water
Oil Mix Chart.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
=
s
s
P
A D
G
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
5. From P
wf
point , plot a line of flowing pressure gradient under
injection point (G
fb
):
- plotted based on pressure distribution calculation, or
- plotted by using flowing pressure gradient curve

6. If data is insufficient, assume the flowing pressure gradient
below the injection point (G
fb
) = static pressure gradient (G
s
),
and draw a line parallel to G
s
.
Intersection point between G
fb
and depth axis (point E) is the
working fluid level.(level by which the oil column will rise
due to working pressure at the bottom of the tubing).

7. Plot a surface kick-off pressure minus 50 psi (P
ko
50) point.

8. Plot a surface operation pressure (P
so
= operating casing
pressure). P
so
= surface available pressure 100 psi.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
9. From step (7) and (8) each, draw a straight line downward,
by considering weight of gas column until intercept with the
line of flowing pressure gradient below injection point (G
fb
).


where:
P
so,v
= operating casing pressure at valve depth
P
so,s
= operating casing pressure at surface
D = depth

Or by using the weight of gas column chart.
P
so
gradient line = injection operating pressure gradient

10. Intersection point between P
so
gradient line and flowing
pressure gradient below injection point (G
fb
), point B is point
of balance between tubing and casing.





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
, ,
1
40, 000
(
= +
(

so v so s
D
P P
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
11. Plot point C on G
fb
line (point C = pressure at point B minus
100 psi).
Point C = injection point

12. Plot a point of surface flowing tubing pressure (P
wh
= flowing
wellhead tubing pressure or tubing pressure).

13. Connect the P
wh
point with injection point C by selecting a
suitable pressure distribution curve. The line is a flowing
pressure gradient above injection point, G
fa
.

- the curve at required GLR for production (total GLR)
total GLR = formation + injection gas
- if suitable curve is not available, use straight line G
fa
.
- Injection GLR = total GLR amount of solution gas.





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID






CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Pressure, psi
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t

D
P
s
P
wf
P
s
P
wf
A
G
s
G
fb
B
C
P
ko
-50

P
so
P
wh
G
fa
E
100 psi
C Injection point
B Equilibrium
point (point of
balance)
A Static fluid level
E Working fluid
level
Figure 4-2: Determination of Injection Point (Continuous Flow)
Casing Pressure (P
c
).
Injection operating
pressure gradient.
Casing static column
gradient.
Example 4-1
Given:
Well depth = 10,000 ft
Static reservoir pressure = 3000 psig
Tubing size = 2.875 inch
Gas specific gravity = 0.70
Oil specific gravity = 35
o
API
Kick off pressure = 1,000 psig
Available surface operating pressure = 950 psig
Constant productivity index = 6.0 BPD/psig
Kill fluid gradient = 0.5 psig
Separator pressure = 50 psig
Salt water content = 90 %
Design production rate = 800 BOPD
Surface flowing tubing pressure = 100 psig
Graphically determine the injection point depth and estimate the volume of
gas required for the continuous flow gas lift.

CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Example 4-1: Solution
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
wf
s wf wf
o
s
s
s
ko 50
q 800
PI 6.0 P 2866.67psi
P P 3000 P
fromgadient for salt water oil mix chart :At water content 90%andoilSG35 API :G 0.455
P 3000
Point A D 10000 3407ft
G 0.455
2867
Point E 10000 3699ft
0.455
P 1000 50 950psi

= = =

=
= = =
= =
= =
ko
so
P 50
ko 50
so P
so
weight of gas column :P 950psi, gasSG 0.7 :G 25psi /1000ft
at 8000ft, P 950 (25/1000)(8000) 1150psi
P 950 100 850psi :G 22psi /1000ft
at 8000ft, P 850 (22/1000)(8000) 1026psi

= = =
= + =
= = =
= + =
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
v
v
Point B 980psi (fromplot)
Point C 980 100 880psi
Injection point (C), D 5600ft
D
Volumeof gas required (150 250)(q)( )
1000
5600
minimumvolume (150)(800)( ) 672MSCF/ bbl
1000
5600
maximumvolume (250)(800)( ) 1120MSCF
1000
=
= =
=
=
= =
= = / bbl
Establishing Flowing Tubing Pressure Traverses
Above & Below The Injection Point

The starting point for the traverse above the injection point is
the flowing wellhead tubing pressure at zero depth, P
wh
.

The starting point for the traverse below the injection point is
the flowing bottom hole pressure at given depth, P
wf
.

The traverses can be traced directly from pressure
distribution curve, or plotted based on data obtained from the
distribution curve.

If the traverses are traced, the same pressure and depth
scales as those for the distribution curve must be used.

If it is desirable to use different scales, flowing tubing
pressures and corresponding depth can be obtained from
the curve and plotted.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

The first step is to select the right pressure distribution curve,
based on actual tubing size, production rate, average flowing
temperature, and WOR. The curve are based on GLR.




Tracing Flowing Tubing Pressure Traverse Above The Injection
Point (G
fa
)

1. Plot flowing wellhead tubing pressure (P
wh
) on the graph
paper.

2. Place the graph paper over the distribution curve with
pressure and depth axes overlaying the pressure & depth
axes respectively of the distribution curve. Shift the graph
paper vertically downward until the P
wh
overlays the GLR
curve.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
GOR Per Cent Oil
GLR GOR
WOR 1 100
(
= =
(
+


3. Trace the traverse above the injection point.


Tracing Flowing Tubing Pressure Traverse Below The Injection
Point (G
fb
)

1. Plot flowing BHP (P
wf
) on the graph paper.

2. Place the graph paper over the distribution curve with
pressure an depth axes overlaying the pressure & depth
axes respectively of the distribution curve. Shift the grapg
paper vertically downward until the flowing BHP (P
wf
)
overlays the formation GLR curve.

3. Trace the traverse below the injection point.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Plotting Flowing Tubing Pressure Traverse Above The Injection
Point (G
fa
)

1. Determine the chart depth correction from the right pressure
distribution curve for the P
wh
and GLR.

Begin at P
wh
on the abscissa (pressure axis), proceed vertically
downward to the intersection of the proper GLR curve, and read
the chart depth correction on the ordinate (depth axis).

2. Calculate chart depth equivalent to actual depths of 1000 ft,
2000 ft, 3000 ft, etc.

Add the chart depth correction (step 1) to each actual depth
(assumed as above) to obtain an equivalent chart depth.

3. Determine the flowing tubing pressure for each actual depth
in step 2.

Begin at equivalent chart depth on the ordinate, proceed
horizontally to the right to the intersection of the GLR curve, and
read the tubing pressure at chart depth on the abscissa.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

4. Tabulate results of steps 2 and 3.









5. Plot tubing pressure vs actual depth to establish the traverse
above the gas injection point.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Actual Depth (ft) Equivalent Chart
Depth (ft)
Tubing Pressure
(psi)
1000
2000
3000

Assume
Actual depth plus
Chart depth
correction.









CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID









CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Plotting Flowing Tubing Pressure Traverse Below The Injection
Point (G
fb
)

1. Determine the chart depth correction from the right pressure
distribution curve for the flowing BHP, P
wf
at given depth.

Begin at P
wf
on the abscissa (pressure axis), proceed vertically
downward to the intersection of the formation GLR curve, and
read the equivalent chart depth on the ordinate.
The chart depth correction is the difference between the actual
depth and chart depth.

2. Calculate chart depth equivalent to actual depths.

Beginning with the depth for P
wf
, assume decreasing actual depth
in 1000 ft intervals.
Subtract the chart depth correction (from step 1) from each
assumed actual depth if the chart depth is less than actual depth
(add chart depth correction if the chart depth is greater than actual
depth










CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
3. Determine the flowing tubing pressure for each actual depth
in step 2.

Begin at equivalent chart depth on the ordinate, proceed
horizontally to the right to the intersection of the formation GLR
curve, and read the tubing pressure at chart depth on the
abscissa.

4. Tabulate results of steps 2 and 3.








5. Plot tubing pressure vs actual depth to establish the traverse
above the gas injection point.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Actual Depth (ft) Equivalent Chart
Depth (ft)
Tubing Pressure
(psi)
Well depth
Well depth - 1000
Well depth - 2000
Well depth - 3000
Actual depth minus
or plus Chart depth
correction.
Example 4-2
Given:
Tubing size = 2 inch ID (2-3/8 inch OD)
Production rate = 50 BLPD (use 800 BLPD
curve)
Water-oil-ratio = 9:1 (use all water curve)
Average flowing temperature below IP = 190
o
F
Average flowing temperature above IP = 140
o
F
Formation gas-oil-ratio = 500 cu.ft/bbl
Flowing wellhead tubing pressure = 50 psig
Flowing bottom hole pressure = 2600 psig at 8000 ft
Operating injection gas pressure at surface = 600 psig
Pressure differential across valve = 30 psi

Determine the injection point depth and injection gas requirement for the
continuous flow gas lift.

CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Example 4-2: Solution
Part 1: Determination of gas injection point

1. Calculate the formation GLR



2. Select the right PDC and establish the P
wh
traverse below the
injection point (G
fb
). Use Graph A5-079. The traverse can be
traced directly or plotted using following data.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
formation GOR 500cuft / bbl
GLR 50cuft / bbl
WOR 1 9 1
= = =
+ +
Actual Depth (ft) Equivalent Chart
Depth (ft)
Tubing Pressure
(psig)
8000 6700 2600
7000 5700 2140
6000 4700 1690
5000 3700 1255
4000 2700 830
3000 1700 435
2000 700 130
For GLR = 50 cuft/bbl
Chart depth correction=
1300 ft.

Equivalent chart depth
less than actual depth:
Equivalent chart depth =
actual depth minus chart
depth correction.

3. Draw the injection operating pressure gradient.

From Figure A2-6: 600 psig at surface (P
so
) = 704 psig at 8000 ft.
Draw a line from P
so
to 704 psig at 8000 ft: injection operating
pressure gradient.

4. Determine the depth of injection point (operating valve) and
flowing tubing pressure at this depth, based on pressure
difference of 30 psi between flowing tubing pressure and casing
pressure.

D
v
= 3480 ft and P
t
= 615 psig at 3480 ft.







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Part 2: Determination of gas injection requirement by tracing the
traverse

1. Plot the wellhead tubing pressure of 50 psig at zero depth on the
graph paper.

2. Select the right PDC and determine the total producing GLR. Use
Graph A5-078. The GLR curve which passes through the point of
gas injection (P
t
=615 psig at D
v
=3480 ft) and P
wh
=50 psig is
between 300 and 400 cuft/bbl. By proportional interpolation:

Approx. Total Producing GLR = 370 cuft/bbl

3. Calculate the daily injection rate requirement.

Injection GLR = 370 50 = 320 cuft/bbl

Daily injection rate requirement = 320 cuft/bbl (750 bbl/day)
= 240,000 cuft/day








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Part 3: Determination of gas injection requirement using plotted
data

1. Determine the depth of injection point and the flowing tubing
pressure at this depth.

D
v
= 3480 ft, and P
t
@ D
v
= 615 psig at 3480 ft

2. Determine the total producing GLR from Graph A5-078 using the
following tubing pressure at depth in step 1.







* Plot 615 psig at 3820 ft on A5-078 and estimate the approximate
GLR by proportional interpolation between 300 and 400 cuft/bbl.



CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Actual Depth
(ft)
Equivalent
Chart Depth
(ft)
Tubing
Pressure
(psig)
Total Prod.
GLR
(cuft/bbl)
0 340 50
3480 3820 615 370*

After determining the total GLR, this traverse can be plotted using
the following data:








3. Calculate the daily injection rate requirement.

Injection GLR = 370 50 = 320 cuft/bbl

Daily injection rate requirement = 320 cuft/bbl (750 bbl/day)
= 240,000 cuft/day










CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Actual Depth (ft) Equivalent Chart
Depth (ft)
Tubing Pressure
(psig)
0 340 50
1000 1340 190
2000 2340 335
3000 3340 515
4000 4340 730
For GLR = 370 cuft/bbl
Chart depth correction=
340 ft.

Equivalent chart depth=
actual depth plus chart
depth correction











CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
P
so
P
wh
Determination of Valve Spacing
Depends on:

1. Types of valve used:
e.g.: (a). Balanced valve:
i. At surface operating pressure minus 15 25
psi/valve toward the bottomhole.
(b). Unbalanced valve:
i. At surface operating pressure
ii. At design casing pressure, (P
so
-50 psi).

2. Well flow: to the pit or separator.

3. Static fluid level and kill fluid requirement.
If static fluid level < allowable depth (P
c
-P
t
)/G
s
depth of first valve = static fluid level







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID

4. Operation pressure


Data required:

Well depth
Tubing and casing size

Required wellhead pressure
Desired producing rate
Water cut
Injection gas gravity
Injection gas pressure (operating gas pressure)
Static bottomhole pressure
Productivity index or flowing bottomhole pressure
Bottomhole temperature and geothermal gradient
Oil, water and solution gas gravities
Kick-off pressure
Static kill-fluid gradient (minimum fluid gradient for reservoir fluid plus
gas to stop flow).








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Valve Spacing Procedures (Balanced valve)
From the Determination of Injection Point diagram:

1. Draw a tubing design gradient line, start from P
wh,d
until the
gas injection point, C.
P
wh,d
= P
wh
+ 0.25P
so

2. Draw a line of kill-fluid gradient from:
i. Tubing pressure, P
wh
if the well is lifted at tubing
pressure.
ii. Zero pressure if the well is lifted to the pit/pool.

3. Extend the kill-fluid gradient line until intersect with casing
static column gradient line (P
ko-50
line).
Point D = depth of first valve (top valve)

4. From point D, draw a horizontal line to the left until intersect
with tubing design gradient line (point F at the same depth
with point D).







CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Minimum fluid gradient for the
reservoir fluid plus gas to stop flow

5. From point F, draw a line parallel to kill-fluid gradient line
until intersect with a line of surface operating pressure
gradient minus 25 psi, P
so
-25 psi (Point G)


6. From point G, draw a horizontal line to the left until intersect
with tubing design gradient line (point H).
Point H = depth of second valve

7. From point H, draw a line parallel to kill-fluid gradient line
until intersect with a line of surface operating pressure
gradient minus 50 psi line (Point J).

8. From point J, draw a horizontal line to the left until intersect
with tubing design gradient line (point K).
Point K = depth of third valve

9. Repeat the process until the gas injection point is reached.

10. Generally, one or two valves are placed below the injection
point for the future requirement.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID





CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Pressure, psi
D
e
p
t
h
,

f
t

Depth
P
s
P
wf
D
G
s
G
fb
B
C
P
ko
-50

P
so
P
wh
G
fa
E
100 psi
Figure 4-3: Determination Valve Spacing (Balanced Valve)
P
wh,d
A
F
G
H
J
P
so
-25 psi
P
so
-50 psi
P
so
-70 psi
K
Design tubing gradient
D
v1
D
v2
D
v3
D
v4
Gas Injection
Point
C Injection point
B Equilibrium point
(point of
balance)
A Static fluid level
E Working fluid
level
Valve Spacing Procedures (Unbalanced valve)
The procedures are almost the same as the balanced valve,
except that the valve setting depth are referred to:

the surface operating pressure gradient, P
so
gradient (flowing
injection casing gradient), or

the design casing pressure, P
so
-50 psi.








CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure 4-4: Determination Valve Spacing (Unbalanced Valve)
(P
ko
-50)
(=P
so
)
CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Figure 4-5: Determination Valve Spacing (Unbalanced Valve)
(50 psi)
(50 psi)
(P
so
) (P
wh
)
P
wh
=0.25P
so
Tubing Design Gradient
(P
wh,d
) (P
ko
)

CHAPTER 4
MOHD FAUZI HAMID
Example 4-5
Given:
Well depth = 8,000 ft
Static reservoir pressure = 3,500 psi
Tubing depth = 7,400 ft
Tubing size = 3.0 inch ID
Gas specific gravity = 0.60
Oil specific gravity = 45
o
API
Kick off pressure = 900 psi
Available surface operation pressure = 800 psi
Bottomhole flowing pressure = 2,000 psi
Average flowing temperature = 90
o
F
Kill fluid gradient = 0.5 psi/ft
Well head pressure = 200 psi
Salt water content = 50 %
Bottomhole temperature = 90
o
F
Graphically, determine the injection point depth for the continuous flow gas
lift with balance valve, and estimate the volume of gas required.

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MOHD FAUZI HAMID

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MOHD FAUZI HAMID

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MOHD FAUZI HAMID

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MOHD FAUZI HAMID

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