Gas Well De-Watering Techniques

Using Electric Submersible Pumps

J.W. Knight & B.L. Wilson
Baker Hughes Centrilift
Gas Well De-Watering Workshop, Denver, CO, USA
March 3-5, 2003

Presentation Outline

Introduction

Description of Technique

Case History

Conclusions

Introduction

ESPs well suited for

high volume / low head apps (i.e., water wells,

mine de-watering, surface liquid transfer)
low volume / high head apps (i.e., typical deep
onshore U.S. oil wells)
high volume / high head apps (i.e., deep or
extended reach offshore wells)
minimizing FBHPs (thus maximizing well inflow)

Gas Well De-watering can involve

producing large quantities of water from significant

depths (i.e., high volume / high head app)
potentially large volumes of gas which must be
handled; thus annular separation usually key to
success
setting the ESP system below perforations (sumping) in
order to take advantage of annular gas/liquid separation
the need to significantly reduce FBHP

Technique #1
Recirculation System
maximize well drawdown
minimize gas interference
improve motor cooling in low volume wells
provide an alternative to slim-line equipment
patent protected technology

Original Style Recirculation Tube

Midland Style Recirculation Tube

Argentine Style Recirculation Tube

Recirc Pump Head / Tube / Cap

Recirc Tube and Protective Clamp

Case History #1

Well Data Summary

Static pressure, psi
Producing GOR, scf/stb
Water cut, %
Bottomhole temp, F
Oil gravity, API
Water gravity
Gas gravity
Casing size & weight
Tubing size
Perforated interval, ft TVD
Well depth, ft TVD

1,200
6100
93
156
43
1.03
0.63
7-in., 23 lb.
3.5-in.
7,528 7,767
8,262

ESP Unit Comparison

Unit

Pump

Recirc pump

Seal

Motor

Pre-recirc

163 stg,
513-series,
4100 BFPD

N/A

400-series

450-series,
350 hp
(re-rate), with
5.5 shroud

Recirc

207 stg,
513-series,
6100 BFPD

9 stg,
513-series,
10000 BFPD w/
64 ft recirc tube

513-series

562-series,
570 hp

Pre and Post-recirc Production

7
6

Gas Prod., MMcfd

Oil Prod., BPD x 100

Water Prod., BPD x 1000

Pre-recirc
Recirc

2
1
0

Gas

Oil

Water

Note: estimated monthly oil & gas revenue increase = US

based on $18/bbl oil price and $2/Mcf gas price

$200K

Technique #2
Shrouded ESP System
not a new concept
common arrangement when sumping unit
also used above perfs in low flow scenarios
relatively simple system w/ minimal hardware
drawback limits motor OD per given casing size

Case History #2

General field/reservoir/fluid data

Formation Name
Rock Type
Subsea Depth
Porosity
Permeability
Reservoir Pressure
Reservoir Temperature
Oil Gravity
Gas Gravity
Water Cut

Upper Pennsylvanian
Dolomite
-3500 SS to -4100 SS
4% to 30%
2 md to 2000 md
900 psi to 1200 psi
140 F
40 API
0.65
80% to 98%

Hydraulic requirement

+/- 10000 BFPD

6938 ft. TDH

Delta pressure across pump = 3035 psi

7-in. versus 9.625-in. casing?

Shrouded ESP system configuration

74 stage 3X tandem HC12500, ARC trim

513 seal double bag seal w/ HS shaft

836 hp 562 series motor w/ HS shaft

7-5/8 motor shroud

Instrumentation

Results for two Big-Holes

Gas rates 2.5X higher than previous best 7 wells

Initial BWPD > 11,000

Economic Comparison 7 in. vs 9-5/8 in.

Parameter
CAPEX
Monthly OPEX
Avg Gas Rate
Avg Oil Rate
Avg Water Rate
AFIT ROR
AFIT NPV/I @ 10%
Capital/BOE

7 in. casing
$1,500,000
$20,000
3500 MCFPD
200 BOPD
3000 BWPD
>100%
1.45
$3.41/BOE

9-5/8 in. casing

$2,000,000
$35,000
5300 MCFPD
350 BOPD
5000 BWPD
>100%
1.81
$2.90/BOE

Technique #3
Inverted Injection ESP
electric submersible pump system for de-watering
gas wells
inverted system to pump water through a packer
into a lower disposal zone
eliminate surface water disposal costs
VSD required (normally)
Centrilift system known as GasProTM

Case History #3

Economic Overview

Gas well economics at unprecedented levels

Gas price Mean predicted at $3.50 USD/MMSCF (Spear
& Associates)
1 MMSCF/day of incremental Production
Incremental revenues $3,500 USD/d ($105,000 USD/month)
ESP Cost estimated at $105,000 USD
Work over/completion cost estimated or $105,000 USD
Pay out estimated at 2 months
Assumption is that 6 month pay out is the economic
threshold for project approval
ESPs now a cost effective de-watering method

GasProTM System Configuration

115 stage 450-series RA7 pump (700 BPD)

400-series expansion chamber

400-series thrust chamber

77 horsepower 450-series motor

Flow meter, check valve, on/off tool above packer

Before GasProTM
Stranded asset
No production
No revenue
Well liquid loaded
Casing not tied in

After GasProTM
Bookable reserves
3.85 MMcf/day gas
$11,809 USD per day (@ US $3.07/Mcf)
Well unloaded
Casing tied into gathering system

Conclusions
1. Electrical submersible pumps provide a viable gas well
de-watering option, particularly at high Q/H requirements
2. All three techniques described have been successful
for gas well de-watering
3. Sumping the ESP below perforations is oftentimes a key
factor for success
4. Project economics can be quite favorable

References
1. SPE 75711 (for recirculation system case history)
2. SPE 77733 (for shrouded system case history),
3. SPE 37451 (for more info on recirculation system)
4. For more info on inverted ESP injection for gas
well de-watering, see Hadaway and Oelke paper
from 1996 ESP Workshop, Houston, TX, May 1-3
5. Recirculation Pump For Electrical Submersible
Pump System, U.S. Patent No. 5,845,709 (1998),
Mack, J.J. and Wilson, B.L.