Schlumberger Interventions and

Completions

A Practical Gas Lift

Manual
For Designs in WellFlo
Design Guidlines

Practical Gas Lift Manual: Design Guidelines

/conversion/tmp/scratch/369554260.doc
-1-
1.0 Introduction
WellFlo is a Nodal Analysis program. Its function is to analyse the behaviour of
petroleum fluids in wells. This behaviour is modelled in terms of the pressure and
temperature of the fluids, as a function of flowrate and fluid properties. The program
takes as its input a description of the reservoir, of the well completion (i.e. the
hardware of the well), and of the surface hardware (i.e. pipelines etc). This is
combined with fluid properties data (PVT). A well is modelled with a series of nodes
from the reservoir to the separator and the program then performs calculations to
determine the pressure and temperature of the fluids at each node. Different modes
of operation can be employed to either solve for flowrate given controlling pressures
(typically done for deliverability calculations), or solving for pressure drops given
measured flowrates (typically done for diagnostic calculations).

WellFlo calculations are based on Nodal Analysis. There are two main types of Nodal
Analysis. The first is the determination of flowrates from pressures , and the second
the determination of pressures from flowrates. The determinations of flowrates is
concerned with deliverability calculations, whilst the determination of pressure is
concerned with monitoring or diagnostic applications. The main purpose of a gas lift
design is to optimise the deliverability of the well for a given gas injection rate under
the well conditions and profile provided. To do this, a model must be built and then
diagnostic analysis must be performed on it to optimise the design.

Page 46 and 47 of the WellFlo manual provide a section on deliverability applications.

The gas lift engineer must be concerned about how the spacing of each individual
valve station and sizing of the unloading and orifice valve ports will effect the
deliverability of the well under the envelope of conditions supplied by the customer.
Justification for the inclusion of an additional station will hinge on what it will bring to
the overall design in the future. Diagnostic analysis will provide feedback on how a
gas lift design will operate under the expected conditions.

2.0 The Gas Lift Data Sheet

The first step in any design is that of data gathering for the work ahead. The client
should complete a data sheet for the well that he would like examined. The data
sheet gives the necessary details required to perform a gas lift design at a specific
time, such as:

Well Data
Fluid Parameters
PVT Data
Inflow Parameters
Gas Lift Data
Production Information
Test Data

The information is laid out to aid in the Gas Lift Design process as followed in the
WellFlo program. It is important to gather as much of the information laid out on the
data sheet as possible. Comprehensive Information will produce a more efficient Gas
lift design.
A copy of the electronic version of the data sheet is available as part of the program
suite accompanying this document or can be obtained e-mailing John Donachie at
jdonachie@slb.com and requesting it.
3.0 Information Entry into WellFlo
Refer to the WellFlo manual on how to install and set-up WellFlo on your system.
WellFlo will not operate without a relevant dongle.

WellFlo is a windows based program. To start the WellFlo program, double click on the
WellFlo icon. The program will automatically open the previously saved file if it is
available. Alternatively, it will open a new file. For the purposes of this guideline we
will assume that a new file is opened or has been created by using the New File option
from the File pull down menu located on the Main Menu bar along the top of the
screen.

Fig 3.0.1

Fig 3.0.2 Fig 3.0.3

3.1 Beginning a New Design

Create a New file and Save As to save your new file with an appropriate name and in
the appropriate folder.

The CAMCO Aberdeen network has a logical folder system provided for storing gas lift
designs:

< H:\ TECH \ GASLIFT \ WELLFILE\ Customer \ Asset \ Field \ Well \ Design File
(Revision) >
(eg. <H:\TECH\GASLIFT\WELLFILE\BP AMOCO\Andrew\A-1\A-1 Rev0.wfl>

This filing system allows for easy data retrieval.

Fig 3.1.1 Fig 3.1.2 Fig 3.1.3

Remember to save your file regularly. PCs do crash and information is lost.
3.2 Data Preparation

3.2.1 General Data

Begin by inputting general data regarding the well requiring a gas lift design. Include
information specific to the design such as the Well, Field, Designer, Date, etc.
Track design information by inputting historic data in the section provided within the
window. This can also include additional information that the client has supplied.

Fig 3.2.1.1 Fig 3.2.1.2

3.2.2 Well and Flow Type
Enter the appropriate information, e.g. Annular or Tubing flow, and Production well or
pipeline.

Fig 3.2.2.1 Fig 3.2.2.2

3.2.3 Xmas Tree Data
Double click on the Christmas Tree Icon (located in the graphical representation of the
well) and enter the Well Head depths with respect to Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Rotary
Kelly Bushing (RKB). Enter the additional information regarding Heat Transfer
Coefficients if available, otherwise leave values as default. The Upstream Temperature
is defaulted to 60oF, this should remain so unless otherwise stated.

Fig 3.2.3.1 Fig 3.2.3.2

3.2.4 Well Deviation Data
Input deviation data from the deviation survey supplied by the client. When entering
this use common sense. For example, enter steps in 500 -1000ft or 10-degree
increments and increase the number of steps during a build-up. Do not enter the
whole deviation survey as this is time consuming and adds little value to the design.
Each row of deviation information will add to the calculations that WellFlo performs as
part of the nodal analysis, slowing it down.

Fig 3.2.4.1 Fig 3.2.4.2

3.2.5 Well Equipment Data

Input the tubing and casing information from the well head to the mid perforation
depths. It is advisable to prepare a simple completion schematic in order to visualise
the well. Input tubing information first, then casing information. Casing information
may already be encompassed by the Casing ID column. Check the Tubing ID against
regional standards as the default values for the input weight may vary accordingly.
Columns have been provided for Roughness and Temperature, these values will remain
as default unless otherwise stated (e.g. Roughness changes due to special internal
tubing coating)

Fig 3.2.5.1 Fig 3.2.5.2

3.2.6 Surface Equipment Data
Input data regarding flow lines and chokes. If this information is not available, the well
will develop the model to the tubing head/Christmas tree

Fig 3.2.6.1 Fig 3.2.6.2

3.2.7 Gas Lift Data

Enter the appropriate information. When considering the maximum injection depth
take into account permanent gauge mandrels, chemical injection valves and PBRs
situated above the packer. The user must state the valve differential pressure within
this window (the differential between the operating casing pressure and tubing
pressure is recommended is to be in the range 150-200psi). A differential must exist
or injection gas will not flow though the valve into the production tubing and therefore
lighten the specific gravity of the fluid column. The user must also specify either Qgi
(Gas Injection Rate) or GLRi (Injection Gas/Liquid Ratio). For the purpose of Gas lift
Design, select Qgi.

Fig 3.2.7.1 Fig 3.2.7.2

3.2.8 Reservoir Control
Select the correct Fluid Type (Normally Black Oil); Set the Entry Model to Manual;
Select a Vertical Well Orientation.

Fig 3.2.8.1 Fig 3.2.8.2

Once the above has been selected, within the same window enter the Edit Layer
window. Input values for the mid perforation layer (reservoir) pressure and layer
temperature, mid perforation depth and the productivity index.

Fig 3.2.8.3
3.2.9 Select the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR).
Within the same window, enter Choose IPR and select the inflow performance
relationship to be used during the gas lift calculations. Use the Straight-line
relationship when the reservoir pressure is above the Bubble Point and the Vogel
Relationship when the reservoir is below the bubble point, when interstitial gas has
evolved. Once all the above parameters are selected press OK. If Vogel has been
selected, it will automatically default to Straight-Line Relationship if the reservoir
pressure is above the bubble point.

Fig 3.2.9.1
3.2.10 Fluid Parameters
Enter the Oil Specific Gravity or the Oil API Gravity and either the Water Specific
Gravity or the Water Salinity. Each pair of values are directly equivalent, only enter
one value from each pair, as the other will change automatically (WellFlo highlights
this relationship in Blue.)

Fig 3.2.10.1

Once the data preparation has been completed and the gas lift system is being design
for specific well conditions, this window allows the Water Cut Per Cent and Production
GOR to be modified to suit. Select the highest water cut to design to the worst case.
4.0 Match PVT Correlations
The next step in the process is to match the PVT correlations to the measured data.
Tuning the PVT model is very important. The influence of fluid properties can have a
dramatic influence on pressure drop, particularly the gas/oil ratio. Each correlations is
separated into three parts:

Bubble Point (Pb)

GOR (Rs)
Oil Formation Volume Factor (Bo)

Six correlations are available for the above parameters. In order to select the right
one, the user must assess how each correlation will affect each parameter. This is
achieved by choosing a correlation and selecting Match to enter the Match Oil
Properties window.

Ensure that the GOR value is correct before performing any calculations in this
window. Select match property for all three parameters and enter PVT data at the
appropriate temperatures and pressures and press calculate. Note down the match
fraction and develop a table to see how each correlation matches up to all three
parameters. See table below:

Correlation Pb Rs Bo
Glaso 0.844 0.817 0.983
Lasater 0.899 0.878 0.996
Standing 0.922 0.907 0.997
Vazquez & 0.845 0.819 0.972
Beggs
Petrosky- 0.858 0.842 0.988
Farshad
Macary 0.890 0.831 0.923
Fig 4.0.1

Once this table is completed, select the correlation closest to 1.0 (1.0 being a perfect
match) for the available parameters. Now the user must select this correlation on the
fluid parameters and then go to match. Each Parameter is again calculated, however
this time directly after calculating the match select Best Fit to tune the correlation to
give a perfect match. Please note that you cannot tune both Pb and Rs, as this would
cause an inconsistency, both reflect how the solution gas in the oil changes with
pressure. In most cases, Tune Pb since data on Rs is usually not extensive, however if
information is available then this may be the parameter to tune.

Repeat the process separately for the oil and gas viscosity, if information is available.
With all of the above steps completed, a model of the well has now been constructed
with the addition of the input data supplied by the operator. Note at this stage that
the accuracy of any model and the predictions it generates would only be as good as
the input data. It is therefore essential to use accurate PVT data and reservoir
information.

5.0 Well Analysis

5.1 Lift Correlations

Before carrying out any well performance analysis, the flowing gradient correlation to
be used must be decided upon, for both the horizontal and vertical sections of the well
bore. Based on the field experience of both CAMCO and EPS, the Hagedorn & Brown
(mod) and Beggs & Brill (mod) correlations are generally recommended for the
vertical and horizontal sections irrespective of the well bore. The other pressure drop
correlations and the factors involved are discussed in depth in Appendix 2. In the
absence of better information to the contrary, these are considered to offer reasonably
accurate predictions of pressure drop for the purpose of the design. Where possible
the accuracy of the chosen correlation and the model should be checked against
measured data. This can be in the form of flowing gradient surveys or multi-rate tests.

This option allows the designer to import data (flowing gradient surveys or multi-rate
tests) for plotting any pressure vs. depth or pressure vs. flowrate graph. Through this,
the designer can compare the WellFlo generated values graphically with any measured
data available for a more accurate VLP for the design. The Load Measured Data menu
option expands to give the options:

Depth (MD) vs. Pressure (and Temp)...

Depth (TVD) vs. Pressure (and Temp)...
Flow rate vs. Pressure

The file extension for Depth (MD & TVD) vs. Pressure (and Temp) is .DVP, and Flow
rate vs. Pressure is .RVP. The data sets must be ASCII files prepared in a text editor
(Windows NotePad) a maximum of 128 lines of data can be loaded. Title/Legend: The
user enters a text title on the first line of the file; this will appear as a legend when the
data are plotted. If no title line is entered, the default legend will be Measured Data.
Comment Lines: Put a hash (#) at the start of a comment line to be certain the
program will skip it. Do not put a hash in front of the title line unless you want it to be
ignored.

Once the measured data is corrected and saved in one of the above three formats
using Notepad and loaded onto WellFlo the next step is to calculate the VLP using
various correlations and compare to the measured data. Enter the Deepest Injection
Operating Point window.

The designer must enter the Sensitivities window for various correlations and then
press Calculate. WellFlo now runs through a calculation sequence, once this is
completed press OK. Now the results can be viewed through the Plot Results (Select
Results, then select Plot thought the Deepest Injection Point window). Once in this
window tick the box for Measured Data and select the correlations form Sensitivity.
Press Plot again to see which correlation best fits the measured. Input this information
into the Correlations section of the Deepest Injection Operating Point window. L-
factors can be used to further calibrate the pressure drop computations in the well to
exactly match the measured data through this window. Three factors can be adjusted:

Well & riser flow correlation; used for design

Pipeline flow correlation; used in components beyond the well head i.e. flow lines
Downcomer flow correlation; used for risers with downflow
Adjusting the L < 1 the computed pressure drops will be reduced, for L > 1 they will be
increased. By changing this factor and recalculating, an accurate Vertical Lift
Performance(VLP) curve can be selected for the design. Having such data will
contribute significantly to the efficiency of a gas lift design. If such tests are not
available for the current well design, it is possible to use the correlations selected for
another well in the same field. Using such information will give the designer an
indication of what correlation is best suited for the field, and can be used for
subsequent designs. Do not select a different fields correlations should (Correlations
they are known to vary from field to field).
Care is needed when manipulating L factors, simple changes can have drastic effects
on the overall gas lift design. It is better to use established correlations that best fit
the purposes of the design than to tailor to meet the requirements of the design
exactly.

5.2 Optimum Gas Injection Rate

The next stage in the design procedure is to calculate the pressure traverse with no
gas lift. The user must ensure that gas lift injection rate is equal to zero by going to
Gas Lift Design window and check that the value for gas injection is zero. The next
step involves Analysis Deepest Injection Point Operating Point, the user must
enter calculation nodes i.e. top node = Christmas tree/separator pressure, bottom
node = layer and the solution node = casing. If temperatures are known select the
calibrated option and enter the appropriate figures. Select liquid rate ranges for the
calculation, ensure Iterate to exact operating point is on, and press Calculate. The
program then calculates a liquid rate for the well. For viewing calculations in graph
format, go to Results and then Plot for various graph formats. This gives the wells
vertical lift performance and temperature with no gas injection.

Select Iterate to exact operating point to enable regression to refine the intersection
point of the inflow and outflow curves. Once this point is found, WellFlo generates a
pressure versus depth curve for the exact flow rate. Without this option selected, only
a estimate of the inflow/outflow intersection point is made.

It is possible to plot a graph with a range of gas linjection rates. This enables a
designer to have a visual representation of how the gas injection rate is affecting the
production performance.

Using Sensitivities the user can calculate various performance curves for this well with
regard to increasing water cut, decreasing PI and reservoir pressure etc. When
sensitivities are selected the user must state the selection for up to 2 variables to see
how changing these factors would affect the well performance. The first task for the
design engineer is to determine the optimum gas injection rate by comparing varying
gas injection rates with sensitivity to water cut, PI and reservoir pressure. The
optimum gas lift rate is at the point where the performance curve changes from a
positive slope to zero or a negative slope. An example of these curves with respect to
water cut, PI and reservoir pressure sensitivities is presented in Appendix 3 for better
understanding. However, most companies operate with a threshold that is calculated
by the slope of stb/d/mmscf. This threshold is in place for economic reasons, e.g. for
one operator an increase of 1mmscf injection can only be justified if an extra 50-100
stbo/D is produced. Therefore, for each step of 1mmscf a prediction in the increase of
oil produced is made to justify the subsequent step up in injection rate. Now the
designer has selected the optimum injection rate. If the gas injection rate increases to
a level where the gradient becomes negative, the gas injected is making the well
inefficient by injecting too much gas that takes up the well fluid volume.

Insert this value into Gas Lift Data window (through the Data Preparation pull down
menu) and will be the injection rate throughout the design process. If the client gives
a kick off pressure, add this to the model later. The kick off pressure, a higher
pressure that is achieved by passing a smaller amount of gas, allows the first mandrel
depth to be located further down in depth. For a conservative gas lift design, even if a
kick-off pressure is theoretically available, it would be sensible not to use this kick off
pressure and design to the maximum allowable casing pressure that is available on a
day-to-day basis. Had the designer stipulated a kick-off pressure for the design and
this pressure could never be achieved the gas lift design would fail at the first
unloading valve rendering the design unusable.
 Print off an Inflow/Outflow plot for each water cut percentage.

Reservoir Factors

Having built the well model the analysis can begin. The most difficult part of a gas lift
design is deciding what factors are likely to vary over the life of the well and thus
require a more detailed investigation. Here, CAMCOs considerable Gas Lift experience
helps identify the areas that will need consideration.

The gas lift designer must consider:

Maximise Oil Production

The objective of a good gas lift design is to maximise oil production over the life of the
well, achieved by ensuring a mandrel spacing that will always allow the deepest
injection point to be accessed whatever the well conditions. As stated previously, this
may entail running initially redundant mandrels to allow transfer deeper at a later time
or visa versa.

Minimise Well Intervention

 By careful design considerations, mandrel spacing and the correct port size selection it
is possible to design gas lift systems that will automatically transfer the depth of
injection to match changes in well conditions. However, there are drawbacks to this
design technique and it is generally reserved for subsea wells where minimum wireline
intervention is intended.

Maximise Depth of Injection

Gas injection is designed to be as deep as mechanically possible by firstly taking into
account the wells completion components (e.g. annular packer, gauge mandrels,
PBRs, chemical injection valves, etc.) on this basis the maximum injection depth is
decided. Secondly, the designer must bear in mind the valve differential pressure.
This value is the theoretical minimum pressure drop through the gas lift valve to allow
gas injection. The valve differential is normally set to 100 - 200 psi per the standard
gas lift valve design practice. The final, and most obvious, constraints are the casing
and tubing pressure ratings; if a casing pressure was to exceed the casing or tubing
pressure rating this could lead to either burst or collapse failure of the tubulars.
Stability
The designer must ensure the well is stable by inspection of the inflow/outflow curves
for each design. If the inflow (straight line/curved) curve is intersected by the outflow
curve with a positive gradient then the well is stable. If the inflow curve is dissected
by an outflow curve with a gradient equal to zero or negative the system is said to be
Unstable. Examples of stable and unstable flow are provided in Appendix 4 for closer
analysis.

Uncertainties in Reservoir Performance

Over the life of the well, reservoir performance is probably the hardest item to predict
with any certainty. It is therefore essential that any well analysis covers the likely
range in pressures and PIs to be encountered in the producing life of the well. These
will have a big impact on the production and thus the flowing gradient of the well. All
of these factors will influence the mandrel spacing and maximum depth of injection.

Worst Case Design

With the above considerations in mind for the particular well the next step is to initially
design the well at the worst case conditions for gas lift.
The worst case conditions for gas lift design are:

High reservoir pressure

High productivity index
High water cut percentage

With these factors in mind, the user will enter the values as described earlier and
calculate a pressure traverse. The results are then plotted on a Pressure vs. Depth
plot, the scales adjusted appropriately, and printed for a hard copy. See Appendix 5
for an example. The user will now manually design the gas lift mandrels for this worst
case condition. Positioning the mandrels for the worst case design allows for well
unloading and for the well to be gas lifted albeit not necessarily optimised as well
conditions change. The unloading procedure for continuous flow gas lift is presented
in Appendix 6 for further reading.

Manual Mandrel Design: Surface Close Design Method

(This process is automated in WellFlo)
1. Draw static gradient (kill fluid) either from a TVD of 0 to 1000 ft or 0 psi to 450/460
psi; the kill fluids are commonly of a gradient 0.45 or 0.46 psi/ft, see data sheet
provided by client.

2. With this gradient, using set squares, draw a line from the wellhead/separator
pressure to the maximum allowable casing pressure, where this line intersects the
casing pressure draw a horizontal line through the vertical lift performance curve to
the depth on the Y axis. The first mandrel is now positioned at this depth.

3. For positioning the second mandrel the designer must firstly decide upon a transfer
pressure margin to ensure the second valve will be uncovered if the wells vertical
lift curve over performs. For conservative designs this is 10% of the pressure
differential between the tubing pressure and the casing pressure at the depth of
mandrel one. For known reservoirs, where vertical lift performance (VLP) is known
not to over-perform, the safety margin added should be in the range of 50 - 100
psi. Secondly, the designer must draw in a casing pressure drop of 15-psig safety
margin to ensure valve number one closes. Starting at mandrel #1 draw the
reduced casing pressure using a parallel line to the maximum allowable casing
gradient.

4. Space mandrel #2 using the static gradient starting at the transfer point of 10% of
the tubing performance curve for an unknown reservoir, or 50 100 psi for known
fields with existing working designs, until the line intersects the maximum casing
pressure with a drop of 15 psi. Where this line intersects the casing pressure draw
a horizontal line through the vertical lift performance curve to the depth on the Y
axis. The second mandrel is now positioned at this depth with safety margins in
place.

5. The above steps are repeated until there is not enough differential pressure
between the vertical lift performance curve and casing pressure at mandrel depth.

6. If the designer is given a kick-off pressure and the client stipulates this is to be
used in the design, only one factor is changed. Instead of the depth of the first
mandrel being decided upon by the maximum allowable casing pressure the
greater kick-off pressure is used. Therefore, this increased pressure allows mandrel
one to be placed deeper in the well. The kick-off pressure is only used for the first
mandrel depth. After that, the maximum allowable casing pressure is used
because as soon as injection gas is vented into the tubing, through the first
mandrel, this higher pressure can longer be attained.

Once the above is complete enter the mandrel depths into Gas Lift Data window in the
Data Preparation pull down menu and go to Analysis and Operating Point to calculate
the liquid flowrate. Check that the gas lift design will operate through the Gas Lift
Design window in the Analysis pull down menu. Enter the calculated flow rate and
check the appropriate values for static gradient etc
Within the Gas Lift Margins window, check the kick-off pressure (if given) and the
casing closing pressure margin is equal to 15 psi. Now Recalculate and WellFlo will let
the user know if the design will operate and unload for those particular conditions and
safety factors incorporated. If the design does not unload the user must adjust the
mandrel spacing and hence the ideal operating point may not be reached. Once
adjusted and fully functional the user must justify the placement of each valve, in
essence calculate what lift the specific mandrel will provide. If the lower mandrel of
the initial design does go to a deeper depth but the oil increment gained by this
mandrel is low then this valve is not incorporated into the design.

The next step of the design process is to consult with the client to determine how the
three parameters (Reservoir Pressure, Productivity Index and Water Cut) will vary with
time. The worst case design, as detailed above, may only be applicable in the infancy
of the well and as the reservoir characteristics change over time the designer must
incorporate this into his design.

The original design will not inject deep into the well and as the well changes over time,
this injection depth will not be optimal. The designer must consider future
circumstances to provide the client with optimum lift later in the wells life. If the PI
reduces over time, with reservoir pressure and water cut staying constant, this would
increase the drawdown at the perforations, and hence move the VLP curve to the left
allowing greater valve differential pressures. More and deeper mandrel depths are
required for this change in reservoir conditions.

If the PI and water cut remain constant but the Reservoir Pressure (Pr) reduces, there
will be no effect on the drawdown, but a lower flowing bottom hole pressure (Pwf)
would be seen. This would shift the VLP curve to the left again where deeper mandrels
could be placed.
If the wells water break-through did not occur as expected and water-cut stayed
relatively low (at say, 10%) this would result in a lighter fluid column than predicted,
as water is heavier than oil. Consequently, the VLP would remain stationary for longer
making an extra mandrel at a deeper depth more attractive.

The above examples are describing the effect of one parameter changing while the
others remain constant. This rarely occurs in reservoirs. For most depleting reservoirs
the Pr will reduce with an increasing water-cut over time. Also, PI can increase (shift
VLP to right) in a well by fracturing or alternatively decrease (shift VLP to left) by the
reservoirs permeability reducing over time. Bearing these factors in mind, the
designer needs to decide whether gas lift is required and if it is economical, with
respect to the clients threshold, by way of performance curves and sensitivities.
All of the expected gas lift scenarios generate a host of different designs. The
mandrels are then overlain and spacing selected by inspection to give the optimum
design to cover the expected range discussed by the designer and client. Mandrel
depths are then inputted into WellFlo and the design is checked to ensure that it will
work for each of the expected conditions. At this stage, safety factors are built into the
mandrel spacing. This is an area where the experience of the gas lift designer is
essential.

Valve Port Sizing

Once the mandrel spacing has been calculated, the valve type and port size must be
decided. The user must calculate the gas required for the unloading production rate to
achieve the necessary transfer point that will uncover the valve below. For each
mandrel being examined the designer must change the mandrels below the one being
inspected to Inactive in the Gas Lift Data window (found in the Data Preparation pull
down menu).

Once this has been done, the well performance is calculated using injection rate
sensitivities. When the vertical lift performance curves exceed the necessary transfer
pressure, adequate gas injection uncovers the valve below. Insert this injection rate
into the model to calculate the Fluid Unloading Rate and Temperature.

Calculations are then performed using the Thornhill-Craver method to size the
appropriate orifice to pass the required injection gas rate through the valve.
Remember that unloading valves and Orifice valves have different coefficients of
discharge and this must be specified in the gas passage program. As a rule of thumb,
the coefficient discharge for unloading valves is 0.76 and for orifice valves 0.86.
Once the designer has opened the program, he must input the following:

Gas injection rate required

Upstream pressure at depth
Downstream pressure at depth
Temperature of valve at depth
Coefficient of discharge for the valve

Once the above is entered the user must press Calculate; the program will then give a
port size. The appropriate port sizing is selected with the CAMCO product guide. To
double-check, port sizing is entered into the program and the gas injection rate is left
blank, the user then presses Calculate to ensure the appropriate amount of gas will
pass through the port size. Repeat the above procedure for each valve.

Please note that changes in reservoir characteristics (vertical lift performance) alter
the amount of gas injection required for deeper valves when unloading; therefore, the
gas lift passage calculations are carried for the worst well performance (deepest
injection) to ensure the design will operate at these conditions. All of the valve port
sizing is then checked to ensure they will operate throughout the predicted well
performance conditions. In short a cross-section of well conditions are taken to
represent the range of well parameters in which these valves must perform. The
bottom valve, the orifice, must pass the optimum injection rate decided on earlier.

Dome Charges
In order to calculate the Dome charges for all of the unloading valves in the workshop,
a temperature correction must be implemented. This is aided by a program called
NITPROP, where the user inputs the valve depth and temperature and then the
workshop temperature of 60oF is entered with a pressure of 0psig, NITPROP then
calculates the temperature coefficient. This temperature coefficient is noted for each
unloading valve.

Predicting accurate temperature profiles in flowing and unloading wells can greatly
improve the artificial lift design, enabling the designer to set the valves dome
pressure more accurately and thereby improving the predictability of valve
throughput. The temperatures of the valves at depth using WellFlo are calculated on
the basis the well is flowing. However, the reservoir is not performing when the well is
initially unloading and the annulus is filled with relatively cold kill fluid making these
temperatures somewhat inaccurate. This temperature difference has a significant
effect on the operability of the Nitrogen charged bellow valve. Underestimating this
valve in the design process might mean the valve would not open. Over estimating the
valve will remain open and interfere with lower valves. The accurate temperature
during unloading therefore lies between the geothermal gradient of the crust of the
earth and the well flowing temperatures.

CAMCO uses the Calibrated option for temperature traverse prediction, the experience
gained from CAMCO gas lift engineers has shown that this is the most reliable. This
method requires a flowing tubing head temperature and separator temperature for a
given flowrate. This is the minimum information required for an accurate design with
respect to temperature. With this information collated from various wells on a specific
field, CAMCO gas lift engineers are building databases to give a historical background
on how temperature relationships vary well to well to improve future designs.

If accurate temperature data has been provided by the client, by way of a flowing
gradient survey, the temperature traverse created by WellFlo can be corrected by
manually calculating a heat transfer coefficient in segments from the reservoir to
separator. If there is a significant temperature drop through the seawater effecting
the temperature traverse below the seabed, the designer has two options. Firstly, an
extrapolated flowing wellhead temperature can be calculated or secondly, the seabed
can be modelled as the well head, with the fluids from the seabed to the platform
modelled as a flow line.
Calculation Worksheet
When sections 5 and 5.1 are completed, fill in the calculation worksheet found in the
following directory in CAMCOs network:

This worksheet allows the designer to input all valve depths, temperatures, port sizes,
tubing pressures, casing pressures and temperature coefficients. The worksheet is
set-up with calculations to calculate dome charges and so on, and this is the final part
of the design.

The next stage is to show it to a colleague for a quality check before discussing with
the client in more detail.
Conclusion
To summarise, continuous gas lift is a very complex system composed of many
interactive components. In designing or optimising a system, all components have to
be considered simultaneously. By changing a component from either the inflow
subsystem or the outflow subsystem, a drastic effect can be observed on the resulting
flow and gas consumption. The total amount of computation required for sensitivity
analysis is extensive. Therefore, having the assistance of an easy to use computer
program, such as WellFlo, is indispensable in generating a good gas lift design.
Using the Word Macro for Reporting
It is possible to modify the format in which the WELLFLO.RPT will portray its
information. A Macro for Microsoft Word is available that will partially convert the
Automatically generated report from a Word Pad document to a Microsoft Word
document.

Instructions are available on how to set up the WellFlo Report Macro in the EPS manual
provided with the WellFlo program. The Macro EPS provides (Located in WellFlo.txt) is
incorrect and should not be used, replace the macro with the CAMCO Macro and follow
the same procedure. This is available as part of the suite of programs provided with
this document or alternatively it can be sent via e-mail by contacting a CAMCO
representative. (jdonachie@slb.com)
Flosystem Product Support

Electronic Help System

On-Line Help is available in Flow Sytem either by:
Using the Help option on the main menu bar.
Hitting the F1 key when a menu item is highlighted, or when you are in a dialogue
box.
Shift+F1 gives you the option to get help on graphic screen regions by clicking the
area of interest (menu bar, toolbar, plot legend, axes, etc.) A large question mark
appears beside the mouse pointer when this is active.

The Manual
The next place to try is the FieldFlo manual. This has provided an index and figures,
many of which show specific screens or windows to help point you to the right place.
You might find an explanation of the problem here. In any case, please look here first,
before calling EPS.

Internet
At http://www.epsedin.com you will find the EPS web-site. This is in continual
development, providing a support base for their clients.

Internal Support
Remember to use the internal support provided by your Schlumberger colleagues.

External Support
As a last resort it is possible to contact EPS or a local client directly to get help with
problems with the software. The below e-mail addresses should only be used if all of
the above options have been exhausted:

UK: support@epsedin.co.uk
Americas Office: support@epsa.com
Far East Office: asiasupport@epsedin.co.uk
Middle East Support: Mesupport@epsedin.co.uk