BASICS IN GAS LIFT

OPERATIONS
FORTIES GAS LIFT SUPPORT TEAM

VIJAY POTHAPRAGADA
SURVEILLANCE ENGINEERS
OWEs

FORTIES GAS LIFT SUPPORT TEAM

©CAMCO 1999
 OBJECTIVES

✔DESCRIBE MAIN RESERVOIR DRIVES

✔EXPLAIN WHY/WHEN DO WE NEED ARTIFICIAL/GAS LIFT
✔EXPLAIN BASICS IN GAS LIFT OPERATION
✔UNLOADING
✔OPERATIONS
✔OPTIMIZATION
✔FAMILIARIZE WITH GAS LIFT EQUIPMENT
✔DEVELOP SOME BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS

©CAMCO 1999
 CONTENTS
✔WELL AND RESERVOIR INFLOW PERFORMANCE
✔OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND MULTIPHASE FLOW
✔TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT
✔GAS LIFT
✔CONTINUOUS FLOW UNLOADING SEQUENCE
✔GAS LIFT VALVE MECHANICS
✔GAS LIFT WELL OPERATION
✔GAS LIFT WELL OPTIMIZATION
✔GAS LIFT WELL TROUBLESHOOTING
✔HEADING-INSTABILITY-SLUGGING
©CAMCO 1999
 WELL AND RESERVOIR
INFLOW PERFORMANCE

©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE

TYPES OF RESERVOIR DRIVES

✔ DISSOLVED / SOLUTION GAS DRIVE

✔ GAS CAP DRIVE

✔ WATER DRIVE

©CAMCO 1999
 DISSOLVED GAS DRIVE
©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE
✔ DISSOLVED / SOLUTION GAS DRIVE
✔ CONSTANT VOLUME
✔ NO WATER ENCROACHMENT
✔ TWO PHASE FLOWING RESERVOIR BELOW
BUBBLE POINT
✔ NO GAS CAP
✔ PI NOT LINEAR
✔ PI DECLINES WITH DEPLETION
✔ FORMATION GOR INCREASES WITH DEPLETION
✔ LEAST EFFICIENT WITH 15% TO 25% RECOVERY

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS CAP DRIVE
©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE

✔ GAS CAP DRIVE

✔ GAS FROM SOLUTION WILL FORM GAS CAP
✔ WITH PRODUCTION GAS CAP INCREASES
PROVIDING DRIVE
✔ EXCESSIVE DRAWDOWN CAN CAUSE CONING
✔ PI USUALLY NOT LINEAR
✔ GOR CONSTANT EXCEPT NEAR DEPLETION
✔ 25% TO 50% RECOVERY

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
WATER DRIVE
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE

✔WATER DRIVE
✔ NOT CONSTANT VOLUME
✔ RESERVOIR PRESSURE MORE CONSTANT -
EXPANSION OF WATER 1 IN 2500 PER 100 PSI
✔ PI MORE CONSTANT
✔ GOR MORE CONSTANT
✔ COMBINATION OF WATER DRIVE & GAS CAP
EXPANSION
✔ OFTEN SUPPLEMENTED BY WATER INJECTION
✔ MOST EFFICIENT WITH UPTO 70% RECOVERY

©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE

PRODUCTIVITY INDEX

The relationship between well inflow rate and

pressure drawdown can be expressed in the form of
a Productivity Index, denoted ‘PI’ or ‘J’, where:

q
q = J(Pws - Pwf) or J = ------------------
Pws - Pwf

©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE

INFLOW PERFORMANCE CURVE

3000
Pressure [psi]

2000

1000

0
0 10000 20000 30000
Production Rate [stbo/d]

Vogel Straight Line

©CAMCO 1999
 WELL & RESERVOIR INFLOW
PERFORMANCE
SUMMARY OF FACTORS AFFECTING PREDICTION
OF WELL PRODUCTION
✔ PRESENCE OF THREE PHASE FLOW
✔ NATURE OF DRIVE MECHANISMS
✔ PHYSICAL NATURE OF RESERVOIR (NON HOMOGENEOUS)
✔ AVAILABILITY OF STABILIZED FLOW
✔ CHANGES OVER TIME & DRAWDOWN
✔ INCREASED GAS SOLUTION NEAR WELLBORE
✔ STABILISED FLOW NEAR WELLBORE
✔ FLOW REGIME NEAR WELLBORE
✔ CRITICAL FLOW AT WELLBORE

©CAMCO 1999
 OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE
AND MULTIPHASE FLOW

©CAMCO 1999
 OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND
MULTIPHASE FLOW
MOVEMENT OF A MIXTURE OF FREE GASES AND LIQUIDS

VERTICAL FLOWING GRADIENTS

HORIZONTAL FLOWING GRADIENTS

©CAMCO 1999
 SURFACE PRESSURE PRODUCED FLUID

INJECTION GAS

WELL OUTFLOW
RELATIONSHIP
(VLP) or (TPC)

RESERVOIR
PRESSURE SANDFACE WELL
PRESSURE
BHFP INFLOW (IPR)

©CAMCO 1999
 OUTFLOW PERFORMANCE AND
MULTIPHASE FLOW
✔ VERTICAL FLOWING GRADIENTS
✔ HORIZONTAL FLOWING GRADIENTS

✔ SELECT CORRECT TUBING SIZE

✔ PREDICT WHEN ARTIFICIAL LIFT WILL BE REQUIRED
✔ DESIGN ARTIFICIAL LIFT SYSTEMS
✔ DETERMINE BHFP
✔ DETERMINE PI
✔ PREDICT MAXIMUM AND/OR OPTIMUM FLOW RATE
✔ DETERMINE MAXIMUM DEPTH OF INJECTION

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT

©CAMCO 1999
 TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT

✔ ROD PUMPS

✔ HYDRAULIC PUMPS

✔ ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS

✔ GAS LIFT

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT

©CAMCO 1999
 TYPES OF GAS LIFT

✔ CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS LIFT

TUBING FLOW / ANNULAR FLOW

✔ INTERMITTENT GAS LIFT

✔ PLUNGER LIFT

✔ CONVENTIONAL & WIRELINE RETRIEVABLE

✔ GAS LIFT EQUIPMENT

©CAMCO 1999
 APPLICATIONS OF CONTINUOUS FLOW
GAS LIFT
✔TO ENABLE WELLS THAT WILL NOT FLOW
NATURALLY TO PRODUCE
✔TO INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES IN FLOWING
WELLS
✔TO UNLOAD A WELL THAT WILL LATER FLOW
NATURALLY
✔TO REMOVE OR UNLOAD FLUID IN GAS WELLS
✔TO BACK FLOW SALT WATER DISPOSAL WELLS
✔TO LIFT AQUIFER WELLS

©CAMCO 1999
 ADVANTAGES OF GAS LIFT

✔ INITIAL DOWNHOLE EQUIPMENT COSTS LOWER

✔ LOW OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE COST

✔ SIMPLIFIED WELL COMPLETIONS

✔ FLEXIBILITY - CAN HANDLE RATES FROM

10 TO 80000 BPD

✔ CAN BEST HANDLE SAND / GAS / WELL DEVIATION

©CAMCO 1999
DISADVANTAGES OF GAS LIFT
✔ MUST HAVE A SOURCE OF GAS
IMPORTED FROM OTHER FIELDS
✔PRODUCED GAS - MAY RESULT IN
START UP PROBLEMS
✔ POSSIBLE HIGH INSTALLATION COST
✔TOP SIDES MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING PLATFORMS
✔COMPRESSOR INSTALLATION
✔ LIMITED BY AVAILABLE RESERVOIR PRESSURE
AND BOTTOM HOLE FLOWING PRESSURE

©CAMCO 1999
 PRODUCED FLUID CONSTANT FLOWGAS LIFT WELL
PRESSURE (PSI)
INJ ECTION GAS 0 1000 2000
0

FL
OW
IN
1000

G
TU
CASING PRESSURE WHEN

BI
WELL IS BEING GAS LIFTED

NG
PR
2000

ES
SU
RE
GR
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000

AD
IEN
T
OPERATING GAS LIFT VALVE
4000

5000

6000

SIBHP
7000

FBHP

©CAMCO 1999
 PRODUCED FLUID CONSTANT FLOWGAS LIFT WELL
PRESSURE (PSI)
INJ ECTION GAS 0 1000 2000
0

FL
OW
IN
G
1000

TU
BI
CASING PRESSURE WHEN

NG
WELL IS BEING GAS LIFTED

PR
2000

ES
SU
RE
GR
DEPTH (FT TVD)
3000

AD
IEN
T
4000

5000
OPERATING GAS LIFT
VALVE

6000

SIBHP
7000

FBHP
©CAMCO 1999
 TUBING FLOW ANNULAR FLOW

PRODUCED FLUID

INJECTION GAS

INJECTION GAS PRODUCED FLUID

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS

✔ SAND PRODUCTION ✔ GAS CAPACITY AND AVAILABILITY

✔ PRODUCED WATER ✔ CASING INTEGRITY
✔ WATER CONING ✔ RESERVOIR PERFORMANCE
✔ ANNULAR SAFETY ✔ SYSTEM OPTIMISATION
SYSTEM ✔ WELL STABILITY
✔ CORROSION EFFECTS ✔ WELL START UP
✔ HYDRATES ✔ PLANT CONSIDERATIONS
✔ ASPHALTINES ✔ GAS QUALITY
✔ BUBBLE POINT ✔ TRAINING
✔ CHEMICAL INJECTION
✔ SCALE

©CAMCO 1999
 CONTINUOUS FLOW
UNLOADING SEQUENCE

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS
CHOKE CLOSED

2000

TOP VALVE OPEN

4000

CA
SI
N
G
TU

PR
BI
6000

ES
DEPTH FTTVD

SU
G
SECOND VALVE

RE
PR
OPEN

ES
SU
RE
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN
12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
FIGURE 3-1
The fluid level in the casing and the tubing is at surface. No gas is being injected into the casing and no fluid is being produced. All the gas lift valves are open. The
pressure to open the valves is provided by the weight of the fluid in the casing and tubing.

Note that the fluid level in the tubing and casing will be determined by the shut in bottom hole pressure (SIBHP) and the hydrostatic head or weight of the column of
fluid which is in turn determined by the density. Water has a greater density than oil and thus the fluid level of a column of water will be lower than that of oil.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN

2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN

8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
FIGURE 3-2
Gas injection into the casing has begun. Fluid is U-tubed through all the open gas lift valves. No formation fluids are being produced because the pressure in the
wellbore at perforation depth is greater than the reservoir pressure i.e. no drawdown. All fluid produced is from the casing and the tubing. All fluid unloaded from
the casing passes through the open gas lift valves. Because of this, it is important that the well be unloaded at a reasonable rate to prevent damage to the gas lift
valves.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000

TUBING PRESSURE
SIBHP
CASING PRESSURE
FIGURE 3-3
The fluid level has been unloaded to the top gas lift valve. This aerates the fluid above the top gas lift valve, decreasing the fluid density. This reduces the pressure in
the tubing at the top gas lift valve, and also reduces pressure in the tubing at all valves below the top valve. This pressure reduction allows casing fluid below the top
gas lift valve to be U-tubed further down the well and unloaded through valves 2, 3 and 4.

If this reduction in pressure is sufficient to give some drawdown at the perforations then the well will start to produce formation fluid.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000 DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
FIGURE 3-4
The fluid level in the annulus has now been unloaded to just above valve number two. This has been posssible due to the increasing volume of gas passing through
number one reducing the pressure in the tubing at valve two thus enabling the U-tubing process to continue.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

TOP VALVE OPEN 4000

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000
THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
FIGURE 3-5
The fluid level in the casing has been lowered to a point below the second gas lift valve. The top two gas lift valves are open and gas being injected through both
valves. All valves below also remain open and continue to pass casing fluid.

The tubing has now been unloaded sufficiently to reduce the flowing bottom hole pressure (FBHP) below that of the shut in bottom hole pressure (SIBHP). This gives
a differential pressure from the reservoir to the wellbore producing a flow of formation fluid. This pressure differential is called the drawdown

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000

THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
OPEN 12000

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
FIGURE 3-6
The top gas lift valve is now closed, and all the gas is being injected through the second valve. When casing pressure operated valves are used a slight reduction in the
casing pressure causes the top valve to close. With fluid operated and proportional response valves, a reduction in the tubing pressure at valve depth causes the top
valve to close. Unloading the well continues with valves 2, 3 and 4 open and casing fluid being removed through valves 3 and 4.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
OPEN
8000

THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
12000
OPEN

14000
DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
FIGURE 3-7
The No. 3 valve has now been uncovered. Valves 2 and 3 are both open and passing gas. The bottom valve below the fluid level is also open.

Note that the deeper the point of injection the lower the FBHP and thus the greater the drawdown on the well. As well productivity is directly related to the drawdown
then the deeper the injection the greater the production rate.

©CAMCO 1999
 TO SEPARATOR/STOCK TANK
PRESSURE PSI

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

INJ ECTION GAS

CHOKE OPEN
2000

4000
TOP VALVE CLOSED

6000

DEPTH FTTVD
SECOND VALVE
CLOSED
8000

THIRD VALVE
OPEN
10000

FOURTH VALVE
12000
OPEN

14000 DRAWDOWN

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE FBHP SIBHP
FIGURE 3-8
The No. 2 valve is now closed. All gas is being injected through valve No 3. Valve No 2 is closed by a reduction in casing pressure for casing operated valves or a
reduction in tubing pressure for fluid operated and proportional response valves. Valve No 3 is the operating valve in this example. This is because the ability of the
reservoir to produce fluid matches the ability of the tubing to remove fluids (Inflow/Outflow Performance). The operating valve can either be an orifice valve or can be a
gas lift valve. The valve in mandrel No 4 will remain submerged unless operating conditions or reservoir conditions change.

©CAMCO 1999
 FIGURE 3-8: Example of the Unloading Sequence
Casing Operated Valves and Choke Control of Injection Gas
2000

1800

1600

1400

1200
Pressure psi

1000

800

600

400

200

0
12:00 AM 03:00 AM 06:00 AM 09:00 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 06:00 PM
Time

PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE TUBING

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT VALVE
MECHANICS

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT VALVE MECHANICS

✔ INJECTION PRESSURE (CASING) OPERATED VALVES

✔ PRODUCTION PRESSURE (FLUID) OPERATED VALVES
✔ THROTTLING/PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE VALVES
✔ ORIFICE VALVES
✔ NOVA ORIFICE VALVE

©CAMCO 1999
 Diaphragm/
Atmospheric Bellows

Spring

Stem Upstream/
Casing
Stem Tip
Upstream
Downstream

Port

Downstream/Tubing

Pressure Regulator Spring Operated Gas Lift Valve

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT VALVE MECHANICS
CLOSING FORCE (IPO VALVE) Fc = PbAb

OPENING FORCES (IPO VALVE) Fo1 = Pc (Ab- Ap)

Fo2 = Pt Ap

TOTAL OPENING FORCE Fo = Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap

JUST BEFORE THE VALVE OPENS THE FORCES ARE EQUAL

Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap = Pb Ab

Pb - Pt (Ap/Ab)
SOLVING FOR Pc Pc = --------------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)

WHERE: Pb = Pressure in bellows

Pt = Tubing pressure
Pc = Casing pressure
Ab = Area of bellows
©CAMCO 1999
Ap = Area of port
 Pb Pb
D ome Dome

C hevron Chevron
P ac king Packing
S tac k Stack

B ellow s Bellows

Stem Tip (Ball)

Pc Square Edged
Seat Pc
S tem T ip (B all)

S quare E dged
S eat

Pt
C hevron Chevron
P ac king Pt Packing
S tac k Stack

C hec k Valve Check Valve

N itr o g e n C h a r g e d B e llo w s T yp e Nitrogen Charged Bellows Type

In je c tio n P r e s s u r e (C a s in g ) O p e r a te d G a s L ift V aProduction
lve Pressure (Fluid) Operated Gas Lift Valve
©CAMCO 1999
 Dome Pb
Atmospheric
Spring Bellows

Chevron
Packing
Stack

Bellows
Chevron
Packing
Stack

Pc
Pc
Spring
Adjustment
Large T.C. Ball Nut & Lock Nuts
Tapered
T.C. Seat
Stem Tip (Ball)
Square Edged
Chevron Pt Seat
Packing
Stack Chevron
Packing
Stack Pt

Check Valve Check Valve

Nitrogen Charged Bellows Type S pring O perated

P roportional Response Gas Lift Valve Injec tion P ressure (C asing) O perated G as L ift Valve
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 GAS INJECTION RATE (MMSCF/D)

SUB-CRITICAL
FLOW
ORIFICE FLOW

ION
G
RE
G
LIN
O TT
R
TH

PTUBING = 55%

PRESSURE (PSI) PCASING

©CAMCO 1999
 RDO-5 Orifice Valve, 32/64" Port, Cd = 0.76

8.00

7.00

6.00
Gas Flowrate (mmscf/d)

5.00

4.00

3.00

Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate

2.00
Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate

Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate

1.00
Calculated Flowrate Measured Flowrate

0.00
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

Downstream Pressure (psig)

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 5 1/2” MMRG-4, 1 1/2” POCKET
ROUND MANDREL DESIGN

Orienting Tool ‘G’ Latch Polished

Sleeve Discriminator Lug Seal Bore

ENGINEERING DATA
PART NUMBER 05712-000-00001
SIZE 5 1/2”
MAX O.D. 7.982”
MIN I.D. 4.756”
DRIFT I.D. 4.653”
THREAD 17 LB/FT MANN BDS B x P
TEST PRESSURE INTERNAL 7740 PSI
TEST PRESSURE EXTERNAL 6280 PSI
LATCH TYPE RK, RK-1, RKP, RK-SP
KICKOVER TOOL OM-1, OM-1M, OM-1S
RUNNING TOOL RK-1 15079
PULLING TOOL 1 5/8” JDS 15155
MATERIAL 410 S.S., 13 CR 22 HRC MAX
TENSILE STRENGTH (EOEC) 490,000 LBS
CAMCO 1996
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL
OPERATION

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL OPERATION
✔ UNLOAD WELL CAREFULLY
50 PSI (3.5 BAR) PER 10 MINS / 1 BBL PER MIN

✔ OPEN PRODUCTION CHOKE

✔ GRADUALLY INCREASE GAS INJECTION RATE

✔ MONITOR WELL CLEAN UP

✔ PERFORM STEP RATE PRODUCTION TEST

✔ OPTIMISE GAS INJECTION RATE

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL OPERATION

✔ MONITOR, RECORD AND REPORT (DAILY)

✔ PRODUCTION RATES
✔ WATER CUT
✔ LIFT GAS INJECTION RATE
✔ GAS LIFT INJECTION PRESSURE
✔ FLOWING TUBING HEAD PRESSURE
✔ VARIATIONS IN ABOVE PARAMETERS

✔ PERFORM PERIODIC PRODUCTION TESTS

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL
OPTIMIZATION

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL OPTIMISATION

✔ SURFACE FACILITIES
✔WELLHEAD/FLOWLINE CHOKES
✔SEPARATOR PRESSURES
✔COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE PRESSURE/THROUGHPUT

✔SINGLE WELL PERFORMANCE CURVES

✔THEORETICAL/COMPUTER MODELS
✔MULTIRATE TESTS

✔ FIELD PERFORMANCE CURVES

✔ FIELD MODELS

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL
TROUBLESHOOTING

©CAMCO 1999
 THE GAS LIFT SYSTEM

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL TROUBLESHOOTING

✔INLET PROBLEMS
✔CHOKE SIZED TOO LARGE
✔CHOKE SIZED TOO SMALL
✔LOW CASING PRESSURE
✔HIGH CASING PRESSURE
✔VERIFY GAUGES
✔LOW GAS VOLUME
✔EXCESSIVE GAS VOLUME
✔COMPRESSOR FLUCTUATIONS

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL TROUBLESHOOTING

✔OUTLET PROBLEMS
✔VALVE RESTRICTIONS
✔HIGH BACK PRESSURE
✔SEPARATOR OPERATING PRESSURE

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL TROUBLESHOOTING

✔DOWNHOLE PROBLEMS
✔HOLE IN TUBING
✔OPERATING PRESSURE VALVE BY SURFACE CLOSING
METHOD
✔WELL BLOWING DRY GAS
✔WELL WILL NOT TAKE ANY INPUT GAS
✔WELL FLOWING IN HEADS
✔INSTALLATION STYMIED AND WILL NOT UNLOAD
✔VALVE HUNG OPEN
✔VALVE SPACING TOO WIDE

©CAMCO 1999
 GAS LIFT WELL TROUBLESHOOTING

✔TROUBLESHOOTING TECHNIQUES
✔CALCULATIONS - ANALYSIS OF CASING PRESSURE
✔FLOWING PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE SURVEYS
✔ECHOMETER SURVEYS
✔TAGGING FLUID LEVEL
✔TWO PEN PRESSURE RECORDER CHARTS
✔MULTI-RATE TEST ANALYSIS
✔HISTORICAL WELL TEST ANALYSIS
✔COMPUTER MODELLING
✔EXAMPLES

©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
©CAMCO 1999
 -HEADING-
-INSTABILTIES-
-SLUGGING-

©CAMCO 1999
 HEADING - INSTABILITIES - SLUGGING

✔ TUBING HEADING PHENOMENON

✔ CASING HEADING PHENOMENON

✔ SLUGGING ON START UP - FORTIES/FOINAVEN

✔ VALVE PROBLEMS

©CAMCO 1999
 TUBING HEADING

TUBING PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE

©CAMCO 1999
 CASING/ANNULUS HEADING

TUBING PRESSURE CASING PRESSURE

©CAMCO 1999