Gas lift operations are highly dependent on data quality and team competence to operate the asset efficiently. Traditional methods for gas lift well surveillance and diagnostics rely on wireline services, a method with growing constraints to adapt to constantly evolving well and operational challenges. The Well Intervention-less Tracer Surveillance System (WITSS) provides a cost effective, comprehensive approach to well surveillance without the reliance on tools entering the well. This results in reduced HSE risks and no associated deferred production. This paper describes a pilot implementation to evaluate the adequacy and accuracy of this technology in the context of ADNOC Onshore gas lift producers. The objective is to evaluate its performance against conventional method data sets and assess the reproducibility of data where no reference existed. The 10 well pilot included both accessible and obstructed wells. Data from the custom designed modular portable kit used for executing the surveillance activities, was analyzed and compared against conventional flowing gradient surveys with full data consumption in well models for comprehensive nodal analysis and opportunity identification. For this pilot, ten wells were surveyed twice using the WITSS method. Results were compared to traditional methods acquired through wireline surveys for accessible wells, and against established multi-phase flow correlations for obstructed wells. The pilot confirmed the WITSS method is as accurate as conventional gauge measurements in mapping pressure and temperature profiles in gas lifted wells. The WITSS method provided additional insight on accurate gas consumption based on the assessment of total gas lift utilization per well and allowed comprehensive model calibration and well performance definition. It also identified potential integrity issues via identification of primary injection at designed stations and secondary unwanted injection sites. Continuous compositional gas analysis of both injected and produced gas streams provided additional verification for analyzing gas lift injection performance. It also highlighted a change in fluid compositional analysis opening discussions for material selection review of the assets. Production uplift identified from 50% of wells was compliant with the reservoir management strategy. The value proposals of flow stabilization through gas lift valve re-calibrations and replacements, adjustment of injection flow rate and further controls on injection pressure management are under process for implementation. Full field scale up scenario is under preparation.
A Gulf oil operation company has been working to evaluate a rigless method of Artificial Lift System (ALS) suitable for its current assets and any future needs on ALS to minimize the impact of deferred production, and having the flexibility to bringing back the inactive string to production and act as a sustained production lift method. This paper describes a comprehensive study of the main objectives for a rigless Artificial Lift trial. The Rigless Jet Pump system was selected as one of the ALS fast implementation methods to activate the inactive wells. The trial was conducted in two inactive wells; across two different mega-fields, enabling both wells to produce stably and continuously with an average production rate of 650 BOPD. A thorough assessment was performed and the Rigless Jet Pump System was declared as a successful pilot providing confidence to scale up across all the company fields. The scale-up plans it will include 10 systems that can be rotated and applied where needed across all company fields. The trial implementation of the Rigless Jet Pump was evaluated based on supply and the connectivity in the field. This includes equipment mobilization (from the call-out time), availability of the field resources, the installation job, and up to the Surface Equipment connectivity plan. The evaluation also closely monitored the subsequence rig-up procedure and rigless deployment of the downhole equipment which was designed for installation straddled across an existing gas lift side pocket mandrel. Once surface and subsurface installation was completed, the wells were put on production to reactivate the inactive strings. Both wells were tested to confirm the achievement of a minimum of 80% of the designed production rates. The performance of the rigless activation of inactive wells using a jet pump has been proven successful. Both wells showed promising results while jet pump operation confirming a profitable alternative to accelerate production across fields toward achieving production mandates. The performance of the system delivered the Efficiency and Safety (HSE & Integrity) expected as part of the project KPI's. This novel practice for the Jet Pump System is linked to the rigless deployment and retrieval mechanism with topside equipment skid mounted for easy movement to other wells. This gives to the oil field operators an alternative and competitive edge over other modes of lift that required a workover program. The rigless method can be adapted to the existing in-active wells with SPM (side Pocket Mandrels) or without; by a tubing punch after a comprehensive integrity evaluation.
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