Wellhead Compression on Tight Gas Wells in the Long Run: A Follow-Up Case History on Seven Years of Success in Lobo

Reciprocating compressors are a vital element in the production of onshore natural gas and oil but there is no accepted method for configuring compressors consistently to optimize performance. Most configurations (setting the compressor’s allowable operating range, load and capacity) are done based on an undocumented method unique to the individual doing the configuration, using inconsistent data and parameters with multiple and varying safety factors. This reduces the compressor’s effectiveness and in the end limits production. A structured method that relies on constructing and staying in an operating diagram "box" using set parameters and data has been developed to enhance compression effectiveness. This method helps achieve a common understanding among operations, maintenance and engineering personnel and consistently configures reciprocating compressors for optimized performance, increased reliability and safe operation. The method is explained and the results of implementing the method in a major onshore gas field are discussed.

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Mature Field Revitalization: Analysis of Wellhead Compression to Enhance Productivity from a Mature Retrograde Reservoir

Jain¹,

Hamadi²,

Jaber³

et al. 2015

SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil &Amp; Gas Conference and Exhibition

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Sajaa gas field is one of the oldest fields in the Northern Emirates operated by Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) where Petrofac currently holds accountability for the Sajaa asset operations until November 2015. Since 1982, this mature asset has experienced increasing gas recoveries with declining reservoir pressures subsequently leading to condensate banking and liquid loading problems. Many techniques had therefore been adopted including drilling of multilaterals, plant inlet compression and foamer, but the effects were short lived as the reservoir pressure declined further. This paper deals with the latest production enhancement technique involving field wellhead compressors applied on the asset to increase its deliverability and longevity.This project involves the installation of 12 Well head compressors which effectively aim to include the entire inlet from the field through these units. A total of 18,600 HP of compression has been introduced throughout the field with these fuel gas powered reciprocating compressors, including a primary separation unit on each skid. They have principally been able to reduce the flowing WHP to as low as 15 Psig associated with a reduction of DeltaP across the wellbore, thereby reducing the effect of liquid loading and aiding to an increase in the primary condensate and water recovery. The scope of this paper is the analysis of the Full field compression (FFC) project providing an overview of the installation methodology, performance of the wells and the incremental effect of the project which exceeded the forecasted gain, along with troubleshooting from a subsurface point of view. Finally using the Integrated Asset Model to link the subsurface performance to the surface gain and forecasting the increment of reserves associated with the FFC in a mature retrograde carbonate reservoir environment. An insight into the factors influencing the compressor performance and the optimization techniques employed during the 2 year long project is also presented.

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Wellhead Compression on Tight Gas Wells in the Long Run: A Follow-Up Case History on Seven Years of Success in Lobo

Cited by 6 publications

References 8 publications

Foam-assisted liquid lift

Foam-assisted liquid lift

Stay in the "Box": A Consistent Method for Configuring (Loading) Reciprocating Compressors to Optimize Performance

Mature Field Revitalization: Analysis of Wellhead Compression to Enhance Productivity from a Mature Retrograde Reservoir

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