Deliquification of Challenging Gas Wells

7/29/2019 Deliquification of Challenging Gas Wells

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Contents

• Key Concepts

• Why is Deliquification Important?

• Knowledge Transfer − BP Internal

− North America

− World-Wide

− Success Story - VICO Indonesia

• Technology− Research and Development

− World-Wide Market

• Conclusions



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Key Concepts

• “Challenging” Gas Wells

− Low permeability sands (<0.1mD), Shales and Coal Bed

Methane

• Liquid Loading

− Occurs when the produced gas cannot remove liquids from

the wellbore− Production and, if not corrected, the well will cease to

produce

• Deliquification− Removal of liquids from the wellbore and reservoir to surface

The ultimate recovery of “challenging” gas resources is dependent on

the economic removal of liquids accumulation


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Why is Deliquification Important?Economic Context

• Resource Base

− North America is one of the largest natural gas markets in the world

2006: Produced 73 BCFD and Consumed 74.5 BCFD

− Unconventional Gas is the largest and fastest growing contributor




• Well stock is dominated by low rate gas wells

− 150,000 wells producing <100Mscfd = 10% of gas consumed

Low rate wells are either impaired by liquids accumulation

or producing due to a deliquification method




Gas Price has Tripled

= Economic incentive to produce low rate gas wells

= Increased industry interest in deliquification technology= Focus on low cost solutions for low rate wells



Meeting the ChallengeKnowledge Transfer

• Personal Communication

• Key Enablers: Internal and industry workshops− BP North American Gas Deliquification Forum

− ALRDC/SWPSC Gas Well Deliquification Workshop

− European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

1st North America Conference(BP Internal)

2000 2007

1st European Industry Conference(NAM sponsored)

2003 20062001 2002

1st North America Industry Conference(ALRDC/SWPSC)

2004 2005



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Knowledge Transfer BP Internal

• North American Gas Deliquification Network (2000)

− Distinctive: Field-based personnel, Engineers & Managers

− Focused: Share experiences and apply new technology

− Diversified: Participation by industry vendors, major oil

companies and university faculty and students− Sustainable: Annual forums, 400+ network members

− Acclaimed: Network heralded “Best in Class” within BP

• Formed “Most of World” Network (2005)



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Knowledge Transfer North America Industry

ALRDC/SWPSC Gas Well

Deliquification Workshop (2003)

2007 Workshop Attendance:

• 61 Operating Companies

• 66 Service Companies

• 4 Locations outside of N.A.

• Universities

• Regulatory Agencies

• Publications



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Knowledge Transfer World-Wide Industry

• European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification(2006)

−Sponsored by NAM (Exxon & Shell Joint Venture)

− Stimulate European awareness on the size of the prize

− Enhance vendor interest in the European market

− Fast track importation and implementation of expertisefrom North America

• Vendors expanding to World Market

− Presence of subsurface safety valves

− Larger tubing and casing sizes

−Higher flowrates



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TechnologyResearch & Development

• Adapt Existing Oil-field Technology

− Velocity Strings, Gas Lift, Solar Pumping Units,Progressing Cavity Pumps, Electrical SubmersiblePumps, Plunger Lift

• Develop Gas Specific Technology− Foamers, Condition-based Soap Injection, Capillary

Strings

• On the Horizon

− Deep Low Power Pumps, Near Wellbore

Deliquification, Complex Well Geometry



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TechnologyCondition Based Soap Injection (CBSI)

Treatment Cycle

• Well falls outside of set

conditions• Well shut-in by automation

• Pre-set amount of surfactant

is injected− Down tubing, annulus or

capillary string

• Well stays shut-in

− Soap falls and percolatesthrough the water.

• Well is returned to production

− Allows foamer to mix andbring the water to surface.

CBSI InstallationSouth-Eastern Oklahoma, USA



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TechnologyDeep Low Power Pumps

Today

25 HP Minimum

$150,000 install

$7/boe operating cost

Tomorrow

2.5 HP

$60,000 install

<$7/boe operating cost

Fun Fact: It takes about ¾ HP to move 10 BPD from 10000 feet.

Can 1/10 the power

lead to ½ the cost?



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TechnologyWorld-Wide Market

Deliquification

Current Use

Emerging Need

North America

Gulf of Mexico

Trinidad

Argentina

North Sea Russia

Indonesia

Mexico

Germany

Pakistan

France

Middle East

Netherlands



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Conclusions

• In North America:

− Very large number of low rate gas wells

− Provide a significant portion of the local gas consumption

− Serious interest in Deliquification over the past 10 years

linked to gas price

• Industry meeting the challenge by:

−Knowledge transfer through personal communication

− Leveraging North America’s knowledge and experience

− Developing new technology to deliquify gas wells



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Questions?

Deliquification of Challenging Gas Wells

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