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Questions and Answers
Casing size limits are a normal operating consideration.
Casing size limits are a normal operating consideration.
True
Paraffin-handling capability is irrelevant in offshore applications.
Paraffin-handling capability is irrelevant in offshore applications.
False
Efficiency is a key design consideration when evaluating artificial lift systems.
Efficiency is a key design consideration when evaluating artificial lift systems.
True
Downhole equipment has no impact on operating costs.
Downhole equipment has no impact on operating costs.
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High-volume lift capabilities are not essential for slim-hole completions.
High-volume lift capabilities are not essential for slim-hole completions.
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Artificial lift methods are exclusively used in mature, depleted fields.
Artificial lift methods are exclusively used in mature, depleted fields.
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Gas lift involves the injection of high pressure gas into the producing fluid column.
Gas lift involves the injection of high pressure gas into the producing fluid column.
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The three major categories of artificial lift include gas lift, pump-assisted lift, and hydraulic lift.
The three major categories of artificial lift include gas lift, pump-assisted lift, and hydraulic lift.
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Continuous gas lift injects gas in a non-stop stream to lower the fluid column's overall density.
Continuous gas lift injects gas in a non-stop stream to lower the fluid column's overall density.
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Friction pressure is the primary pressure loss component in production systems.
Friction pressure is the primary pressure loss component in production systems.
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The purpose of artificial lift is to increase a well's bottomhole pressure.
The purpose of artificial lift is to increase a well's bottomhole pressure.
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Subsurface valves in gas lift systems are set at predetermined depths.
Subsurface valves in gas lift systems are set at predetermined depths.
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Artificial lift methods can improve project economics in addition to increasing production rates.
Artificial lift methods can improve project economics in addition to increasing production rates.
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A plunger lift system creates a solid interface between the produced fluid above and the lifted gas below.
A plunger lift system creates a solid interface between the produced fluid above and the lifted gas below.
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Plunger lift systems are unsuitable for gas wells with fluid loads.
Plunger lift systems are unsuitable for gas wells with fluid loads.
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Positive displacement pumps can handle production rates exceeding 6000 B/D.
Positive displacement pumps can handle production rates exceeding 6000 B/D.
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High water cuts require a lift method that can accommodate large volumes of fluid.
High water cuts require a lift method that can accommodate large volumes of fluid.
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Viscosities greater than 10 cp present no challenges in selecting a lift method.
Viscosities greater than 10 cp present no challenges in selecting a lift method.
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The formation volume factor affects how much total fluid must be lifted to achieve the desired surface production rate.
The formation volume factor affects how much total fluid must be lifted to achieve the desired surface production rate.
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A well's inflow performance relationship restricts its maximum lift capacity.
A well's inflow performance relationship restricts its maximum lift capacity.
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All artificial lift considerations should be addressed after the well planning process.
All artificial lift considerations should be addressed after the well planning process.
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Electricity or natural gas availability determines the selection of an artificial lift method.
Electricity or natural gas availability determines the selection of an artificial lift method.
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For offshore fields, environmental concerns are less significant than for onshore fields.
For offshore fields, environmental concerns are less significant than for onshore fields.
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Changes in field conditions over time can affect the artificial lift requirements.
Changes in field conditions over time can affect the artificial lift requirements.
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Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes can alter fluid properties and impact the artificial lift system design.
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes can alter fluid properties and impact the artificial lift system design.
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Familiarity of field personnel with equipment is not an important consideration in selecting an artificial lift method.
Familiarity of field personnel with equipment is not an important consideration in selecting an artificial lift method.
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According to Clegg, Bucaram and Hein, selecting the correct artificial lift method is essential for the long-term profitability of producing wells.
According to Clegg, Bucaram and Hein, selecting the correct artificial lift method is essential for the long-term profitability of producing wells.
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Servicing requirements of artificial lift systems vary; some are low-maintenance while others require regular monitoring.
Servicing requirements of artificial lift systems vary; some are low-maintenance while others require regular monitoring.
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Electrical power is the only type of power source considered for operating an artificial lift system.
Electrical power is the only type of power source considered for operating an artificial lift system.
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Artificial lift systems have both economic and operating limitations.
Artificial lift systems have both economic and operating limitations.
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Gas lift has the highest initial installation cost among artificial lift systems listed.
Gas lift has the highest initial installation cost among artificial lift systems listed.
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Energy efficiency for hydraulic lift systems is higher than that of beam lift systems.
Energy efficiency for hydraulic lift systems is higher than that of beam lift systems.
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Artificial lift systems are generally designed to function in both vertical and horizontal sections of wells.
Artificial lift systems are generally designed to function in both vertical and horizontal sections of wells.
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The direct operating expenses for gas lift systems are $1.00 per BFPD per month.
The direct operating expenses for gas lift systems are $1.00 per BFPD per month.
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Pull and repair costs for ESP systems are lower than those for beam lift systems.
Pull and repair costs for ESP systems are lower than those for beam lift systems.
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Lift selection expert systems are designed to optimize artificial lift system choices based on well conditions.
Lift selection expert systems are designed to optimize artificial lift system choices based on well conditions.
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Producing fluids from horizontal wells presents fewer challenges than producing from vertical wells.
Producing fluids from horizontal wells presents fewer challenges than producing from vertical wells.
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A Rod Pump can achieve excellent efficiency in horizontal applications.
A Rod Pump can achieve excellent efficiency in horizontal applications.
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Gas Lift systems are capable of being operated at any position in horizontal wells.
Gas Lift systems are capable of being operated at any position in horizontal wells.
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Electric Submersible Pumps require a depth of less than 20,000 BFPD to operate effectively.
Electric Submersible Pumps require a depth of less than 20,000 BFPD to operate effectively.
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Plunger Lift systems can handle up to a 20-degree deviation in horizontal wells.
Plunger Lift systems can handle up to a 20-degree deviation in horizontal wells.
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Downhole Progressive Cavity Pumps operate effectively regardless of the rate of flow.
Downhole Progressive Cavity Pumps operate effectively regardless of the rate of flow.
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Jet Hydraulic systems are limited by the depth and moderate tubular path in horizontal wells.
Jet Hydraulic systems are limited by the depth and moderate tubular path in horizontal wells.
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Gas tolerance in lift systems is excellent for Electric Submersible Pumps.
Gas tolerance in lift systems is excellent for Electric Submersible Pumps.
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The deviation angle of horizontal wells significantly affects the challenges faced by artificial lift systems.
The deviation angle of horizontal wells significantly affects the challenges faced by artificial lift systems.
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A Rod Pump generally has a high solids tolerance when used in horizontal wells.
A Rod Pump generally has a high solids tolerance when used in horizontal wells.
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All artificial lift methods are suitable for high-volume applications without restrictions.
All artificial lift methods are suitable for high-volume applications without restrictions.
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Study Notes
Artificial Lift Overview
- Artificial lift is used in mature, depleted fields
- Gas lift and pump-assisted lift are two major categories
- Plunger lift is a hybrid method, combining elements
Introduction to Artificial Lift
- Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) defines a well's potential
- q = PI (PR - Pwf)
- q = production rate, B/D
- PI = productivity index, B/D/psi
- pR = average reservoir pressure, psi
- pwf = flowing bottomhole pressure, psi
Gas Lift
- In gas lift, high-pressure gas is injected into the producing fluid column to reduce hydrostatic pressure
- Continuous gas lift injects gas constantly
- Intermittent gas lift injects gas in "slugs" to displace fluid
Reciprocating Rod Pump Systems
- A reciprocating rod pump system lifts fluid by moving a plunger up and down
- The system includes components like surface equipment, subsurface equipment, and subsurface pump selection
Progressive Cavity Pump Systems
- A progressive cavity pump (PCP) uses a spiral rotor turning inside a stator to create a pumping action
- PCPs are useful for dewatering, production and injection
Hydraulic Pump Systems
- Hydraulic pump systems use fluid, typically oil or water, to pump fluid to the surface
- Downhole hydraulic pumps have two basic types; reciprocating pumps and jet pumps
Electrical Submersible Pump Systems
- ESPs are centrifugal pumps that are driven by submerged electric motors
- They are used for high-volume applications in deep wells
Plunger Lift Systems
- The plunger is automatically dropped to lift the fluid
Selecting an Artificial Lift Method
- Reservoir characteristics like IPR (flow rate), liquid production rate, water cut, gas-liquid ratio, viscosity, and formation volume factor influence selection
- Field and operating considerations including flow rates, well depth, completion type, and tubing/casing sizes impact lift method choice
Gas Lift Surface Facilities
- The gas lift process involves surface equipment like compressors, scrubbers, and separators
Downhole Installations
- Open, semi-closed, closed, chamber, and slim-hole are different installation types
Gas Lift Valves
- Operating valves are the deepest and are responsible for gas injection rate
- Unloading valves reduce fluid level before production restarts
ESP Power Components
- Transformers step up or down voltages for the electric motor.
- Switchboards are used to control and protect the electric motor.
ESP System Design
- ESP performance curves are used to determine pump capacity, flow rate, horsepower, and efficiency
ESP System Operation
- Pulling the tubing is a necessary procedure in ESP maintenance
Optimizing Pump Performance
- Changes to the motor and pump, including changing the pump or increasing wellhead pressure
- Reducing the pump speed or motor speed, cycling the pump, reducing the motor's speed
- Installing silicone-controlled rectifiers-soft start and soft stop
- Implementing variable frequency drive (VFD)
Rod Pumping Systems
- Reciprocating rod pump systems use a plunger to lift fluid vertically to the surface from their bottom
- Prime mover is the power source, it is either an internal combustion engine or electric motor
- Gear reducer is used to slow down the rotational speed of the prime mover and matches it to the required speed of the pumping unit, this high reduction enables higher pumping forces
- Pumping unit handles the rotational movement
Surface Equipment
- Prime mover and gear reducer are the main surface components
- Internal combustion engines or electric motors form the prime mover section
- Internal combustion engines come in slow speed and high speed types, high speed engines are generally more expensive but more effective
- Electric motors are more commonly utilized since they are more readily available and relatively low cost
Additional Subsurface Equipment
- Tubing anchors, rod rotators, and sinker bars can help prevent damage
- Tubing anchors prevent tubing from moving during the pumping cycle
- Rod rotators rotate the sucker rods in the tubing
- Sinker bars provide concentrated additional weight to stabilize and maintain straight sucker rods
Subsurface Pump Selection
- Factors that can affect selection; pump displacement, stroke length, speed and plunger diameter
- Determine if well conditions like fluid, corrosivity, rate, well depth, casing and tubing sizes are acceptable for a given pump type
Plunger Diameter
- Table 1 offers suitable plunger diameters based on production rate and well depth
Stroke Length and Pump Speed
- The optimal stroke length-pump speed combination is critical for efficient operation, avoiding excessive rod stress
- There is a maximum pump speed depending on the type of pump; it is critical to keep this speed below the maximum
- Manufacturers offer charts and considerations to assist in proper selection, including taking into account well depth, viscosity, and other considerations
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of artificial lift systems used in oil production, including efficiency considerations, types of lift methods, and their impact on operating costs. Test your understanding of gas lift, pump-assisted lift, and hydraulic lift, as well as the roles of pressure loss and subsurface valves.