UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI

MARA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN
KIMIA

CGE659: PETROLEUM PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Title: Artificial Lifts

NAME NO MATRIX

ABDULLAH HAZIQ BIN MOHD JAMAL 2017466148

MOHD RAFIQ BIN MOHD ZUBIR 2017466188

MUHAMMAD AIMAN FAISAL BIN MOHD ZAILANI 2017466168

KHAIRUL HADI BIN HASHIM 2017466142

Date of Submission : 30th April 2019

Submit to : Dr. Rozana Azrina Binti Sazali
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Artificial lift is a process applied to production wells to increase the pressure within the
reservoir. It is called artificial because of the use of artificial means to provide better flow
rate of the producing fluids. Pressure difference between the reservoir and the wellhead is the
vital key to the production flow rate. During the production, the pressure undergoes
significant pressure drop and sometimes it runs out of required energy to go up to the surface.
This is when the artificial lift is used to encourage the flow of the fluid and thus will recover
more production. However, the implementation of any particular lifting method needs to
consider the operating costs. There are several factors that will affect the selection of artificial
lift method and will be discussed along with its advantages and disadvantages.

2.0 ARTIFICIAL LIFT SELECTION CRITERIA

Artificial lift is indeed a very profitable method to increase production rate by increasing
the pressure of the reservoir, however, selecting the appropriate method to do so will be much
more efficient and more profitable considering the cost it takes to implement the method. It
requires the evaluation of many factors to take into consideration.

The well and reservoir characteristics are vital as they provide information on expected
production rates. One of the ways to determine which particular lift types can function is the
use of charts that show the range of depth and rate. By doing this, it eliminates most of the
hassles in determining which method needs to be used for the well as the chart shows the
possible productivity of all equipment. Particular well conditions, such as high viscosity or
sand production, may lead to the selection of a lift method that is not initially indicated by the
charts. Specific designs are recommended for specific well conditions to more accurately
determine the rates possible from given depths.

When facing a very deep reservoir, hydraulic systems is able to pump due to having the
U-tube balancing of produced fluid pressures with the hydraulic pressure. Gas lift technique
is limited to certain depth because of the great amount of pressure required despite having a
wide range of production capacity. Beam pump or sucker rod pump can produce more from
shallow depth which means it does not work as good when facing a very deep reservoir. This
is because of the weight of the rod will increase as it has to stretch deeper. Electric
submersible pump (ESP) also has certain limitation of depth because of the limited allowable
burst on the housings and it has to consider energy consumptions if long cables are required.
However, it can produce with large production rate.

Next, the location of the field also plays an important role in determining the suitable
method to be used. Off-shore platforms are built with certain limitations which are space it
has to fit all of the equipment and the weight of the equipment it has to carry. Equipment
which are lighter and smaller in weight and size respectively are more selective in this case.
On-shore platforms also has its setbacks. Support infrastructures nearby the platform that are
required to help run the process are limited in remote locations, and urban location requires
the minimum of visual and acoustic impact. Distance from the wellhead to the other
processing facilities is also important to determine which method is more preferred due to the
availability of power source to run this equipment such as electricity.

Other than the location of the field, the problems that could be faced during the operation
by the equipment also need to be taken into consideration. Types of producing fluid can
affect the process of lifting, for instance, gas lift is known to be more tolerant to solids
production (sand) than the other equipment such as centrifugal pump. Other operational
problem is the unwanted formation of massive organic and inorganic deposit which can
hinder the production rate. This needs to be prevented and treatment will have to be carried
out which means suitable inhibitor and any other required equipment will have to be
installed. This will also affect the selectivity of appropriate artificial lift method.

In term of economics, many important factors need to be considered in order to meet the
most economical way of applying necessary technique to improve the production rate. This
includes maintenance costs, fuel costs, inflation rates, failure rates of the system components,
anticipated revenue from produced oil and gas and other factors that may vary from system to
system. The user of any particular equipment will have to consider and anticipate the possible
costs they have to pay and compare it with the production they will get in return.
Maintenance costs are affected by other factors such as the location of the field and the
availability of service infrastructures. Another method that will help choosing the best
equipment to be used is by screening all available technologies according to their advantages
and disadvantages.
3.0 OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Early in its production life, the reservoir pressure may be sufficient to sustain natural
flow. After certain time of production, natural drive energy of the reservoir will become not
strong enough to push the oil to the surface. A process called artificial lift is used on oil wells
to increase pressure within the reservoir and push oil to the surface. It also can recover more
production. Even those wells that initially posse natural flow to the surface, that pressure
depletes over time, and artificial lift is then required. There are two methods of artificial lift
include pumping system and gas lift.

First method of artificial lift is pumping system and these are the examples:
1. Beam Pumping/ Sucker Rod Pump
This the most common applied artificial lift pump system to increase pressure and push oil to
the surface. It consists of a sucker rod string and sucker rod pump. At the surface, the beam
pumping system rocks back and forth. This is connected to a string of rods called the sucker
rods, which push down into the wellbore. The sucker rods are connected to the sucker rod
pump, which is installed as a part of the tubing string near the bottom of the well. This
method works similarly to pistons inside a cylinder. The sucker rod pump lifts the oil from
the reservoir through the well to the surface. This pumping units are operated electronically
or by gas engine.

Figure shows the beam pumping system.

2. Electric Submersible Pump
ESP system used a centrifugal pump below the level of the reservoir fluids and connected to a
long electric motor. The pump is composed of impellers, or blades, that move the fluids
within the well. The system is installed at the bottom of the tubing string. An electric cable
runs the length of the well, connecting the pump to a surface source of electricity. The
electric submersible pump applies artificial lift by spinning the impellers on the pump shaft,
putting pressure on the surrounding fluids and forcing them to the surface.

3. Hydraulic Pump
This equipment applies a downhole hydraulic pump to lift oil to the surface. It composed of
two pistons which connected by a rod that moved up and down within the pump. A surface
hydraulic pump pressurizes crude oil called power oil, which drives the bottom pump. The
production is forced against the pistons, causing pressure and the pistons to lift the fluids to
the surface. Both the surface hydraulic pumps and subsurface hydraulic pumps are powered
by power oil, which is the clean oil that has been previously lifted from the well. The surface
pump sends the power oil through the tubing string to the subsurface hydraulic pump
installed at the bottom of the tubing string, the reservoir fluids are then sent up a second
parallel tubing string to the surface.
4. Processing cavity pump
It is a screw type pump that provides a force for fluids to travel through the pump. It
composed of rotor, stator, sucker rod string and surface drive control. The stator sits on the
bottom of the production string while the rotor is connected to the sucker rod. The rotation of
the rods by means of an electric motor at surface causes the fluid contained in a cavity to flow
upward. The sucker rod string is driven by a surface drive system, consisting of an electric
motor, transmission and a belt system. PCP pumps are limited to production of less than
5,000 barrel/day and widely used in producing heavy oil and high sand content crude.

Figure above illustrates the components of processing cavity pump

Second method of artificial lift is gas lift system:

5. Gas lift
This method is done by injecting compressed gas into the well to re-established pressure so
that oil can move up to the surface. The injected gas will reduce the pressure at bottom hole
of the well by decreasing the viscosity of the oil. This encourages oil to flow easily to
surface. Occurring down hole, the compressed gas is injected down the casing tubing
annulus, entering the well at numerous entry points called gas-lift valves. As the gas enters
the tubing at these different stages, it forms bubbles, lightens the fluids and lowers the
pressure.
 Figure above shows the process of gas lift

4.0 COMPARE AND CONTRAST ALL 5 ARTIFICIAL LIFT TYPES

1. Processing cavity pump

Application
This pumping system consists of two parts which are rotor and stator. The
stator is run into the well on the bottom of the production tubing, while the rotor is
connected to the bottom of the sucker rod string. Rotation of the rod string by means
of a surface drive system causes the rotor to spin within the fixed stator, creating the
pumping action necessary to produce fluids to surface. The applications of this
pumping system are used for situation such as high viscosity oil, low productivity oil,
directional well and high sand cut well.
Advantages
 Moderate cost
 Low profile
 Can use downhole electric motors that handle sand and viscous fluid well
 High electrical efficiency

Disadvantages
 Elastomers in stator swell in some well fluids
 Pump off control is difficult. Lose efficiency with depth
 Rotating rods wear tubing
 Rod windup and after spin of rods increase with depth
 Sand and solids quickly wear chrome off of rotor
2. Gas lift
Application
This method uses an external source of high pressure gas for supplementing
formation gas to lift the well fluids. The principle of gas lift to reduce the density of
fluid in tubing by injecting the compressed gas and also lower the flowing bottomhole
pressure (BHP) at the bottom of the tubing. This method is applicable for lifting fluids
in well that have a notable amount of gas produced with crude oil and highly deviated
wells that produce sand.

Advantages
 Easy to obtain downhole pressures and gradients
 Lifting gassy wells is no problem
 Sometimes serviceable with wireline unit
 No problem for crooked holes present
 The individual-well downhole equipment is relatively inexpensive
 High overall reliability and lower operating costs

Disadvantages
 Difficult to lift emulsions and viscous crudes
 Gas freezing and hydrate problems
 Requires makeup gas in rotative system
 Casing must withstand lift pressure
 Safety problem with high pressure gas
 Wide well spacing and lack of space for compressors on offshore platforms

3. Sucker Rod Pumping

Application
Sucker rod pump uses a surface power source to drive a downhole pump assembly.
A beam and crank assembly creates reciprocating motion in a sucker-rod string that
connects to the downhole pump assembly. The pump contains a plunger and valve
assembly to convert the reciprocating motion to vertical fluid movement. It is suitable
for well of small holes and multiple completions.
 Advantages
 Relatively simple system design.
 Units easily changed to other wells with minimum cost.
 Applicable to slim holes and multiple completions.
 Can lift high-temperature and viscous oils.
 Can use gas or electricity as power source.
Disadvantages
 Sucker rod pumping systems and crooked holes are often incompatible.
 The ability of sucker rod pumping systems to lift sand is limited.
 Gas wells usually lower volumetric efficiency.
 Limitation of downhole pump design in small diameter casing.
 High solids production is troublesome.

4. Electric Submersible Pumping

Application
ESP is an efficient and reliable artificial-lift method for lifting moderate to high
volumes of fluids from wellbores. These volumes range from a low of 150 bbl/d to as
much as 150,000 bbl/d. The ESP’s main components include multistage centrifugal
pump, three-phased induction motor, seal-chamber section, power cable and surface
controls. ESP has been the primary method of lifting fluids from the approximately
1,100 deviated wells.
Advantages
 Unobstructed in urban locations.
 Simple to operate.
 Crooked holes present no problem.
 Availability of different sizes.
 Lifting cost for high volumes generally very low.
Disadvantages
 Not applicable to multiple completions.
 Only applicable with electric power.
 Cables deteriorate in high temperatures.
 Gas and solids production are troublesome.
 Casing size limitation.
 5. Hydraulic Pumping
Application
Hydraulic pumping systems transmit power downhole by means of
pressurized power fluid that flows in wellbore tubulars. Hydraulic transmission of
power downhole can be accomplished with reasonably good efficiency using a
reciprocating piston pump. The downhole pump acts a transformer to convert the
energy into pressure in the produced fluids. A generic form of a hydraulic downhole
pump consists of a set of coupled reciprocating pistons, one driven by the power fluid
and the other pumping the well fluids. Another form of a hydraulic downhole pump is
the jet pump, which converts the pressurized power fluid to a high-velocity jet that
mixes directly with the well fluids.
Advantages
 Pumps are capable of pumping depths to 17,000 ft and deeper.
 Positive-displacement pumps can handle viscous oils very well.
 Corrosion inhibitors can be injected into the power fluid for corrosion control.
 Can use diesel, natural gas or electricity as power source.
 No record of plugging due to producing sand.
Disadvantages
 Positive-displacement pumps have a shorter time between repairs than jet,
sucker rod, and ESPs
 Jet pumps typically have lower efficiency and higher energy costs.
 Requires more maintenance than other types of artificial lift because pump
speed must be monitored daily and not allowed to become excessive.
 Power-fluid-cleaning systems require frequent checking to keep them
operating at their optimum effectiveness

5.0 CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, every artificial lift method has its upper hand and the conditions that
it can handle. The person in charge in choosing the best method for artificial lift needs to
apply the selection techniques and consider all the factors so that the process will be safe and
efficient.
6.0 REFERENCE

1) Relative advantages and disadvantages of artificial lift systems. Retrieved from

https://petrowiki.org/Relative_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_artificial_lift_systems

2) Progressive Cavity Pump (PCP). DALEEL Oil and Gas Supply Chain Portal. Retrieved
from https://www.scmdaleel.com/category/progressive-cavity-pump-pcp/162

3) How Does Artificial Lift Work? RIGZONE. Retrieved from

https://www.rigzone.com/training/insight.asp?insight_id=315&c_id=

4) Neely, B., Gipson, F., Clegg, J. et al. (1981). Selection of Artificial Lift Method. Presented
at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, 4-7 October
1981. SPE-10337-MS. doi: 10.2118
ARTIFICIAL
LIFT NAME NO MATRIX

ABDULLAH HAZIQ BIN MOHD JAMAL 2017466148

MOHD RAFIQ BIN MOHD ZUBIR 2017466188

MUHAMMAD AIMAN FAISAL BIN MOHD ZAILANI 2017466168

KHAIRUL HADI BIN HASHIM 2017466142

INTRODUCTION
• Artificial lift is used on oil wells to increase pressure within the reservoir and push oil to the
surface
• It is meant to increase the flow of liquids, such as crude oil or water, from a production well.
• Main Purposes:
- To maintain a reduced bottom hole pressure (Pwf) to enable the
desired reservoir fluids to be produced at an acceptable rate
- To provide the fluid with the necessary energy to reach the surface
and continue flowing to the surface.
- If the appropriate drawdown can be maintained the future
management of the reservoir and completion can be conducted
efficiently.
ARTIFICIAL LIFT SELECTION
CRITERIA
1) Well and reservoir characteristic
- Depth of the zone of interest plays an important role because the equipment might need extra
supporting tools to reach deeper formation
- Some artificial lift methods are not meant to be applied at small well where the production
casing is unfit.
- Type of producing fluids will also determine which equipment is suitable to use

2) Field Location
- When producing from an offshore wells, the platform of the well will have certain limitations
- Platforms have limited allowable weight so the equipment chosen has to be light and also does
not require much space to operate.
- Remote locations face less availability of power sources and supporting infrastructures
- Locations with extreme climate also needs to be taken into consideration.
CONT’
3) Operational Problems
- Types of producing fluid can affect the process of lifting.
- Unwanted formation of organic and inorganic deposit can hinder the production rate so it will
require suitable inhibitor and complicated well completion which are the setbacks for some
artificial lift methods.

4) Economics
- Costs of managing the chosen artificial lift need to be considered
- The costs depend on some factors which are the maintenance, fuel, inflation rates, failure rates
and also anticipated revenue. The total operating cost decides which method is suitable to use

5) Techniques of Implementation
- Some artificial lifts are able to reduce the producing sand pressure which is more preferred.
- Unwanted wax or solid formation provide difficulties to certain artificial lifts
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
1. Beam Pumping
- It consists of a sucker rod string and sucker rod pump, it moves back and forth at the surface
- This is connected to a string of rods called the sucker rods, which push down into the wellbore
- The sucker rods are connected to the sucker rod pump, which is installed as a part of the
tubing string near the bottom of the well
- The sucker rod pump lifts the oil from the reservoir through the well to the surface
2. Electrical submersible pump (ESP)
- ESP system used a centrifugal pump below the level of the reservoir fluids and connected to a long
electric motor
- It is composed of impellers, or blades, that move the fluids within the well
- This pump spins the impellers on the pump shaft, putting pressure on the surrounding fluids and forcing
them to the surface.
- The system is installed at the bottom of the tubing string. An electric cable runs the length of the well,
connecting pump to electricity
3. Gas lift
- Compressed gas is injected into the well to re-established pressure so that oil can move up to the
surface
- The injected gas will reduce the pressure at bottom hole of the well by decreasing the viscosity of the
oil, encourages oil to flow easily to surface
- The compressed gas is injected down the casing tubing annulus, entering the well at numerous entry
points called gas-lift valves
- As the gas enters the tubing at these different stages, it forms bubbles, lightens the fluids and lowers the
pressure.
4. Hydraulic pump
- It composed of two pistons which connected by a rod that moved up and down within the
pump. A surface hydraulic pump pressurizes crude oil called power oil, which drives the bottom
pump.
- Both the surface hydraulic pumps and subsurface hydraulic pumps are powered by power oil
- The surface pump sends the power oil through the tubing string to the subsurface hydraulic
pump installed at the bottom of the tubing string, the reservoir fluids are then sent up a second
parallel tubing string to the surface
5. Processing cavity pump (PCP)
- It is a screw type pump that provides a force for fluids to travel through the pump
- It composed of rotor, stator, sucker rod string and surface drive control
- The stator sits on the bottom of the production string while the rotor is connected to the
sucker rod
- The rotation of the rods by means of an electric motor at surface causes the fluid contained in
a cavity to flow upward
ESP PCP HYDRAULIC PUMP GAS LIFT
 Types Application Advantages Disadvantages
• Easy to obtain downhole
pressures and gradients • Difficult to lift emulsions and
• Lifting gassy wells is no viscous crudes
Wells that have a notable problem • Gas freezing and hydrate
amount of gas produced with problems
Gas Lift crude oil and highly deviated
• High overall reliability and
• Casing must withstand lift
wells that produce sand. lower operating costs pressure
• High overall reliability and • Safety problem with high
pressure gas
lower operating costs

• Elastomers in stator swell in

• Moderate cost some well fluids
• Unobtrusive surface location • Pump off control is difficult.
For high viscosity oil, low with downhole motor Lose efficiency with depth
Progressing Cavity productivity oil, directional
wells and high sand cut wells. • Can use downhole electric • Rotating rods wear tubing
Pump
motors that handle sand and • Rod windup and after spin
viscous fluid well of rods increase with depth
• High electrical efficiency • Sand and solids quickly wear
chrome off of rotor
 Types Application Advantages Disadvantages
• Sucker rod pumping systems
• Relatively simple system and crooked holes are often
design. incompatible.
• Units easily changed to • The ability of sucker rod
other wells with minimum pumping systems to lift sand is
It is suitable for well of small cost. limited.
Sucker Rod Pump holes and multiple • Applicable to slim holes and • Gas wells usually lower
completions. multiple completions. volumetric efficiency.
• Can lift high-temperature • Limitation of downhole
and viscous oils. pump design in small diameter
• Can use gas or electricity as casing.
power source. • High solids production is
troublesome.
• Unobstructed in urban • Not applicable to multiple
locations. completions.
• Simple to operate. • Only applicable with electric
ESP has been the primary • Crooked holes present no power.
method of lifting fluids from problem.
ESP the approximately 1,100
• Cables deteriorate in high
• Availability of different sizes. temperatures.
deviated wells. • Lifting cost for high volumes • Gas and solids production
generally very low. are troublesome.
• Casing size limitation.
 Types Application Advantages Disadvantages
• Positive-displacement pumps
• Pumps are capable of have a shorter time between
pumping depths to 17,000 ft repairs than jet, sucker rod,
and deeper. and ESPs
• Positive-displacement pumps • Jet pumps typically have
can handle viscous oils very lower efficiency and higher
It is suitable for deep
well. energy costs.
formation and viscous oil
• Corrosion inhibitors can be • Requires more maintenance
Hydraulic Pump wells. Producing sand also
injected into the power fluid than other types of artificial
means no harm to the
for corrosion control. lift because pump speed must
equipment.
• Can use diesel, natural gas be monitored daily and not
or electricity as power allowed to become excessive.
source. • Power-fluid-cleaning systems
• No record of plugging due require frequent checking to
to producing sand. keep them operating at their
optimum effectiveness
 UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI
MARA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN
KIMIA

CGE659: PETROLEUM PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Title: Gas Lift

NAME NO MATRIX

ABDULLAH HAZIQ BIN MOHD JAMAL 2017466148

MOHD RAFIQ BIN MOHD ZUBIR 2017466188

MUHAMMAD AIMAN FAISAL BIN MOHD ZAILANI 2017466168

KHAIRUL HADI BIN HASHIM 2017466142

Date of Submission : 30th April 2019

Submit to : Dr. Rozana Azrina Binti Sazali
1. INTRODUCTION

Gas lift has been used for many years as a method to lift fluid. This method utilize the energy
stored in compressed gas directly to lift the fluid to the surface. The lifting of fluid using gas is achieved
by one or a combination of one of the following which are work expansion of the compressed gas,
aeration of the fluid column and displacement of the compressed gas.

The early method of gas lift was ‘U’ tubing and was effected by inserting a short string of tubing
into the well and introducing high pressure gas either into the annulus or tubing, depressing the fluid
to the bottom of the tubing and producing the well by means of aeration. The high pressure needed
to kick-off the well and the necessary lowering of pressure after aeration has been established, make
this type of lift very inefficient.

This problem of high pressure kick-off gas resulted in the development of gas lift valves. The
function of gas lift valves is to allow lower kick-off pressures and deeper submergence of the tubing
string, by introducing aeration through the valves in a series of successively lower injection points. The
gas lift valves are lowered in the wells, are set to open at desired conditions. One key to obtaining
good valve operation is to ensure that the valves are spaced properly and set correctly. Today, gas lift
is the most commonly used form of artificial lift. It is most widely used in offshore because of space
limitations and sub-surface safety valve requirements.
2. GAS LIFT

Gas lift is the method of artificial lift which utilizes an external source of high pressure gas for
supplementing formation gas to reduce the bottom hole pressure and lift the well fluids. All version
of gas lift use high pressure natural gas injected in the well stream at some specifics down hole depth.
There are two types of gas lift, continuous flow gas lift and intermittent flow gas lift.

2.1. Continuous flow gas lift

The most common gas lift flow used to produce well fluid is the continuous flow gas lift. In
continuous flow gas lift, the formation gas is mixed with high pressure gas from an outside source.
Gas is injected continuously into the production zone at a maximum depth that depends on the
injection gas pressure and well depth. The injection gas mixes with the produced well fluid and
decreases the density, thus also decreasing the flowing pressure gradient of the mixture from the
point of gas injection to the surface. The decreased flowing pressure gradient reduces the flowing
bottom hole pressure below the static bottom hole pressure thereby creating a pressure
differential that allows the fluid to flow into the wellbore.

Figure 1. Type of continuous flow gas lift

Continuous flow gas lift is suitable for wells that produce at high rates and with static bottom hole
pressure. Other artificial lift methods could probably face pumping problems when dealing with
this kind of well. It is an excellent application for offshore formations that have a strong waterdrive
or in waterflood reservoirs with good productivity index, PI and high gas oil ratios, GOR. The use
of continuous flow gas lift will depend on the cost of gas or the availability of high pressure gas.
Continuous flow gas lift supplements the produced gas with additional gas injection to lower the
intake pressure to the tubing, resulting in lower formation pressure as well.
2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages

Continuous gas lift has its own advantages and disadvantages. For the advantages, continuous
gas lift is the best artificial lift method for handling sand or solid materials. Many wells produce
some sand even if sand control is installed. The produced sand causes few mechanical problems
in the gas lift system. When dealing with deviated or cooked holes, this gas lift can easily lift the
well fluid. This is especially important for offshore platform wells that are usually drilled
directionally. Gas lift permits the concurrent use of wireline equipment. Downhole equipment can
also be easily and economically serviced. This feature allows for routine repairs through the
tubing. The normal gas lift design leaves the tubing fully open. This permits the use of bottom hole
pressure surveys, sand sounding and bailing, production logging, cutting, paraffin and other.
Continuous gas lift is also flexible. A wide range of volumes and lift depths can be achieved with
essentially the same well equipment. In some cases, switching to annular flow also can be easily
accomplished to handle exceedingly high volumes.

One of the disadvantages of continuous gas lift is the operation and maintenance of
compressors can be expensive. Skilled operators and good compressor mechanics are required
for reliable operation. Compressor downtime should be minimal which is less than 3 percent.
Relatively high back pressure may seriously restrict production in continuous gas lift. Gas lift is
relatively inefficient, often resulting in large capital investments and high energy operating costs.
Compressors are relatively expensive and often require long delivery times. The compressor takes
up space and weight when used on offshore platforms. Also, the cost of the distribution systems
onshore may be significant. Increased gas use also may increase the size of necessary flowline
and separators. Other than that, adequate gas supply is needed throughout life of project. If the
field runs out of gas, or if gas becomes too expensive, it may be necessary to switch to another
artificial lift method. In addition, there must be enough gas for easy startups. Lastly, good data
are required to make a good design. If not available, operations may have to continue with an
inefficient design that does not produce the well to capacity
2.3 Intermittent flow gas lift

Intermittent gas lift is an artificial lift method used in wells with low reservoir
pressure. The gas lift system is operated on intermittent basis so as to allow the buildup of
fluids in the borehole. It is a low cost gas lift system which is preferred for artificially lifting gas
in the offshore production environments. Innovations in the high reliability and high
performance gas lifting systems have enhanced the safety and production in the subsea
installations and high pressure deep water.

Figure 2. Intermittent flow gas lift installation

This gas lift is usually used on wells that produce low volumes of fluid. The wells normally have
high productivity index with low bottomhole pressure or low productivity index with low
bottomhole pressure. This gas lift can be used to replace continuous gas lift on wells that have
been depleted to low rates or be used when gas wells have depleted to low rates and are
permitted by liquid loading. If there is enough, good quality and low cost of gas is available for
lifting fluid from the well that has high gas to oil ratio, low productivity or low bottomhole
pressure with a bad dogleg that produces sand, intermittent flow gas lift is highly
recommended.
 2.4 Advantages and disadvantages of intermittent flow gas lift

One of the advantages of is that it typically has a significantly lower producing bottomhole
pressure than continuous gas lift method. There will be a large pressure difference between
bottomhole and surface. Thus, it can handle low volumes fluid at a relatively low production
bottomhole pressure.

But, this gas lift is limited to low volume wells. The power efficiency is also low. Typically, more
gas is used per barrel of produced fluid than with constant flow gas lift. Also, the fallback of a
fraction of liquid slugs being lifted by gas flow increases with depth and water cut, making the
lift system even more inefficient. However, liquid fallback can be reduced by the use of plungers,
where applicable. Fluctuations in rate and bottomhole pressure can be detrimental to wells
with sand control. The produced sand may plug the tubing or standing valve. Also, pressure
fluctuations in surface facilities cause gas and fluid handling problems. Intermittent gas lift
typically requires frequent adjustments. The lease operator must alter the injection rate and
time period routinely to increase the production and keep the lift gas requirement relatively
low.

3. SAFETY FACTORS IN GAS LIFT DESIGN

Gas lift design nowadays are performed using computers to calculate the incremental annulus
pressure at certain depth. This provides the most efficient and accurate results. The question of
which pseudocritical properties correlation to use in combination with which Z‑factor correlation
is left to the user’s discretion. This will be an issue when the surface injection pressures exceed
1500 psig. However, for higher gravity gases, even low pressure systems are affected by the choice
of calculation method. When that occurs, the user must pay particular attention to the
composition of the injected gas and ensure that the specific gravity of the gas regularly matches
that used for the design.

Gas lift design safety margins for annulus pressure use a flowing temperature profile for the
annulus pressure during the design phase. The valves’ bellows pressure continues to use the
design temperature profile. This strategy predicts less annulus pressure at depth during design,
which could cause valves to be spaced closer together. However, the benefit is that the actual
annulus pressure during unloading and lifting will always be higher than the design annulus
pressure, regardless of well temperature.

The current design technique for injection pressure operated gas lift valves advises that the
annulus pressure used to calculate the bellows pressure be reduced by 20 to 40 psi for each lower
unloading valve. This stair-stepping gas injection scenario allows the most efficient use of gas to
lift fluids.
4. Surface gas facilities

4.1 Gas conditioning

Gas conditioning process is designed to pre-treated natural gas and other combustible gaseous
before injecting it into a critical process or a gas turbine generator. The process performs two
main functions which are removing all liquid droplets and solid contaminants from the gas, and
adjust the gas temperature to the injection requirements. Typical equipments designed to
perform those activities are knockout drums, filter separators and dry gas filters, and heaters.
The gaseous need to be treated and cleaned before injecting it into gas turbine generator because
gas turbine is extremely sensitives to contaminants carry-over into the combustors. Therefore,
the gaseous are required to be treated to high level of purity for total protection and optimal
operation. This is to achieve the best results and ensure the highest turbine performance.
Gas pressure also important in productivity and reliability as the gas turbines require a very stable
operating pressure. This is because, even a small pressure differences may result in turbine trip
that require costly start-up and cause delays. So the pressure regulators are used to reduce and
maintain the pressure. Safety has also to be guaranteed by the use of appropriate overpressure
protections, to protect downstream piping and equipment from the risk of high pressure. Several
options including monitor operators, relief valves and slam shut valves.

Figure 3. Gas conditioning skids

4.2 Compressor

The purpose of compressor is to increase the pressure of a gas. The compressor reduces the volume
of the gas and increases its density without turning the gas into liquid. Whenever the compressor
increases the pressure of the gas, it also increases the temperature of the gas.

Compressors are used to increase the pressure of gas that is lost through the friction of gas flowing
along the pipes. The natural gas flowing through pipeline must be always pressurized. This is
because well flow and reservoir pressure tend to decrease over time. This process usually occurs
in compressor stations which include centrifugal compressor and reciprocating compressor.

4.2.1 Centrifugal compressor

Centrifugal compressors are usually used in large fields. These compressors increase the
pressure by adding kinetic energy to a continuous flow of fluid through the impeller. This kinetic
energy gets converted into pressure energy at diffuser. Air that is guided through a stationary
passage known as diffuser reduces the velocity kinetic energy. Reduction in a velocity cause
increase in pressure of the fluid, that is kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy.

There are two types of centrifugal compressors which are turbines with centrifugal compressors
and electrical motors with centrifugal compressors.

The turbines with centrifugal compressors obtain their energy by using up a small proportion of
the natural gas that is being compressed. The turbine itself serves to operate a centrifugal
compressor that contains a type of fan that compresses and pumps the natural gas through the
pipeline.

Electrical motors with centrifugal compressors also utilize centrifugal compressors to compress
the gas but instead of being powered by a natural gas fuelled turbine, it relies on high voltage
electric motors. As stated, it does not require the use of any of the natural as from the pipe
however it does require a reliable source of electricity.

The main advantage of centrifugal compressor is the complete absence of oil in the compression
stage. This type of compressor can handle large amount of gas, even though with its compact
size and relatively light-weight.

Figure 4. Centrifugal compressor

4.2.2 Reciprocating compressor

Unlike centrifugal compressor, reciprocating compressor usually used in small and medium-size
fields. Reciprocating compressor uses large piston engines to crank reciprocating pistons
located within cylindrical cases on the side of the unit. The reciprocating pistons compress the
gas and the engines are fuelled by natural gas just like the turbines with centrifugal
compressors. The combustion of the natural gas powers pistons on the outside of the engine
that serves to compress the natural gas.

Figure 5. Reciprocating compressor

Figure 6. Reciprocating compressor components

4.3 Gas Re-injection

The gas lift production method is often used in long-operated oilfields to increase well
production by intensifying oil flow into the tubing by injecting gas in the reservoir through
another well. Gas re-injection process uses these compressors for the purpose of reservoir
pressure maintenance. Associated gas and sometimes air may be used for re-injection. A
tandem compressor system represents an ingenious solution, where centrifugal air
compressors are used for initial compression and reciprocating compressor is used for further
compression to the required pressure.

4.4 Piping and Distribution system

4.4.1 Piping

There are three major types of pipelines along the transportation route such as gathering
system, interstate pipeline system and the distribution system. The gathering system consists
of low pressure and small diameter pipelines that transport raw natural gas from the wellhead
to the processing plant. A specialized sour gas gathering pipe is installed because natural gas
from a well usually has high sulfur and carbon dioxide contents. Transportation from the well
head to the sweetening plant need to be done carefully as the sour gas is corrosive. Interstate
pipelines carry natural gas across state boundaries and also across the country. While intrastate
pipelines transport natural gas within particular state.

4.4.2 Distribution System

Within the distribution system, there are sections that operate at different pressures that
include regulators to control the pressure. Some regulators are remotely controlled by the
utility to change pressures in parts of the system to optimize efficiency. In general, the closer
the natural gas to customer, the smaller the pipe diameter and the lower the pressure of the
gas. The gas utility’s central control center continuously monitors the flow rates and pressures
at various points in its system. The operators must ensure that the gas reaches each customer
with sufficient flow rate and pressure to fuel equipment and appliances. They also need to
ensure the pressures to stay below the maximum pressure.

The regulators control the flow from higher to lower pressures as the gas flows through the
system. The regulator will open accordingly to allow more gas to flow if the pressure has
dropped below a set point. Conversely, the regulator will close to adjust the pressure if the
pressure rises above a set point. Sophisticated computer programs are used to evaluate the
delivery capacity of the network and to ensure that all customers receive adequate supplies of
gas at or above the minimum pressure level required by their gas appliances.

4.4.3 Gas metering

In addition to compressing natural gas to reduce its volume and push it through the pipe,
metering stations are placed periodically along interstate natural gas pipelines. These stations
allow pipeline companies to monitor the natural gas in their pipes. These metering stations
measure the flow of gas along the pipeline and allow pipeline companies to track natural gas as
it flows along the pipeline. These metering stations employ specialized meters to measure the
natural gas as it flows through the pipeline without impeding its movement.
5. References

 Rossella M. (2017). Gas Conditioning: Why, When and How. Retrieved from
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gas-conditioning-why-when-how-rossella-mimmi

 David S. (2017). How Does a Reciprocating Compressor Work?. Retrieved from

https://sciencing.com/reciprocating-compressor-work-5002827.html

 PetroWiki, SPE International. (2015). Centrifugal compressor. Retrieved from

https://petrowiki.org/Centrifugal_compressor#Compressor_performance

 PetroWiki, SPE International. (2015). Reciprocating compressor. Retrieved from

https://petrowiki.org/Reciprocating_compressor#Compressor_performance

 STI Group. (2018). Compressor Stations: What They Do, How They Work, and Why They
Are Important. Retrieved from https://setxind.com/midstream/compressor-stations-
what-how-why/
 Premium Engineering. (2016). Application of Compressor Equipment in Oil & Gas
Production. Retrieved from
http://www.premen.ru/en/content/compressors/apply/mining/

 Premium Engineering. (2016). Centrifugal compressors. Retrieved from

http://www.premen.ru/en/content/compressors/centro/

 Mecholic. (2019). Working principle of centrifugal compressor. Retrieved from

https://www.mecholic.com/2016/07/working-principle-of-centrifugal-
compressor.html?m=1

 American Gas Association. (2019). How Does the Natural Gas Delivery System Work?.
Retrieved from https://www.aga.org/natural-gas/delivery/how-does-the-natural-gas-
delivery-system-work-/

 Natgas. (2013). The Transportation of Natural Gas. Retrieved from

http://naturalgas.org/naturalgas/transport/
GAS LIFT
ABDULLAH HAZIQ BIN MOHD JAMAL- 2017466148
MOHD RAFIQ BIN MOHD ZUBIR- 2017466188
KHAIRUL HADI BIN HASHIM- 2017466142
MUHAMMAD AIMAN FAISAL BIN MOHD ZAILANI- 2017466168
GAS LIFT?

 Method of artificial lift which utilizes high pressure gas from an outside
source for supplementing formation gas to reduce the bottom hole
pressure and lift the well fluids
 Two types of gas lift
1. Continuous flow gas lift
2. Intermittent flow gas lift
 CONTINUOUS GAS LIFT

 Commonly use gas lift

 Gas continuously injected to the well
 Operating mechanism:
1. Formation gas is mixed with high pressure gas from an outside source.
2. Gas is injected continuously into the production zone at a maximum depth that depends on the
injection gas pressure and well depth.
3. The injection gas mixes with the produced well fluid and decreases the density, thus also
decreasing the flowing pressure gradient of the mixture from the point of gas injection to the
surface.
 Used in wells with a high productivity index and a reasonably high reservoir pressure relative to
well depth
Two types of continuous gas lift

Gas is injected to flow through Gas is injected to flow in the

the annulus between tubing and tubing and produce at the
casing annulus
INTERMITTENT GAS LIFT

 In intermittent gas lift, there is a gas valve. This valve is a motor operated
connected at a timing device
 This valve permits selective cycling with controlled gas injection
 Same purpose with continuous gas lift but there must be a liquid slug build
up before gas being injected
 Two methods of gas injection:
1. Single point injection
2. Multipoint injection
 Two methods of gas injection

Single point injection Multipoint injection

Safety Factor in Gas Lift Design

 The operators should be familiar with the construction and operating

principles of the gas lift valves in their wells
 A large bore seating nipple which is designed to receive a lock is
recommended near the lower end of the tubing
1. Install a standing valve for testing the tubing and the gas lift valve checks
 A wireline lock provides the means to secure and packoff a bottomhole
pressure gauge for conducting pressure transient tests
1. The lock assembly should have an equalizing valve if the tubing will be
blanked-off
2. Pressure across the lock can be equalized before the lock is disengaged
from the nipple to prevent the wireline tool string from being blown up the
hole
 SURFACE GAS FACILITIES

GAS CONDITIONING

 Gas conditioning process is designed to pre-treated natural gas and other

combustible gaseous before injecting it into a critical process or a gas
turbine generator
 The gaseous need to be treated and cleaned before injecting it into gas
turbine generator because gas turbine is extremely sensitives to
contaminants carry-over into the combustors
 This is to achieve the best results and ensure the highest turbine
performance
SURFACE GAS FACILITIES
COMPRESSOR

 The purpose of compressor is to increase the pressure of a gas

 The compressor reduces the volume of the gas and increases its density
without turning the gas into liquid
 Compressors are used to increase the pressure of gas that is lost through
the friction of gas flowing along the pipes
 Centrifugal compressor Reciprocating compressor

 Centrifugal compressors are usually used in large  Reciprocating compressor usually used
fields in small and medium-size fields
 Air that is guided through a stationary passage
known as diffuser reduces the velocity kinetic  The reciprocating pistons compress the
energy gas and the engines are fuelled by
 Reduction in a velocity cause increase in pressure of natural gas just like the turbines with
the fluid, that is kinetic energy is converted into centrifugal compressors
pressure energy
 The combustion of the natural gas
 Two types : powers pistons on the outside of the
1. The turbines with centrifugal compressors - obtain engine that serves to compress the
their energy by using up a small proportion of the natural gas
natural gas that is being compressed
2. Electrical motors with centrifugal compressors – also
utilize centrifugal compressors to compress the gas
but instead of being powered by a natural gas
fuelled turbine, it relies on high voltage electric
motors
 • Within the distribution system,
there are sections that operate at
different pressures that include
regulators to control the pressure

SURFACE GAS FACILITIES • Some regulators are remotely

controlled by the utility to change
pressures in parts of the system to
PIPING AND optimize efficiency

DISTRIBUTION • In general, the closer the natural

gas to customer, the smaller the

SYSTEM pipe diameter and the lower the

pressure of the gas

• The operators must ensure that the

gas reaches each customer with
sufficient flow rate and pressure to
fuel equipment and appliances
SURFACE
GAS
FACILITIES  These metering stations measure the flow
of gas along the pipeline and allow
pipeline companies to track natural gas
GAS as it flows along the pipeline

METERING  These metering stations employ

specialized meters to measure the natural
gas as it flows through the pipeline
without impeding its movement