Getting the Last Gasp:
Deliquification of Challenging Gas Wells
SPE Ft. Worth March 27 2008
Bryan Dotson
BP America Production Co.
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
produce
and, if not corrected, the well will cease to
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
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Why is Deliquification Important?
Economic Context
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
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Why is Deliquification Important?
Economic Context
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
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Meeting the Challenge
Knowledge 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
2001
2002
1st European Industry Conference
(NAM sponsored)
2003
2004
2005
1st North America Industry Conference
(ALRDC/SWPSC)
2006
2007
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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 expertise
from North America
Vendors expanding to World Market
Presence of subsurface safety valves
Larger tubing and casing sizes
Higher flowrates
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Knowledge Transfer
Success Story - VICO Indonesia
2003: Attended BP Deliquification Forum
Identified that they were at the start of liquid loading
Learned from North Americas successes and failures
Changed the way they operate & required new skill sets
2006: Field Pilot Program
16 Deliquification installations delivered 8.5 MMscfd
2007: Expanded Field-wide with 50 installations
Shared success at BP Deliquification Forum
Proved that deliquification can sustain well productivity in
mature fields
2008: Planning for 100 installations
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Meeting the Challenge
Technology
Low cost solutions for low rate gas wells
Use Wells Natural Energy
Add Energy to the System
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Technology
Research & Development
Adapt Existing Oil-field Technology
Velocity Strings, Gas Lift, Solar Pumping Units,
Progressing Cavity Pumps, Electrical Submersible
Pumps, 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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Technology
Condition 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 percolates
through the water.
Well is returned to production
Allows foamer to mix and
bring the water to surface.
CBSI Installation
South-Eastern Oklahoma, USA
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Technology
Deep Low Power Pumps
Fun Fact: It takes about HP to move 10 BPD from 10000 feet.
Today
Tomorrow
25 HP Minimum
2.5 HP
$150,000 install
$60,000 install
$7/boe operating cost
<$7/boe operating cost
Can 1/10 the power
lead to the cost?
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Technology
World-Wide Market
North America
Gulf of Mexico
Mexico
Netherlands
France
North Sea
Germany
Middle East
Russia
Pakistan
Trinidad
Indonesia
Deliquification
Current Use
Emerging Need
Argentina
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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 Americas knowledge and experience
Developing new technology to deliquify gas wells
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Questions?
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