Franh Hartley .

Houston

Multiphase pump
A recenflydevelopedmultiphasenampump
boosterhas increasedproductionby more
than 5 MMcf/d for two wells in the Neurfield
Exploration'sEugeneIslandfield in the Gulfof
Mo<ico,GlenCurtis,BusinessDevelopmen!
WeatherfordInternational,said.
ln August of 2003,thesewells were identified as liquid loaded.One of the wells was
shut in, and the other was producingintermittenfly.The operatorneededan economic
solutionthat wouldallowthe wellsto produce
with a reducedwellheadpressure(WHp) to
unloadthe fluid columnfrom the loaded-up
wells.Glensaidthat the restoredproduction
from thesewellswould kanslatedirecfly into
increasedreserve recovery of the field.
Severaloptionswere considered,including
the installationof a conventionallow-pressure (LP) system(thatwould require i gu.
compressor),an LP separator,and liquid
pumps.Associatedhigh capitale:<penditures,
spacerequirements,andpotentialincreasein
operatingexpensesled to an ultimate decisionagainstthis option.

The booster system was introduced as an alternative to the conventional process of adding a
separator, compressor, and pumps.

The boostersystemwasintroducedas an
alternativeto the conventionalprocessof
addinga separator,compressor,andpumps.
This systemwouldessentiallyoperateasthe
intermediate-pressure
(IP) or Lp production
systemneededto help boost the non-producingwellsby creatinga low-pressuresuction to which both wells could flow, Glen
said.
The firstwell wasa liquid-loadedsatellite
gaswell that wasproducinga high volume
of water beforeloadingup. Accordingto
Weatherford,
awellin this conditionbecomes
problematicaswater cut increasesand bottomholepressuredeclines.Eventually,as
the well experiencesshort-term shut-ins,
resultingfrom processupsetsor monthly
equipmenttesting,unloadingthe well to
the high-pressure(HP) systembecomes
increasinglydifficult. The operatorwas no
longerableto restorethe well to production

in the HP systemoperatingat 1,150psig, HPU allowsthe pump to provide a 0 to 100%

and it remainedshut in. Upon installation furndown of the flow volume,a benefitthat
of the RamPump,the well was unloaded most multiphasepumps are unableto offer,
continuouslyat 30Gto 400-psisuctionpres- evenwith a variablefrequency drive (WD)
sure. In less than a week, the well started or conventionalcompressorsoperatingin
making enoughgas at a high enoughflow- recycle mode.The HPU, driven by a gas
ing tubing pressure(FTP) to allow discon- engine, diesel engine, or electric-motor
nection of the multiphasebooster and to prime mover,canbe mountedon the same
flow naturally into the HP system, Glen skid or on separateskids to meet spaceand
said.Onceunloaded,the well continuedto cranelift weight limitations.This flexibility
produce at rates of 3,168 Mcf/d, l2g allowsfor future interchangeabilityof variBOPD, and 877 bw/d, with a 2,550-psig ouspump systemsand HPU sizesas condi,
FTP.Newlield cannow divert this well into tionschange.
the same system,as needed,if the well
Typically,dischargepressurefor a 12-in.
loadsup during any unscheduledshut-in pumpfor HP applications
is up to 1,200psig
period.
but can be rated as high as 2,000psig if
In anothercase,where low bottomhole required,the companysaid.Sizesup to lGin.
pressurepreventedawell from flowinginto plunger diametercan alsobe ratedup to 900
the HP system,the A-15well was directed lb ANSI with up to 2,00Gpsigdischarge.Both
to the boostersystemoperatingat a suction the pump and its sealsystemare fully rated,
pressure of 450 psig, which boostedthe staticallyand operationally,for ANSI class
flow into the HP systemat 1,150psig. By 30G,60G,or 90Glbpressurelevels,dependearly October2003,the well waspioducing ing on the systemrequirements.Units up to
1,969Mcf/d,7 b/d of condensate,
and 2 20in. in diameterarelimited to 600IbANSI,
b/d of water, at 920-psigFTP.The multi- and24-to32-in.unitsaretypicallyratedat 300
phaseboostercontinuesto producethis IbAI{SI.
well at the reducedWHP and boostflow to
Newfield saysthat a single Rampump
the HP system.
unit can eliminatethe need for separators,
Multiphase pumping lowers WHp and compressors,pumps,and vapor recovery
minimizesequipmentrequirementsby cre- systemsat remoteonshorewell sitesor offating a low-pressurezonebetweenthe well shoreplafforms,thus savingspaceandcap
and the high backpressuresource,suchas ital.
a long flow line or downstreamseparator,
said the company.This technologyis used High.performance
to lower backpressurein flow lines from drilling fluid
wells and productiongatheringsystems,or
A new high-performancewater-base
to boost pressuregoing into higher-pres- drilling fluid has been introduced by
sure dischargeflow lines. It is most benefi- Baker Hughes Inteq Drilling Fluids. The
cial to productioncompaniesthat do not Performaxfluid is designedto deliverthe
havethe spaceto install separators,flash drilling characteristicsof emulsion-base
tanks, compressors,liquid pumps, and drilling fluids without sacrificingenvironvapor recovery units but still want to mentalcompliance.Accordingto Baker,
achievelower operatingpressureto main- benefitsincludeimprovedshaleinhibition
tain or improveproduction.
(reducedpore pressuretransmission),
Multiphasepumpingcould alsobe useful increased cuttings integrity, increased
in specialindustrial applicationswith low rates of penetration,and reducedtorqu
net positivesuctionhead available,suchas and drag.
operationswith fluids at flash point and
Sinceits introduction last year,the fluid
operationsusing compressiblefluids with hasbeenusedon a broadrangeof drilling
entrainedgas,which could damageconven- applicationsincluding onshore,continental
tionalpumps.
shelf, and deepwaterprojects.A few highAccording to the company,multiphase lights ffom thesewells include penetration
booster systemis a vertical, long-stroke, rates averaging90 ft/hr (28.6m/hr) with
duplex-pistonpositive-displacement
pump both PDC and rock bits, low dilution rates
that reciprocatesusing hydraulic cylinders and high solidsremovalefficiency,friction
actuatedby a hydraulic power unit (HpLD. factors equivalentto emulsion-base
mud,
The HPU designallowsthe pump to handle minimumbit ballingand accretion,eliminaflows ranging from wet gas streamsto 100% tion of rig set-upand wastemanagement
liquids,which coversa broad rangeof vis- costsassociatedwith emulsionmuds,and
cositiesand densities.The pump can also significantrigtime savingsduring clean-up
manageflow streamsthat containperiodic for completionsversus emulsionmuds.
slugsof fine solids,suchas sandor silt. The Bakersaid.O

20 OffshoreJuly2004.www.offshore-mag.com