Artificial lift

Subbaiah Dasaka
Dy General Manager (Production)
ONGC, Rajahmudnry Asset
The Reservoir
The reservoir - Linear flow
 Production system
 Production of oil and gas requires fluid
flow from formation in to:
 Well bore
 Tubing string
 Choke at surface
 Flow line
 Separator
 Other surface process equipment
 Oil stock tanks
 Gas sale system.
 Vertical lift in the tubing
 The variables that affect vertical flow in
tubing are tubing size, flow rate, density,
and viscosity.
 Because there is probably more than one
phase flowing, we must add two more
variables - gas-liquid ratio and water-oil
ratio.
 Finally we should add the effect of
slippage.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT

When a Self flowing oil well ceases to flow or is

not able to deliver the required quantity to the
surface , the additional energy is supplemented
either by Mechanical means or by Injecting
compressed gas.

Mechanical Means: SRP, ESP, Jet Pump, etc.

Compressed Gas: Cont. G/L, Intt. G/L, etc.
MAJOR WORK CENTRES OF ONGC

ERBC
Share of oil prodn
From Artificial Lift

MRBC --- 82 %
WRB ERBC --- 75 %
C WRBC
Ahmedabad - 72 %
CRBC
Ankleswar - 17 %
Mehsana -
Cambay - 38 %
SRBC
Cauvery - 40 %
Rajahmudnry-5 %
MRBC

SRBC
 SHARE OF OIL PRODUCTION
FROM ARTIFICIAL LIFT

MRBC
40% 82%
38% ERBC

WRBC-AHMEDABAD
17%
75% WRBC-ANKLESHWAR
72%
WRBC-CAMBAY

CAUVERY
 INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL LIFT
DEFINITION OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT
When a self flowing oil well ceases to

flow or is not able to deliver the

required quantity to the surface , the

additional energy is supplemented from

surface either by mechanical means or

by injecting compressed gas.

 INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL LIFT

 INFLOW PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP

 SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM

 ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING SYSTEM

 PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMPING SYSTEM

 GAS LIFT

 HYDRAULIC JET PUMP

 INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL LIFT

PURPOSE OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT

To create a steady
low pressure or
reduced pressure in
the well bore against
the formation to
allow the well fluid
to come into the
well bore.

Pf Ps
 INFLOW PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP

It is a straight line or curve, where X axis is q

(Flow Rate) and Y axis is Pwf ( Flowing Bottom-
hole Pressure ).

Pwf =
Pr STRAIGHT P.I.

IPR

Pwf

q Q max Q max
Q max for Straight P.I. >> Q max for IPR
 CONCEPT OF PRODUCTIVITY INDEX

Pwf = Pr
P.I. = Q / ( Pr - Pwf )
Where ,
P.I = Productivity index.Pwf
Q = Total quantity of fluid.
Pr = Reservoir Pressure. Pwf = 0
Q Qmax
Pwf = Flowing bottom hole pressure.
Q  Pr - Pwf
 Q = K (Pr - Pwf)
 K = Q / (Pr - Pwf) Pwf Pr

Where K is a constant, known as PI

Drive Mechanisms

 Solution Gas drive

 Gas cap drive
 Water drive
 Combination Drive
 RESERVOIR DRIVE MECHANISMS
ACTIVE WATER DRIVE
• STRONGEST DRIVE
• HELPS TO EXPLOIT MORE THAN 35% OF INITIAL
OIL IN PLACE

PRESSURE
P PI
G R
O P E
GOR
I S
R S
.
CUMM. PROD.
 RESERVOIR DRIVE MECHANISMS
SOLUTION / DEPLETION GAS DRIVE
* LEAST EFFECTIVE DRIVE MECHANISM
• EXPLOITS ABOUT 15% OF INITIAL OIL IN
PLACE

RESV.
PRESS.
GO

R
GOR PI
RESV.
PRES PI
S CUMM. PROD.
 RESERVOIR DRIVE MECHANISMS

GAS CAP EXPANSION DRIVE :

• MORE EFFECTIVE THAN SOLUTION GAS DRIVE

• EXPLOITS ABOUT 20-25% OF INITIAL OIL IN

PLACE.
RESV.

PRESS.
P.I

GOR
RESV.
GOR PI
PRESS.

CUMM. PROD.
 PATH SECTORS INFLUENCING THE
DESIGN OF ARTIFICIAL LIFT SYSTEM

• Reservoir component around the well bore.

• Entire tubing in the vertical / inclined path.

• Surface flow path.

 GAS
Choke

SEPARATOR
V INCLINED
FLOW
E HORIZONTAL
R FLOW
T DIRECTIONAL
I F FLOW
C L
O STOCK
A
W TANK
L

Flow through Porous Medium

Inflow Performance
 SINGLE & MULTIPHASE FLOW

• SINGLE PHASE FLOW

Refers to one fluid medium only

• MULTIPHASE FLOW

Refers to more than one fluid medium , for

example Oil , Water and Gas.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW

VERTICAL /
HORIZONTAL FLOW INCLINED FLOW

STRATIFIED INTERMITTENT ANNULAR DISPERSED BUBBLE

SMOOTH WAVY SLUG ELONGATED BUBBLE

BUBBLE SLU CHUR ANNULAR

G N
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
HORIZONTAL FLOW
STRATIFIED SMOOTH FLOW
(LOW GAS & LIQUID RATES - PHASES SEPARATED BY
GRAVITY)

STRATIFIED WAVY FLOW

(SAME AS ABOVE WITH RELATIVELY HIGH GAS FLOW
RATE)
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
HORIZONTAL FLOW
INTERMITTENT SLUG FLOW
(INTERMITTENT FLOW OF LIQUID AND GAS - GAS POCKETS DEVELOPES)

ELONGATED BUBBLE FLOW

(SAME AS ABOVE ; EARLIER THAN SLUG FLOW, WHEN GAS RATES ARE
LOWER)
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
HORIZONTAL FLOW
ANNULAR FLOW

GAS OCCUPIES CENTRAL PORTION LIKE

A CYLINDER AND LIQUID REMAINS
NEAR THE PIPEWALL; CENTRAL
PORTION ENTRAINS LIQUID
DROPLETS. OCCURS AT VERY HIGH
GAS FLOW RATE.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
HORIZONTAL FLOW
DISPERSED BUBBLE FLOW

AT VERY HIGH LIQUID FLOW RATE,

LIQUID PHASE IS CONTINUOUS & GAS
PHASE IS DISPERSED ALL
AROUND LIQUID IN THE FORM OF
DISCRETE BUBBLES.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
VERTICAL / INCLINED FLOW
BUBBLE FLOW

OCCURS AT RELATIVELY
LOW LIQUID RATES.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
VERTICAL / INCLINED FLOW
SLUG FLOW

Symmetric about the pipe axi

Gas phase -like a large bullet

shaped gas pocket with a dia
almost equal to pipe diamete

Gas pocket is termed

as “Taylor Bubble”.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
VERTICAL / INCLINED FLOW
CHURN FLOW
Similar to slug flow, though it is
chaotic with no clear boundaries
between the two phases.

Flow pattern is characterised

by oscillatory motion.

Occurs at high flow rates; liquid

slugs become frothy.
 MULTIPHASE FLOW
VERTICAL / INCLINED FLOW
ANNULAR FLOW

Liquid film thickness is almost

uniform around pipe wall.

Characterised by a fast moving

gas core.

Liquid film is highly wavy due to

high interfacial shress.
 USEFULNESS OF VARIOUS
CORRELATIONS

 Selecting tubing sizes.

 Predicting when the well will cease to flow.
 Designing of artificial lift.
 Determining flowing bottom hole pressures from
the wellhead pressures.
 Determining the flowing bottom hole pressure,
which in turn help in determining P.I. of the well.
 Predicting maximum flow rates possible.
 Predicting whether the well is able to flow as per
the present & future profile.
Main Modes of Lift in ONGC

 Gas lift
 SRP
 ESP
 PCP
SELECTION OF A/L MODE DEPENDS ON

 TYPE OF COMPLETION
 LOCATION
 WEATHER CONDITIONS
 FLUID PARAMETERS
 WELL DEPTH
 TOTAL RESERVOIR ASPECT
 DESIRED PRODUCTION RATE
 SERVICES AVAILABLE
 ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
 GAS LIFT

SALIENT FEATURES

WIDELY ACCEPTED

COMPATIBLE WITH DEVIATED WELLS

EXCELLENT FLEXIBILITY

LOW OPERATING COST

GOOD SAND/SOLID HANDLING

CAPACITY
 GAS LIFT

REQUIRES

GAS SOURCE

COMPRESSORS

PRESSURE & FLOW CONTROLLER

MANDRELS

VALVES

STANDING VALVE
 Gas Lift Applications
 Continuous or intermittent flow
 Tubing and casing flow
 Wells where pressurized injection gas is readily available
 Wells with insufficient bottomhole pressures; deep wells that
cannot flow against hydrostatic head
 Kick off wells that will flow naturally once heavier completion
fluids are vacated from production spring
 Unload water from gas wells that would otherwise prevent
gas production
 System Advantages
 High degree of flexibility and design rates
 Wireline retrievable
 Handles sandy conditions well
 Allows for full bore tubing drift
 Surface wellhead equipment requires
minimal space
 Multiwell production from single
compressor
 Multiple or slimhole completion
 System Limitations
Needs high-pressure gas well or
compressor
 One well leases may be uneconomical
 Fluid viscosity
 Bottomhole pressure
 High back-pressure
 TYPES OF INSTALLATION

Closed Semi-closed
Open

P1 P1
P1

Packer

Standing Valve
 GAS LIFT

Continuous Intermittent

P1 P1
 GAS LIFT

• Gaslift Valve
Basic Components
pbt

 Body
 Loading element
P9  Responsive element
Av
 Transmission lement
Pf  Metering element
 GAS LIFT

Injection
Gas In Produced
Hydrocarbons
Out

Side Pocket
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve
Side Pocket
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve

Side Pocket
Mandrel with
Gas Lift Valve

Completion
Fluid
Single Production
Packer
 Continuous Flow
Gas Lift
Continuous Flow

 High pressure gas is metered into fluid

string continuously.
 Applied to wells that have reservoir
pressure high enough to support a
relative high fluid column and are capable
of rates of 200 - 60,000 TBFPD.
 Intermittent Flow
Gas Lift
 Lift dynamics are cyclic; used in wells producing relatively low
producing rates, (less than 200 TBFPD).
 Relatively high-pressure gas is injected into a fluid column in
well and fluid is displaced to surface in a slug or piston form.
 Gas is injected until slug reaches surface and then gas
injection ceases.
 Well pressure is allowed to bleed down and stabilize; fluid
enters wellbore.
 When sufficient fluid has accumulated, cycle is repeated.
Methods of Gas Lift
 Gas Lift Products
 Gas Lift Valves
 Mandrels
 Latches
 Kickover Tools
 Chemical Injection
 Waterflood Injection
 Special Applications
- Packoffs
- Coiled Tubing
- Corrosion Monitoring
 Gas Lift Systems

MANDRELS
Single or Dual Completions
Gas Lift Process
Intermittent with
Plunger
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

ESSENTIALLY, SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM IS A

MECHANICAL COMBINATION OF SURFACE PUMPING
UNIT, SUCKER ROD STRING & SUB-SURFACE PUMP,
EMPLOYED TO RAISE WELL FLUIDS FROM BOTTOM
OF A WELL TO THE SURFACE
 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
SURFACE PUMPING UNIT

MAIN PARTS

SUB-SURFACE PUMP SUCKER RODS

 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
MOST WIDELY USED
RESEMBLES
TOTAL SYSTEM TUBE WELL
PUMP

INTRODUCTION
ELEMENTARY
PRINCIPLES

SUB-SURFACE PUMP LIFT MULTI -

PHASE FLUID

SIMPLE LOOK BUT COMPLEX FUNCTION

 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

PRIME REDUCTION
MOVER GEAR ROTARY
BY VEE BELT
LOW R.P.M MOTION
CONVERTED
TO
LINEAR
OPERATION MOTION
OF PUMPING POLISHED
SYSTEM ROD
THROUGH
SUCKER
ROD
SUB-
OIL PRODUCTION SURFACE
SUCKER ROD
PUMP
 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
GEAR DRIVEN
PRIME DRIVING REDUCER SHEAVE
MOVER SHEAVE

PUMPING
HORSEHEAD UNIT VEE BELT
BRIDDLE MAIN PARTS
CARRIER BAR

WALKING
CRANK PITMAN
BEAM
SAMPSON UNIT
POST BASE
 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
GEAR
BRAKE
PRIME MOVER REDUCER
SYSTEM
BASE BASE

PUMPING
UNIT BELT COVER
AUX. PARTS
SADDLE BEARING

COUNTER
CRANK-PIN
EQUALIZER EQUALIZER WEIGHT
BEARING
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
BARREL
S/RODS 1
TUBING PLUNGER
2

5 SUB SURFACE
PUMP
2
PARTS
4
STANDING VALVE
3
1
3 TRAVELLING
PUMP SEAT NIPPLE
VALVE
5
4
 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
NEAR BOTTOM OF STROKE

PLUNGER
TRAVELLING
BARREL
VALVE
2
1
PUMPING
STANDING CYCLE
VALVE

NEAR TOP OF STROKE

3 4
 SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
TYPES OF SUB SURFACE
SUCKER ROD PUMPS

INSERT (ROD PUMP)

STATIONARY STATIONARY
TRAVELLING
BARREL BARREL BOTTOM
BARREL
TOP HOLD DOWN HOLD DOWN

TUBING
PUMP
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

• TYPES OF PRIME MOVER USED

ELECTRIC ENGINE

INTERNAL COMBUSTION GAS ENGINE

SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

• SELECTION OF PRIME MOVER DEPENDS ON

AVAILABILITY OF GAS/POWER AT WELL SITE

CAPITAL COST
SERVICE LIFE
OPERATING COST
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

• MAJOR COMPONENTS OF SUB-SURFACE

PUMP

BARREL

PLUNGER

STANDING VALVE

TRAVELLING VALVE

PUMP SEAT / NIPPLE

SUCKER ROD PUMPING SYSTEM
 Sucker
Rods
Well Fluids
Working Barrel

Plunger
Traveling Valve

Standing Valve

UPSTROKE DOWNSTROKE

PUMPING CYCLE
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

• TUBING PUMP

ADVANTAGES

LARGE BARREL ALLOWS MORE FLUID

VOLUME FOR A GIVEN TUBING SIZE

STRONGER IN CONSTRUCTION

LARGE STANDING VALVE RESULTS IN

LOW PRESSURE LOSS IN THE PUMP
ALLOWING PUMPING OF VISCOUS
FLUIDS

SUITABLE FOR INCLINED WELLS

SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM

• TUBING PUMP

DISADVANTAGES

WORKOVER OPERATION REQUIRES

TUBING TO BE PULLED UP

LARGE AMOUNT OF ROD & TUBING

STRETCH ARE EXPECTED BECAUSE OF
LARGE STANDING VALVE. THEREFORE,
LIFTING DEPTH IS LIMITED.
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
• ABNORMAL PUMPING OPERATIONS

GAS LOCK

THIS OCCURS WHEN PUMP BARREL IS

COMPLETELY FILLED WITH GAS ONLY.

ON THE DOWNSTROKE, PRESSURE INSIDE

THE BARREL NEVER REACHES ENOUGH
TO OPEN THE TRAVELLING VALVE & ON
UPSTROKE, PRESSURE NEVER
DECREASES ENOUGH FOR STANDING VALVE
TO OPEN.

IT MAKES THE PUMPING SYSTEM USELESS.

SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
• GAS ANCHORS

PRESENCE OF FREE GAS IN THE PUMP

BARREL REDUCES EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS
POSES OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
SUCH AS GAS LOCK, FLUID POUND OR GAS
POUND.

PUMP EFFICIENCY CAN GET REDUCED TO

EVEN 100% DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS.

EFFECTIVE WAY TO AVOID GAS

INTERFERENCE IN THE PUMP IS TO INSTALL
DOWNHOLE GAS SEPERATOR
CALLED AS GAS ANCHOR, JUST
BELOW THE PUMP INTAKE
SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
• GAS ANCHORS

THEY ARE GENERALLY CLASSIFIED AS

NATURAL GAS ANCHOR

PACKER TYPE GAS ANCHOR

POOR BOY GAS ANCHOR

SUCKER ROD PUMPING (SRP) SYSTEM
• MONITORING & TROUBLE SHOOTING
ECHOMETER SURVEYS

800

120
0

Pf
Electrical Submersible pumps
(ESP)
 ESP

SALIENT FEATURES

HIGH VOLUME LIFT

SAFE & QUIET METHOD

SUITABLE FOR CROOKED HOLES

FAIRLY SIMPLE DESIGN

GOOD SALVAGE VALUE

 ESP

REQUIRES

GENERATOR

CABLE

CHECK VALVE

PUMP

SEAL SECTION

MOTOR
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM

Fig.: 5.6
ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING (ESP) SYSTEM
PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP
PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP
 PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP

REQUIRES

SURFACE DRIVE SYSTEM

ROD STRING

DOWNHOLE PUMP
 PROGRESSIVE CAVITY PUMP

SALIENT FEATURES

SUITABLE FOR HIGHLY VISCOUS

CRUDE

SUITABLE FOR DEWATERING CBM

WELLS

LOW CAPITAL COST

LOW OPERATING COST

REQUIRES LESS SPACE AT THE

SURFACE
HYDRAULIC JET PUMP
PRINCIPLE

•HIGH PRESSURE POWER FLUID CONVERTED

TO HIGH VELOCITY, LOW PRESSURE BY NOZZLE

•PRESSURE AT THROAT IS LOWERED,

FORMATION FLUID IS DRAWN IN.

• AFTER MIXING IN THROAT COMBINED FLUID

IS PRESSURISED IN DIFFUSER.
APPLICABILITY UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS
PRODUCED FLUID CHARACTERISTICS

• SAND - CAN HANDLE BETTER (NO MOVING PARTS )

• PARAFFIN - INHIBITORS CAN BE ADDED TO POWER

FLUID

• HEAVY CRUDES - UPTO 4-6 DEG API

( POWER FL. CAN BE USED AS DILUENT)

• CAN WORK IN HIGH GLR SITUATION

 WELL CONDITIONS

• DEVIATED WELLS

• VERY DEEP WELLS.

• HIGH TEMPERATURE

• PRODUCTION CAPACITY - HIGH RATES

• CORROSION AND SCALING - CONDITIONS
HANDLED BY HAVING CORROSION RESISTANT
MATERIALS IN PUMP

- INHIBITORS CAN BE ADDED TO POWER

FLUID

• SERVICING DOWNTIME - GOOD ( “FREE”

PUMP FEATURE)
 FLEXIBILITY
VARYING PRODUCTION - PRODN CAN BE
VARIED FROM 10 TO 100 % OF RATED
CAPACITY.

PUMPING OFF THE WELL - NOT POSSIBLE

( ABOUT 20 % SUBMERGENCE REQUIRED )

EFFICIENCY
COMPARATIVELY LOW ( ABOUT 25 %
EFFICIENCY)
 TYPICAL JET PUMP WELL COMPLETION

• BOTTOMHOLE ASSEMBLY WITH SEATING NIPPLE

• STANDING VALVE

• DOWNHOLE JET PUMP

• POWER FLUID & RETURN FLUID CONDUITS

• LUBRICATOR
 SURFACE EQUIPMENTS
• SEPARATOR VESSEL
• TRIPLEX PUMP
• CONTROL MANIFOLD
• FLOW METERS
• CYCLONE CLEANERS
• CIRCULATING PUMP
Thank you