Plunger lift comes of age

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · World Oil

OSTI ID:137132

Christian, J ^[1]; Lea, J F ^[2]; Bishop, B ^[3]

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1. Amoco E and P, Andrews, TX (United States)
2. Amoco E and PTG, Tulsa, OK (United States)
3. Enterra Lift Systems, Midland, TX (United States)

In the never-ending search to cut production costs while maintaining output and maximizing profits, operators are giving plunger lift a closer look. This is particularly true for marginal wells that might otherwise be shut in. Plunger lift is a cost-efficient method of artificially lifting low-liquid-volume oil wells that increase their profits. Some wells would have to be shut in if they remained on beam lit, due to high costs. With the plunger lift system, they are profitable. Field studies show plunger lift to be a cost-efficient, low-maintenance method of sustaining or improving output from low-volume wells. Not all wells are good candidates, so proper evaluation is essential. This paper reviews the optimal well environment for plunger lifts, their design, and cost benefit analysis.

• OSTI ID: 137132
• Journal Information: World Oil, Journal Name: World Oil Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 216; ISSN 0043-8790; ISSN WOOIAS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ARTIFICIAL LIFTS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE