Designing gas lift for continuous liquids removal from gas wells

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Pet. Eng. Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6045437

Praisnar, A Jr; Trammel, P

Many gas wells produce liquids that often are not removed from the wells because of low gas velocity. Failure to produce these liquids severely restricts gas production. The gas volume required for continuous removal of liquids is dependent on tubing size, type of fluid (water or condensate), and flowing wellhead pressures. Turner, Hubbard, and Dukler have presented a nomograph that may be used to determine minimum necessary flow rate. They have stated that the gas/liquid ratio does not influence the minimum lift velocity in the observed ranges of liquid production (up to 130 bbl/mmcf). This liquid may be water or condensate. If both liquids are present, the properties of the denser liquid should be used in the equation. Field experience has shown this to be a reliable relationship. Their equation solutions are presented for normal operations. The variables are type of fluid produced, tubing diameter, and wellhead pressure. The solutions also can be used, by back calculation, to determine (from present well flowing and mechanical conditions) when a well will cease to flow.

• OSTI ID: 6045437
• Journal Information: Pet. Eng. Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Pet. Eng. Int.; (United States) Vol. 51:8; ISSN PEEID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
ARTIFICIAL LIFTS
CONDENSATES
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS CONDENSATES
GAS LIFTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUIDS
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NOMOGRAMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VELOCITY
WATER
WELLHEADS
WELLS