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Design equation for oil well gas-lift pumps

Journal Article · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6167276

Accepted 2-phase flow theory is used to develop a design equation which predicts the height to which an oil well with gas injection, operating in the slug flow regime, can lift a given volumetric flow rate of oil, given the gas injection rate and pressure in the well. The widely used drift-flux model for the prediction of gas void fraction is combined with a relationship to predict pressure loss, and substituted into the total pressure differential. The resulting differential equation is integrated to generate a relationship for the calculation of lift. The new model provides for more rapid, accurate design and optimization of gas-lifts in oil wells, and offers significant advantages over current design techniques, which rely on empirical formulas, graphic correlations, or incremental analysis. 16 references.

OSTI ID:
6167276
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-12820; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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