The document discusses factors to consider when selecting an artificial lift system. Key factors include production characteristics, fluid properties, hole characteristics, reservoir properties, surface facilities, location, available power sources, operating challenges, personnel experience, available services, and relative economics. A screening study is needed to identify the most practical and economical artificial lift method for the specific well conditions.

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Section 10
Artificial Lift Selection

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
The Decision to Go to Artificial Lift
 A screening study must be made in order to select the
most practical and economical artificial lift method,
which suits the case.
 Remove the formation damage to increase the production
before thinking of implementing artificial lifting.
 Water sources should be shut off if possible before going
to the artificial lift solution. This has many merits like
energy conservation & production optimization.
 Completion optimization to increase the natural flow
should be visited for optimizing the production

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Selection
 Selection of the suitable artificial lift method is an
important aspect to the long-term profitability.
 A poor choice may reduce production and increase
operating costs.
 The design and analysis of any lifting system should
have the inflow performance relationship, which
represents the well ability to produce fluids, and the
piping and lifting facilities.

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Onshore
 Gas lift
 ESPs
 Rod pumping
Offshore
 ESPs
 Gas lift

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Vertical wells
 Gas lift
 ESPs
 Rod pumping
Directional / Horizontal wells
 ESPs
 Gas lift

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Onshore Vertical Wells with high GOR
 Rod pumping (Separator)
 ESPs
Offshore Vertical Wells with high GOR
 ESPs

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Onshore Directional / Horizontal Wells
 Gas lift
 ESPs
 Rod pumping only in the vertical part of the hole
Offshore Directional / Horizontal Wells
 Gas lift
 ESPs

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Onshore Vertical Wells with high water production
 Rod pumping
 ESPs
 Gas lift
Offshore Vertical Wells with high water production
 ESPs
 Gas lift

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Systems
Onshore Directional Wells with high water production
 ESPs
 Gas lift
 Rod pumping ( in vertical part of the hole )
Offshore Directional Wells with high water production
 ESPs
 Gas lift

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Selection
Main Considerations Include:
 Reservoir Parameters (Pressure, PI, Water Cut, GOR)
 Well Parameters (Deviation, Completion Design)
 Production Conditions
• Severe Weather Heat, Cold, Dust, Wind, Snow
• Corrosion Sour Crude, Brine, CO2
• Produced Solids Sand, Paraffin, Fines

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
 Drive Mechanisms
• Solution Gas Drive
• Water Drive
• Gas Cap Drive
Artificial Lift Selection
High IP’s Early, Low Pressure Later
Increasing Water Production
Changing GOR’s

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
 Multiple completions
• Insufficient pipe clearances
 Production location
• On or Offshore
• Deviated wellbores
 Power/Fuel source
• Availability, cost, transportation, storage,
environmental issues
Artificial Lift Selection

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Artificial Lift Selection
 Local Experience: Availability of Resources, Workover
Possibilities,
 Economics: capital and operating expenditure

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Section 10
Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Selection of Artificial Lift
Factors Affect on Artificial lift Selection
1. Production Characteristics
2. Fluid Properties
3. Hole Characteristics
4. Reservoir and Depletion Plan
5. Surface Facilities
6. Location (Onshore/offshore)

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Section 10
Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
Selection of Artificial Lift
Factors Affect on Artificial Lift Selection
7. Power / Fuel Source Available (Cost, Transportation,
Storage Environment Issues)
8. Operating Problems - Local Experience, Availability of
Resources, Work over Possibilities
9. Relative Economics

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
 Gas- Liquid Ratio (GLR)
• Above 2000 eliminate GL
• ESP & Jet relatively can work
• Rod must have gas separator
1. Production Characteristics

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
2. Fluid Properties
Viscosity
 Unimportant Below 10 CP (API approx. 30)
 Above 10 CP
• Hydraulic lift advantages
‐ Power oil dilutes the viscous oil
‐ Much reduce tubing losses
• PCP lift

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
3. Hole Characteristics
Depth
 10000 considered crossover point
• Hydraulic lift Best for deep to 18000’
• Sucker Rod pumps
‐ Stretch in rods reduces volumetric efficiency
Straight Hole, Deviated hole, Dog-leg
 *Deviated holes difficult with rod pump

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Optimization Technology
4. Reservoir & Depletion Plan
Reservoir Type
 Depletion
 Water drive
 Gas cap drive (slower decline in pressure)

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
5. Surface Facilities
Surface Flow Line
 Cause higher tubing pressure
 GL very sensitive to flowline back pressure
Surface Choke
 KEY

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Optimization Technology
6. Location
Offshore
 Limited space
 Corrosive surface environment
 Availability of electricity for ESP
Onshore
• Noise & air pollution
• Potential leaks

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
7. Power Sources Available
 Electricity For Electrical Submersible
 Gas For gas lift and compression
 Cost & Transportation

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Optimization Technology
8. Operating Problems
Sand
Paraffin
Scale (often serious by GL)
Corrosion
 Affects all system
 Corrosive gas prohibit GL
Down-hole Temperature
 Electrical Insulation weakens

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
9. Operating Problems
Surface Climate
 Freezing problems with gas
 Viscosity in flow line
 Compressor cooling and engine cooling in hot climate
Single or multiple completion

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
10. Operating Personnel
 Rod pumping easiest understood
 Gas Lift usually needs some Supervision
 More practice serious with ESP

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
11. Services Available
 Personnel
 Spare Parts
 Rig for servicing
1. Rod pump
2. GL valves
3. ESP
4. Hydraulic
 Pulling units
 Wire line
 Special operations
 Circulating Pumps

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Artificial Lift Systems &
Optimization Technology
12. Relative Economics
Initial Capital investment
 ESP often highest
 GL & Hyd. Depend on number of well
Operating Expense
 GL often highly favorable
 Rod pumping good with good design
Equipment Life