API GAS LIFT : 3ED 1994(R2007)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction to artificial lift and gas lift
Basic principles of oil production
  Factors that affect oil production
Artificial lift
  Types of artificial lift systems; Choosing an
  artificial lift system
The process of gas lift
  Types of gas lift; Continuous flow gas lift;
  Intermittent flow gas lift
Advantages and limitations of gas lift
  Choice of gas lift system
Historical review of gas lift development
  Early experiments; Chronological development;
  Technical development of gas lift equipment
Development of the modern gas lift valve
  Differential valves; Bellows charged valves
Chapter 2 - Well performance
Introduction
Inflow performance prediction
  Productivity index (P.I.) technique; Inflow
  performance relationship (IPR) techniques; Vogel IPR
  curve; Vogel's example problem
Well outflow performance prediction
  Example problem
Predicting the effect of gas lift
  Comparison of conduit size; Effect of surface
  operating conditions; Use of inflow performance
  relationship curves (IPR); Computer programs for well
  performance analysis
Chapter 3 - Multiphase flow prediction
Introduction
  Dimensionless parameters; Empirical data; Basis for
  developing multiphase flow correlations; Accuracy of
  flowing pressure at depth predictions; Importance of
  reliable well test data
Published vertical, horizontal and inclined multiphase
flow correlations
  Papers evaluating the accuracy of multiphase flow
  correlations; Ros-Gray and Duns-Ros correlations
Simplified multiphase flow correlations based on total
energy loss factors or no-slip homogeneous mixtures
  Poettman and Carpenter correlation; Baxendell and
  Thomas correlation; Two-phase homogeneous no-slip
  mixture correlations
General type of multiphase flow correlations
  Typical pressure gradient equation for vertical flow;
  Published general type correlations
Displays of flowing pressure at depth gradient curves
  Converting Rg0 to Rg1; Gilbert's curve; Minimum fluid
  gradient curve; Displaying gradient curves to prevent
  crossover
Stability of flow conditions and selection of production
conduit size
  Graphical determination of minimum stabilized
  production rate; Conditions necessary to assure stable
  multiphase flow; Effect of tubing size on minimum
  stabilized flow rate
Chapter 4 - Gas application and gas facilities for gas
            lift
Introduction
Basic fundamentals of gas behavior
Application to oilfield systems
  Subsurface applications; Pressure correction;
  Temperature correction; Test rack settings; Gas
  injection in the annulus or tubing; Flow through the
  gas lift valve
Surface gas facilities
  System design considerations; Gas conditioning;
  Reciprocating compression; Centrifugal compression;
  Piping and distribution systems; Gas metering
Chapter 5 - Gas lift valves
Introduction
Valve mechanics
  Basic components of gas lift valves; Closing force;
  Opening forces; Valve load rate; Probe test;
  Production pressure effect; Closing pressure
Valve characteristics
  Dynamic flow test; Valve spread; Bellows protection;
  Test rack opening pressure
Types of gas lift valves
  Classification of gas lift valves by application;
  Valves used for continuous flow; Valves used for
  intermittent lift; Basic valve designs; Wireline
  retrievable valve and mandrel; Mandrel and valve
  porting combinations
Chapter 6 - Continuous flow gas lift design methods
Introduction
Types of installation
Continuous flow unloading sequence
Design of continuous flow installations
  Types of design problems; Example graphical design;
  Safety factors in gas lift design; Downhole
  temperature for design purposes; Actual conditions
  different from design conditions
Designing gas lift for offshore installations
Advantages of continuous flow over intermittent flow gas
lift
Dual gas lift installations
Chapter 7 - Analysis and regulation of continuous flow
            gas lift
Introduction
  Recommended practices prior to unloading; Recommended
  gas lift installation unloading procedure; Analyzing
  the operation of a continuous flow well
Methods of obtaining surface data for continuous flow
gas lift wells
  Recording surface pressure in the tubing and casing;
  Measurement of gas volumes; Surface and estimated
  subsurface temperature readings; Visual observation of
  the surface installation; Testing well for oil and gas
  production
Methods of obtaining subsurface data for continuous flow
gas lift analysis
  Subsurface pressure surveys; Subsurface temperature
  surveys in casing flow wells; Precautions when running
  flowing pressure and temperature surveys; Computer
  calculated pressure surveys; Temperature surveys in
  tubing flow wells; Flowing pressure and temperature
  survey; Fluid level determination by acoustical
  methods
Various wellhead installations for gas injection control
Well injection gas pressure for continuous flow systems
Getting the most oil with the available lift gas
  Manual controls; Semi-automatic controls; Optimizing
  gas lift systems; Automatic optimization of injection
  gas use
Appendix 7A - Examples of pressure recorder charts from
              continuous flow wells
Chapter 8 - Intermittent flow gas lift
Introduction
Operating sequence
Types of installations
Factors affecting producing rate
  Maximum rate; Fallback; Use of plungers in
  intermittent lift systems
Design of intermittent list installations
  Fallback method; Percent load method; Variations of
  percent load method; Production pressure operated gas
  lift valves
Chambers
  Design of a gas lift chamber installation
Chapter 9 - Procedures for adjusting, regulating and
            analyzing intermittent flow gas lift
            installations
Introduction
Control of the injection gas
  The time cycle controller; Location of time cycle
  controller; Choke control of the injection gas
Unloading an intermittent installation
  Recommended practices prior to unloading; Initial U-
  tubing; Unloading operations using a time cycle
  operated controller; Unloading with choke control of
  the injection gas
Adjustment of time cycle operated controller
  Procedure or determining cycle frequency
Selection of choke size for choke control of injection
gas
Variation in time cycle and choke control of injection
gas
  Application of time opening and set pressure closing
  controller; Application of time cycle operated
  controller with choke in the injection gas line;
  Application of a combination pressure reducing
  regulator and choke control
Importance of wellhead tubing back pressure to
regulation of injection gas
  Wellhead configuration; Separator pressure; Surface
  choke in flowline; Flowline size and condition
Suggested remedial procedures associated with regulation
of injection gas
  Installation will not unload; Valve will not close;
  Emulsions; Corrosion
Trouble-shooting
Appendix 9A - Examples of intermittent gas lift
              malfunctions
Chapter 10 - The use of plungers in gas lift system
Introduction
Applications
Types of plunger lift
Selecting the proper equipment
  Retrievable tubing (or collar) stop; Standing valve;
  Bumper spring; Plungers; Well tubing; Master valve;
  Second flow outlet; Lubricator
Proper installation procedures
Summary
Glossary
Symbols
References

Abstract

The purpose of this publication is to familiarize field personnel with basic principles; operating procedures for adjusting, regulating, operating, and troubleshooting gas-lift equipment; and well conditions. Covers conventional practices and concepts. Profusely illustrated with drawings of typical gas-lift installations and related equipment, as well as actual charts illustrating operations of and problems encountered in gas-lifted wells. Soft cover.

General Product Information

Published
Document Type	Standard
Status	Current
Publisher	American Petroleum Institute
Pages
ISBN