Page 10 - Artificial Lift Methods

Artificial Lift Overview

Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin

Artificial Lift

Overview

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In this chapter:
• How artificial-lift systems produce fluids
• Current lift technologies used on land and offshore

• Factors to consider when selecting a lift system
• Environmental and operator-discretionary factors

deally, a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir should contain enough
Inatural pressure to enable fluids to flow to the surface for several
years without requiring external energy. Over time, however, energy
in the formation will decline to the point that pressure and/or flow
velocity will no longer be adequate to move fluids to the surface. When
a well reaches this point in its lifecycle, fluids must be produced (or
lifted) to the surface through artificial means.
Notable exceptions include wells completed in prolific water
drive reservoirs where wells continue to flow water under natural
reservoir energy after hydrocarbon production has ceased. Likewise,
large gas-cap reservoirs can contain sufficient energy to produce much
of the recoverable hydrocarbons without artificial lift. However, more
often, wells require artificial lift at some point in their economic life.
Even gas wells typically require some sort of deliquification
system to remove water. Water accumulating in the wellbore cre-
ates a back-pressure that limits gas inflow from the reservoir, so the
water must continually or periodically be removed to allow for the
free flow of gas.

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