Reservoir Gas Lift
Reservoir gas lift is a method of artificial lift used in some oil wells to increase the pressure of the well and allow crude oil to flow out more quickly. This process involves the injection of gas, typically either nitrogen or natural gas, into the wellbore. The resulting increased pressure forces the crude oil up to the surface, where it can be collected and refined.
Reservoir gas lift is usually applied to wells that have naturally low pressure or flow, either due to the nature of the reservoir formation or from some type of production problem. The gas injection technique is used to supplement existing artificial lift methods, such as pumpjack, ESPs (electric submersible pumps), or rod pumps.
When implemented, the process of reservoir gas lift can significantly improve the overall productivity of the well. In addition, reservoir gas lift can be relatively low-cost to operate and inexpensive to maintain, making it an attractive alternative to other artificial lift methods.
The first step in reservoir gas lift is to accurately measure and assess the pressure and flow of the well. This assessment is done to determine how much gas injection is needed to supplement the existing production methods. Once the amount of gas needed is established, a sizing study is done to design the appropriate equipment needed for the operation. This includes the identification of the gas injectors, gas separators, pumps and valves.
The next step is to perform the actual injection of the gas. This is done by pumping the gas into the wellbore at the desired rate, usually controlled by a computer or a manually operated pump. As it is pumped into the well, the gas mix with the oil, which increases the pressure in the well. The increased pressure helps to push the oil up to the surface for collection.
In addition to the direct injection of gas into the well, gas injection can also be used indirectly through the use of a gas booster pump. This device uses compressed gas to create a high-pressure environment in the well which allows liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons to be forced to the surface more easily.
Finally, in order to ensure the best possible results from reservoir gas lift operations, it is important to monitor the pressure and temperature of the reservoir on a regular basis. This ongoing monitoring helps to ensure that the well is at optimal efficiency, and can also identify any signs of potential damage or deterioration of the gas injection system.
In summary, reservoir gas lift is a useful and cost-effective method of artificial lift used in some oil wells to increase the pressure of the well and allow crude oil to flow out more quickly. When implemented, the process of reservoir gas lift can significantly improve the overall productivity of the well, while being relatively low-cost to operate and inexpensive to maintain.
