My Gas-Lift is Successful Because…
Jim Hall
Shell International E&P, B.V.
Abstract
Safe and profitable oil production via gas lift can be achieved through application of an appropriate blend of people, hardware and processes.
The “people” component includes management, technical staff, operations and the organisational structure that defines their relationships. The first requirement is for managers who are informed of the importance of gas lift to achieving production targets and are committed to delivering the resources to support gas lift production levels, present and future. As necessitated by the well and reservoir management process, individual asset technical specialists will be trained and capable in gas-lift technology. An often overlooked, essential part of the team are the Operations staff who operate the wells and facilities, report observations, and perform proposed work programmes…often in difficult conditions.
The “hardware” which comprises the physical asset must be designed, selected, procured and installed with emphasis on delivering the greatest value over the life cycle of the asset. The appropriate lift method is examined and selected with the involvement and support of technical specialists in each step of the project realisation process. Hardware specifications should meet minimum industry standards (API or ISO). Lift gas will be dry. Lift system supply pressure will be determined on economic grounds derived from the expected field depletion mechanism. Automated gas lift well monitoring and injection rate flow control will be the base case, as will a real-time field lift gas allocation system. Wells will be completed with a mandrel string designed to support efficient gas lift operation over the life of the completion, not an arbitrary mandrel count. Development of new hardware will be supported by a Research and Development programme proportionally funded by all operations using gas lift in the annual amount of $1 per barrel of oil per day, and then corrected for inflation annually. R&D projects will be funded from inception through early deployment.
The “processes” which will be used by staff will be standardised across the corporation and will be monitored and revised by a corporate level team of specialists. The specialist team will manage the R&D programme, including field trials and early deployment. Technical Service visits to all operating companies will ensure “connection” to the needs of the business and will fuel input to the R&D process. Capability for asset PT and Operating staff will be strengthened by direct peer-to-peer support / coaching. The specialist team will also provide Corporate-level training facilitation and course design. The formal training and technical service visits will provide a vehicle to ensure that common processes are employed in all locations to ease the movement of staff between assets and regions.