An Approach for Artificial Lift Applicability Maps Construction

Abstract Using software for engineering calculations in oil production is a common practice. Wide spread software packages often focused on solving specific tasks - downhole equipment design, well performance analysis etc. Multiple wells calculations using standard software can be tricky. Moreover, visualization for multiple calculations results even trickier task with standard software. A convenient way for presenting the results of the multiple calculations is construction of applicability maps. This paper discuss artificial lift technologies applicability maps construction. Applicability maps become useful for choosing lifting technique or analyze efficiency of current lift method in comparison with alternatives. It allows performing sensitivity analysis based on two most affecting on technology applicability parameters. In addition, maps can show technology applicability ranges which can be overlapped with production or forecast data. The paper proposes a simplified method for constructing artificial lift (AL) applicability maps. It discusses natural flow, ESP and gas lift. Methods allows building maps on the fly, taking into account the main AL limitations with respect to multiphase flow and PVT properties. Case studies for Western Siberia fields in with AL applicability maps analysis discussed.