Gas lift optimization is fundamental to protecting base production in oil fields worldwide. With real-time wellhead surveillance and automation data available on a portable laptop computer, the engineer can quickly identify well problems and opportunities to improve gas lift performance. A continuous gas lift automation and wellhead surveillance system was installed on the Amberjack field in the Gulf of Mexico and realized a 7% increase in production.

This paper will discuss the problems engineers experienced understanding daily production variance before automation was installed, the system functionality of the automation system, and the results of increasing base production by 7%. Project execution is also discussed because of its importance in ensuring the offshore personnel were engaged with the project.

Keywords:
optimization, reservoir surveillance, production control, transmitter, gas lift, automation system, gas injection, artificial lift system, downtime, artificial intelligence
Subjects:
Artificial Lift Systems, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Formation Evaluation & Management, Information Management and Systems, Gas lift, Drillstem/well testing
Copyright 2003, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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