The Effect of gas-water content phase behavior on mature methane rich gas wells has been investigated and found to be extremely detrimental. The wells performance becomes stressed and ultimate operating reserves will deviate negatively to previously established developed reserves due to fluid loading. The fluid loading phenomenon is usually associated with a gas production rate falling below the minimum mist flow rate required for the existing wells, producing tubular geometry. This analysis presents a method to reverse the ill effects of down hole phase behavior and suggest an alternate lift option. The advantage of this method is that it normally requires little or no down hole reconfiguration, and successful application would be superior to current artificial fluid lift operations. The resultant would translate to restoration or original developed reserves and quite possibly enhance production rate.

Keywords:
deposition, application, water saturation, gas reserve, adjustment, upstream oil & gas, drillstem/well testing, production rate, relative permeability, operator
Subjects:
Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Reservoir Simulation, Formation Evaluation & Management, Flow in porous media, Drillstem/well testing, Completion Installation and Operations, Well Operations and Optimization
Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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