Several techniques have been investigated to date to alleviate the detrimental effect of liquid loading in gas wells. However, relatively little is known about the theoretical and operational aspects of plunger-assisted intermittent gas lift for gas well deliquification. This study presents an analytical approach for modeling the performance plunger-assisted intermittent gas lift system using conservation equations (continuity and momentum), thermodynamic principles and material balance.

Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the model using field data. A sensitivity study is then performed to assess the influence of different parameters on the performance of the plunger-assisted intermittent gas lift system.

Keywords:
gas lift, plunger-assisted intermittent gas lift system, intermittent gas lift, spe 141521, artificial lift system, upstream oil & gas, intermittent gas lift system, coiled tubing, expansion, gas injection
Subjects:
Artificial Lift Systems, Plunger lift, Gas lift
Copyright 2011, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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