TABLE OF CONTENTS In general, lowering the surface pressure of a well by using compression will result in more production. This is true for flowing wells and with nearly all lifted wells. Depending on the individual well, a well's production can be increased over a range from only a few percent to several times the current production of the well.
Some artificial lift methods, such as beam pumps, will respond to lower surface pressure with more production as tubing stretch is reduced, and lower casing pressure allows a higher fluid level in the annulus for the same rate. Then more production can be achieved.
For flowing gas wells, lowering the surface pressure can significantly increase the production, prolong the life of the well, and increase reserves.
Lowering the surface pressure of a gas well has two effects, both of which are beneficial for liquid loading.
The flowing bottomhole pressure decreases, increasing the production rate and gas velocity throughout the wellbore.
The required critical rate to remove liquids decreases because of the reduced pressures.
Wells flowing at just below the critical velocity before compression can be increased to rates beyond the critical velocity with compression, thereby alleviating liquid-loading problems. Often, compression provides an economic alternative to tubing changes for offshore wells where the workover costs can be prohibitive. Because the critical velocity is directly proportional to surface pressure (see Chapter 4), compression installations can be sized based on the critical velocity calculation. For example, the compression station can be sized based on...
