TABLE OF CONTENTS The following section outlines hints and suggestions to incorporate into the procedures used to bring a plunger lift system online. The section covers all aspects of plunger lift from the initial startup, considerations before and during the first kickoff of the plunger, methods to adjust the plunger cycle, and techniques to optimize the plunger cycle to maximize production. The following material on system operation and maintenance follows the Ferguson Beauregard Plunger Operation Handbook [5] (with permission) with some updates and alterations.
Several parameters must be considered before kicking off a plunger lift well. The most important is the casing pressure. As mentioned the casing annulus acts as energy storage, holding compressed produced gas that eventually is responsible for bringing the plunger and the liquids to the surface. It is this gas trapped in the casing that primarily determines the frequency of the cycles and therefore the success of a plunger lift system.
Another key factor to consider is the liquid load or the amount of liquid accumulated in both the casing and the tubing. The rate of accumulation of liquids also plays an important role in determining the plunger cycle time. If the liquid volume becomes too high, the plunger will be less likely to be able to bring the liquids to the surface using the gas pressure available.
A third major factor to be considered is backpressure. This includes backpressure from all likely sources high-line pressure, small chokes, or compressors...
