Production Optimization on High GLR ESP Well Using Combination of Surface Annular Gas Separation and Feedback Mode System – Case Study B-20X

Abstract

Installing ESP in high GLR wells can be tricky. The objective of gaining more liquid production on the surface can be hindered by high gas interference problems. The large amount of free gas ingested into the pump must be mitigated to make sure the pump operates at an optimum condition, hence sustaining the liquid production and prolonging the runlife of the ESP.

Several high GLR wells have been producing using ESP in Bunyu Field, with some of them facing gas interference problem. The common approach to mitigate this problem is by flaring annular gas and applying VSD logic (Intake Pressure or Ampere Feedback Mode) at a certain value. However, there was special case for some wells with very high GLR and low productivity index in Bunyu Field. The annular gas could not be flared due to frequent liquid carryover from the annulus and applying feedback mode alone could not solve this issue.

Further effort and trial were made at well B-20X by installing a surface separation equipment to separate the annular gas from liquid before entering the flare line. With this additional equipment, the annular gas was flared safely and liquid carryover from the annulus could be collected into a tank-on-site. Shortly after the installation of surface separation equipment combined with pump intake pressure (PIP) feedback mode, the downhole parameters (PIP, Motor Current, and Motor Load) stabilized. The resulting liquid production from the well test was also increasing and becoming more stable.