Gas Well De-Liquification WorkshopDenver, Colorado
February 28 - March 2, 2005
Analyzing & TroubleshootingAnalyzing & TroubleshootingPlunger Lifted WellsPlunger Lifted Wells
Red Griffin Red Griffin –– AnadarkoAnadarkoLynn Rowlan Lynn Rowlan -- EchometerEchometer
Operational Benefits of Plunger TrackingOperational Benefits of Plunger Tracking1.1. Plunger lift program takes the guess work out Plunger lift program takes the guess work out
of setting fall times. of setting fall times.
2.2. Accurate fall time measured from the time the Accurate fall time measured from the time the plunger begins fall to the time the plunger plunger begins fall to the time the plunger hits the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.hits the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.
3.3. Minimizes unnecessary shutMinimizes unnecessary shut--in time.in time.
4.4. AfterAfter--flow can be set by monitoring pressure flow can be set by monitoring pressure to determine when casing pressure starts to to determine when casing pressure starts to rise then well loading begins. rise then well loading begins.
5.5. Save time by ensuring all plunger runs are Save time by ensuring all plunger runs are made and maximize sales time.made and maximize sales time.
Equipment on WellEquipment on WellNew Technology forNew Technology for
Analyzing Plunger LiftAnalyzing Plunger Lift
Use Acoustic Surveys to Use Acoustic Surveys to Alert You to What is DownholeAlert You to What is Downhole
@ 4750’@ 4750’Tight SpotTight Spotin Tubingin Tubing
@ 5050’@ 5050’1/8” Hole1/8” Holein Tubing
Tight SpotTight Spot
End of End of TubingTubing
in Tubing
1/8” Hole1/8” Hole
Liquid Liquid LevelLevel
Recorded Signals During One Cycle: Recorded Signals During One Cycle: Tubing and Casing Pressure, Plus AcousticTubing and Casing Pressure, Plus Acoustic
Tubing Pressure
Casing Pressure
Acoustic Signal
Control of Plunger Lift CycleControl of Plunger Lift Cycle
Control Valve Closed Open
ShutShut--inin:: Surface valve closed, flow shut-in, plunger falls down the tubing
Unloading and AfterUnloading and After--flow Periodsflow Periods
After-flowUnloading
GasLiquid
Gas
Surface valve open and pressure stored in the casing lifts the accumulated liquid and plunger to the surface
Surface valve open, plunger held at surface by differential pressure from flow of gas up the tubing. Well is producing gas. Most liquid produced from the formation tends to fall back, accumulating at the bottom of the tubing.
Liquid Arrives During UnloadingLiquid Arrives During Unloading
Plunger Falling Through Gas & LiquidPlunger Falling Through Gas & Liquid
200 Ft/min Gas
39 Ft/min
LiquidPlunger Hits Liquid Plunger Hits Liquid
Plunger on Plunger on Bottom Bottom
Only Shut-in Time Period Shown
Plunger Falling Through Gas & LiquidPlunger Falling Through Gas & Liquid
200 Ft/min
Gas39 Ft/min
Liquid
Plunger Hits Liquid Plunger Hits Liquid
Plunger on Bottom Plunger on Bottom
Zoom in on Axis From 40.554 to 13 mins
0.3 Min of0.3 Min of Pressure & Acoustic DataPressure & Acoustic Data ShowsShows0.2 psi Pressure Wave Created at Collar # 1120.2 psi Pressure Wave Created at Collar # 112
C111 C112 - 3584 Ft Deep
0.2 PSI
Acoustic Signal Show Plunger Fall Acoustic Signal Show Plunger Fall Past 111Past 111thth and 112and 112thth Tubing CollarTubing Collar
Zoom in on Axis From 40.554 to 0.3 mins
Count Collars for Fall Velocity & DepthCount Collars for Fall Velocity & Depth
Plunger Depth and Fall VelocityPlunger Depth and Fall Velocity
Normally, Velocity Decreases as Plunger Falls Deeper into Well Normally, Velocity Decreases as Plunger Falls Deeper into Well
Begin Begin -- 250 ft/min250 ft/min
End End -- 131 ft/min131 ft/min
AXIS
Depth Axis
Gas Properties Determined by FallGas Properties Determined by Fall
Troubleshooting by Tracking PlungersTroubleshooting by Tracking Plungers1.1. Find holes in tubing of Gas wells or Plunger Lift wells Find holes in tubing of Gas wells or Plunger Lift wells
by monitoring tubing and casing pressure while using by monitoring tubing and casing pressure while using acoustic to determine depth as plunger is falling.acoustic to determine depth as plunger is falling.
2.2. Releasing plunger from the lubricator catcher, causes Releasing plunger from the lubricator catcher, causes 2 to 3 psi drop in the tubing pressure as differential 2 to 3 psi drop in the tubing pressure as differential pressure is used to support plunger while falling.pressure is used to support plunger while falling.
3.3. Tubing pressure will increase by 2 to 3 psi, when Tubing pressure will increase by 2 to 3 psi, when plunger falls by a hole or stops. There plunger falls by a hole or stops. There ““maymay”” be a be a decrease in casing pressure. decrease in casing pressure.
4.4. Collars can be counted from the time the plunger Collars can be counted from the time the plunger starts falling to the time the pressure increases. starts falling to the time the pressure increases.
5.5. Procedure determines depth to stuck plunger or hole.Procedure determines depth to stuck plunger or hole.
Tubing & Casing Pressure Tubing & Casing Pressure React to Plunger Falling in WellReact to Plunger Falling in Well
~ 3 psi Drop when ~ 3 psi Drop when Released from CatcherReleased from Catcher
Tubing Pressure Increase &Tubing Pressure Increase &Casing Pressure Drops Casing Pressure Drops when Plunger on Bottom when Plunger on Bottom
Tubing Pressure Helps to IdentifyTubing Pressure Helps to IdentifyDownhole ProblemsDownhole Problems
Plunger fallsPlunger fallsPast Hole atPast Hole at1800 feet and1800 feet andPressure fromPressure fromCasing FlowsCasing FlowsInto TubingInto Tubing
Rapid TubingRapid TubingPressurePressureIncrease ifIncrease ifPlunger hasPlunger hasSudden StopSudden Stop
Hole in TubingHole in Tubing
~ 3 psi Drop when ~ 3 psi Drop when Released from CatcherReleased from Catcher
Plunger Suddenly StoppedPlunger Suddenly Stopped
Analysis of Plots Shows Depth to HoleAnalysis of Plots Shows Depth to Hole
Hole in Tubing @ 8514 Hole in Tubing @ 8514
Tubing Depth = 8940 ft Tubing Depth = 8940 ft
Tight Spot in Tubing Tight Spot in Tubing Plunger Sticks at 60Plunger Sticks at 60th th Joint (1866 ft)Joint (1866 ft)
Shut-in Begins
Tubing Pressure Drops when Plunger Starts to Fall
Tubing Pressure Increases when Plunger Sticks
Adjustable By-Pass Plunger
Hole in Tubing Shown During ShutHole in Tubing Shown During Shut--inin
Fall Velocity Constant Above HoleFall Velocity Constant Above Hole
Hole in TubingHole in Tubing1)1) Hole was 156 jts from surface or 5054' based Hole was 156 jts from surface or 5054' based
on 32.4' joint lengthson 32.4' joint lengths2)2) Hole measured with micrometer to be 0.160Hole measured with micrometer to be 0.160””
by 0.125by 0.125””. .
Fall Velocity Fall Velocity –– Bypass Valve ClosesBypass Valve Closes
@ 3016’ Bypass@ 3016’ BypassValve Closed Valve Closed
Plunger Slowed from 950 Plunger Slowed from 950 ft/min to 366 ft/min due toft/min to 366 ft/min due toValve Premature Closing Valve Premature Closing
DON’T WASTE TIME GUESSINGDON’T WASTE TIME GUESSING
Safety BenefitsSafety Benefits
Safety1.1. Plunger Lift Tracking increases safety of plunger lift Plunger Lift Tracking increases safety of plunger lift
operations by knowing where the plunger is in the operations by knowing where the plunger is in the tubing. tubing.
2.2. If a plunger is not going to bottom and the well is If a plunger is not going to bottom and the well is pressured up, then the plunger could surface dry at pressured up, then the plunger could surface dry at a very high velocity. a very high velocity.
3.3. Arrival at high velocity can cause equipment damage Arrival at high velocity can cause equipment damage and could result in exceeding the mechanical and could result in exceeding the mechanical integrity limits of the lubricatorintegrity limits of the lubricator
Economic BenefitsEconomic BenefitsEconomics1.1. Tracking system minimizes the need for wire line.Tracking system minimizes the need for wire line.
2.2. A plunger can be dropped and tracked to the seat A plunger can be dropped and tracked to the seat nipple or collar stop. The collars can be counted to nipple or collar stop. The collars can be counted to be sure the plunger is at the seat nipple or bottom be sure the plunger is at the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.hole spring.
3.3. Save time by quickly identifying holes and Save time by quickly identifying holes and eliminating the need to drop standing valve and eliminating the need to drop standing valve and pressure testing tubing before you pull it.pressure testing tubing before you pull it.
4.4. Quickly identify a spring or plunger that is not going Quickly identify a spring or plunger that is not going to bottom.to bottom.
Where’s the PlungerWhere’s the Plunger
Questions?Questions?