Full-Scale Validation Test of Liquid Assisted Gas Lift LAGL

A new and transformational gas lift method termed Liquid Assisted Gas Lift (LAGL) has been developed. LAGL utilizes the co-injection of liquid with lift gas to reduce surface pressure requirements for the kick-off of gas lift, simplify well completions and improve system reliability/flexibility. PetroleumETC executed a Shell GameChanger project to demonstrate the delivery of LAGL for well unloading and kick-off of gas lift. Qualification testing was performed at a university test facility utilizing a 2,788 ft TVD test well with 5 ½-inch casing and 2 7/8-inch tubing. Air and water were the test media. In-well measurements were available bottomhole and mid-string for both the annulus and the tubing. The test well was successfully unloaded in 2 hours with a maximum pressure of 535 psig using manual operation of the module. Two automated tests were successfully conducted; one requiring 2 hours (670 psig max pressure) and one requiring 1 hr and 24 min (724 max pressure). Many lessons were learned, effectively de-risking the technology for field application. A new sliding-sleeve orifice valve was also tested with water, air and under multiphase flow conditions. The larger orifice sizes provided by the 2 7/8-inch sliding sleeve slim valve provides for faster unloading using the LAGL process. The paper provides an update on advances in the value case for the new LAGL technology. LAGL utilizes a single G-L valve, which reduces system costs versus the traditional use of multiple G-L valves and mandrels and dramatically reduces the risk of multi-pointing. LAGL provides the advantage of High-Pressure Single Point Gas Lift (HPSPGL) without the need for high pressures on the well pad, changing surface piping and a high pressure compressor.