GENERAL

The artificial lift course is available in three versions:

• Artificial lift and production boosting in offshore and high rate environments
• Artificial lift methods (a general approach)
• Tailor made course plan according to clients specification

OUTLINE

Version 1: Artificial lift methods for offshore and high production rate environments (BPX, BPA default version)

This course teaches the technology of artificial lift with emphasis on methods applicable offshore. It covers the fundamentals of the various artificial lift systems, as well as the engineering, the operation, the monitoring and the quality management of artificial lift production.

Three high rate methods, continuos gas-lift, ESP, and Jet pumps are discussed in depth and their production and hydraulic characteristics are thoroughly explained. Selection criteria and sizing procedures are established. System hardware, installations and integration with well completion are examined. Operations, performance monitoring, and systems maintenance procedures are presented. Computer assisted control of artificial lift production is discussed.

Positive displacement pumping methods (hydraulic pumps, rod pumps and progressing cavity pumps) are taught on principle level only. Multiphase pressure boosting techniques in offshore applications (multi-phase pumps and wet gas compressors) are reviewed and emerging technologies, such as downhole oil-water separation are discussed.

Computer programs for artificial lift design and analysis are presented and their application is demonstrated.

Special offshore relevant topics are introduced. These include: power distribution subsea, power calculations in deepwater fields, dynamic behavior of production and injection systems, characteristics of production and injection networks, boosting of riser production in deep water and ultra-deep water fields, control and production allocation, Physical constraints in deepwater production systems.

Version 2 : Artificial lift methods- a global approach

This course covers all conventional artificial lift and flow-boosting methods. It addresses the principle of operation, design, operations, monitoring and quality management of the following systems: continuous gaslift, intermittent gaslift, plunger lift, ESP, turbo-driven submersible pumps, jet pumps, reciprocating hydraulic pumps, progressive cavity pumps, sucker rod pumps, two-phase pumps.

Version 3: An assortment of Artificial Lift methods according to client specifications

An assortment of artificial-lift methods according to client specifications.

TARGET ATTENDEES

This course is aimed at petroleum and facilities engineers dealing with planning, design, operation or service of artificial lift wells and their relevant surface facilities. The course is on a post-graduate level. Practical experience in production engineering and well technology is an advantage but not necessary.

AIMS

The course intends to provide skills needed to plan, design and operate artificial lift production systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Having attended the course, participants will:

• Understand the fundamentals and the production performance of the various artificial lift methods
• Possess the skills needed to select and size artificial lift systems
• Be able to design an artificial lift system, plan its operation, and monitor and analyze it's performance
• Be able to manage and control the production of artificial lift wells and fields
• Be acquainted with software packages used in artificial lift design and analysis

• Relevant concepts in well performance and hydraulic behavior of production system.
• Gas-lift (continuous) ; fundamentals, system sizing procedures, production performance and system optimization, unloading string design and valve mechanics. Performance monitoring. Dynamic behavior and stability considerations
• Electrical submergible pumps (ESP); fundamentals, pump selection and sizing, variable speed design, pump accessories, ESP completions, failure modes and performance control.
• Jet-pumps; fundamentals, pump selection and sizing calculations, power fluid system design, performance monitoring and analysis, completion string design and pump installations, the donor-receiver concept.
• Positive displacement pumps; a brief on the performance and pumping characteristics, hydraulic pumps, rod pumps, and progressive cavity pumps.
• Multi-phase pumps for satellite oil wells and wet gas compressors and ejector to boost the production of low pressure gas wells.
• Downhole separators
• Planning and management of artificial lift production in offshore fields. Computer assisted operation control.