According to an EKT Interactive article, “Artificial Lift in Upstream Oil and Gas Production,” approximately 95-97% of offshore oil wells globally rely on gas lift as their primary artificial lift method (with electric submersible pumps accounting for the remaining ~3%). On average, gas lift optimization can yield a 16% increase in oil production rates, though gains range from as low as 3% to as high as 63% depending on well conditions.
News of an innovation in gas-lift technology for the oil & gas industry broke this week. A release, Emerson and Interwell Introduce World’s First Retrievable Electric Gas Lift System, announced:
…the launch of the Adaptive Gas Lift System (AGLS), the world’s first retrievable electric gas lift system designed to meet internationally recognized safety and performance standards. The AGLS enables continuous optimization of oil production without the need for invasive and costly well interventions, and its unique retrievable design reduces operational downtime while enhancing both the safety and sustainability of gas lift operations.
This 3:38 YouTube video, Adaptive Gas Lift System – Accelerate and Optimize Your Production Without Intervention, shows how the world’s first retrievable electric gas lift system provides real-time remote control of valve port sizes, gas injection rates, and depths.
This innovative solution enhances the controllability of gas injection rates via a low-power, electrically actuated gas-lift valve, enabling optimized choke openings. The flexibility of the AGLS allows operators to adapt remotely, maintaining enhanced production rates for as long as possible and ultimately ensuring increased total reservoir drainage.
The AGLS enables remote, dynamic changes to be made as often as required to ensure an optimized arrangement. This significantly reduces the need for expensive downtime and manual activities. The Roxar Downhole portfolio from Emerson and the valves from Interwell are known for robust, reliable performance, providing assurances for operators as they select their downhole monitoring and control approach. As an extra safety precaution, should a failure occur, the solution is easily retrievable and replaceable.
The Roxar Integrated Downhole Network (IDN) is the backbone of these downhole monitoring solutions. It serves as an infrastructure host role, enabling communication, power, and interfacing for various downhole instruments and devices. It supports up to 32 sensors on a single cable, providing vital data for managing multiple wells or zones efficiently during well completions.
Watch the video and visit the Adaptive Gas Lift System section on Emerson.com to learn more about driving performance improvements in your artificial gas lift operations.
