Plunger Lift System: A Field Implementation Case Study in Upper Assam Shelf Basin

Abstract Plunger lift is an economical artificial lift system applicable to high gas-liquid ratio gas wells and gas lift wells. This rig-less hybrid technology was deployed in various marginal fields of the Upper Assam Shelf Basin with the primary objective of extending the economic lifespan of the wells. The project involves candidate selection, installation, commissioning, optimization, and troubleshooting of plunger Lift system in gas wells and intermittent gas lift wells. In this project, plunger lift system is installed in gas wells with the following objectives: Potential increase in overall influx due to deliquification. Reduced liquid fall back, which results in overall crude oil gain. Increased gas production. The tubing bore is kept clean by eliminating hydrate and scale deposits. The intermittent gas lift wells are operated with conventional gas lift mandrels and valves. The plunger lift system was integrated with the gas lift system to eliminate common gas lift well inefficiencies to achieve the following: Minimize liquid slippage and fallback control. Decrease issues related to paraffin deposits. Increase oil production. This paper presents an exceptionally detailed analysis of the plunger lift system installed in gas and intermittent gas lift wells, which provides a mechanical interface between gas and liquid for: Improved drawdown and maximized flow potential. Cyclic deliquification of gas wells. Stabilized gas and liquid flow. Increased overall efficiency of the gas lift system. Resumption of a normal decline curve. Enhance the economic lifespan of the well. Delays high CAPEX expense of other artificial lift system methods. The paper emphasizes the selection of potential wells, integrating plunger lift systems for gas and intermittent gas lift wells, optimizing the gas lift system, and troubleshooting. This hybrid project was successfully executed to increase oil, condensate, and gas production in addition to reducing paraffin deposit-related issues, compression horsepower, and overall operating expenditure while maintaining an optimized injection gas rate. A detailed analysis of the plunger lift system optimization and troubleshooting has been presented in this paper. This plunger lift project resulted in an overall average of 36% liquid and 83% gas gains in the candidate wells of the Upper Assam Shelf Basin. A significant potential for low investment and rapidly increasing production and development of the reserve lies in the application of plunger lift systems in gas and intermittent gas lift wells. As a result of this project, we have gathered valuable technical experience that shows plungers can substantially increase production in gas and intermittent gas lift wells in brownfields in the Upper Assam Shelf Basin and other exploration and production (E&P) companies throughout the world.