Decision matrix for liquid loading in gas wells for cost/benefit analyses of lifting options
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Date
2008-10-10
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Texas A&M University
Abstract
Field-proven solutions already exist to reduce the loss of gas production when
liquid loading begins to occur. However, the choice of remedial technique, its feasibility,
and its cost, vary considerably depending on a field's location, size export route, and the
individual operator's experience. The selection of the best remedial technique and the
timeframe within which the remedial action is undertaken are critical to a project's
profitability. Although there are literature reviews available regarding solutions to liquid
loading problems in gas wells, a tool capable of helping an operator select the best
remedial option for a specific field case still does not exist.
This thesis proposes a newly developed decision matrix to screen the possible
remedial options available to the operator. The matrix can not only provide a critical
evaluation of potential solutions to the problem of liquid loading in gas wells vis-à-vis
the existing technical and economic constraints, but can also serve as a reference to
operators for investment decisions and as a quick screening tool for the selection of
production optimisation strategies. Under its current status of development, this new tool consists of a decision
algorithm built around a decision tree. Unlike other data mining techniques, decision
trees quickly allow for subdividing large initial datasets into successively smaller sets by
a series of decision rules. The rules are based on information available in the public
domain. The effectiveness of the matrix is now ready to be tested against real field
datasets.
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Keywords
liquid loading, lifting option