SPE Production & Operations
Volume 25, Number 1, February 2010, pp. 59-64

Summary

When performing multiple fracture treatments in horizontal Barnett shale wells, many operators choose to use artificial lift to remove fracture fluids rather than incur the expense of energized fluids that may not be effective. Gas lift has been a popular artificial lift method to remove fracture fluids because it allows for high liquid flow rates and is excellent at handling flowback sand. Its disadvantage is that a source of lift gas is required to initiate gas lift, with this source typically being other nearby gas wells or a third-party gas pipeline. In new exploration areas such as the Barnett, often neither is available. Operators resort to costly nitrogen-membrane units to provide lift gas but are left with questions about the net gas produced (since returning nitrogen and produced natural gas are combined downhole then vented to the atmosphere). A new system (patent pending) has been developed that addresses gas lift's issues of initially filling the system with lift gas, as well as maintaining this gas so that additional gas is not required. Being a closed-loop system, it also provides for very accurate measurement of net-gas production by measuring any gas in excess of that needed for lift, and discharging the same to a flare stack. The paper will describe the major components used in this system, present a case history, and address the significant cost reductions and other benefits realized.

© 2009. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

• Original manuscript received: 19 January 2009
• Meeting paper published: 4 April 2009
• Revised manuscript received: 13 April 2009
• Manuscript approved: 18 April 2009
• Published online: 17 November 2009
• Version of record: 1 March 2010