Optimization Methodology of Artificial Lift Rates for Brazilian Offshore Field

Abstract

Nowadays gas-lift is still a very expressive artificial lift method, for instance considering the whole Brazilian oil production profiles, gas lifted wells are responsible for 30% of monthly production. Due this huge importance, the injection efficiency should be ensured to avoid lid gas losses and maximize the production. Then, this study had as objective to develop a Gas Lift Optimization workflow and define the optimum lift rates to increase the reservoir recovery and improve gas usability due to platform constraints of a Brazilian deep-water field. That workflow comprises a reservoir and flow assurance simulators, achieving more accurate responses compared to regular workflows. Taking advantages of the proposed method, multidisciplinary teams could work together which increases the representativeness of such studies providing important outcomes for decision makers. At this study, due to a gas-lift optimization was observed an increase of 0.5% at cumulative production with a huge gas-lift reduction of around 40%, resulting in a better financial balance of the project, saving a considerable amount of lift-gas. The methodology adopted to optimize the injected gas lift rate and consequently increase/maintain cumulative oil production proved adequate for application in oil fields that are highly dependent on artificial lift methods. Therefore, exploration and production projects can be financial healthier.