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Gas Lift Well Unloading Procedure Guide

The document outlines a recommended procedure for unloading a gas lift well to prevent damage to gas lift valves. It emphasizes careful management of pressure differentials and provides step-by-step instructions for monitoring and adjusting gas injection rates. Following these guidelines helps ensure the safe and effective operation of gas lift systems.

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Wahyu Kurniawan
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22 views1 page

Gas Lift Well Unloading Procedure Guide

The document outlines a recommended procedure for unloading a gas lift well to prevent damage to gas lift valves. It emphasizes careful management of pressure differentials and provides step-by-step instructions for monitoring and adjusting gas injection rates. Following these guidelines helps ensure the safe and effective operation of gas lift systems.

Uploaded by

Wahyu Kurniawan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RECOMMENDED GAS LIFT INSTALLATION

UNLOADING PROCEDURE

Care in unloading a gas lift well is extremely important since more gas lift valves are damaged at this time
than at any other ti9me during the life of the well. Preventing excessive pressure differentials across gas
lift valves reduces the chance for equipment failure due to sand cutting and liquid cutting. The following
procedure avoids excessive pressure differential across the valves and is recommended for initial
unloading.

1. Install a two pen pressure recorder to record the well gas pressure and production pressure at
the surface.

2. Bleed the production pressure down to flow line pressure.

3. Remove or open the flow line choke depending on the well’s expected reaction to the gas lift.
(An adjustable choke should be left on the wellhead connection to the flow line only if the well
is expected to flow naturally after it is kicked off with gas lift.)

4. Slowly control the lift gas into the well so that it takes 8-10 minutes for a 50 psi increase in
well gas pressure. Continue this rate of injection until the absolute well gas pressure is about
400 psi.

5. Increase the lift gas rate into the well so that it takes about 8-10 minutes for 100 psi increase
in the well gas pressure. Continue this rate until gas passes into the tubing through the first gas
lift valve.

6. The gas lift design will have been based on a certain daily volume of gas injected into the well.
At this time, adjust the rate to be only ½ to 2/3 fo the designed injection rate.

7. After 12-18 hours at the reduced injection rate, adjust the gas rate to the full designed rate for
the well.

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