Developing a new mathematical temperature distribution model in annulus and tubing for more accurate gas lift design

M. Mostofinia*, A. Zamani, P. Pourafshary

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In the continuous gas lift process, the produced liquid flow rate is a function of gas injection rate and injection depth. In general gas lift design procedures, different physics of temperature variation in annulus and tubing such as heat transfer between the triple systems of liquid slug, injected gas and formation as well as Joule-Thomson effect are ignored. In this paper a new method is developed to obtain the temperature profile in annulus and tubing in gas lift design. This model considers all the real conditions such as heat transfer in mentioned system, joule-Thomson effect and potential changes in both conduits. Using the developed model enable us to calculate changes in density of injected gas and calculate the depth of injection more accurately. The developed model has been applied on wells in Iran's Aghajary oil field. Results show how ignoring the heat transfer and Joule-Thomson effect causes substantial error in gas lift design. From our experience and according to results of this simulator, Generally it can be said that calculated injection depth from classic method and developed model has a difference between 200 and 400m for aghajary field wells where the total depth varies from 3000 to 4200m.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - 73rd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2011 - Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers
Pages3283-3287
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781617829666
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

Name73rd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2011: Unconventional Resources and the Role of Technology. Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011
Volume5

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geophysics

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