Benefits of Hydraulic Jet Pump for Unloading a Well Over Conventional Nitrogen Lift Method

Abstract

Removing fluid from a wellbore column, allowing a well to flow initially, or bringing a previous well back online, nitrogen lifting is commonly used in north Iraq wells. Due to the inability of coiled tubing units to be delivered on time and their high cost, operators are forced to seek for an alternative method of unloading drilling fluid. A hydraulic Jet Pump is a technology used to complete the task.

A newly drilled well DB-H was chosen, and the drilling fluid volume calculated was 12,000 bbl. to pump to the surface and begin production, assuming nonstop operation between unloading and producing. The deployment of the hydraulic lift Jet Pump for both stages was planned. Well data from the operator was collected, the process design was initiated, and Jet Evaluation Modeling Software (JEMS) was used to run the design models. A Proper pump size was set up based on available data to meet operator expectations. A Reverse Circulating Jet Pump (RCJP) was chosen to be installed inside a Sliding Sleeve Door (SSD) at a depth of 2,450 ft using a slickline. injecting power fluid with a discharge pressure of 1,500 psi and a flow rate of 1.11 bbl per minute through the casing-tubing annulus and getting the return from 3.5-in tubing. Cleanup process, and production achieved in one run time.

Within the first three days of operation, the well had produced double than expected. The operating parameters of the surface unit were adjusted and well tested. Data acquisitions consisted of collecting samples to read the properties of oil and fluids. After ten days of continuous well offloading and producing, the operator decided to pull out the downhole memory gauge to collect real data and see how the well performance behavior changed with the jet pump operating. New data was gathered, and the jet pump operation was resumed. Operating parameters were tuned to achieve the production target (at 1,700 psi injection pressure and 1,690 BPD injection rate), and the net return was 1,300 BPD with 0.4 percent BSW.

This paper explains in detail the operation that saved the operator money and time by using an artificial lift to produce hydrocarbon from a specific well, which saved USD 300,000 at an early stage of cleanup and unloading the well. Increased production by 100 percent, generating $USD 3.5 million in monthly revenue in the production stage with the minimal cost of lifting.