ABSTRACT
Rakhymzhan Abdikadyrov (Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering)
Plunger Lift Design, Simulation, and Optimization.
Plunger lift is a method used to optimize the production of gas or high gas-liquid ratio (GLR) wells with minimal investment. Many companies are using the plunger lift method to produce gas more economically and efficiently. Nowadays, software programs are used to analyze plunger behavior and characteristics and predict any failures occurring when gas condensate is lifted to the top of the well with the help of the plunger within the tubing.
Firstly, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of plunger lift design parameters was conducted using OLGA, a Schlumberger transient simulator. The study investigated how to use OLGA to match the plunger lift history production data and the way to improve the future production rate. Furthermore, TUALP is developing a simulator to analyze the production of gas or high GLR wells using a plunger. The performance of the TUALP model is tested and verified using OLGA to investigate plunger physical behavior, compare pressures in tubing and casing, as well as flow rate changes during plunger lift production.
Two field cases are obtained to match with OLGA and later with the TUALP model. Tubing and casing pressures are mostly chosen to investigate plunger lift movement within tubing during production. The flow rate of gas is also important to validate real-field data. The TUALP simulator can be used to optimize future production, analyze any deviation in time, and make necessary adjustments to the well to keep production stable.