| Summary: | Various Dutch operators have identified a need for increased application of deliquification measures in their North Sea wells. To help meet this need a Joint Industry Project (JIP) was set up to identify knowledge and experience gained in the United States on gas well deliquification and transfer this to European wells. In the first phase of the project a broad overview of the techniques used to deliquify gas wells suffering from liquid loading was made together with a set of available guidelines predicting the range of application. Having identified potential techniques, a selection tool was developed which suggests the most suitable deliquification technique for a given well. The selection tool can predict the gains in production and ultimate recovery resulting from applying a range of techniques. The selection tool is based on Tubing Performance Curve (TPC) analysis combined with Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) analysis; performance therefore depends on the pressure drop over the wellbore (as modelled in the TPC) and on reservoir characteristics. For each of these techniques, a model was available or developed to simplify their operating principles to a TPC. Results from this tool can aid in deciding which deliquification technique to implement, as it gives a clear overview of the production gain that can be expected for the different techniques [8].
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