iProdTech had been requested by a global E&P company to conduct an artificial lift concept selection study for an onshore field development in East Africa. The study has been undertaken with the following specific objectives:
Assess available artificial lift methods and identify those suitable for early phase, mid-life and end of well life scenarios for various well types.
Conduct a review of available artificial lift technologies currently on the market.
Recommend suitable artificial lift method(s) for field-wide implementation based on a technical/commercial analysis, bearing in mind the range of capital and operating expenses associated with each over the life of the fields e.g. data acquisition, flow assurance.
Provide input to subsequent study for a more detailed component wise functional design for tendering activity i.e. definition of technical specifications and functional requirements.
iProdTech uses a structured approach for artificial lift selection. This process can be broadly divided into three key steps:
Screening – High level evaluation of a wide range of AL techniques and elimination of any obviously unsuitable lift techniques according to the field characteristics
Modelling and Forecasting – Detailed modelling of the shortlisted lift techniques, evaluation of impact on recovery and plateau production and identification of highest ranking lift techniques.
Selection – Develop CAPEX/OPEX estimates for high ranking lift techniques, include reliability factors and work with the client’s economics team to generate life of field cash flow to identify preferred field development options.