Gas Well De-Liquification WorkshopDenver, Colorado

February 28 - March 2, 2005

Analyzing & TroubleshootingAnalyzing & TroubleshootingPlunger Lifted WellsPlunger Lifted Wells

Red Griffin Red Griffin –– AnadarkoAnadarkoLynn Rowlan Lynn Rowlan -- EchometerEchometer

Operational Benefits of Plunger TrackingOperational Benefits of Plunger Tracking1.1. Plunger lift program takes the guess work out Plunger lift program takes the guess work out

of setting fall times. of setting fall times.

2.2. Accurate fall time measured from the time the Accurate fall time measured from the time the plunger begins fall to the time the plunger plunger begins fall to the time the plunger hits the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.hits the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.

3.3. Minimizes unnecessary shutMinimizes unnecessary shut--in time.in time.

4.4. AfterAfter--flow can be set by monitoring pressure flow can be set by monitoring pressure to determine when casing pressure starts to to determine when casing pressure starts to rise then well loading begins. rise then well loading begins.

5.5. Save time by ensuring all plunger runs are Save time by ensuring all plunger runs are made and maximize sales time.made and maximize sales time.

Equipment on WellEquipment on WellNew Technology forNew Technology for

Analyzing Plunger LiftAnalyzing Plunger Lift

Use Acoustic Surveys to Use Acoustic Surveys to Alert You to What is DownholeAlert You to What is Downhole

@ 4750’@ 4750’Tight SpotTight Spotin Tubingin Tubing

@ 5050’@ 5050’1/8” Hole1/8” Holein Tubing

Tight SpotTight Spot

End of End of TubingTubing

in Tubing

1/8” Hole1/8” Hole

Liquid Liquid LevelLevel

Recorded Signals During One Cycle: Recorded Signals During One Cycle: Tubing and Casing Pressure, Plus AcousticTubing and Casing Pressure, Plus Acoustic

Tubing Pressure

Casing Pressure

Acoustic Signal

Control of Plunger Lift CycleControl of Plunger Lift Cycle

Control Valve Closed Open

ShutShut--inin:: Surface valve closed, flow shut-in, plunger falls down the tubing

Unloading and AfterUnloading and After--flow Periodsflow Periods

After-flowUnloading

GasLiquid

Gas

Surface valve open and pressure stored in the casing lifts the accumulated liquid and plunger to the surface

Surface valve open, plunger held at surface by differential pressure from flow of gas up the tubing. Well is producing gas. Most liquid produced from the formation tends to fall back, accumulating at the bottom of the tubing.

Liquid Arrives During UnloadingLiquid Arrives During Unloading

Plunger Falling Through Gas & LiquidPlunger Falling Through Gas & Liquid

200 Ft/min Gas

39 Ft/min

LiquidPlunger Hits Liquid Plunger Hits Liquid

Plunger on Plunger on Bottom Bottom

Only Shut-in Time Period Shown

Plunger Falling Through Gas & LiquidPlunger Falling Through Gas & Liquid

200 Ft/min

Gas39 Ft/min

Liquid

Plunger Hits Liquid Plunger Hits Liquid

Plunger on Bottom Plunger on Bottom

Zoom in on Axis From 40.554 to 13 mins

0.3 Min of0.3 Min of Pressure & Acoustic DataPressure & Acoustic Data ShowsShows0.2 psi Pressure Wave Created at Collar # 1120.2 psi Pressure Wave Created at Collar # 112

C111 C112 - 3584 Ft Deep

0.2 PSI

Acoustic Signal Show Plunger Fall Acoustic Signal Show Plunger Fall Past 111Past 111thth and 112and 112thth Tubing CollarTubing Collar

Zoom in on Axis From 40.554 to 0.3 mins

Count Collars for Fall Velocity & DepthCount Collars for Fall Velocity & Depth

Plunger Depth and Fall VelocityPlunger Depth and Fall Velocity

Normally, Velocity Decreases as Plunger Falls Deeper into Well Normally, Velocity Decreases as Plunger Falls Deeper into Well

Begin Begin -- 250 ft/min250 ft/min

End End -- 131 ft/min131 ft/min

AXIS

Depth Axis

Gas Properties Determined by FallGas Properties Determined by Fall

Troubleshooting by Tracking PlungersTroubleshooting by Tracking Plungers1.1. Find holes in tubing of Gas wells or Plunger Lift wells Find holes in tubing of Gas wells or Plunger Lift wells

by monitoring tubing and casing pressure while using by monitoring tubing and casing pressure while using acoustic to determine depth as plunger is falling.acoustic to determine depth as plunger is falling.

2.2. Releasing plunger from the lubricator catcher, causes Releasing plunger from the lubricator catcher, causes 2 to 3 psi drop in the tubing pressure as differential 2 to 3 psi drop in the tubing pressure as differential pressure is used to support plunger while falling.pressure is used to support plunger while falling.

3.3. Tubing pressure will increase by 2 to 3 psi, when Tubing pressure will increase by 2 to 3 psi, when plunger falls by a hole or stops. There plunger falls by a hole or stops. There ““maymay”” be a be a decrease in casing pressure. decrease in casing pressure.

4.4. Collars can be counted from the time the plunger Collars can be counted from the time the plunger starts falling to the time the pressure increases. starts falling to the time the pressure increases.

5.5. Procedure determines depth to stuck plunger or hole.Procedure determines depth to stuck plunger or hole.

Tubing & Casing Pressure Tubing & Casing Pressure React to Plunger Falling in WellReact to Plunger Falling in Well

~ 3 psi Drop when ~ 3 psi Drop when Released from CatcherReleased from Catcher

Tubing Pressure Increase &Tubing Pressure Increase &Casing Pressure Drops Casing Pressure Drops when Plunger on Bottom when Plunger on Bottom

Tubing Pressure Helps to IdentifyTubing Pressure Helps to IdentifyDownhole ProblemsDownhole Problems

Plunger fallsPlunger fallsPast Hole atPast Hole at1800 feet and1800 feet andPressure fromPressure fromCasing FlowsCasing FlowsInto TubingInto Tubing

Rapid TubingRapid TubingPressurePressureIncrease ifIncrease ifPlunger hasPlunger hasSudden StopSudden Stop

Hole in TubingHole in Tubing

~ 3 psi Drop when ~ 3 psi Drop when Released from CatcherReleased from Catcher

Plunger Suddenly StoppedPlunger Suddenly Stopped

Analysis of Plots Shows Depth to HoleAnalysis of Plots Shows Depth to Hole

Hole in Tubing @ 8514 Hole in Tubing @ 8514

Tubing Depth = 8940 ft Tubing Depth = 8940 ft

Tight Spot in Tubing Tight Spot in Tubing Plunger Sticks at 60Plunger Sticks at 60th th Joint (1866 ft)Joint (1866 ft)

Shut-in Begins

Tubing Pressure Drops when Plunger Starts to Fall

Tubing Pressure Increases when Plunger Sticks

Adjustable By-Pass Plunger

Hole in Tubing Shown During ShutHole in Tubing Shown During Shut--inin

Fall Velocity Constant Above HoleFall Velocity Constant Above Hole

Hole in TubingHole in Tubing1)1) Hole was 156 jts from surface or 5054' based Hole was 156 jts from surface or 5054' based

on 32.4' joint lengthson 32.4' joint lengths2)2) Hole measured with micrometer to be 0.160Hole measured with micrometer to be 0.160””

by 0.125by 0.125””. .

Fall Velocity Fall Velocity –– Bypass Valve ClosesBypass Valve Closes

@ 3016’ Bypass@ 3016’ BypassValve Closed Valve Closed

Plunger Slowed from 950 Plunger Slowed from 950 ft/min to 366 ft/min due toft/min to 366 ft/min due toValve Premature Closing Valve Premature Closing

DON’T WASTE TIME GUESSINGDON’T WASTE TIME GUESSING

Safety BenefitsSafety Benefits

Safety1.1. Plunger Lift Tracking increases safety of plunger lift Plunger Lift Tracking increases safety of plunger lift

operations by knowing where the plunger is in the operations by knowing where the plunger is in the tubing. tubing.

2.2. If a plunger is not going to bottom and the well is If a plunger is not going to bottom and the well is pressured up, then the plunger could surface dry at pressured up, then the plunger could surface dry at a very high velocity. a very high velocity.

3.3. Arrival at high velocity can cause equipment damage Arrival at high velocity can cause equipment damage and could result in exceeding the mechanical and could result in exceeding the mechanical integrity limits of the lubricatorintegrity limits of the lubricator

Economic BenefitsEconomic BenefitsEconomics1.1. Tracking system minimizes the need for wire line.Tracking system minimizes the need for wire line.

2.2. A plunger can be dropped and tracked to the seat A plunger can be dropped and tracked to the seat nipple or collar stop. The collars can be counted to nipple or collar stop. The collars can be counted to be sure the plunger is at the seat nipple or bottom be sure the plunger is at the seat nipple or bottom hole spring.hole spring.

3.3. Save time by quickly identifying holes and Save time by quickly identifying holes and eliminating the need to drop standing valve and eliminating the need to drop standing valve and pressure testing tubing before you pull it.pressure testing tubing before you pull it.

4.4. Quickly identify a spring or plunger that is not going Quickly identify a spring or plunger that is not going to bottom.to bottom.

Where’s the PlungerWhere’s the Plunger

Questions?Questions?