2018025 AN ARTIFICIAL LIFT STRATEGY FOR UNCONVENTIONAL WELLS IN THE PERMIAN BASIN

There are a large number of unconventional wells coming on line every month in the Permian Basin.  Most of these wells will have high bottom-hole pressures and initially flow on their own. However, after the initial flow back phase, pressures and rates decline and the well will begin to liquid load. At this point some type of artificial lift choice needs to be considered. This paper will lay out an artificial lift strategy for many of these wells that will transition from completion to depletion through various artificial lift options as a well’s production and pressures decline. The production phases reviewed will be: Completion, Flowing, Intermitting, Gas Lift, Plunger Assisted Gas Lift, Plunger Lift, Multistage Plunger Lift and finally Gas Assisted Plunger Lift