V. Cortez, L. Masud, J. Ghilardi, and M. Ottulich
Vista Energy
Sucker rod pumping is the main artificial lift system used to exploit the unconventional Vaca Muerta formation situated in the province of Neuquén, Argentina.
For just over six years, Vista has made a strategic decision to adopt Gas Lift as the primary artificial lift system (ALS) for the production of its wells after the natural flow stage. This transition has positioned Vista as the second-largest shale oil operator in the country, with approximately 60% of its total production coming from its 110 Gas Lift wells.
The journey that Vista has undertaken throughout this period has enabled the establishment of a significant learning curve during the initial productive stages of the wells.
In this document, we aim to outline and discuss some of the various challenges that we have worked on addressing: paraffins, frac hits, the presence of sand, gas recirculation, and other related concerns. In most cases, we have managed to mitigate their negative effects or, at the very least, establish procedures for the necessary maneuvers that can be executed to generate a lower economic impact if any of these issues occur.
Furthermore, the ability to measure variables in real-time has proven invaluable, as it allows us to engage in optimization efforts and the development of advanced diagnostic tools, including those powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The production engineering team has made significant strides and advancements in this area, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding as much unmeasured data as possible. This effort is crucial for reinforcing our machine learning models and enhancing their effectiveness. By focusing on these aspects, we aim to continuously improve our operations and address the challenges that arise in this dynamic field.