Alex Moore, Precise Downhole Solutions
Electric Gas Lift (eGL) is a relatively new artificial lift method. While fundamentally similar to traditional gas lift, using gas to aid in the production of wellbore fluids, the operating principle of the valves are different. Traditional gas lift systems use nitrogen charged bellows to open and close the valves at certain wellbore conditions, whereas electric gas lift valves (eGLVs) function by electro-mechanical means, such as an electric motor or solenoid.
When using eGLVs, considerations must be made when creating a gas lift design to accommodate for the change in operational principle of the valves. These design considerations are critical in creating an optimal eGL design.
As the use of eGL systems in the Permian Basin grows, so does the question of “What does an optimal eGL design look like?
eGL design is a topic that remains largely unexplored. This paper aims to discuss how characteristics of eGLVs are considered in gas lift designs, as well as explore the idea if a standardized design for the Permian Basin is possible.