Paper: Bob Petree, BP

The use of plunger lift to deliquify gas wells is an important artificial lift method to maintain and increase production. The efficacy of a plunger installation is based on several factors: the ability to confirm loading and the applicability to an individual well; the choice of the proper equipment for the most effective operation; and the maintenance of the system for optimum performance. This paper deals with (1) various methods to identify the aspects of loading, for example, by the observation of critical velocity and the use of fluid gradients, (2) the correct choice of plungers and control equipment, and (3) the proper maintenance of the equipment (plungers, wellbore, etc.) to effect proper operation.