Paper: Multiphase Pumping Today

Multiphase Pumping has been gradually expanding its niche as a tool for coaxing additional production from wells. In the past it was seen as a discipline for saving capital costs, such as saving on additional subsea lines, or, in the case of Venezuela, reducing the surface treatment equipment needed to gather and move heavy, gassy crude. Today it has become a specialty tool that can lower back pressure of wells that otherwise have difficulty in producing into established production systems, or it can be used in conjunction with other down hole methods to optimize gas lift, jet pumping, and even augment the performance of PCP or ESPs. Confidence has grown among the users as they have learned how to apply this equipment effectively. This paper defines common terms used when sizing and applying multiphase equipment, and briefly describes the types of pumps available today, including the new reciprocating types of pumps that have met with recent successes. Some of the new techniques and applications are described along with considerations to keep in mind when installing such systems.