(17) GAS LIFT-JET PUMP HYBRID COMPLETION REDUCES NONPRODUCTIVE TIME DURING UNCONVENTIONAL WELL PRODUCTION
The addition of a sliding sleeve door (SSD) to the tubing string, installed between the deepest gas lift mandrel and the annular packer, will allow the deployment of a wireline-set jet pump. The backup jet pump provides a valuable and cost-effective alternative in several potential scenarios: when unloading fracking fluids before beginning gas-lift production, when restoring production after an unpredicted shutdown of the gas-lift compression system, and when the producing water cut becomes higher than expected.
This simple but ingenious dual-purpose completion approach has already proved to solve the problem of unconventional well production load-up during the early production stage of gas lifted systems. The information provided in this paper will help operators plan, design, deploy, and operate a dual-purpose gas lift-jet pump well completion.