Paper: STATE-OF-THE-ART OF AUTOMATION FOR GAS WELL DELIQUIFICATION

Automation of artificial lift systems is essential for effective management of deliquification for gas wells. There are at least fifteen forms of artificial lift in use for gas well deliquification. Often more than one method must be used in a given field because some methods are preferable earlier in a well's life and others are better later in a well's life. Production Operators must have effective tools for gas well operation, surveillance, problem detection, control, and optimization. And, to be effective, there can"t be a different tool for each form of artificial lift; there must be commonality of approach. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art in automation of gas wells, with a clear eye on the needs of the Production Operators for understandability, functionality, ease of use, and economics.