Plunger Assisted Annulus Flow

The Appalachian Basin, specifically the Marcellus and Utica shales, are known for their initial low water-to-gas ratios and appealing high gas rates.  This, however, leaves operators with establishing phase of life flow paths as the well declines.  Installing production tubing too early leaves the asset producing at a constrained rate due to frictional losses downhole.  These constraints have been observed to be as much as 30% - 40% depending on flowing conditions.    Installing production tubing too late; leaves the asset vulnerable to slug flow and deviation from natural decline impacting cash flows.  Utilizing a Production Engineer to run nodal analysis to understand exact timing of tubing install can be unrealistic and logistically challenging for procuring material and resources for large-scale tubing programs.    
  

Through engineering efforts along with automation of field devices, an evolution of previously deployed plunger lift optimization efforts resulted in the successful implementation of a unique artificial lift technique called Plunger Assisted Annulus Flow (PAAF).  PAAF is targeted to be installed in combination with the installation of production tubing which is approximately 30% above the calculated Turner critical rate of 5-1/2” production casing.  PAAF allows for bottom hole pressure to be drawn down until the full well stream can be diverted up tubing without any constraints.  This is achieved by simultaneously flowing the annulus and tubing while cycling a continuous-style plunger in the tubing.  Each plunger cycle is initiated when flow rates drop below annulus critical rate and is needed to help evacuate fluid hold up that starts to occur in the annulus.  

 PAAF allows Production Engineers to focus on evolving their business, smooth decline to aid in more accurate forecast generation, and support more predictable cashflows in volatile market conditions.