Paper: VORTEX TOOLS NGL TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION FOR OPERATORS WITH ENHANCED RECOVERY AND IMPROVED ROI

Since 2001, over 1,450 patented Vortex tools have been sold into markets worldwide. On the surface, these Vortex tools set up a stable spiraling flow that keeps liquids from dropping out, prevents freezing, reduces pressures and mitigates paraffin build-up. Downhole, Vortex tools enable wells to flow below the critical rate as well as lowering the bottom hole pressure and reducing surfactant use by up to 50%. With no moving parts, all Vortex tools are virtually maintenance free. In 2009, a Texas independent producer began installing Vortex tools on gathering lines to recover substantially more natural gas liquids (NGLs) than they were previously getting with pigging and/or drip systems, all with marginal
affect to the value of the gas (7-12 BTU). After collecting 15 months worth of comparable data (lines with Vortex to lines without Vortex), the data concluded the following: Over 1.2 million gallons of additional NGLs were recovered from three gathering lines with the Vortex tools in a single year, translating to over $2 million in additional revenues. An average well line with Vortex paid for itself in less than 60 days (including the cost of the Vortex tool and associated tanks and installation). There were also additional "non-revenue" benefits like reduced
pigging, lower methanol use, reduced hydrate formation and zero line freeze-ups on gathering lines with Vortex. These "non-revenue" benefits (and more) have been confirmed by numerous university studies, Department of Energy (DoE) testing, case studies and various White Papers, including SPE 84136.