Synopsis:

The speaker opened the talk by describing the sources of liquids in a well and explained why wells load up.  He then explained that the Turner formula only applies to vertical holes but all wells are not vertical nor do they mist flow.

Production losses in oil wells are 50% of potential production with 15% due to liquid loading.

The speaker described 8 deliquifaction techniques.  All of them can be used but they do not like free gas.  He intimated the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.  The biggest obstacle is sub-surface safety values.  The latest developments including foam deployment (North Sea), condensate foam deployment (Sharjah), twin-screw pump (Dorset), and JIP: Torus SSSV were described.

(Dr Werner Schinagl, BP - 13 February 2008)

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