A Novel Foamer for Deliquification of Condensate-Loaded Wells

Abstract

Abstract Continuous increase in worldwide brown-field activity and overall depletion of current gas fields has renewed focus on maximizing gas production from existing wells. In most gas wells, water and/or condensate is produced along with gas. In mature gas wells, decreasing formation pressures and gas velocities gradually cause the wells to become "loaded" with liquids. A method commonly used to deliquify these wells is through the application of chemical "foamers". However, these traditional foamers tend to be ineffective as the condensate-to-water ratio increases. This paper describes the performance of a novel foamer specifically designed to unload condensate from wells. This foamer helped unload a gas well that produced condensate via intermittent production at 2:1 condensate-to-water ratio. Parameters for well selection are described, as well as operational processes to maximize continous production. As a result of this treatment, the daily average gas production rate increased significantly and shifted the daily on:off production cycle from 1:1 to 11:1. This minimized well down time and increased the overall daily production averages by 60 percent.