Study of the dynamics, optimization and selection of intermittent gas-lift methods—a comprehensive model

The gas-lift is a widely used method of artificial lift, for which there are different design options. There are empirical rules of thumb to choose between the continuous gas-lift (CGL) and the intermittent gas-lift (IGL), but little exists in the literature for the selection among the different intermittent gas-lift designs. Furthermore, computer simulators for these processes usually are not in the public domain. This work presents a numerical model to study the behavior of the Conventional IGL, the IGL with chamber (IGLC), the IGL with plunger (IGLP) and the IGL with pig. Simulations are presented under various reservoir conditions, for different settings of the operationʹs parameters. The modelʹs results can aid the engineer in the determination of the optimum values of the parameters for each design option and in the choice of the most adequate IGL design for a particular well.