Gas-Lift Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot your well before you call a rig. Gas-lift problems are usually associated with three areas: inlet, outlet, and downhole (Fig. 1). Examples of inlet problems may be the input choke sized too large or too small, fluctuating line pressure, plugged choke, etc. Outlet problems could be high backpressure because of a flowline choke, a closed or partially closed wing or master valve, or a plugged flowline. Downhole problems could include a cutout valve, restrictions in the tubing string, or sand-covered perforations. Further examples of each problem area are included in this handbook. Often the problem can be found Fig. 1: The Gas-Lift System on the surface. If nothing is found on the surface, a check can then be made to determine whether the downhole problems are wellbore problems or equipment problems. Inlet Problems Choke sized too large . Check for casing pressure a...
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