Status of Low Power Gas Well Pump Development in North America

Bryan Dotson, BP America, Houston

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

24-26 September 2007, Hampshire Hotel, Groningen, The Netherlands

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

So, a year later..where are we?

• Solar/Fiberglass Rod Pumping “At-Scale” Project

• US Market potential for the deep pump scoped out

• Suppliers working on hydraulic and electric pump concepts

• Small steps toward low cost power

What do we need to do?

• Better estimate of potential gas production gains

• Continue prototype testing

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Low Power Physics & Economics

Today

20 kW Minimum

$150,000 install

$6000/month opex

Tomorrow

2 kW

$75,000 install

$3000/month opex

Fun Fact: Fundamentally, it takes ¾ HP to move 10 BPD from 10,000’

(1 kW for 1.6 m3 from 3000 m)

Can 1/10 the powerlead to ½ the cost?

Can 1/10 the powerlead to ½ the cost?

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Example: Solar/Fiberglass Project

• Installing 15 in 2007 to move from pilot to “At-Scale”.

• Reduces operating expense, lowering economic limit and increasing reserves.

• Very economic when tied to a repair.

10 BPD, 1800’ (1.6 m3, 550m)

Intangibles:

• 25 ton/yr/well GHG reduction.

• Quieter than engine.

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Example: Solar/Fiberglass Project

Case 1: No ChangeEconomic Limit reached in 2010

(~27 mcf/dor 750 m3/day)

Case 2: Solar Pump JackEconomic Limit reached in 2019

(~5 mcf/d or 140 m3/day)

Adds 44 MMSCF (1.2 E6 m3)

Reduced operating expense improves

profitability

Unit Installed

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

US Market Study for Deep Gas Wells

• 63,000 gas wells 5000’ to 13000’, mostly 4-1/2” casing with 2-3/8” tubing, primarily in Texas and Rocky Mountains. Of these, 51,000 need less than 1 hydraulic HP.

• Assuming $4/MMBTU, 50% production gain, 1 year payout, and only wells producing second half of 2005:

1.2

0.3

BCF/d

34E618,000$60,000

8E64000$120,000

m3/dayEconomic WellsInstall Cost

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Mechanical Power Transmission

• CDI Solar/Fiberglass: Have developed install capability in NW New Mexico.

• Fiberod has installed several high efficiency beam pumps to take advantage of threaded fiberglass sucker rod.

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Hydraulic Power Transmission

• Smith Lift HDI (downhole switching valve)

– Extended run at RMOTC.

– Conoco-Phillips has installed in 3800’, 13 BPD coal degas well. (1100m, 2m3/d liquids)

– BP will install at about 7000’ (2100 m) in East Texas October 2007.

• Surface-switched hydraulic pumps are offered by a number of suppliers. A combination of testing and theory indicates that such pumps can be successful shallow but won’t be competitive below 5000’ (1500m).

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Electric Power Transmission

• XL Technology Ltd.

– Developing 1.68” OD insert positive displacement pump.

– Envision US installations in first half of 2008.

• Ziebel AS

– MagLev proposal at ITF.

– Possible 2008 installation in North Sea.

• Impact Technologies LLC

– $250,000 funding from Stripper Well Consortium to develop electric plunger pump.

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Power Source Option: Cost, Green

Solar:

• Successful trial in Farmington ¼ HP (~0.2 kW).

• Probably not good at 1-2 HP (0.75-1.5 kW).

• Visual Impact!

Wind:

• Problem is mast height and visual.

• Tethered is possible but concerns are maintenance and visual impact.

Generators:

• Good because we always have gas; bad due to maintenance and emissions.

• Smallest commercial internal combustion is Arrow K-6 (~3 kW)

• Stirling cycle is commercial (Whispergen); expensive, but cost might come down.

• Deluge Pump engine is promising; same fuel consumption as Stirling but simpler.

Others

• Thermoelectric (expensive)

• Flowline Generators

• Geothermal

• Fuel Cells (not soon)

BP is testing Whispergen

Stirling at RMOTC

2nd European Conference on Gas Well Deliquification

Where We Are Going...

All wells end life All wells end life

deliquifieddeliquified......