Production Enhancement Using a Multiphase Helico-Axial Pump in a Remote Hilly-Terrain Oil Field in Saudi Arabia

Some of the wells in the southern part of a remote field in Saudi Aramco are either producing intermittently or ceasing to flow against the high trunk line pressure. Saudi Aramco had considered various options along with horizontal thrust boring direct drilling under the sand dunes to reduce this high back pressure. A helico-axial multiphase pumping (MPP) technology was selected for the trial test in this field since in 2005 the horizontal thrust boring technology was limited to distance up to 2 km. In addition, the multiphase pump provides the flexibility such as reducing the back pressure and particularly, the helico-axial technology has a wider operating envelope as some wells will be weaker in the long run. Saudi Aramco has successfully re-commissioned the MPP in January 2011, and it was trial tested for a nine month period at the remote area with three dead wells and two marginal flowing wells. A total of 7,000 to 8,000 barrel oil per day incremental production was realized by lowering the back pressure on these wells using the MPP. This paper describes the testing, field operational experience and recommended improvement of a rotodynamic (helico-axial) MPP system at a remote, hilly terrain onshore oil field in Saudi Arabia. This paper is a sequent to SPE-117462 paper, Deployment of Rotodynamic Multiphase Pump in a Remote Hilly-Terrain Oil Field in Saudi Arabia,” presented at the 2008 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.