SPE 77660

Remotely Controlled In-Situ Gas Lift on the Norne Subsea Field

Ferid T. Al-Kasim, Synve Tevik, Knut Arne Jakobsen, Statoil ASA, Yula Tang, SPE, Scandpower A/S,
Younes Jalali, SPE, Schlumberger
Copyright 2002, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and
Exhibition held in San Antonio, Texas, 29 September2 October 2002.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is
prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300
words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.

Abstract
The paper discusses the design and installation of remotely
controlled in-situ gas lift in the horizontal well B-4 BH on the
Norne subsea field. The importance of proper design i.e.;
sizing the valve small enough to avoid high pressure gas from
the gas cap flowing back into the oil zone and large enough to
optimise lift efficiency within the gas processing capacity is
emphasized. Both a numerical and an analytical design
analysis approach are presented. Examples of current and
predicted well performance with and without gas lift
are included.
Introduction
Production and injection on the Norne field has resulted in an
over-pressured gas cap overlying an under-pressured oil
reservoir. This has resulted in the need for artificial lift,
especially with increasing water cut (WC). It has also made insitu gas lift an attractive solution.
This paper discusses the design and installation of
remotely controlled in-situ gas lift in the horizontal well B-4
BH on the Norne subsea field.
Current strategy for Norne includes pressuring up the oil
reservoir. Process facility constraints coupled with expected
reservoir behaviour have dictated a thorough design analysis
of the gas-lift valve. The objective being to find a valve size
small enough to avoid high pressure gas flowing back into the
oil zone and large enough to optimise lift efficiency within the
gas processing capacity of the floating production, storage and
offloading (FPSO) vessel. With the remotely operated flow
control valve in place, the well was cleaned up much faster
than expected for the current reservoir and well conditions
at Norne.

As expected, the horizontal well B-4 BH initially produced

approximately 6000 Sm3/d of water free oil with no gas lift.
Seven months later (March 2002) the water cut had increased
to 33%. Liquid production with no gas lift was 5065 Sm3/d
and marginally more (5160 Sm3/d) with a limited amount of
gas lift (60 kSm3/d).
Examples of current and predicted well performance with
and without gas lift are presented.
Field Description
The Norne field (Fig. 1) was discovered1 in 1991 and put on
production in November 1997. It is the northern most
producing field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf; 200 km
off shore Norway in approximately 380 m water depth. The
field is developed with 5 subsea templates (3 for production
and 2 for injection) connected to a FPSO vessel. Each
template has 4 well slots giving a total of 20 available slots.
Currently 12 are used for oil production, 6 for water injection
and 2 for gas injection. Daily production is currently 33 000
Sm3/d limited by the gas processing capacity.
The Norne field is part of a horst structure, and the
hydrocarbons are located in sandstone formations of Lower
and Middle Jurassic age of generally good reservoir quality.
The hydrocarbon column starts at about 2525 m mean sea
level and is 135 m thick with a 110 m oil column and an
overlying gas cap (Fig. 2). In-place volumes are estimated to
157 MSm3 of oil and 29 GSm3 of gas (including both gas cap
and associated gas). Recoverable oil is estimated to 84 MSm3.
The structure is relatively flat and the reservoir consists of
four formations: Garn, Ile, Tofte and Tilje. The Garn and Ile
formations are separated by the tight Not shale. Based on
pressure data from the exploration wells, the Not shale was
expected to be non-sealing locally by major faults, providing
reservoir communication between the Garn formation and the
underlying formations. However, production history has
proven this assumption to be wrong. In other words, the Not
shale is sealing across the whole field.
The original drainage strategy comprised both gas- and
water drive. Assuming a gravity stable displacement of both
the gas and the water contacts, the producers were placed
horizontally in the middle of the Ile oil zone. Hence, gas was
injected into the Garn formation, resulting in an increase in
pressure from initially 270 bars to 300 bars (Fig. 3).

F. AL-KASIM, S. TEVIK, K. JAKOBSEN, Y. TANG, Y. JALALI

Simultaneous production from the Ile and Tofte producers

resulted in depletion of the reservoir from 270 bars to 220 bars
(Fig. 3). I.e. the Not formation has proven to hold a pressure
differential of at least 80 bars.
This situation could not continue, considering both rock
strength (potential sand production) and lift capabilities.
Therefore, the injection strategy was altered a year after
production start-up. Both gas and water have since been
injected deep, i.e. below or just above the original oil-water
contact (OWC). In addition to altering the injection strategy,
the new wells are designed to be more robust with respect to
water cut, by placing horizontal drainage sections at different
elevations above the OWC (Fig. 2). The Garn Formation is still
over-pressured while the pressure in Ile/Tofte has as per today
increased from 220 bars to about 240 bars.
Problem Definition
Full field reservoir simulations show that circulation of water
is necessary to obtain a good recovery factor for the Norne
Field. The most critical parameter to fulfill this drainage
strategy is pressure support. With the current reservoir
pressure it is not possible to lift wells with water cuts higher
than about 60% (Fig. 4). In the full field simulation model the
problem is solved by massive water injection (maximum 54
000 Sm3/d). With the predicted injection schedule the reservoir
pressure in Ile/Tofte will increase to above 320 bars in year
2004. At this reservoir pressure the producers are able to lift
even very high water cut levels. Until then, some sort of
artificial lift is required to maintain a high production rate and
restart high water cut wells after shutdowns.
There is a concern whether it is possible to accomplish the
predicted injection schedule. As per today the water injection
rate is 48 000 Sm3/d (about 6000 Sm3/d lower than predicted).
As a consequence, the increase in reservoir pressure is behind
schedule and the need for artificial lift has become even
more important.
An important factor to consider when selecting artificial
lift solution for Norne, is the constraining gas processing
capacity of the FPSO.
Problem Solution
Being a subsea development already in place, electrical
submersible pumps, conventional gas lift and other artificial
lift options were found either too expensive or too ineffective.
In-situ gas lift however, could utilize the over-pressured gas
cap and allow gas influx into the wellbore to help lift the
wellbore fluids to surface. Due to the gas processing capacity
constraints of the FPSO and the changing reservoir conditions,
it had to be possible to remotely control the in-situ gas lift.
First of all, it would not be needed initially, but after some
time, when the water cut increased. Secondly, once it was
needed it had to be possible to adjust the amount of gas
throughput according to the changing reservoir conditions and
the gas processing capacity.
The solution was a remotely operated hydraulic 5
wireline retrievable gas lift valve with 6 adjustable positions

SPE 77660

(0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% opening). Similar systems have
been installed elsewhere with success2.
A quick-look evaluation of the potential for artificial lift
was tested in the numerical full field reservoir simulator by
manipulating the vertical lift performance curves. The results
showed a significant potential for increased oil production rate
by use of artificial lift (Fig. 5). Based on these results it was
decided to proceed with more detailed design analysis of the
remotely controlled in-situ gas lift system for the horizontal
producer, 6608/10-B-4 BH.
Gas Lift Valve Design
There are essentially four choices for the particular mandrel
size of this valve; slot widths of 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, or 4/16.
The valve has two slots (at 180) with a fixed effective height
of 1. The design objective is to find the optimal slot width;
small enough to avoid high pressure gas flowing back into the
oil zone, and large enough to optimise lift performance within
the gas processing capacity of the FPSO. Being a subsea
installation it is costly to retrieve and change the gas lift valve
even if it is wireline retrievable. Therefore, it was important to
choose the correct slot width the first time.
Two design approaches were chosen, one based on nodal
analysis and the other based on numerical simulation.
Nodal Analysis Approach
The nodal analysis approach was chosen to have an
alternative method to the simulation approach and to be able to
investigate well and gas lift performance in more detail for
specific scenarios. The choke valve had to be designed so that
optimum gas lift gas rates could enter the tubing for the
various operating scenarios foreseen.
The gas was to be taken from the Garn formation., which
was expected to have a fairly constant pressure of 280 to 290
bars during the time period of interest (Fig. 3). The producing
formations are Middle and Upper Ile with reservoir pressures
increasing from 245 bars initially to a maximum of 320 bars in
2004. When the Ile reservoir pressure exceeds approximately
300 bars the flowing tubing pressure at gas lift valve depth
becomes too high to allow gas influx from the Garn formation.
At this reservoir pressure the well flows naturally for most
water cuts. Therefore, the nodal analysis approach focused on
the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 only.
A commercial wellbore hydraulics program was used with
input parameters from the planned B-4 BH well and
neighbouring wells. A PI of approximately 220 Sm3/d/bar was
required to match the predicted initial liquid rate of 6000
Sm3/d without gas lift. The gas lift was modeled by choosing
the No friction loss in annulus and fixed depth of injection
options. A series of wellbore hydraulics cases with varying
water cuts and gas lift injection rates were then run for the
predicted conditions in years 2001, 2002 and 2003. The main
reasons for this were:
1. To make sensitivity plots of liquid production rate
vs. gas lift injection rate for various water cuts in
order to find optimum gas lift injection rates
(Fig. 6 - 8).

SPE 77660

2.

REMOTELY CONTROLLED IN-SITU GAS LIFT ON THE NORNE SUBSEA FIELD

Generate solution points to use as input to the

quick look matching option where the
corresponding orifice diameter and pressure drop
across the valve could be calculated.

The quick look matching option was then used, firstly to

check the feasibility of the gas lift system and secondly to
adjust the orifice diameter to match the flowing tubing
pressure at valve depth and available gas cap pressure in Garn.
A small draw down of 2 - 3 bars was assumed for the gas
inflow from Garn, based on field experience.
The quick look matching option requires a casing head
pressure at which the gas lift gas normally is provided. This
value was chosen to give a corresponding casing pressure at
valve depth equal to the Garn pressure minus 2-3 bars.
The following scenarios were chosen:
1.

2.

3.

2001 with an Ile pressure of 245 bars and 30%

WC. The likelihood of cutting water the first halfyear of production was assumed small. Never the
less, this would be one of the extremes that the
choke should be designed to handle should early
water breakthrough occur or the Ile pressure not
increase as rapidly as anticipated.
2002 with an Ile pressure of 270 bars and 60%
WC. According to Fig. 15 most of the year would
pass with no water production. At the end of the
year however, a rapid increase in WC was
expected that peaked off at about 60%. Therefore,
a WC of 60% was chosen.
2003 with an Ile pressure of 290 bars and 85%
WC. This is probably the last year where gas
influx is possible. Fig. 15 indicates WCs between
60% and 85% during this time period. A WC of
85% was chosen since it represented the
upper extreme.

From the sensitivity plots (Fig. 6 - 8) it can be seen that gas

lift injection rates up to 300 kSm3/d is adequate for all
scenarios. Also, having in mind that several high GOR wells
are choked back due to the gas processing capacity constraints
on the FPSO, the most common operating range for the gas lift
gas influx would be between 50 and 200 kSm3/d.
A tabulation of the results for all scenarios is shown in
Table 1.

Scenario

Liquid
rate
(Sm3/d)

2001
30%WC
P Ile=245 bar
P Garn=290 bar
2002
60% WC
P Ile=270 bar
P Garn=280 bar
2003
85% WC
P Ile=290 bar
P Garn=280 bar

5330
5440
5559
5598
5622
5862
6118
6237
5121
5759
6340
6579

Gas lift
injection
Rate
(kSm3/d)
50
100
200
300
50
100
200
300
50
100
200
300

Delta P
across gas
lift valve
(bar)
73.3
74.0
75.2
75.5
40.3
41.2
42.3
43.2
14.5
19.9
23.1
24.3

Calculated
orifice
diameter
(1/64)
10.2
14.4
20.3
25.0
11.5
16.2
22.8
27.8
14.5
19.0
26.0
31.5

Table 1. Norne well B-4 BH Nodal analysis results.

Table 1 shows that the greatest amount of choking is

required initially (year 2001) when the Garn pressure is 290
bars and the Ile pressure only 245 bars. A gas influx of 100
kSm3/d is in the wellbore hydraulics program achieved with an
orifice opening of 14/64". Corresponding delta P across the
valve is 74 bars. The calculated orifice openings should only
be regarded as indicative as a different choke model may
better represent the actual gas lift valve.
We also see that as the Ile pressure increases relative to the
Garn pressure the amount of choking decreases. Late 2003
when expected WC is 85%, 100 - 200 kSm3/d gas lift gas
influx is obtained with a delta P of 20 - 23 bars.
Corresponding choke openings are 19/64 and 26/64
respectively.
The chosen gas lift valve depth at top Garn perforations
(565 m measured depth and 48 m true vertical depth above the
Ile perforations) appears to be optimal for lifting the well
during normal flowing conditions. Given sufficient injection
pressure it is generally beneficial to place the gas lift valve as
deep as possible. However, this depth may be too deep to
unload the well during startup, as the static tubing pressure at
valve depth may be too high compared to the available casing
pressure at valve depth. For well B-4 BH this condition will
occur sometime during year 2003 when the Garn pressure is
280 bar and the Ile pressure reaches 285 bars. At this point in
time the static tubing pressure at specified valve depth equals
the casing pressure and no influx of gas is possible any more.
However, the bottom hole pressure is now high enough to lift
the well without any gas lift unloading. As tubing pressure at
valve depth decreases due to the draw down from production,
gas influx can take place and the well can benefit from gas lift.
That is, until the Ile pressure reaches about 300 bars and the
flowing tubing pressure at valve depth becomes too high to
allow gas influx from Garn.
Fig. 9 is a plot of orifice opening area vs. gas lift injection
rates for the scenarios in Table 1. Included in the same plot is
also the operating range (with the fixed positions indicated)
for the 4 slot widths to choose from. As can be seen, choosing
a too wide slot gives too high gas lift injection rates and

F. AL-KASIM, S. TEVIK, K. JAKOBSEN, Y. TANG, Y. JALALI

limited choke positions in the area of interest. The smallest

slot width (1/16) was chosen. The 1/16 slot gives maximum
flexibility in the lower gas lift injection rate-range and will at
maximum opening give gas lift injection rates of 310, 250 and
190 kSm3/d respectively for reservoir pressures 245, 270 and
290 bars.
Numerical Simulation Approach
A numerical reservoir model was built which consisted of
non-adjacent gas and oil formations. Multi-segment wellbore
module was used to model the completion geometry and
flow characteristics.
Vertical flow performance for two-phase flow was
generated for the tubing pressure gradient to link the flow
from the reservoir/completion to the surface.
The reservoir simulation was run for a period of 1500
days. Gas lift is initiated after 200 days. Reservoir and aquifer
parameters were tuned to match the performance expected by
the full field model.
Different cases were run to study the effect of various gas
lift scenarios on the well performance and cumulative
oil production.
Fig. 10 presents the cumulative oil production and range of
valve pressure drop versus the gas injection rate. The gas
injection rate yielding maximum oil production is in the
neighborhood of 250 kSm3/d. This gas throughput, however,
might be on the high side from the viewpoint of surface gas
handling capacity.
Fig. 11-13 show the performance of the 1/4, 1/8, and
1/16 gas lift valves. The shaded rectangular area is the
operating region based on the ratio of the valve upstream and
downstream pressures, and the gas throughput yielding
maximum cumulative oil production. The objective is to
choose a slot width that permits the valve to operate at the
40% or 60% position for the required gas throughput. This
way if less or more gas is required, then the lower and higher
openings can be used. These results show that the 1/16 width
slot is the appropriate valve design. The results also show
the following:
1.
2.

3.

4.

Gas throughput by gas lift has a marked

effect on cumulative oil production.
Gas lift lessens the bottomhole pressure and
prolongs the production with higher liquid
flow rate.
Due to initial high oil rate and associated gas
from the oil zone, there is no need to use
gas-lift from initial production. In the model
gas lift is initiated 200 days after start-up.
If pressure drop through the gas-lift valve is
too small, i.e., inadequate choking, the highpressure gas zone will suppress the oil zone
and back flow occurs. Oppositely, if there is
excessive choking, there will not be
adequate lift.

5.

SPE 77660

Optimal valve slot width of 1/16 was

determined based on feasible surface gas
handling capacity

Gas Lift Valve Installation

The 7 Subsea horizontal X-mas tree system had to be
modified to accept the remotely operated in-situ gas lift
solution. Normally the Norne X-mas trees are equipped with
two penetrators; one hydraulic for the downhole safety valve
and one electrical for the downhole temperature and pressure
gauge. A third penetrator had to be included for the hydraulic
control of the gas lift valve.
The Tubing Hanger also, had to be modified to allow
another hydraulic feed through. The Subsea Control module
was updated to accept and control the gas lift valve. The
hydraulic surface pressure at Norne is supplied at 340 bars
during normal operations. A special production Packer with
feed through application for control lines was installed. The
production packer is retrievable so the polished bore
receptacle could be omitted from the completion string. A
Full Bore Isolation Valve (FBIV) was included in the
production string to avoid interventions when setting the
production packer. This FBIV is operated by pressure cycling
the tubing. An illustration of the well completion can be seen
in Fig. 14.
Prior to perforating the well, a loss circulation material pill
of 1.27 specific gravity (SG) was spotted across the Ile and
Garn Formations. The overbalance during perforation was 70
bars in Ile and 22 bars in Garn. During running in hole, the 7
production tubing was filled with 0.82 SG base oil from the
FBIV and up.
Due to depleted reservoir over the years, it has been a
challenge to achieve necessary under-balance to cleanup the
wells for kill fluid. Different solutions, such as base-oil and
Nitrogen have been used to get the sufficient under-balance.
Some wells have been displaced to nitrogen down to approx.
1000 m MD. For well B-4 BH, the gas lift solution combined
with the FBIV allowed us to complete the well and get it on
stream 3 to 4 days earlier than normally expected for Norne
conditions. Thus, saving 3-4 rig days.
Post Installation Well Performance and Predictions
After installation and cleanup (August 2001), well B-4 BH
was tested to a water-free oil rate of 6128 Sm3/d when
produced alone through the flowline to the FPSO. This is in
excellent agreement with the predictions. The well started to
cut water in September 2001, almost a year earlier than
predicted (Fig. 15). By March 2002, the WC reached 33% and
an attempt to operate the gas lift valve was made. A
malfunction was discovered, as normal operation of the valve
was not possible. A full investigation was conducted to try and
find the cause of the malfunction, without any conclusive
results. However, by applying and holding hydraulic pressure
on the gas lift valve, it is possible to partly open it.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to open it far enough for it to
index into a known position. In other words, we are able to

SPE 77660

REMOTELY CONTROLLED IN-SITU GAS LIFT ON THE NORNE SUBSEA FIELD

achieve some gas influx, but do not know at which

valve opening.
Fig. 16 shows the nodal analysis gas lift sensitivity plot for
the conditions during the March 2002 test. The test points are
included and show a good agreement between calculated and
measured data. Sensitivity curves for 60% and 85% WCs are
also included in Fig. 17 to illustrate the increased effect of gas
lift as WC increases.
The March test indicates that it is possible to open the gas
lift valve for a gas throughput of approximately 60 kSm3/d.
From Table 1, this corresponds to a valve opening of
approximately 11/64 or almost 20% (the smallest opening
position had the valve been functioning normally). This
limited opening will be too small for optimal gas lift
performance, when Ile pressure and water cut increases.
However, it can still give incremental liquid production rates
up to approximately 2000 Sm3/d, for high water cuts and low
Ile pressures (Fig. 6-8 and 17).
Believing that the pressure in Ile will increase, it is planned
to retrieve the variable opening choke valve and replace it with
a fixed opening (permanently open) choke. This will be done
as soon as an intervention for other purposes is planned in the
well. The fixed opening choke will be designed based on
reservoir conditions, operational conditions and predictions at
the time. Meanwhile, the well will continue to produce
naturally until it is worthwhile to utilize the gas lift throughput
that is available (currently 60 kSm3/d).
Despite the limited functionality of the gas lift valve, the
potential benefits are clearly demonstrated by the installation
in well B-4BH. The Norne licence therefore plans to install the
same system in two new wells this year, and probably more in
coming years (depends on reservoir conditions). Some
modifications however, are made to the valve itself and the
installation procedure to minimise the risk of failure.
Conclusions
The following conclusions can be drawn from the design,
installation and early production experiences from the
remotely controlled in-situ gas lift installation in well B-4 BH
on the Norne subsea field:
1.
2.

3.

4.

Installation of a remotely controlled in-situ gas lift

valve in the subsea well B-4 BH saved 3-4 rig days.
Currently, a gas lift rate of 60 kSm3/d is possible
through the gas lift valve, which can give incremental
liquid production rates up to approximately 2000
Sm3/d, for certain reservoir conditions.
Despite the limited functionality of the gas lift valve,
the potential benefits are clearly demonstrated by the
installation in well B-4 BH.
Two more installations are planned on the Norne
field this year and probably more in coming years,
depending on reservoir conditions at time.

5.

6.

Both the nodal analysis and the numerical design

approach concluded that the most appropriate slot
width should be 1/16.
Slot width design is very dependent on reservoir
conditions and gas processing capacity.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the management of Statoil and
Shlumberger for their support and the partners of the Norne
licence for their permission to publish this paper.
References
1.
2.

Steffensen, I. and Karstad, P.I.: Norne Field Development:

Fast Track From Discovery to Production, SPE 30148,
JPT (Apr. 1996) 296.
Betancourt, S. et al.: Natural Gas-Lift: Theory and
Practice, paper SPE 74391 presented at the 2002 SPE
International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition in
Mexico held in Villahermosa, Mexico, Feb. 10-12.

F. AL-KASIM, S. TEVIK, K. JAKOBSEN, Y. TANG, Y. JALALI

SPE 77660

Norne
F1
F2

E4

E3A

29

B4B

B3

E1

E2

F3

F4
D3B
B1

C4

D4
C1

D-

B
B2

C3

B
D1
KILOMETERS
0

C2

Fig. 3. Pressure development in Garn and Ile.

Fig. 1. Top reservoir Norne field.

NE

SW

C o nve ntio nal P ro duce r

C o nve ntio nal P ro duce rs
P ro duce r with In-s itu G as -lift

Inje cto r

Inje cto r

Inje cto r

G a rn .

Ile /Tof te

Tilje / re

C a 7 k m.
G as

Fig. 2. Cross-section of the Norne field.

O il

SPE 77660

REMOTELY CONTROLLED IN-SITU GAS LIFT ON THE NORNE SUBSEA FIELD

Se ns iti vi ty Pl ot - No r n e B- 4 BH
P Ile =27 0 BA R

Inflow vs Outflow - Norne B-4 BH

80 00

350
300

Li qu id Ra t e (S m 3 /d )

Downhole Pressure (BARg)

400

250
200
150
100
50
0
0

5000

10000

70 00
60 00
50 00

W C= 0 %

40 00

W C=3 0%
W C=6 0%

30 00

15000

Liquid Rate (Sm 3/d)

VLP WC=0%

VLP WC=60%

VLP WC=90%

IPR PIle=245 bar

IPR PIle=300 bar

2 00

400

6 00

Ga s Li ft Inj ec t ion Ra te (k S m 3 /d)

IPR PIle=350 bar

Fig. 7. Sensitivity plot Ile pressure = 270 bar.

Fig. 4. Inflow vs. outflow curves.

S e n s iti vity P lo t - N or n e B -4 B H
P Ile =290 B AR

L iq u id R at e (S m 3 /d

Well Oil Rate With Gas Lift

Well Oil Rate No Gas Lift
Cumulative Well Oil Production With Gas Lift
Cumulative Well Oil Production No Gas Lift

8000
7500
7000
6500
6000
5500
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000

W C= 0 %
W C=6 0%
W C=8 5%
0

200

400

600

G as L ift In je c t io n R at e (k S m 3 /d )

Fig. 5. Oil rate and cumulative production with and without

gas lift.

Fig. 8. Sensitivity plot Ile pressure = 290 bar.

Norne B -4 BH G as L ift Injection R ate vs. O rifice A rea

Sensitivity Plot - Norne B-4 BH
0.5

P Ile=245 BAR

0.45
0.4

O rifice A rea ( sq. inc h)

Liquid Rate (Sm3/d)

8000
7500
7000
6500
6000
5500
5000
4500
4000

WC=0%

3500
3000

WC=60%
100

200

300

400

500

Gas Lift Injection Rate (kSm 3/d)

Fig. 6. Sensitivity plot Ile pressure = 245 bar.

0.3

P r=29 0 b a r

0.25

1/4" sl o t w id t h
3/16 " sl o t w id t h

0.2

1/8" sl o t w id t h

0.15

1/16 " sl o t w id t h

0.1
0.05

WC=30%

P r=24 5 b a r
P r=27 0 b a r

0.35

0
0

600

100

200

300

400

G as L ift Injec tion R ate (kSm 3/d)

Fig. 9. Orifice opening vs. gas lift injection rate.

500

F. AL-KASIM, S. TEVIK, K. JAKOBSEN, Y. TANG, Y. JALALI

3000

120

slot widt h: 1/4"

(t o o larg e)

2500

100

0.2

60

1000

40
dpvalve
(at end)

500

20

0
500

1000

1500

2000
3

0.4
0.6

1500

posi i
t on

800

dp_valve(bar)

S 3)
M

1
000

80

dpvalve
(at beginning)

N (10
p

1
200

predictionfor 1500days
gas lift fromt =200day

N
p

2000

SPE 77660

2500

3000

3500

0
4000

0.8
1
.0

600

400

200

0
0

Qg,inj (10 SM/d)

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1
.1

P d/ P u

Fig. 10. Numerical approach cumulative oil production for

different gas throughput rates.
Fig. 12. Gas lift valve performance and the operation envelope
(1/4 slot width).

700
slot width: 1/8"
(optimal size)

400

600
position

position

300

0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0

250
Qg (10 SM /d)

300

200

Qg (10 3SM 3/d)

400

slot width: 1/16"

(too sm
all)

350

0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0

500

200

150

100

100

50

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.1

Pd/Pu

0
0

Fig. 11. Gas lift valve performance and the operation envelope
(1/8 slot width).

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
0.6
Pd/Pu

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.1

Fig. 13. Gas lift valve performance and the operation envelope
(1/16 slot width).

SPE 77660

REMOTELY CONTROLLED IN-SITU GAS LIFT ON THE NORNE SUBSEA FIELD

Ga s Lift S ens itivity Pl ot B- 4 BH

P Ile=2 40 bar
54 50
54 00
Li qu ide Ra te (S m 3/d)

53 50
53 00
52 50
Liqu id R a te , 33% W C
:

52 00
51 50

Ma r ch 2002 te s t
po ints

51 00
50 50
50 00
0

1 00

200

3 00

400

5 00

600

Ga s Li ft Inj . Ra te (1000 Sm 3/ d)

Fig. 16. Nodal analysis gas lift sensitivity with Mar. test points.

Gas Lift Sensitivity Plot B-4 BH

P Ile=240 bar

Fig. 14. Schematic of well B-4 BH completion.

Well Oil Rate With Gas Lift

Cum. Oil Prod. With Gas Lift

Well Water Cut With Gas Lift

Well GOR With Gas Lift

Liquide Rate (Sm3/d)

6000
5000
4000
3000
2000

Liquid Rate, 33% WC :

March 2002 test points

1000

Liquid Rate, 60% WC

Liquid Rate, 85% WC

0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Gas Lift Inj. Rate (1000Sm3/d)

Fig. 17. Same as Fig. 16 with 60% and 85% water cut included.
Fig. 15. Oil rate, cumulative oil production, water cut and gas oil
ratio from full field simulations with gas lift.