A comprehensive review and optimization of artificial lift methods inunconventionals

As major oil and gas companies have been investing in greener energy resources, even though has beenpart of the oil and gas industry for long time, it has gained its popularity back. Oil and gas industry hasadapted to the wind of change and has started investing in and utilizing the technologies significantly. In thisperspective, this study investigates and outlines the latest advances, technologies in artificial lift methods asit is applied to unconventionals in a comprehensive manner to serve as an industry-reference for petroleumindustry. In order to optimize production of oil and gas from unconventional wells, artificial lift (AL) is found tobe the most effective method of production. However, as the well passes through its production lifespan, thereservoir pressure declines and artificial lifting of hydrocarbon fluids remains a serious problem. Identifyingthe best approach, the kind of AL, ideal time and settings to mount the AL as the well passes throughits production lifespan is a major challenge. Several investigations have been carried out in the past toidentify and establish ground-breaking techniques to improve the application of AL in tight reservoirs. Theaim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of recent developments in the field of AL and itsapplications. A review of the application of machine learning (ML) is also presented in this study. A comprehensive literature review focusing on the recent developments and findings in artificial liftalong with the availability and locations are outlined and discussed under the current dynamics of the oiland gas developments. Literature review includes a broad spectrum that spans from technical petroleumliterature with very comprehensive research using onepetro and other databases to other renowned resourcesincluding journals and other publications. The information and data are summarized and outlined. This studyalso provides the techniques on optimziation of artificial lift methods in addition to their comprehensivedetails with a comparative approach. Aritifical lift is a critical component of any oil and gas well especially in unconventionals. The keyartificial lift selection and optimziation is through a robust design and established reservoir and wellmanagement practices and reflecting the production physics and well dynamics in all aspects. This study outlines the key criteria in the success of aritifical lift applications in individual examples using differentmethods that will serve for the future decisions as a comprehensive and collective review of all the aspectsof the employed techniques and their usability in specific cases. Among the few existing studies that explain the methods of aritficial lift are up-to-date and the existingstudies within SPE domain focus on certain methods. This study closes the gap and aims to serve as acomprehensive single-source reference for artificial lift and its optimization in unconventionals includingall traditional and relatively-new methods. © 2020, Society of Petroleum Engineers.