Methods and systems for gas well deliquification

Abstract

Methods and systems for deliquification of fluid loaded, packed wells with sub-surface safety valves (“SSSVs”) utilizing timed and tailored chemical treatments. A flow meter measures the flow rate of the well and an intermitter initiates shut in of the well when a particular flow rate is reached. A chemical treatment is applied and allowed to penetrate the length of the well before production is restarted. Predetermined combinations of chemical treatments and production cycles are utilized based on past experience and well data, and the entire process can be automated through the use of a computer system.

1 . A method for deliquification of a gas well having subsurface safety valves (“SSSVs”), comprising:
 measuring a gas flow rate of the gas well to determine when a predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   shutting in the gas well with an intermitter after the predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   applying a chemical treatment to the gas well with a chemical pump;   waiting a predetermined amount of time to allow the chemical treatment to penetrate the gas well; and   activating the gas well with the intermitter after the predetermined amount of time.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are carried out automatically through the use of a computer system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises one or more foamers. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises non-ionic foamers, anionic foamers, cationic foamers, amphoteric foamers, or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after the step of applying a chemical treatment, injecting pressurized gas in to the gas well with a gas pressurizing stub. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the pressurized gas is methane, compressed or solid carbon dioxide, or nitrogen gas. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are repeated in a cyclical fashion to optimize production of the gas well. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is equal to approximately one hour for every 2000 feet of well depth. 
   
   
       9 . A method for deliquification of a gas well having subsurface safety valves (“SSSVs”), comprising:
 measuring a gas flow rate of the gas well to determine when a predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   shutting in the gas well with an intermitter after the predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   applying a foamer to the gas well with a chemical pump;   injecting pressurized gas in to the gas well with a gas pressurizing stub;   waiting a predetermined amount of time to allow the foamer to penetrate the gas well; and   activating the gas well with the intermitter after the predetermined amount of time.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the steps are carried out automatically through the use of a computer system. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises one or more foamers. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises non-ionic foamers, anionic foamers, cationic foamers, amphoteric foamers, or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pressurized gas is methane, compressed or solid carbon dioxide, or nitrogen gas. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pressurized gas is injected into the gas well using a gas pressurizing stub. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the steps are repeated in a cyclical fashion to optimize production of the gas well. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is equal to approximately one hour for every 2000 feet of well depth. 
   
   
       17 . A method for deliquification of a gas well having subsurface safety valves (“SSSVs”), comprising:
 measuring a gas flow rate of the gas well to determine when a predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   shutting in the gas well with an intermitter after the predetermined minimum gas flow rate is reached;   applying a chemical treatment to the gas well with a chemical pump;   injecting pressurized gas in to the gas well with a gas pressurizing stub;   waiting a predetermined amount of time to allow the foamer to penetrate the gas well;   activating the gas well with the intermitter after the predetermined amount of time; and   repeating the steps in a cyclical fashion to optimize production of the gas well, wherein the steps are carried out automatically through the use of a computer system.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises one or more foamers. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the chemical treatment comprises non-ionic foamers, anionic foamers, cationic foamers, amphoteric foamers, or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pressurized gas is injected into the gas well using a gas pressurizing stub. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pressurized gas is methane, compressed or solid carbon dioxide, or nitrogen gas. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the steps are repeated in a cyclical fashion to optimize production of the gas well. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is equal to approximately one hour for every 2000 feet of well depth.