System and method for removing liquid from a gas well

Abstract

A technique is employed to remove liquid from a gas well to improve gas production from the well. An electric submersible pumping system is deployed into the wellbore and positioned to remove accumulated liquid. The electric submersible pumping system is constructed and controlled to maintain a flow of liquid during operation of the pumping system.

1 . A method of gas well deliquification, comprising:
 enclosing an electric submersible pumping system with a shroud;   connecting a tail pipe to a lower end of the shroud;   conveying the electric submersible pumping system into a gas well via a tubing until the tail pipe enters a region susceptible to liquid accumulation;   operating the electric submersible pumping system to pump liquid from the region and up through the tubing; and   producing gas along an annulus formed around the shroud and the tubing.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising directing the gas into the tubing via at least one gas mandrel installed below a production packer. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising setting a production packer in the annulus; and directing the gas through the production packer via a gas vent valve installed at the production packer. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , comprising controlling the gas vent valve via a hydraulic control line. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising using a downhole sensor to monitor a well characteristic at the electric submersible pumping system. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising utilizing a gas handler in cooperation with the electric submersible pumping system. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising controlling operation of the electric submersible pumping system to ensure liquid is not entirely pumped off. 
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein using the downhole sensor comprises monitoring a pump intake pressure. 
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein using the downhole sensor further comprises monitoring an annulus pressure. 
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising:
 determining accumulation of a liquid in a gas well; and   utilizing an electric submersible pumping system to pump a sufficient amount of the liquid from the gas well to improve gas production from the gas well.   
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising drawing liquid along the electric submersible pumping system within a shroud. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising controlling operation of the electric submersible pumping system to avoid gas lock. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising operating a gas handler in cooperation with the electric submersible pumping system to remove gas from the liquid to be pumped by the electric submersible pumping system. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein utilizing comprises pumping liquid upwardly through a tubing. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , comprising producing gas upwardly along an annulus surrounding the tubing. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , comprising directing the gas into the tubing below a production packer. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , comprising directing the gas through a production packer via a gas vent valve. 
   
   
       18 . A system for use in gas well deliquification, comprising:
 an electric submersible pumping system deployed in a gas well;   a shroud positioned around the electric submersible pumping system, the shroud having an inlet located to receive liquid from a liquid accumulation region of the gas well;   a tubing by which the electric submersible pumping system is deployed in the gas well, the tubing defining a liquid flow path and a gas flow path;   a production packer located above the electric submersible pumping system; and   a mechanism to enable gas flow past the production packer.   
   
   
       19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the mechanism comprises a gas mandrel oriented to direct gas into the tubing from an annulus surrounding the tubing. 
   
   
       20 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the mechanism comprises a gas vent valve positioned in the production packer. 
   
   
       21 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , comprising a tail pipe extending downwardly from the inlet of the shroud. 
   
   
       22 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , comprising a sensor system positioned downhole to detect parameters indicative of insufficient liquid entering the electric submersible pumping system. 
   
   
       23 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , comprising a surface control system, wherein the surface control system selectively reduces the speed of the electric submersible pumping system to avoid gas lock.