Artificial Lift Methods Comparison Table PDF

ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
AL Methods Comparison Table

Characteristic
Production
rate
Specific
Less than
1000 B/D
Gas Lift
The full range of production
rates can be handled. An AOF
production rate cannot be
achieved with gas lift because
as much drawdown as for an
ESP cannot be achieved.
1000 to 10,000 B/D
Well depth
Greater than
10,000 B/D
Less than 2500 ft
Not restricted by well depth.

The benefit of gas lift will be
larger with greater depth, as
there is more fluid to lighten
to enable increased well
productivity.
ESP
rates can be handled. When
unconstrained an ESP can be
designed to produce the full
well potential to the surface
(AOF), thus achieving higher
flow rates than with gas lift.

The benefit of ESP will be
larger with greater depth as
there is more fluid head to
overcome to enable increased
well productivity.
2500 to 7500 ft
Greater than 7500 ft
Casing size
4 in.
Production tubing restricted to

2-3/8 tubing when installing
side pocket mandrels. Packoff
mandrels internal to the tubing
can allow larger tubing size.
ESP restricted to a maximum

diameter of 3.75 with a
maximum flow rate of 2000
BPD (320 m3 /D).
-1 -
PCP
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Rate is dependent on setting

depth, the deeper the setting
depth the lesser rates. Generally
PCP is suitable for low rate
wells.
Rate is dependent on setting

depth. Feasible for low rates
(<100 B/D) and low GOR
(<250). Typically are used with
1.5-in nominal tubing.
Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet
Not available.
Up to 2000 b/d at 4000 feet.

Restricted to shallow depths
using large plungers. In general,
due to efficiency, rod pump is
not recommended as a lift
mechanism of choice on high
producing wells.
Not available.

rates can be handled. Less
than 50 B/D up to 15000 B/D
with adequate flowing bottom
hole pressure, tubular size,
and horsepower. Guideline as
below:
Pump must be landed below

dynamic fluid level. Optimal to
have intake below perforations,
which will allow natural gas
separation and vent to annulus.
Depth is tied to dynamic fluid
level.
Pump must be landed below

dynamic fluid level. Optimal to
have intake below perforations,
which will allow natural gas
separation and vent to annulus.
Depth is tied to dynamic fluid
level.
Maximum 8000 feet.
Maximum 14,000 ft TVD. Due

to excessive polished rod load,
depth is limited. Rods or
structure may limit rate at depth.
H2 S limits depth at which a large
volume pump can be set.
Effectively, about 500 B/D at
7,500 ft TVD and 150 B/D at
14,000 ft TVD.
Problems only if high-rate wells
requiring large plunger pumps.
Small casing sizes (4.5 in and
5.5 in) may limit free gas
separation. There is a limitation
of downhole pump design in
Most slim hole models with

OD= 3.75 can fit in this size.
Up to approx. 3000 b/d at 3000
feet.
Piston Hydraulic lift:

50 to 4000 BFPD.
Jet Hydraulic lift: >15,000
BFPD of total fluid.
AOF production rate cannot
be achieved.

However, limited by powerfluid pressure or horsepower
as depth increases. A
practical depth of 20,000 ft is
possible. Guideline as below:
Piston Hydraulic lift: up to
17,000 ft TVD.
Jet Hydraulic lift: up to
20,000 ft TVD.
Small casing size often limits

producing rate owing to high
friction losses. Coiled Tubing
Jet can be run inside 1-1/4
Coiled Tubing and, therefore,
small casing size.
Characteristic
Specific
5 in.
7 in.
9 5/8 in. and larger
Well
inclination
Vertical
Deviated
Horizontal
Dogleg
severity
Less than 3 per 100

3 to 10 per 100
Gas Lift
ESP
PCP

side pocket mandrels. Packoff
4 t ubing when installing side
pocket mandrels. Packoff
side pocket mandrels. 7 side
pocket mandrels are available
for large casing.
Well suited to vertical wells.
Retrieval of gas lift valves from
side pocket mandrels is
straightforward.
Well suited to deviated wells.
Retrieval of gas lift valves from
side pocket mandrels can be
difficult when the deviation
angle > 65 degrees.

BPD (830 m3 /D).
The majority of pumps will fit

into this casing with OD=4.5.
Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet.

BPD (1900 m 3 /D).
No detriment to performance
with pump inside larger casing.
Some larger models available
with OD=5 -3/8. Up to 3200 b/d
at 5000 feet.
All pumps will fit this casing.
Well suited to horizontal wells

unless the tubing is large
preventing produced fluid
mixing with lift gas. Retrieval
of gas lift valves from side
pocket mandrels can be
difficult when the deviation
angle > 65 degrees.
Gas lift causes no constraint.
Well suited to horizontal wells,

however size and running of
ESP limited by well trajectory.
A straight section of casing is
required at ESP depth.
ESP restricted by horsepower

to a maximum flow rate of
90,000 BPD (14,400 m 3 /D).
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
of downhole pump design in

small diameter casing.
No constraint typical
installation with top drive and
rods.
Well suited for vertical

completions.
Well suited to deviated wells,

however size and running of
ESP limited by well trajectory.
A straight section of casing is
required at ESP depth.
Can deal with deviation however

rod wear is a reliability
constraint. Rod guides are used
to reduce friction on rods.
REDA PC has application where
the well is deviated and the
reduced risk of failure due to
rods is required.
Pumps have been installed in
horizontal section but same
remarks for deviated well are
applicable.
Not highly recommended.

Slanted and crooked wells
present a friction problem.
There are increased load and
wear problems in high angle
deviated holes (>70 o).
Well suited for deviated

completions.
Not recommended.
Could suit for horizontal

completions. However, due
to well trajectory, slickline
work to pull nozzle could be a
problem.
No constraint
No constraint.
No constraint.
Pump length dependent. Typical

pump length = 35 feet which is
relatively short and easy to
deploy through doglegs.
No big constraint. Centralizer

could be utilized.
No contraint.
ESP can be deployed without

problem.
ESP system may be limited as
ideal system cannot be readily
deployed through this dogleg.
-2 -
Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
Greater than 10 per

100
Temperature
PCP
Rod Pump
o
Jet Pump
Not recommended.
Same as above
Zero to 90 landed pump. Some

success is accomplished in
pumping 15 o /100 ft using rod
guides.
Recommended for all

temperatures
Standard ESP design will

handle this temperature.
Can lift high temperature and

viscous oils.
Above current limit
Operating temperature range

from 0 to 550 o F.
Temperature limitation is
excellent. It is possible to
operate from 0 to 500+o F.
Barriers
3 barriers can be achieved
Medium range equipment

required.
Higher temperatures require
specialised ESP designed
equipment, which have been
shown to operate at 550 F.
Note that the motor
temperature is significantly
higher than the bottom hole
temperature. Extremely high
temperatures will cause a short
run life.
3 barriers can be achieved
Standard PCP design with

suitable elastomers will handle
this temperature.
Above current limit
Restricted by rod strings.

Surface wellhead valve one
barrier.
3 barriers can be achieved.
Hydrocarbon
inventory
Gas lift entails a large inventory

of hydrocarbon gas in the
annulus or tubing that upon
catastrophic failure of wellhead
will be vented to the
atmosphere. Solution can be to
install an annular SSV to limit
the inventory.
Restricted by rod strings.

Surface wellhead valve one
barrier. Use of REDA PC would
allow deployment of SCSSV.
No hydrocarbon inventory and
the extra facility of shutting off
produced fluid flow by stopping
the pump.

produced fluid flow by stopping
the pump.
During operation, large

amount of crude is being
stored in vessels and surface
lines. If rupture takes place
and create a major
catastrophic at surface, the
well needs be shut-in to bleed
off.
Less than 250F

250 to 350F
Greater than 350F
Safety
ESP

produced fluid flow by
stopping the pump.
-3 -
Applicable for slanted and

crooked wells. Short jet
pumps can pass through
doglegs up to 24-deg/100 ft in
2 in. nominal tubing. Zero to
90 Degrees pump placement.
Guideline as below:
Piston Hydraulic lift:
<15o /100 ft build angle.
Jet Hydraulic lift: <24o /100 ft
build angle.
Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
ESP
Intervention frequency
For gas lift, intervention

frequency is low, > 5 years, and
is principally slick line, hence
safety risk is low.
Full workovers could be

required every two years
(industry average) hence safety
risk is higher than gas lift.
Full workovers could be

required every 1 to 1-1/2 years
typically. Slickline deployed
pump can reduce safety risk.
Process
More risk of blow out and gas

fire with high-pressure gas lines
required.
Recommended.
Historically wells are
successfully completed as
multi-string with gas lift.
The efficiency of the gas lift
determines the achievable
FBHP. A gas lifted well
normally works with a FBHP in
this range.
Gas lift can work in the upper
end of this range for low
reservoir pressure and
productivity wells, however
there needs to be enough
reservoir energy to deliver the
produced fluids to the surface.
Cannot deliver fluids to surface.
Electrical fire risk is increased.
Electrical fire risk is increased.

Risk of gas fire if using a gas
driven motor.
Recommended
Not recommended.
Achievable drawdown is
limited by ability to lighten
head of fluid above gas lift
point. AOF can never be
achieved.
Gas lift can be effective in
producing a well that cones gas.
Any drawdown can be

achieved with a given ESP
design, however well and
reservoir constraints limit final
drawdown.
Not recommended.
Gas lift can be effective in
ESP can be effective in
Completion
Simple
Dual or multiple zones
Flowing
bottom hole
pressure
Greater than 1000 psi
100 to 1000 psi
Less than 100 psi
Drawdown
Gas coning
Water coning
PCP
Recommended
Can be achieved with ESP
technology but a complicated
system is required.
Achieving any FBHP is not a
constraint with ESP. AOF can
be achieved if the well and
reservoir properties do not
constrain the ESP design.
The pump depth and the

dynamic head restrict achieving
a low FBHP.
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Workovers to change out rod

string could be required every 11/2 year. If it is a highly
deviated well, frequent
workovers could be required to
fix broken rod string. As
frequent as once every 6-8
months.
Low in electrical fire risk.
As frequent as the nozzle gets

plugged up with sand,
asphaltene, etc or simply
just wear and tear of the
nozzle. This is a big draw
back since intervention
frequency could be as regular
as once every month.
More risk of injection and
production lines rupture.
Recommended.
Not recommended.
Recommended.
Not recommended.

dynamic head restrict achieving
a low FBHP.
Small dynamic head will allow

low FBHP to be achieved.
-4 -

dynamic head limit achievable
drawdown.
Can be used if free gas < 40%

by volume. This limit is
imposed, as at least 60% liquid
is required for cooling of the
elastomer.
PCP can be effective in
The excellent result can obtain at

intake pressure less than 25 psig
providing adequate displacement
and gas venting, typically about
50 to 100 psig.
dynamic head limit achievable
drawdown.
Typical design target is a

minimum of 100 psi per 1000
feet of lift.
Intake pressure should be >
350 psig to 5,000 ft with low
GLR. Typical design target is
25% submergence.
Cannot deliver fluids to
surface.
Good drawdown but cannot

completely deplete a well.
For gassy reservoir. Rod pump

handling is fair to good.
Not recommended. Cavitation

in jet pump likely.
Rod pump can be effective in
Jet pump can be effective in
Characteristic
Specific
Reservoir
access
Primary
Secondary waterflood
Tertiary
Pressure
support
ESP
producing a well that cones

water.
Gas lift results in simple
completions that allow ready
access to the reservoir for
surveillance and remedial work.

water.
Downhole ESP equipment
restricts access. A logging
bypass can be installed but this
complicates the equipment and
downsizes the ESP. Remedial
work requires a full workover.
Coil Tubing deployed ESP can
solve some reservoir access
problems, but pulling the ESP
would still be required.
Not recommended for unstable
flow.
Gas lift is able to handle all

types of flow regimes be they
stable or unstable.
Flow Stability
Recovery
Gas Lift
Yes
No
PCP
Recommended
Recommended, however high
water cut reduces the ability to
move large fluid volumes.
Can be used with tertiary
recovery methods.
Recommended
Recommended
Well suited, however

increasing water cut reduces the
ability to move large fluid
volumes.
Recommended as the flexibility
of gas lift allows one
installation to deal with falling
pressure and production rates.
Recommended as an ESP is
able to move the same fluid
volume no matter what water
cut.
Not recommended when there
is significant pressure drop
the range of production rates
that a particular ESP design
can handle is limited. Hence
the reservoir condition rate of
change would define the ESP
change out frequency rather
than ESP mechanical run life.
Variable frequency drives
(VFD) allow some operational
flexibility on matching the
production rate to the ESP
design.

recovery methods.
-5 -
Rod Pump
Jet Pump

water.
No reservoir access.

water.
No reservoir access. Cannot run
any type of surveillance log.

water.
Good. If set in a sliding
sleeve, the jet pump can be
retrieved by wire line
allowing access to reservoir.
Not recommended. Need

continuous fluid through pump.
Use of downhole monitoring to
control surface VFD could be
used.
Recommended
Recommended
Not recommended for unstable

flow.
Continuous and smooth flow

of produced fluids.
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Steam flood will cause a

problem, as temperature will be
increased.
Recommended
Not recommended when there is

significant pressure drop the
range of production rates that a
particular PCP design can handle
is limited. Hence the reservoir
condition rate of change would
define the PCP change out
frequency rather than PCP
mechanical run life. Variable
frequency drives (VFD) allow
some operational flexibility on
matching the production rate to
the PCP design.

recovery methods.
Recommended
If there is no pressure support

from the reservoir, production
rate will decline and the well
will be pumped-off.
Recommended, as jet pump

system is independent of
water cut percentage
producing from a well.
Not recommended when there
is significant pressure drop in
the reservoir the range of
production rates that a
particular jet pump design can
handle is limited. A new jet
pump design needs to be in
placed to get optimum lift for
the well.
Characteristic
Specific
Low
Recommended.
Recommended for the full

range of water cut. The ESP is
largely insensitive to increasing
water cut.
Moderate
Reduced efficiency due to

heavier column of fluid to
lighten.
Reduced efficiency due to
heavier column of fluid to
lighten. May not be able to lift
well if reservoir pressure is
low.
Recommended
Less than 100 cp gas

free viscosity at
reservoir temperature
100 to 500 cp gas free
viscosity at reservoir
temperature
Greater than 500 cp
gas free viscosity at
reservoir temperature
Corrosive
fluid
PCP
No limitat ions. Preferable > 12

o
API.
High
Fluid viscosity
ESP
No limitations. Preferable > 15

o
API.
Oil Gravity
Water Cut
Gas Lift
Rod Pump
o
Jet Pump
o
Not used for oil with gravity

greater than 40 degrees API due
to high aromatic content (C6 to
C9 should be under 20%) that
will deteriorate elastomers.
Preferable < 30 o API.
Recommended
> 8 API.
> 8 to 45 API.
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Up to 100%
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Efficiency of ESP will be

reduced.
Recommended. Pump efficiency

will increase as viscosity
increases.
Recommended
Has been used with success up

to 1000 cp but little case history
for very high viscosity.
Not recommended. Pump

efficiency is reduced, motors
cool poorly in the high viscous
fluid, more power is required
to pump high viscous fluid and
emulsions form. A mixture of
ESP and progressive cavity
pump technology is a potential
alternative.
Recommended for all high

viscosity crude. Up to 80,000
cp.
Good for < 200 cp fluids and

low rate. Rod fall problem for
high rates. Higher rates may
require diluents to lower
viscosity.
Not recommended, as pump
efficiency will reduce.
Recommended. Compatibility
of metallurgy and elastomers
with the total completion is
only required.
Run life will be shortened in a

more aggressive environment.
Special metallurgy and
elastomers will be required
leading to more costly
equipment.
Run life will be shortened in a

more aggressive environment.
Design with rotor in stainless
steel and matched elastomers.
Rod string and tubing is at risk
as typically not special
-6 -
Using corrosion-resistant
materials in the construction of
subsurface pumps.
Mixture of power and

producing fluid is not a major
issue in Jet pump. The
system is capable of handling
high-viscosity fluid.
Production with up to 800 cp
possible. Oil power fluid in
the range of >24 oAPI and <50
cp could be used. If
waterpower fluid is used, it
will reduce friction losses.
Using special metallurgy
and/or chemical treatment.
Chemicals in the power fluid
can treat the tubular for
corrosion.
Characteristic
Gas/oil ratio
Bubble point
Specific
Gas Lift
Less than 500 scf/STB
Recommended
500 to 2000 scf/STB
Recommended
Greater than 2000

scf/STB
Recommended. Gas lift would

be only expected to be of
benefit at higher GOR.
High
Recommended for all bubble

points. Gas lift is not dependent
on the bubble point pressure
hence is suitable for any range.
Low
Sand &
abrasives
Less than 10 ppm
Recommended for all wells

producing sand. Sand has little
effect on ability to a gas lift
well.
ESP
PCP
Recommended. Problems with

gas breakout in the pump will
be minimised.
The achievable pump rate will
be limited by the amount of gas
breaking out of solution in the
area of the pump. An ESP can
be designed to a free gas
volume handling criteria.
Downhole gas handling
equipment may be incorporated
into the completion
FBHP will need to stay above
the bubble point pressure to
avoid gas cavitation in the
pump. Downhole gas handling
equipment may be incorporated
into the completion.
Not recommended, as the high

bubble point will limit the
maximum drawdown in the
well due to the detrimental
effects of free gas in the pump.
Recommended. The bubble
point pressure is low hence the
FBHP can be low allowing
more production without the
affects of free gas in the pump
region.
Sand at this concentration is
normal wear and tear for an
ESP.
-7 -
metallurgy. Up to 6% H2S can

be handled by elastomer design
but H2S causes hardening.
Similarly the constraint is 30%
CO2 content.
Recommended.
The achievable pump rate will
be limited by the amount of gas
breaking out of solution in the
area of the pump. A maximum
40% free gas by volume limit is
imposed to allow cooling of
elastomers with liquid flow.
Not recommended.
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Feasible for low rate and low

GOR
Recommended.
Gassy wells usually have lower

volumetric efficiency. Gas
handling ability is rather poor if
one has to pump > 50% free gas.
If the gas anchor or natural
separation is used and free gas is
venting, the volumetric
efficiency can be significantly
improved.
Not recommended
Target design is less than

1000 GLR.
Not recommended, as the high

bubble point will limit the
maximum drawdown in the well
due to the detrimental effects of
free gas in the pump.
Recommended. The bubble
point pressure is low hence the
FBHP can be low allowing more
production without the affects of
free gas in the pump region.
Not highly recommended.
Not recommended. Gas above

2000 SCF/STB substantially
reduces efficiency but helps
lift. Vent free gas if possible.
The producing of free gas
through the pump causes
reduction in ability to handle
liquids.
Not recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended. PCP handles

solids easily.
High solids and sand production

is troublesome for low oil
viscosity (<10 cp). Improved
performance can obtain for high viscosity (>200 cp) cases. May
be able to handle up to 0.1%
sand with special pumps.
Solids/sand handling ability is

fair to poor. Jet pumps are
operating with 3% sand in
produced fluid. Power fluid
to jet pump can tolerate 200
ppm of 25 particle size.
Fresh water treatment for salt
Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
10 to 100 ppm
Scale
Scale can form close to the

operating gas lift valve due to
the pressure drop at that
location. This may lead to
blockage of the gas lift valves
and an inability to be able to
retrieve them.
Paraffin
Paraffin may deposit near an

operating gas lift valve due to
temperature and pressure drop.
This may lead to blockage of
the gas lift valves and an
inability to be able to retrieve
them
Introduction of lift gas into the
produced fluid stream may
increase the risk of asphaltene
deposits. Production chemistry
analysis for individual fields
will determine whether this is
likely to occur.
Recommended when any
treatment is required. These
treatments have little to no
effect on a gas lifted system.
Asphaltene
Treatment
Scale inhibitor
PCP
ESP may be operated under

these conditions but harder
surface coatings are required.
Not recommended due to
friction and wear on ESP
equipment.
Greater than 100 ppm
Contaminants
ESP
If the well is prone to scale,

paraffin or asphaltenes deposit
then it is likely to occur in the
pump area (large pressure
drop). This will lead to pump
inefficiency, increased wear &
tear and eventually failure.
Chemical treatment is required
to prevent formation of these
contaminants.
Materials design will need to

be modified to ensure
continued service of the ESP
after treatment.
Corrosion inhibitor
Rod Pump
Recommended.
build-up possible.
Recommended. Typically can

handle up to 7-8% by volume.
Design of elastomers for
abrasion is required.
Typically not a constraint but
may need to be reviewed if well
has a high scaling tendency.
Scale could build up at intake

and nozzle over time but can
be treated.
Not a problem due to the nature

of PCP however efficiency will
be reduced.
Susceptible to paraffin problems.

Hot water/oil treating and/or
uses of scrapers possible, but
they increase operating problems
and costs.
Does not increase deposition and

will produce asphaltene to
surface as a solid.
Can be treated.
Elastomer compatibility is a
constraint so needs to be
reviewed in detail for design.
Corrosion and scale treatments

easy to perform. Good batch
treating inhibitor down annulus
used frequently for both
corrosion and scale control.
Corrosion handling good to
excellent.
Solvent
-8 -
Jet Pump
Can be treated. Paraffin handling capability is

good/excellent. Circulate heat
to downhole pump to
minimize build up.
Mechanical cutting and
inhibition possible.
Difficult to control.
Corrosion/scale ability is
good and sometimes
excellent. Inhibitor with
power fluid mixes with
produced fluid at entry of jet
pump throat. Batch treat
down annulus feasible.
Corrosion handling good to
excellent. Can be surfaced at
a predetermined schedule.
Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
ESP
PCP
Acid
Location
Ensure cleanout of well prior to

re-installation.
Recommended
Rod Pump
Onshore
Recommended
Recommended
Offshore platform
Excellent and recommended.
Excellent and recommended.
Good and recommended. Safety

barriers may be a const raint.
Poor and not recommended.

Must design for unit size,
weight, and pulling unit space.
Subsea
Delivery of fluids under a gas

lift scenario through a long sub
sea delivery system will be
significantly reduced. The
gravity and friction of lengthy
pipelines cannot be fully
overcome by a gas lifted
system. As the step out from
the tie in delivery point is
increased the efficiency of gas
lift decreases.
Running a gas lift system will
include a flaring system, hence
affecting the environment when
the compressor is blown
down.
Recommended. The ESP can

be designed to overcome the
head produced by the subsea
delivery system. As step out
from the tie in delivery point
increases, ESP efficiency
decreases, however an ESP is
able to handle larger step outs
than gas lift before zero flow
occurs.
Not recommended except as

REDA PC. Rate will not achieve
benefits.
Not Recommended.
Recommended. The ESP when

running has little potential
impact on the environment.
Recommended. Leakage from

stuffing box for rod only
constraint polished rod
through wellhead.
Stuffing box leakage may be

messy and a potential hazard.
(Anti-pollution stuffing boxes
are available.)
Sensitive environment
Recommended.
Fair in term of noise level.

Moderately high for urban areas.
Number of
Wells
Single
1 to 20
Typically cost of providing

compression for a single well
gas lift development is too high
to be able to justify.
As the number of wells
increases the cost of the
compression facilities becomes
more economic on a well-bywell basis.
Recommended. ESP can be

installed for a single well with
standalone power generation
and control.
Recommended. Costs of power
equipment will be reduced and
rationalised as the number of
wells completed increases.
-9 -
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Jet Pump
Onshore applications are

common.
Good to excellent. Offshore
applications are common.
Produced water or seawater
may be used as power fluid
with well site type system or
power fluid separation before
production treating system.
Not recommended due to
intervention requirments and
power fluid pump to remote
location.
Power water (fresh, produced,

or sea water) is acceptable.
However, there is concern in
sensitive areas if oil is used as
power fluid , because of the
high-pressure injection lines.
Low in noise level. Well-site
power-fluid units can be
sound proofed. Due to
surface size, operations are
drawbacks in populated areas.
Single wells are the most
common.
Multiple wells operating from
one single surface hydraulic
package greatly reduces lift
cost.
Characteristic
Specific
Greater than 20
Electrical
Power
Gas source
Yes
No
Facilities
footprint
Start up
Well
intervention
Gas Lift
Recommended. Cost benefit for
this number of wells justifies
high costs for installation of
compression.
Not required.
Recommended. If a gas source

is readily available either from
produced gas, import gas or a
gas well then gas lift is a viable
artificial lift method.
Not recommended, as the cost
of obtaining a gas source will
be large.
Large amount of space is
required to install a
compression system. For areas
where space is at a premium
this can be a costly issue.
Gas lift is not recommended if

after a shut down gas is not
easily available. Gas can be
sourced from:
Produced gas from

naturally flowing well or
artificially lifted by non
gas lift method
A flowing gas well
Importing gas from an

external source e.g.
Pipeline
For gas lift valve changeouts
slick line intervention > 5
years. For subsea wells may not
be required for life of well. For
ESP
PCP
Rod Pump
Jet Pump
Recommended.
Recommended.
Recommended.
A source of electric power is

needed. This can be a tie in to
an existing facility, a tie in to a
power grid or independent
power generation.
Does not impact ESP solution.
Gas motor can be used. Less

voltage required than ESP hence
lower operating cost.
Can use electricity as power

source. Prime mover flexibility
is good: either engines or motors
can be used easily (motors more
reliable and flexible).
Gas engines could be used in
locations with no electricity.
Prime mover can be an

electric motor. A diesel or
gas engine can be used where
electricity is not available.
Does not impact ESP solution.
Does not impact PCP solution.
Does not impact RP solution.
Does not impact JP solution.
Facilities often have power

generation already installed
hence the addition of power for
ESP does not have as large an
impact as for gas compression.
Small footprint. Facilities often

have power generation already
installed hence the addition of
power for PCP does not have as
large an impact as for gas
compression.
Small footprint on surface.

Facilities often have power
generation already installed;
hence the addition of power for a
rod pump unit does not have as
large an impact as for gas
compression.
Once power is available to the

facility ESP systems will be
able to be run.

facility PCP systems will be able
to be run.

facility, rod pump systems will
be able to be run.
Large amount of surface

spacing is required. Surface
unit can be mounted on one
skid or two skids for a dualvessel power fluid cleaning
unit. Two skids for a 200 HP
unit with engine prime mover
may have a footprint of
approximately 8 feet by 18
feet each.
Requires some fluid (water or
oil) to fill the vessels as
power fluid prior to start up.
Run life of ESP determines

intervention frequency. Change
out of total completion
required for ESP failure.
Run life of PCP determines

intervention frequency. Change
out of total completion required
for ESP failure. Average run life
Workover or pulling rig. Run

time efficiency is greater than
90% if good operating practices
are followed and if corrosion,
Hydraulically removed or
wirelined. A free jet pump
can be circulated to the
surface without pulling the
Does not impact PCP solution.
- 10 -
Produced gas from the well

can be used to power a gas
engine prime mover.
Characteristic
Specific
Gas Lift
ESP
PCP
remedial well work as required

with the ability to perform
through tubing workovers.
Average run life approximately

two years. Remedial work will
require completion to be
removed
wax, asphaltenes, solids, etc

are controlled.
tubing or it can be retrieved

by wire line. Must avoid
operating in cavitation range
of jet pumps throat; related to
pump intake pressure.
CAPEX
High for compression and gas

distribution system
High for power generation and

cabling
approximately one to one and a

half years. Remedial work will
require completion to be
removed. Total change out can
be avoided by using wireline
retrievable with REDA PC or
put rotor and stator on rod string
so doesnt have to pull tubing.
Moderate cost for facilities and
down hole equipment.
Capital costs are low to

moderate. Cost increase with
depth and larger surface units.
OPEX
Low. Gas lift systems have a

very low OPEX due to the
downhole reliability.
Moderate to high. Costly

interventions are required to
change out conventional ESP
completions, but productivity
and improved run life can
offset these costs.
Moderate cost for equipment but

high intervention frequency.
Operating costs are very low for

shallow to medium depth (<
7500 ft) and low production (<
400 BFPD). Units easily
changed to other wells (i.e. reuse) with minimum cost.
Capital costs are competitive

with sucker-rod pumps. Cost
increases with higher
horsepower. Wellhead
equipment has low profile.
Requires surface treating and
high pressure pumping
equipment.
High power cost owing to
horsepower requirement to
pump power fluid. Typical jet
pump efficiency is 30% thus
power fluid at 2-3 times the
produced fluid rate is
required. No moving parts in
pump; simple repair
procedures. Low pump
maintenance cost typical with
properly sized throat and
nozzle.
- 11 -
Rod Pump
Jet Pump

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE

AL Methods Comparison Table

1000 to 10,000 B/D

Not restricted by well depth.

Not restricted by well depth.

Production tubing restricted to

ESP restricted to a maximum

Rate is dependent on setting

Rate is dependent on setting

Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet

Up to 2000 b/d at 4000 feet.

The full range of production

Pump must be landed below

Pump must be landed below

Maximum 8000 feet.

Maximum 14,000 ft TVD. Due

Most slim hole models with

Piston Hydraulic lift:

Not restricted by well depth.

Small casing size often limits