Production Improvement by Downhole Demulsification – A Simple and Cost Effective Approach

摘要

Downhole demulsification of crude oil increases wellproduction and profitability by reducing vertical flow pressureloss. This paper presents a practical, field-tested method toaccomplish downhole demulsification without the mechanicalcomplexities of the conventional downhole injection system.Chemical is injected at surface with a pneumatic dosing pumpinto the gas lift stream. Lift gas entering into the tubing-casingannulus carries the chemical downhole to the injection pointdeep into the tubing and blends it with the well fluid to preventemulsification. Production improves after a few days ofchemical injection as the downhole demulsification processstabilizes. Successive trials have proved the effectiveness ofthe approach in terms of improved production. In view of thesimplicity and cost effectiveness of the method, it has alsobeen applied in naturally flowing wells that produce belowtheir potential because of emulsion. Case study and result ofsuch trial have been discussed in the paper that showspromising success. It has broadened the application scope ofthe system to emulsion-infested natural flow wells.