Background Liquid loading of gas wells causes production difficulty and reduces ultimate recovery from these wells.Several authors proposed different models to predict the onset of liquid loading in gas wells,but the results from the models often show discrepancies.Turner's et al.(J Pet Technol,1969)critical model was developed based on the assumption that the droplet is a sphere and remains spherical all through the entire wellbore.On the other hand,Li's model was developed based on the assumption the liquid droplets are flat in shape and remains same all through the wellbore.However,it is a well-known fact that the droplet alternates between spherical and flat during production operation.Invariably,the Turner's model and the Li's model would not be able to predict correctly the critical rate required to lift that droplet which is because the droplet deformation was not taken into account during the development of the models.Materials and methods In this work,a new improved model is developed and incorporated into Ms-Excel program to predict liquid loading in gas wells.In the new model,a deformation coefficient"C"is introduced to cater for the deformation of the liquid droplet along the wellbore and in turn be able to predict correctly the critical rate when the droplet varies from the spherical shape to the fiat shape.Results Results from the analysis carried out revealed 35 error on from Turner's model,26 error on Li's model,whereas the new model yielded 20 error.Conclusion The new developed software and model proved to be more accurate in predicting onset of liquid loading.
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