Mitigating Liquid Loading in Gas Wells Using Thermochemical Fluid Injection: An Experimental and Simulation Study.

Area of Science:

• Petroleum Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Well Stimulation

Background:

• Liquid loading is a major challenge in unconventional shale gas wells, leading to reduced flow and productivity.
• Existing methods for liquid loading mitigation often have limitations in efficiency and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel thermochemical fluid treatment for mitigating liquid loading in shale gas wells.
• To optimize treatment parameters and validate the effectiveness of thermochemical fluids for enhanced gas production.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory experiments using a flow loop system to assess thermochemical fluid performance.
• Optimization of thermochemical volumes, injection rate, number of cycles, and injection time.
• Validation of the thermochemical approach using PIPESIM software for production simulation.

Main Results:

• Thermochemical injection achieved over 90% liquid removal efficiency.
• Increasing injection cycles from 1 to 3 improved liquid removal efficiency from 17% to 95%.
• PIPESIM simulations predicted a ~74% improvement in gas production rate post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Thermochemical fluids offer an effective and efficient solution for liquid loading mitigation in shale gas wells.
• The proposed method demonstrates significant potential for enhancing gas production and extending well operational life.
• Advantages include ease of application and a positive impact on overall well productivity.