Evaluating the temperature profile and pressure drops in gas-lift wells via coupled temperature-pressure analysis

The gas-lift technique is a widely implemented artificial lifting method that has been optimized through operational parameter adjustments and structural improvements. While accurately predicting the pressure drop and temperature distribution in the wellbore is critical for improving this process. However, current research on temperature-pressure coupling in gas-lift wellbores remains limited. This paper presents a comprehensive temperature-pressure coupled analysis to evaluate the temperature distribution and pressure drops in gas-lift wells. This study incorporates key factors such as gas injection temperature and volume, tubing diameter, and crude oil production into a fully coupled model that accounts for gas-water-oil three-phase flow regime within the tubing. By resolving the coupled heat transfer and hydrodynamic equations, the model accurately predicts liquid flow regimes and pressure drops under varying process parameters. The model was validated using data from published literature, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the model's reliability and to identify critical parameters influencing temperature and pressure distributions. These findings provide theoretical guidance for the design and operation of gas-lift wells, enhance gas-lift efficiency, and offer significant practical implications for optimizing gas injection strategies and improving production rates in complex reservoirs.