Case study of the effects on coal seam gas well production with installation of well head compression (oil-flooded rotary screw type): early outcomes of an Australian trial of four wells in the Bowen Basin
Terrance Presley A C , Evilia Kurnia B and Basia Wronski BA Johnson Controls Inc., 4/101 Newmarket Rd, Windsor, Qld, Australia.
B Origin Energy Ltd, 339 Coronation Dr, Milton, Qld, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: terry.presley@jci.com
The APPEA Journal 57(2) 629-634 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ16199
Accepted: 11 April 2017 Published: 29 May 2017
Abstract
This paper discusses the early outcomes of a trial of well head compression on coal seam gas (CSG) wells to lower surface pressure at the well head. This is a case study of four Johnson Controls Frick rotary screw compressor packages that were installed on CSG wells in an Origin Energy field in the Bowen basin and the early effects of lower well pressures on increased gas production due to the installation of compression.
In mid-2016 Johnson Controls installed four compressor packages on Origin Energy wells with different characteristics (age, flow pressure), with a view of determining uplift of gas flow over the remaining life of the well, as well as operational issues with having well head compression. The expected versus actual uplift is compared for the different wells, with a view of providing some guidance on future potential wells that will benefit from this type of compression. Operational issues, such as effects on water flow, effect of oil and overall design considerations for well head compression, are also discussed.
Keywords: artificial lift, coal bed methane, compressor, lower surface pressure, nodal compression.
Terrance Presley CPEng has 20 years of experience designing and installing compressor systems for a variety of applications in the oil and gas industry. Terry holds an engineering degree from Queensland University of Technology and works in Australia for Johnson Controls/Frick the global leader in screw compressors for the coal seam gas (CSG) industry. |
Evilia Kurnia CPEng has over 9 years experience in the CSG industry working for Origin Energy in operations, development and project teams. Evilia holds an engineering degree from the University of Auckland. |
Basia Wronski has 4 years direct experience in the CSG industry working for Origin Energy in both operations and the concept development teams. Basia holds an Honours-level degree in chemical engineering from the University of Queensland. |
