ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
AL Methods Comparison Table
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
Production Less than The full range of production
rate 1000 B/D rates can be handled. An AOF
production rate cannot be
achieved with gas lift because
as much drawdown as for an
ESP cannot be achieved.
1000 to 10,000 B/D
Greater than
10,000 B/D
Well depth Less than 2500 ft Not restricted by well depth.
The benefit of gas lift will be
larger with greater depth, as
there is more fluid to ‘lighten’
to enable increased well
productivity.
2500 to 7500 ft
Greater than 7500 ft
Casing size 4 ½ in. Production tubing restricted to
2-3/8” tubing when installing
side pocket mandrels. Packoff
mandrels internal to the tubing
can allow larger tubing size.
ESP
The full range of production
rates can be handled. When
unconstrained an ESP can be
designed to produce the full
well potential to the surface
(AOF), thus achieving higher
flow rates than with gas lift.
Not restricted by well depth.
The benefit of ESP will be
larger with greater depth as
there is more fluid head to
overcome to enable increased
well productivity.
ESP restricted to a maximum
diameter of 3.75” with a
maximum flow rate of 2000
BPD (320 m3 /D).
-1 -
PCP
Rate is dependent on setting
depth, the deeper the setting
depth the lesser rates. Generally
PCP is suitable for low rate
wells.
Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet
Not available.
Pump must be landed below
dynamic fluid level. Optimal to
have intake below perforations,
which will allow natural gas
separation and vent to annulus.
Depth is tied to dynamic fluid
level.
Maximum 8000 feet.
Most slim hole models with
OD= 3.75” can fit in this size.
Up to approx. 3000 b/d at 3000
feet.
Rod Pump
Rate is dependent on setting
depth. Feasible for low rates
(<100 B/D) and low GOR
(<250). Typically are used with
1.5-in nominal tubing.
Up to 2000 b/d at 4000 feet.
Restricted to shallow depths
using large plungers. In general,
due to efficiency, rod pump is
not recommended as a lift
mechanism of choice on high
producing wells.
Not available.
Pump must be landed below
dynamic fluid level. Optimal to
have intake below perforations,
which will allow natural gas
separation and vent to annulus.
Depth is tied to dynamic fluid
level.
Maximum 14,000 ft TVD. Due
to excessive polished rod load,
depth is limited. Rods or
structure may limit rate at depth.
H2 S limits depth at which a large
volume pump can be set.
Effectively, about 500 B/D at
7,500 ft TVD and 150 B/D at
14,000 ft TVD.
Problems only if high-rate wells
requiring large plunger pumps.
Small casing sizes (4.5 in and
5.5 in) may limit free gas
separation. There is a limitation
of downhole pump design in
Jet Pump
The full range of production
rates can be handled. Less
than 50 B/D up to 15000 B/D
with adequate flowing bottom
hole pressure, tubular size,
and horsepower. Guideline as
below:
Piston Hydraulic lift:
50 to 4000 BFPD.
Jet Hydraulic lift: >15,000
BFPD of total fluid.
AOF production rate cannot
be achieved.
Not restricted by well depth.
However, limited by power-
fluid pressure or horsepower
as depth increases. A
practical depth of 20,000 ft is
possible. Guideline as below:
Piston Hydraulic lift: up to
17,000 ft TVD.
Jet Hydraulic lift: up to
20,000 ft TVD.
Small casing size often limits
producing rate owing to high
friction losses. Coiled Tubing
Jet can be run inside 1-1/4”
Coiled Tubing and, therefore,
small casing size.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
5 ½ in. Production tubing restricted to
2-7/8” tubing when installing
side pocket mandrels. Packoff
mandrels internal to the tubing
can allow larger tubing size.
7 in. Production tubing restricted to
4” t ubing when installing side
pocket mandrels. Packoff
mandrels internal to the tubing
can allow larger tubing size.
9 5/8 in. and larger Production tubing restricted to
5-1/2” tubing when installing
side pocket mandrels. 7” side
pocket mandrels are available
for large casing.
Well Vertical Well suited to vertical wells.
inclination Retrieval of gas lift valves from
side pocket mandrels is
straightforward.
Deviated Well suited to deviated wells.
Retrieval of gas lift valves from
side pocket mandrels can be
difficult when the deviation
angle > 65 degrees.
Horizontal Well suited to horizontal wells
unless the tubing is large
preventing produced fluid
mixing with lift gas. Retrieval
of gas lift valves from side
pocket mandrels can be
difficult when the deviation
angle > 65 degrees.
Dogleg Less than 3° per 100’ Gas lift causes no constraint.
severity
3 to 10° per 100’
ESP
ESP restricted to a maximum
diameter of 4.56” with a
maximum flow rate of 5200
BPD (830 m3 /D).
ESP restricted to a maximum
diameter of 5.40” with a
maximum flow rate of 12000
BPD (1900 m 3 /D).
ESP restricted by horsepower
to a maximum flow rate of
90,000 BPD (14,400 m 3 /D).
Well suited to vertical wells.
Well suited to deviated wells,
however size and running of
ESP limited by well trajectory.
A straight section of casing is
required at ESP depth.
Well suited to horizontal wells,
however size and running of
ESP limited by well trajectory.
A straight section of casing is
required at ESP depth.
ESP can be deployed without
problem.
ESP system may be limited as
ideal system cannot be readily
deployed through this dogleg.
-2 -
PCP
The majority of pumps will fit
into this casing with OD=4.5”.
Up to 4000 b/d at 3000 feet.
No detriment to performance
with pump inside larger casing.
Some larger models available
with OD=5 -3/8”. Up to 3200 b/d
at 5000 feet.
All pumps will fit this casing.
No constraint – typical
installation with top drive and
rods.
Can deal with deviation however
rod wear is a reliability
constraint. Rod guides are used
to reduce friction on rods.
REDA PC has application where
the well is deviated and the
reduced risk of failure due to
rods is required.
Pumps have been installed in
horizontal section but same
remarks for deviated well are
applicable.
No constraint
Pump length dependent. Typical
pump length = 35 feet which is
relatively short and easy to
deploy through doglegs.
Rod Pump
of downhole pump design in
small diameter casing.
Well suited to vertical wells.
Not highly recommended.
Slanted and crooked wells
present a friction problem.
There are increased load and
wear problems in high angle
deviated holes (>70 o).
Not recommended.
No constraint.
No big constraint. Centralizer
could be utilized.
Jet Pump
Well suited for vertical
completions.
Well suited for deviated
completions.
Could suit for horizontal
completions. However, due
to well trajectory, slickline
work to pull nozzle could be a
problem.
No constraint.
No contraint.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE

Characteristic Specific Gas Lift ESP PCP Rod Pump Jet Pump
o
Greater than 10° per Not recommended. Same as above Zero to 90 landed pump. Some Applicable for slanted and
100’ success is accomplished in crooked wells. Short jet
pumping 15 o /100 ft using rod pumps can pass through
guides. doglegs up to 24-deg/100 ft in
2 in. nominal tubing. Zero to
90 Degrees pump placement.
Guideline as below:
Piston Hydraulic lift:
<15o /100 ft build angle.
Jet Hydraulic lift: <24o /100 ft
build angle.
Temperature Less than 250°F Recommended for all Standard ESP design will Standard PCP design with Can lift high temperature and
temperatures handle this temperature. suitable elastomers will handle viscous oils.
this temperature.
250 to 350°F Medium range equipment Above current limit
required.
Greater than 350°F Higher temperatures require Above current limit Operating temperature range Temperature limitation is
specialised ESP designed from 0 to 550 o F. excellent. It is possible to
equipment, which have been operate from 0 to 500+o F.
shown to operate at 550 F.
Note that the motor
temperature is significantly
higher than the bottom hole
temperature. Extremely high
temperatures will cause a short
run life.
Safety Barriers 3 barriers can be achieved 3 barriers can be achieved Restricted by rod strings. Restricted by rod strings. 3 barriers can be achieved.
Surface wellhead valve – one Surface wellhead valve – one
barrier. Use of REDA PC would barrier.
allow deployment of SCSSV.
Hydrocarbon Gas lift entails a large inventory No hydrocarbon inventory and No hydrocarbon inventory and No hydrocarbon inventory and During operation, large
inventory of hydrocarbon gas in the the extra facility of shutting off the extra facility of shutting off the extra facility of shutting off amount of crude is being
annulus or tubing that upon produced fluid flow by produced fluid flow by stopping produced fluid flow by stopping stored in vessels and surface
catastrophic failure of wellhead stopping the pump. the pump. the pump. lines. If rupture takes place
will be vented to the and create a major
atmosphere. Solution can be to catastrophic at surface, the
install an annular SSV to limit well needs be shut-in to bleed
the inventory. off.

-3 -
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
Intervention frequency For gas lift, intervention
frequency is low, > 5 years, and
is principally slick line, hence
safety risk is low.
Process More risk of blow out and gas
fire with high-pressure gas lines
required.
Completion Simple Recommended.
Dual or multiple zones Historically wells are
successfully completed as
multi-string with gas lift.
Flowing Greater than 1000 psi The efficiency of the gas lift
bottom hole determines the achievable
pressure FBHP. A gas lifted well
normally works with a FBHP in
this range.
100 to 1000 psi Gas lift can work in the upper
end of this range for low
reservoir pressure and
productivity wells, however
there needs to be enough
reservoir energy to deliver the
produced fluids to the surface.
Less than 100 psi Cannot deliver fluids to surface.
Drawdown Achievable drawdown is
limited by ability to lighten
head of fluid above gas lift
point. AOF can never be
achieved.
Gas coning Gas lift can be effective in
producing a well that cones gas.
Water coning Gas lift can be effective in
ESP
Full workovers could be
required every two years
(industry average) hence safety
risk is higher than gas lift.
Electrical fire risk is increased.
Recommended
Can be achieved with ESP
technology but a complicated
system is required.
Achieving any FBHP is not a
constraint with ESP. AOF can
be achieved if the well and
reservoir properties do not
constrain the ESP design.
Any drawdown can be
achieved with a given ESP
design, however well and
reservoir constraints limit final
drawdown.
Not recommended.
ESP can be effective in
-4 -
PCP
Full workovers could be
required every 1 to 1-1/2 years
typically. Slickline deployed
pump can reduce safety risk.
Electrical fire risk is increased.
Risk of gas fire if using a gas
driven motor.
Recommended
Not recommended.
The pump depth and the
dynamic head restrict achieving
a low FBHP.
Small dynamic head will allow
low FBHP to be achieved.
The pump depth and the
dynamic head limit achievable
drawdown.
Can be used if free gas < 40%
by volume. This limit is
imposed, as at least 60% liquid
is required for cooling of the
elastomer.
PCP can be effective in
Rod Pump
Workovers to change out rod
string could be required every 1-
1/2 year. If it is a highly
deviated well, frequent
workovers could be required to
fix broken rod string. As
frequent as once every 6-8
months.
Low in electrical fire risk.
Recommended.
Not recommended.
The pump depth and the
dynamic head restrict achieving
a low FBHP.
The excellent result can obtain at
intake pressure less than 25 psig
providing adequate displacement
and gas venting, typically about
50 to 100 psig.
The pump depth and the
dynamic head limit achievable
drawdown.
For gassy reservoir. Rod pump
handling is fair to good.
Rod pump can be effective in
Jet Pump
As frequent as the nozzle gets
plugged up with sand,
asphaltene, etc… or simply
just wear and tear of the
nozzle. This is a big draw
back since intervention
frequency could be as regular
as once every month.
More risk of injection and
production lines rupture.
Recommended.
Not recommended.
Typical design target is a
minimum of 100 psi per 1000
feet of lift.
Intake pressure should be >
350 psig to 5,000 ft with low
GLR. Typical design target is
25% submergence.
Cannot deliver fluids to
surface.
Good drawdown but cannot
completely deplete a well.
Not recommended. Cavitation
in jet pump likely.
Jet pump can be effective in
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
producing a well that cones
water.
Reservoir Gas lift results in simple
access completions that allow ready
access to the reservoir for
surveillance and remedial work.
Flow Stability Gas lift is able to handle all
types of flow regimes be they
stable or unstable.
Recovery Primary Recommended
Secondary waterflood Recommended, however high
water cut reduces the ability to
move large fluid volumes.
Tertiary Can be used with tertiary
recovery methods.
Pressure Yes Well suited, however
support increasing water cut reduces the
ability to move large fluid
volumes.
No Recommended as the flexibility
of gas lift allows one
installation to deal with falling
pressure and production rates.
ESP
producing a well that cones
water.
Downhole ESP equipment
restricts access. A logging
bypass can be installed but this
complicates the equipment and
downsizes the ESP. Remedial
work requires a full workover.
Coil Tubing deployed ESP can
solve some reservoir access
problems, but pulling the ESP
would still be required.
Not recommended for unstable
flow.
Recommended
Recommended
Can be used with tertiary
recovery methods.
Recommended as an ESP is
able to move the same fluid
volume no matter what water
cut.
Not recommended when there
is significant pressure drop –
the range of production rates
that a particular ESP design
can handle is limited. Hence
the reservoir condition rate of
change would define the ESP
change out frequency rather
than ESP mechanical run life.
Variable frequency drives
(VFD) allow some operational
flexibility on matching the
production rate to the ESP
design.
-5 -
PCP
producing a well that cones
water.
No reservoir access.
Not recommended. Need
continuous fluid through pump.
Use of downhole monitoring to
control surface VFD could be
used.
Recommended
Recommended
Steam flood will cause a
problem, as temperature will be
increased.
Recommended
Not recommended when there is
significant pressure drop – the
range of production rates that a
particular PCP design can handle
is limited. Hence the reservoir
condition rate of change would
define the PCP change out
frequency rather than PCP
mechanical run life. Variable
frequency drives (VFD) allow
some operational flexibility on
matching the production rate to
the PCP design.
Rod Pump
producing a well that cones
water.
No reservoir access. Cannot run
any type of surveillance log.
Not recommended for unstable
flow.
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
If there is no pressure support
from the reservoir, production
rate will decline and the well
will be “pumped-off”.
Jet Pump
producing a well that cones
water.
Good. If set in a sliding
sleeve, the jet pump can be
retrieved by wire line
allowing access to reservoir.
Continuous and smooth flow
of produced fluids.
Recommended
Recommended
Can be used with tertiary
recovery methods.
Recommended, as jet pump
system is independent of
water cut percentage
producing from a well.
Not recommended when there
is significant pressure drop in
the reservoir – the range of
production rates that a
particular jet pump design can
handle is limited. A new jet
pump design needs to be in
placed to get optimum lift for
the well.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE

Characteristic Specific Gas Lift ESP PCP Rod Pump Jet Pump
o o
Oil Gravity No limitations. Preferable > 15 No limitat ions. Preferable > 12 Not used for oil with gravity > 8 API. > 8 to 45 API.
o o
API. API. greater than 40 degrees API due
to high aromatic content (C6 to
C9 should be under 20%) that
will deteriorate elastomers.
Preferable < 30 o API.
Water Cut Low Recommended. Recommended for the full Recommended Recommended Recommended
range of water cut. The ESP is
largely insensitive to increasing
water cut.
Moderate Reduced efficiency due to Recommended Recommended Recommended
heavier column of fluid to
lighten.
High Reduced efficiency due to Recommended Recommended Recommended
heavier column of fluid to Up to 100%
lighten. May not be able to lift
well if reservoir pressure is
low.
Fluid viscosity Less than 100 cp gas Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended
free viscosity at
reservoir temperature
100 to 500 cp gas free Recommended Efficiency of ESP will be Recommended. Pump efficiency Good for < 200 cp fluids and Recommended
viscosity at reservoir reduced. will increase as viscosity low rate. Rod fall problem for
temperature increases. high rates. Higher rates may
require diluents to lower
viscosity.
Greater than 500 cp Has been used with success up Not recommended. Pump Recommended for all high Not recommended, as pump Mixture of power and
gas free viscosity at to 1000 cp but little case history efficiency is reduced, motors viscosity crude. Up to 80,000 efficiency will reduce. producing fluid is not a major
reservoir temperature for very high viscosity. cool poorly in the high viscous cp. issue in Jet pump. The
fluid, more power is required system is capable of handling
to pump high viscous fluid and high-viscosity fluid.
emulsions form. A mixture of Production with up to 800 cp
ESP and progressive cavity possible. Oil power fluid in
pump technology is a potential the range of >24 oAPI and <50
alternative. cp could be used. If
waterpower fluid is used, it
will reduce friction losses.
Corrosive Recommended. Compatibility Run life will be shortened in a Run life will be shortened in a Using corrosion-resistant Using special metallurgy
fluid of metallurgy and elastomers more aggressive environment. more aggressive environment. materials in the construction of and/or chemical treatment.
with the total completion is Special metallurgy and Design with rotor in stainless subsurface pumps. Chemicals in the power fluid
only required. elastomers will be required steel and matched elastomers. can treat the tubular for
leading to more costly Rod string and tubing is at risk corrosion.
equipment. as typically not special

-6 -
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE

Characteristic Specific Gas Lift ESP PCP Rod Pump Jet Pump

metallurgy. Up to 6% H2S can

Gas/oil ratio Less than 500 scf/STB Recommended
500 to 2000 scf/STB Recommended
Greater than 2000 Recommended. Gas lift would
scf/STB be only expected to be of
benefit at higher GOR.
Bubble point High Recommended for all bubble
points. Gas lift is not dependent
on the bubble point pressure
hence is suitable for any range.
Low
Sand & Less than 10 ppm Recommended for all wells
abrasives producing sand. Sand has little
effect on ability to a gas lift
well.
Recommended. Problems with
gas breakout in the pump will
be minimised.
The achievable pump rate will
be limited by the amount of gas
breaking out of solution in the
area of the pump. An ESP can
be designed to a free gas
volume handling criteria.
Downhole gas handling
equipment may be incorporated
into the completion
FBHP will need to stay above
the bubble point pressure to
avoid gas cavitation in the
pump. Downhole gas handling
equipment may be incorporated
into the completion.
Not recommended, as the high
bubble point will limit the
maximum drawdown in the
well due to the detrimental
effects of free gas in the pump.
Recommended. The bubble
point pressure is low hence the
FBHP can be low allowing
more production without the
affects of free gas in the pump
region.
Sand at this concentration is
normal wear and tear for an
ESP.
be handled by elastomer design
but H2S causes hardening.
Similarly the constraint is 30%
CO2 content.
Recommended.
The achievable pump rate will
be limited by the amount of gas
breaking out of solution in the
area of the pump. A maximum
40% free gas by volume limit is
imposed to allow cooling of
elastomers with liquid flow.
Not recommended.
Not recommended, as the high
bubble point will limit the
maximum drawdown in the well
due to the detrimental effects of
free gas in the pump.
Recommended. The bubble
point pressure is low hence the
FBHP can be low allowing more
production without the affects of
free gas in the pump region.
Recommended. PCP handles
solids easily.
Feasible for low rate and low
GOR
Gassy wells usually have lower
volumetric efficiency. Gas
handling ability is rather poor if
one has to pump > 50% free gas.
If the gas anchor or natural
separation is used and free gas is
venting, the volumetric
efficiency can be significantly
improved.
Not recommended
Not highly recommended.
Recommended.
High solids and sand production
is troublesome for low oil
viscosity (<10 cp). Improved
performance can obtain for high -
viscosity (>200 cp) cases. May
be able to handle up to 0.1%
sand with special pumps.
Recommended.
Target design is less than
1000 GLR.
Not recommended. Gas above
2000 SCF/STB substantially
reduces efficiency but helps
lift. Vent free gas if possible.
The producing of free gas
through the pump causes
reduction in ability to handle
liquids.
Not recommended.
Recommended.
Solids/sand handling ability is
fair to poor. Jet pumps are
operating with 3% sand in
produced fluid. Power fluid
to jet pump can tolerate 200
ppm of 25µ particle size.
Fresh water treatment for salt

-7 -
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
10 to 100 ppm
Greater than 100 ppm
Contaminants Scale Scale can form close to the
operating gas lift valve due to
the pressure drop at that
location. This may lead to
blockage of the gas lift valves
and an inability to be able to
retrieve them.
Paraffin Paraffin may deposit near an
operating gas lift valve due to
temperature and pressure drop.
This may lead to blockage of
the gas lift valves and an
inability to be able to retrieve
them
Asphaltene Introduction of lift gas into the
produced fluid stream may
increase the risk of asphaltene
deposits. Production chemistry
analysis for individual fields
will determine whether this is
likely to occur.
Treatment Scale inhibitor Recommended when any
treatment is required. These
treatments have little to no
effect on a gas lifted system.
Corrosion inhibitor
Solvent
ESP
ESP may be operated under
these conditions but harder
surface coatings are required.
Not recommended due to
friction and wear on ESP
equipment.
If the well is prone to scale,
paraffin or asphaltenes deposit
then it is likely to occur in the
pump area (large pressure
drop). This will lead to pump
inefficiency, increased wear &
tear and eventually failure.
Chemical treatment is required
to prevent formation of these
contaminants.
Materials design will need to
be modified to ensure
continued service of the ESP
after treatment.
-8 -
PCP
Recommended.
Recommended. Typically can
handle up to 7-8% by volume.
Design of elastomers for
abrasion is required.
Typically not a constraint but
may need to be reviewed if well
has a high scaling tendency.
Not a problem due to the nature
of PCP however efficiency will
be reduced.
Does not increase deposition and
will produce asphaltene to
surface as a solid.
Elastomer compatibility is a
constraint so needs to be
reviewed in detail for design.
Rod Pump
Susceptible to paraffin problems.
Hot water/oil treating and/or
uses of scrapers possible, but
they increase operating problems
and costs.
Can be treated.
Corrosion and scale treatments
easy to perform. Good batch
treating inhibitor down annulus
used frequently for both
corrosion and scale control.
Corrosion handling good to
excellent.
Jet Pump
build-up possible.
Scale could build up at intake
and nozzle over time but can
be treated.
Can be treated. Paraffin -
handling capability is
good/excellent. Circulate heat
to downhole pump to
minimize build up.
Mechanical cutting and
inhibition possible.
Difficult to control.
Corrosion/scale ability is
good and sometimes
excellent. Inhibitor with
power fluid mixes with
produced fluid at entry of jet
pump throat. Batch treat
down annulus feasible.
Corrosion handling good to
excellent. Can be surfaced at
a predetermined schedule.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
Acid
Location Onshore Recommended
Offshore platform Excellent and recommended.
Subsea Delivery of fluids under a gas
lift scenario through a long sub
sea delivery system will be
significantly reduced. The
gravity and friction of lengthy
pipelines cannot be fully
overcome by a gas lifted
system. As the step out from
the tie in delivery point is
increased the efficiency of gas
lift decreases.
Sensitive environment Running a gas lift system will
include a flaring system, hence
affecting the environment when
the compressor is ‘blown
down’.
Number of Single Typically cost of providing
Wells compression for a single well
gas lift development is too high
to be able to justify.
1 to 20 As the number of wells
increases the cost of the
compression facilities becomes
more economic on a well-by-
well basis.
ESP
Recommended
Excellent and recommended.
Recommended. The ESP can
be designed to overcome the
head produced by the subsea
delivery system. As step out
from the tie in delivery point
increases, ESP efficiency
decreases, however an ESP is
able to handle larger step outs
than gas lift before zero flow
occurs.
Recommended. The ESP when
running has little potential
impact on the environment.
Recommended. ESP can be
installed for a single well with
standalone power generation
and control.
Recommended. Costs of power
equipment will be reduced and
rationalised as the number of
wells completed increases.
-9 -
PCP
Ensure cleanout of well prior to
re-installation.
Recommended
Good and recommended. Safety
barriers may be a const raint.
Not recommended except as
REDA PC. Rate will not achieve
benefits.
Recommended. Leakage from
stuffing box for rod only
constraint – polished rod
through wellhead.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Rod Pump
Recommended.
Poor and not recommended.
Must design for unit size,
weight, and pulling unit space.
Not Recommended.
Stuffing box leakage may be
messy and a potential hazard.
(Anti-pollution stuffing boxes
are available.)
Fair in term of noise level.
Moderately high for urban areas.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Jet Pump
Onshore applications are
common.
Good to excellent. Offshore
applications are common.
Produced water or seawater
may be used as power fluid
with well site type system or
power fluid separation before
production treating system.
Not recommended due to
intervention requirments and
power fluid pump to remote
location.
Power water (fresh, produced,
or sea water) is acceptable.
However, there is concern in
sensitive areas if oil is used as
power fluid , because of the
high-pressure injection lines.
Low in noise level. Well-site
power-fluid units can be
sound proofed. Due to
surface size, operations are
drawbacks in populated areas.
Single wells are the most
common.
Multiple wells operating from
one single surface hydraulic
package greatly reduces lift
cost.
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
Greater than 20 Recommended. Cost benefit for
this number of wells justifies
high costs for installation of
compression.
Electrical Not required.
Power
Gas source Yes Recommended. If a gas source
is readily available either from
produced gas, import gas or a
gas well then gas lift is a viable
artificial lift method.
No Not recommended, as the cost
of obtaining a gas source will
be large.
Facilities Large amount of space is
footprint required to install a
compression system. For areas
where space is at a premium
this can be a costly issue.
Start up Gas lift is not recommended if
after a shut down gas is not
easily available. Gas can be
sourced from:
• Produced gas from
naturally flowing well or
artificially lifted by non
gas lift method
• A flowing gas well
• Importing gas from an
external source e.g.
Pipeline
Well For gas lift valve changeouts
intervention slick line intervention > 5
years. For subsea wells may not
be required for life of well. For
ESP
Recommended.
A source of electric power is
needed. This can be a tie in to
an existing facility, a tie in to a
power grid or independent
power generation.
Does not impact ESP solution.
Does not impact ESP solution.
Facilities often have power
generation already installed
hence the addition of power for
ESP does not have as large an
impact as for gas compression.
Once power is available to the
facility ESP systems will be
able to be run.
Run life of ESP determines
intervention frequency. Change
out of total completion
required for ESP failure.
- 10 -
PCP
Recommended.
Gas motor can be used. Less
voltage required than ESP hence
lower operating cost.
Does not impact PCP solution.
Does not impact PCP solution.
Small footprint. Facilities often
have power generation already
installed hence the addition of
power for PCP does not have as
large an impact as for gas
compression.
Once power is available to the
facility PCP systems will be able
to be run.
Run life of PCP determines
intervention frequency. Change
out of total completion required
for ESP failure. Average run life
Rod Pump
Recommended.
Can use electricity as power
source. Prime mover flexibility
is good: either engines or motors
can be used easily (motors more
reliable and flexible).
Gas engines could be used in
locations with no electricity.
Does not impact RP solution.
Small footprint on surface.
Facilities often have power
generation already installed;
hence the addition of power for a
rod pump unit does not have as
large an impact as for gas
compression.
Once power is available to the
facility, rod pump systems will
be able to be run.
Workover or pulling rig. Run
time efficiency is greater than
90% if good operating practices
are followed and if corrosion,
Jet Pump
Prime mover can be an
electric motor. A diesel or
gas engine can be used where
electricity is not available.
Produced gas from the well
can be used to power a gas
engine prime mover.
Does not impact JP solution.
Large amount of surface
spacing is required. Surface
unit can be mounted on one
skid or two skids for a dual-
vessel power fluid cleaning
unit. Two skids for a 200 HP
unit with engine prime mover
may have a footprint of
approximately 8 feet by 18
feet each.
Requires some fluid (water or
oil) to fill the vessels as
power fluid prior to start up.
Hydraulically removed or
wirelined. A “free” jet pump
can be circulated to the
surface without pulling the
 ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS COMPARISON TABLE
Characteristic Specific Gas Lift
remedial well work as required
with the ability to perform
through tubing workovers.
CAPEX High for compression and gas
distribution system
OPEX Low. Gas lift systems have a
very low OPEX due to the
downhole reliability.
ESP
Average run life approximately
two years. Remedial work will
require completion to be
removed
High for power generation and
cabling
Moderate to high. Costly
interventions are required to
change out conventional ESP
completions, but productivity
and improved run life can
offset these costs.
- 11 -
PCP
approximately one to one and a
half years. Remedial work will
require completion to be
removed. Total change out can
be avoided by using wireline
retrievable with REDA PC or
put rotor and stator on rod string
so doesn’t have to pull tubing.
Moderate cost for facilities and
down hole equipment.
Moderate cost for equipment but
high intervention frequency.
Rod Pump
wax, asphaltenes, solids, etc…
are controlled.
Capital costs are low to
moderate. Cost increase with
depth and larger surface units.
Operating costs are very low for
shallow to medium depth (<
7500 ft) and low production (<
400 BFPD). Units easily
changed to other wells (i.e. re-
use) with minimum cost.
Jet Pump
tubing or it can be retrieved
by wire line. Must avoid
operating in cavitation range
of jet pumps throat; related to
pump intake pressure.
Capital costs are competitive
with sucker-rod pumps. Cost
increases with higher
horsepower. Wellhead
equipment has low profile.
Requires surface treating and
high pressure pumping
equipment.
High power cost owing to
horsepower requirement to
pump power fluid. Typical jet
pump efficiency is 30% thus
power fluid at 2-3 times the
produced fluid rate is
required. No moving parts in
pump; simple repair
procedures. Low pump
maintenance cost typical with
properly sized throat and
nozzle.