It is well known that liquid loading in unconventional gas wells can dramatically reduce production and lead to premature abandonment. Liquid loading creates a “vicious cycle” that occurs when liquid blockage creates backpressure in the wellbore or pore space in the formation, resulting in reduced gas velocity and leading to more liquid accumulation over time.

Electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) and other artificial lift technologies are typically unable to remove liquids in both the vertical and horizontal sections of the well.

A new downhole compressor solution, based on advanced magnetic technologies, was developed by Upwing Energy and recently completed its first field trials in an unconventional gas well operated by Riverside Petroleum. Analysis of results during the trial revealed a 62% increase in gas production and significant increase in liquid production over its steady-state performance using a rod pump prior to the subsurface compressor system (SCS) installation.

Subsurface Compressor System

The SCS is designed to provide reliable performance in the downhole environment by eliminating the common points of failure in conventional ESPs. It is based on proven magnetic technologies used in topside and subsea oil and gas applications (Fig. 1), which were deployed downhole successfully for the first time during the Riverside trial, including:

• A high-speed permanent magnet (PM) motor
• A shaftless magnetic coupling between the motor and compressor
• Passive noncontact magnetic bearings with electronic dampers