Enhancing WRFM Operational Excellence by Addressing High Artificial Lift Failure Index Through Comprehensive Fail-Less Strategy - A Case Study in a High Viscous Onshore Oil Field

Abstract

Abstract The petroleum industry has always been in pursuit of innovative solutions to overcome challenges in oil production. One of the most significant challenges is artificial lift failures, which can lead to high subsurface deferment and, hence, result in decreased oil production and increased restoration costs. In 2019-2020, Field A in the south of the Sultanate of Oman experienced a high unscheduled subsurface deferment of 5% and a high artificial lift failure index of 30%, mainly due to erosion and corrosion caused by sand and solids production, combined with a high oil viscosity. Therefore, to address these issues, the fail-less strategy was introduced in the field encompassing the active participation of all relevant parties to pinpoint the underlying factors contributing to the heightened failures of current pumping mechanisms within the Field. Hence, a comprehensive conversion strategy was proposed for the frequent failure wells with beam pumps (BP) and progressive cavity pumps (PCP) to electrical submersible pumps (ESP), based on successful trials conducted in the same area previously. Starting from 2020, a total of 76 wells were converted which also included pump deepening opportunities. The implementation of the fail-less strategy resulted in significant improvements in the field's artificial lift system performance, reducing the overall field failure index from 30% in 2019 to only 15% by 2023 and reducing the unscheduled subsurface deferment to 2% by 2023 approaching top quartile performance. Furthermore, an increase in the field total net oil by 5% compared to 2019 performance was observed. This paper describes the challenges and the successful implementation of the conversion to ESP, providing valuable insights for the industry to address similar challenges in other fields.