Publications

The high demand of oil encourages petroleum engineers to develop various technologies of artificial lift to increase oil production by considering reservoir performance. Controlling production rate is one of several efforts to remove reservoir performance uncertainty. Variable frequency drive (VFD) is usually used to control Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) motor digitally from surface, which indirectly control production rate of ESP by adjusting ESPs motor speed. Technically VFD is the most accurate and easiest instrument can be used to adjust ESP to achieve desired production rate. However, another alternative technology such as Down Hole Choke (DHC) is required if the VFD is not available for some reasons. DHC is a modified bottom hole plug, equipped with perforated sub and set on nipple below Y block. Therefore the fluid produced from the pump partially will be flow back to below Y block and back to downhole. On the other side, DHC which is mechanically controlled, is more economic than electrically controlled VSD. DHC is also can be used in case of required production rate is below VFD range. Well-X in Malacca Strait area has been applying DHC to control its production rate. However, empirical equation to predict production rate has not been developed yet. Therefore, production data from Well-X was analyzed to create an empirical equation for each diameter of DHC installed using statistical approach to minimize technical problem