Publications

Production deferment is something we strive to minimize in our daily operations. With electrical submersible pumps (ESP) quickly becoming the new primary artificial lift method, improved completions have to be implemented in order to minimize deferment should there be any disruption with the ESP; operation. The technology developed in this work was an ESP and gas lift (GL) hybrid system. This combines the features of both artificial lift methods in one downhole production string. The working principle is quite straightforward; the ESP is operated during normal conditions, allowing maximum possible lifting capacity to be obtained. Then, in the event of ESP failure, the gas lift is immediately activated, but despite not delivering production levels as high as when ESP is in place, losses can however be minimized. This paper will explain about the success story of the installation of an ESP/GL hybrid system in IB-00XX. In the case of this well, the team avoided losing production of thousands of barrels of oil in the period of ESP downtime when the ESP experienced a problem that was difficult to solve. By operating the gas lift, production continued to be maintained, saving 5,300 barrels of oil from being lost during that period. The pathway to the implementation of this combined technology was challenging but rewarding due to the fact that it is a first of its kind in South Sumatera Block operations and that it brings significant revenue as well as a valuable lesson learned for the Company.