Gas lift is a widely used artificial lift technique to enhance the production of oil and gas wells. However, gas lift operations pose significant well integrity challenges, especially in sour fields where the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) can cause severe corrosion, erosion and stress cracking of the well components. Moreover, gas lift wells require double barrier compliance to prevent the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons and sour gas to the environment, which can have catastrophic consequences for the health, safety and environment (HSE) of the personnel and the facilities. Therefore, gas lift wells demand special consideration for the casing selection and design, cement compliance, completion material, wellhead surface design, preventive maintenance and HSE testing to meet double barrier requirements.
This paper presents a case study of the well integrity challenges encountered and solutions implemented during the gas lift appraisal project in a sour field in the UAE. The paper aims to discuss the well integrity challenges faced during appraisal study for two wells and demonstrate how the operator was able to achieve double barrier compliance for the gas lift operations during the development of 42 gas lift wells. The paper also intends to provide valuable insights and lessons learned for improving the performance and reliability of gas lift wells in mature sour field.
