Subsurface Production Operations and Artificial Lift Technologies

The main elements of the subsurface production system include the reservoir, wellbore, tubing, perforation techniques, packer, SSSV, artificial lift equipment and wellhead. Understanding the integration between the elements of the subsurface production system along with the principles of the Inflow and outflow relationships is very important to be familiar with the well productivity and production optimization. Formation damage has a great impact on the productivity of oil and gas wells. Therefore, stimulation operations are used to remove the formation damage and enhance the productivity of the well. However, the artificial lift techniques are used to decrease the bottom-hole pressure and increase the production rate from the well. The various types of artificial lift systems along with their selection criteria should be studied to achieve production optimization.

This course provides an overview of well-performance evaluation leading to the determination of well conditions necessitating the application of artificial lift and stimulation operations. All causes of the formation damage (during drilling, cementing, production) and the remediation techniques will be presented. The practical aspects of the most important artificial lift methods will be covered. Several case studies including guidelines, approaches and procedures will be also presented for better understanding of the subsurface production operations and the artificial lift technologies.

Upon the successful completion of Subsurface Production Operations and Artificial Lift Technologies course, participants will be able to:

• Apply and gain in-depth knowledge on subsurface production operations
• Discuss the inflow and outflow performances
• Make analysis & evaluation of formation damage and its effect on production performance
• Improve the technical background about formation damage in terms of causes, prevention and finding remedies & solutions.
• Describe perforation methods, formation damage, matrix acidizing and hydraulic fracturing
• Apply and gain proper techniques on artificial lift systems and optimization technology
• Discuss gas lift systems, ESP systems, sucker rod pumping, jet pumps, hydraulic pumps and progressive cavity pumps.
• Discuss criteria for artificial lift system selection and artificial lift screening methods
• Select the appropriate artificial lift system
• Compare systems to determine what system is most economically feasible.
• Specify components and auxiliary equipment needed for each system
• Classify best practices available to extend the life of equipment and installed lift systems
• Design system features that allow for gassy production, production with solids, viscous production, and for other harsh environments

• Petroleum and production engineers
• Completion, reservoir and drilling engineers concerned with well performance & production enhancement facilities
• Supervisors, field operators and technicians
• Other company staff involved in subsurface production operations
• Petroleum engineers who are new to the profession
• Managers and government officials and others involved with the production systems
• Technical and operations staff from other disciplines, who require a cross-training to or a basic understanding of the subsurface production operations

Our highly practical experiential learning method is results-oriented; based on an adult learning concept.The course is designed as a blended environment of presentation; workshops; group work; practical exercises; field application/ case studies, analysis and several industry videos showing all processes; and general discussions. The course will include real case studies in the oil and gas industry. Most of the cases studies have been presented in international journals by the instructor.

Pre & Post course assessments will be used to measure the effectiveness of this training and measure the skill and ability of participants.