Chemical programs associated with ESP, PCP and rod-lifted wells are often overshadowed by drilling programs and higher producing wells. However, the sheer volume of these wells across the world adds up to a substantial amount of production that is vital to the global economy. These wells often experience higher failure rates due to the mechanical wear of these lift systems and inadequate chemical programs.
Shortages in available workforce to properly truck treat this vast number of wells has created a growing population of wells continually at risk for failure. DC3 believes automation with verification of chemical pump performance, combined with actuator-controlled flush provided by the well, can deliver more barrels at a reduced failure rate over conventional treatment methods.
Challenges of Truck Treating: The Upstream Chemical Industry Loss Leader
Truck treating oil and gas wells is the most convenient and unreliable chemical treatment method deployed in oil and gas operations. While a necessary service capability, truck treating is used as an easy button to avoid chemical injection capital expense and adding more tanks and pumps to existing routes. Truck treatment should be considered an exception, not the rule, when designing a program for ALS chemical programs.
Also problematic is the fact that chemistries are stretched beyond their functional limits of film persistency, leaving wells in a cycle of being unprotected for days or weeks before a new batch is performed, assuming a truck is available to perform the job. This increases under-deposit corrosion and pitting attack from uninhibited rod and pipe surfaces. Not all chemistries work best applied by truck batch, and frequency is often driven by economics, not best practices.
The Flush Control Advantage
- Minimize Gas Interference: By controlling valve open time down to seconds, you can minimize gas interference.
- Maximize Chemical Delivery: You no longer define your treatment by the availability of a truck; you can treat continuously and use your product more effectively.
- Reduce Failure Rates: By monitoring the chemical pump performance, adjusting the pump to deliver what you want, and controlling the flush, you will have a high-performing chemical program that reduces failure rates across your field.
By implementing automation on your wells you can take control of your treatment programs. Minimizing truck treatments will decrease LOE and HSE risk, and enable your fields to produce more oil and gas. Contact DC3 for an evaluation of your treatment programs and how implementing flush control systems and chemical pump automation can deliver value for the life of your assets.