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Stranded gas reserves recovered in Gulf of Mexico
An estimated 2.5-3bscf of otherwise stranded gas reserves will be recovered using the gas ejector installed by Chevron at its Gemini field; designed by Caltec Limited, it is believed to be the first application of its type in the Gulf of Mexico.
Presenting a paper co-authored by Chevron USA and Caltec at the 2007 OTC conference in Houston, Miles Becnel of Chevron hailed the ‘cost effective’ solution to the problem, using ‘proven technology, with no moving parts’.
The opportunity was to maintain production from a late-life field, from long offset sub-sea gas wells, using excess capacity from a compressor on re-cycle at the host facility.
Chevron’s reasons for choosing the ejector included:
o Rapid deployment: much quicker than other options.
o No moving parts: robust, reliable, low maintenance.
o No heavy lift or deep water intervention vessels required.
o Minimal shut-in required for installation.
Installed in June 2006, Caltec says that the ejector was able to reduce the platform arrival pressure by 200psi, lower the back pressure on the wells, thus increasing the gas production rate, and enabling recovery of over 2.5bscf otherwise stranded below 3400feet of water.
Caltec Ltd is based in Cranfield, Bedford, UK. www.caltec.com
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