A gas well carries liquid to surface only while the gas velocity is high enough to lift droplets and sweep the liquid film up the tubing wall. As reservoir pressure and gas rate decline, velocity falls below the critical value, liquid falls back and accumulates in the tubing. The hydrostatic head of the accumulated liquid increases back-pressure on the reservoir, which reduces gas rate further and accelerates the process until the well cycles, loads and dies.

The signs appear well before the well dies. Erratic production, slugging, rising and falling tubing pressure, increasing difference between tubing and casing pressure and changing decline behaviour are all indicators. Recognising them early means the well can be treated before it stops producing and while cheaper options remain available.

Method selection depends on rate, depth, liquid volume, well construction and available infrastructure. Foamers suit low liquid volumes and are cheap to start. Velocity strings suit steady moderate declines. Plunger lift suits wells with sufficient reservoir energy to build casing pressure. Compression benefits every well but costs most. Common mistakes include leaving loading undiagnosed, installing plunger lift on wells with insufficient energy, and never revisiting settings once installed.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the mechanisms of liquid loading in gas wells.
• Calculate critical velocity and critical rate using standard methods.
• Diagnose liquid loading from production, pressure and decline data.
• Compare the available deliquification methods and their operating ranges.
• Screen wells for plunger lift suitability.
• Design a plunger lift installation, including plunger type, bumper spring, lubricator and controller.
• Set and adjust plunger cycle parameters for maximum production.
• Troubleshoot plunger lift wells that fail to arrive, cycle poorly or lose production.
• Select deliquification methods over field life on technical and economic grounds.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Recover gas production currently lost to liquid loading.
• Extend the productive life of mature gas wells.
• Select deliquification methods on evidence rather than habit.
• Improve plunger lift performance through better cycle control.
• Reduce well intervention costs on loaded wells.

Participants will:

• Understand why and when gas wells load up.
• Be able to calculate critical rates and diagnose loading from field data.
• Know the full range of deliquification options and where each fits.
• Be able to design and set up a plunger lift installation.
• Be able to troubleshoot plunger lift wells

Participants will:

• Understand why and when gas wells load up.
• Be able to calculate critical rates and diagnose loading from field data.
• Know the full range of deliquification options and where each fits.
• Be able to design and set up a plunger lift installation.
• Be able to troubleshoot plunger lift wells

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.