Gas Lifting a Major Oil Field in Argentina With High CO2 Content Associated Gas

Abstract

Summary The El Trapial Field in the Neuquen Province of Central Argentina produces more than 55,000 BOPD after 4 years of operation. The associated gas produced at El Trapial contains as much as 75% CO2. Immediately after the discovery of the field, a study indicated that gas lift would meet environmental concerns and be an attractive economical alternative for producing the field. The study also concluded that the high CO2 fraction gas dissolved in the oil could be used satisfactorily for gas lift purposes. A plan was implemented at that time to design and construct the production facilities around gas lift as the primary artificial lift method. This paper addresses special precautions required for design of the production and gas lift facilities to gas lift successfully with high acid content associated gas. Also discussed is Petrolera Argentina San Jorge's experience with such a system at El Trapial during the first 2 years of operation.