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Piston lifts are used to remove liquids and contaminants from natural gas wells. A steel cylinder is inserted into the well casing, and a surface valve is used to shut down operations. The pressure builds up, forcing all liquid above the plunger, which acts as a plug. When the valve is reopened, the plunger rapidly lifts, expelling any liquid or moisture through a vent. Piston lifts can use a timer or microprocessor to time the lift of the plunger. They extend the life of a well, are cheaper and easier to use than alternative methods, and limit methane gas emissions.
A piston lift is a type of pumping system used in natural gas wells. These lifters serve as one of the most popular gas well deliqueification techniques and are designed to remove liquids and other contaminants from gas. Without some type of deliquefication to remove moisture, gas wells eventually slow down or cease production altogether.
Each plunger lifter consists of a steel cylinder, or plunger, that is inserted into the well casing. To begin removing fluid from the well, workers use a special surface valve to shut down all drilling and pumping operations. When the well is shut down, natural gas builds up under the plunger, leading to an increase in pressure within the well. This pressure forces all of the liquid to stay above the plunger, and the plunger itself acts as a natural plug to separate the gas from the moisture.
Once the pressure within the well has reached a specified level, the valve is reopened to resume drilling and pumping. The excess pressure creates a tremendous force, rapidly lifting the plunger to the top of the casing. As it ascends, it expels any liquid or moisture through a vent or drain area. The plunger prevents gas from escaping through this vent and instead forces it through a standard processing tube for collection or sale. After the gas has been released from the well, the plunger lift falls back into the well casing to repeat the process.
A piston lifter can rely on a variety of operating principles. Some use a simple timer, which opens and closes the valve at specific intervals to release gas and fluid. Others incorporate a more advanced microprocessor to time the lift of the plunger more accurately. These processors measure factors such as gas flow rate, temperature and pressure to determine the optimum time to open the valve and lift the plunger. This helps maximize natural gas production while minimizing problems with fluid within the well.
Plunger lift systems offer many advantages over traditional deliquefication techniques. By removing moisture and keeping it away from natural gas, these lifts extend the life of a well and prevent it from “running dry.” They are also cheaper and easier to use than alternative methods, such as return systems. Finally, a piston lifter helps produce the environment by limiting methane gas emissions from the well. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas, which means it contributes to ozone layer problems and global warming.
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