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NOJAK Pumping System Deliquifies and Puts Gas Well Back on Line

PROBLEM: A shallow gas well in northern Indiana was completed 14 years ago to a depth of 708 feet and used by a farmer for his private consumption of natural gas. With gas usage over that period of time, the water level in the well gradually raised, causing the hydrostatic pressure to hold the gas back in the formation. The shut-in pressure would reach 210 PSI, but the pressure would immediately fall off when the gas was used. This back pressure reduced the gas production capacity of the well below a useable level. Several means were tried throughout the life of the well to remove the liquid without resorting to a pumping system. As the gas production dropped, the well became increasingly unable to clear itself of the excess water, which decreased the capacity of the well even further. 

Although the NOJAK Pumping System normally uses air, inert gas, or natural gas that is supplied by a compressor, the characteristics of this well appeared to make it feasible to run the system without a compressor by using the well’s own gas pressure. In contrast to other pumping systems, the NOJAK Pumping System lifts the liquids in stages. This sometimes makes it possible to produce liquids from gas wells that could not be pumped using a system that requires a single plunger to travel the full length of the well to lift the column of liquid. In addition, the lower casing pressures required by NOJAK do not have the tendency to restrict gas production from high backpressure.

Tank Stores Energy to Power NOJAK Pumping System

SOLUTION: The well was tested to see if gas could be stored in a used LP gas tank that was available on-site and held for use by the NOJAK Pumping System. It was determined that the tank would hold enough gas to supply the system for several cycles before dropping below the pressure required to lift the water from the well. The only questions remaining were how long it would take the well to recharge the tank to cycle the system again, and how quickly the gas production would increase as water was removed from the well. Plans were made to install the NOJAK Pumping System in the well.

After the NOJAK Pumping System initial startup, water production began very quickly due to the high water level in the well. It was determined however, that the gas pressure from the liquid-loaded well did not recover soon enough to allow the well to pump down the water level in an acceptable length of time. A small air compressor was brought on-site temporarily to get the well initially pumped down. Next, it was discovered that the years of liquid loading had caused the gas production to be slower than expected in returning to original levels. After pumping down the well several times, the gas production is returning to previous levels and will soon be capable of supplying the total gas required to maintain the low water level in the well. 

Saves Farmer $7,000 Per Year

BOTTOM LINE: With an adequate supply of well gas pressure, NOJAK can deliquify the well and deliver substantial energy savings. With the NOJAK Pumping System, the farmer was able to meet all his gas requirements at a total annual cost of energy equivalent to that for a 40-watt light bulb.