Page 1
Vortex Downhole Tools Case Study
Texas A&M Lab Testing – Coal Bed Well – Downhole VX Removes More Water from
Wellbore with Same Gas Rate – 130’ vertical flow loop. The downhole VX was able to
enhance the ability of the flow regime to lift water up the tubing by up to 12.5%. The downhole
VX also reduced the pressure drop due to friction by up to 15%.
Texas A&M Field Testing – Downhole VX Removes Water from Wellbore – 1,200’
wellbore. The downhole VX was able to lift the water with only 56% of the gas-volume/critical-
velocity up the 2 3/8 tubing...
Accepted industry liquid lifting theory shows that for a wellhead pressure of 20 psig (34.7 psia),
and 2 3/8 tubing, the Turner equation gives a minimum lift velocity of 49 ft/sec which
corresponds to a flow rate of 0.201 MMSCFD which is equal to 0.162 lb/sec mass rate.
During Texas A&M testing, 10 gallons of water was injected and .09 lb/sec was the minimum
mass flow rate with which the well would unload. This mass flow rate corresponds to
approximately 0.11 MMSCFD and a minimum lift velocity of 26.72 ft/sec.
Page 2
Field installations overview:
The downhole VX tools have been successfully applied in a wide range of
installations ranging from shallow high permeable coal-bed wells to deep tight gas
wells. Wells ranging from high water rates to very low water rates. Vertical wells
and also wells with horizontal laterals. Please let us know your production
characteristics by completing a ‘Downhole Input Form’ so that we can determine if
a Downhole VX tool is right for you. This form can be found on our website at
www.vortexflowllc.com under the Forms section.
Page 3
“Moderate Depth New Well and Stacked Tools”…Uinta Basin – Downhole DXR and mid-
hole DXR lowers bottom-hole pressure and flattens decline curve on a well that is flowing
steadily – 7,000’ producing well. This installation shows how the DXR tools can benefit even a
newly completed and steadily flowing well. This well has been producing gas at well above the
critical gas rate. This DXR tool installation was done to see if a DX tool could enhance tubing
throughput and well production even in a well without a liquid loading problem by lowering the
flowing bottom-hole pressure and flattening the decline curve. After installation of the first DXR
tool, the well decline curve was significantly flattened. After installation of a second mid-hole
DXR, the oil production improved from 3 BOD to 6 BOD…indicating a further reduction of the
flowing bottom-hole pressure. The results illustrate how one DXR tool can enhance a well’s
production from day one of its life and how a second tool can further enhance well performance!
Uinta Basin - New Well
1
100
10,000
7/29
/200
4
8/5/
2004
8/12
/200
4
8/19
/200
4
8/26
/200
4
9/2/
2004
9/9/
2004
9/16
/200
4
9/23
/200
4
9/30
/200
4
10/7
/200
4
10/1
4/20
04
10/2
1/20
04
10/2
8/20
04
Tubing psig Casing psig Oil BOPD Gas MCFPD Water BWPD
Vortex tool
installed
8/19/04
Installed plunger,
problems running
with paraffin
First production
following fracture
stimulation
Full Open on
Choke 8/9/04 Pre - Vortex
Decline Curve
Pre- Vortex
Decline
Curve(s)
Mid Hole DXR
tool installed
10/14/04
Page 4
“Moderate Depth, High Perm, Moderate Water and Low Pressure”…Australia – Coal
Well – Downhole DX Reduces Multi-Phase Friction, Lowers Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure
on a Well that is flowing steadily – Increases Rate significantly – 3,000’ producing well. This
installation shows how the DX tools can benefit even a steadily flowing well. This well has been
producing gas at well above the critical gas rate. This DX tool installation was done to see if a
DX tool could enhance tubing throughput and well production even in a well without a liquid
loading problem. Based on nodal analysis, the flowing bottom-hole pressure for this well was
reduced 40 PSI. The results illustrate how a DX tool can enhance a well’s production from day
one of its life!
FV 25
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
7/8/
2004
7/15
/2004
7/22
/2004
7/29
/2004
8/5/
2004
8/12
/2004
8/19
/2004
8/26
/2004
9/2/
2004
9/9/
2004
9/16
/2004
9/23
/2004
9/30
/2004
10/7/2
004
10/14/2
004
10/21/2
004
10/28/2
004
MC
FD
an
d B
WD
Gas Production Water Production CP TP
Vortex DX
Installation
Date 8/18/04
Page 5
“Moderate Depth, High Perm, Moderate Water and Low Pressure”…Price, UT – Coal
Well – Downhole DX Reduces Multi-Phase Friction, Lowers Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure
on a Well that is flowing steadily – Increases Rate 10% – 3,000’ producing well. This
installation shows how the DX tools can benefit even a steadily flowing well. This well has been
producing gas at well above the critical gas rate. This DX tool installation was done to see if a
DX tool could enhance well production even in a well without a liquid loading problem. Based
on nodal analysis, the flowing bottom-hole pressure for this well was reduced by 13 PSI. The
results illustrate how a DX tool can enhance a well’s production from day one of its life!
Page 6
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and High Pressure”…Green River Basin – WY – Frontier
Formation – Downhole DX Provides Stable Production on Newly Completed Well – Shows
No Signs of Liquid Holdup in Wellbore – 11,000’ producing well. Through 38 weeks, the well
is producing without any signs of liquid loading as it bucks 350 – 400 PSIG at surface. Based on
nodal analysis, this well is producing steadily with only 70% of the calculated critical gas rate.
Champlin
11,100' SW Wyoming
1
10
100
1,000
10,000
11
-Ma
y-0
3
25
-Ma
y-0
3
8-J
un
-03
22
-Ju
n-0
3
6-J
ul-0
3
20
-Ju
l-03
3-A
ug
-03
17
-Au
g-0
3
31
-Au
g-0
3
14
-Se
p-0
3
28
-Se
p-0
3
12
-Oct-0
3
26
-Oct-0
3
9-N
ov-0
3
23
-No
v-0
3
7-D
ec-0
3
21
-De
c-0
3
4-J
an
-04
18
-Ja
n-0
4
1-F
eb
-04
15
-Fe
b-0
4
29
-Fe
b-0
4
14
-Ma
r-04
28
-Ma
r-04
MC
F/D
ay
FT
P/F
CP
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
Ho
urs
on
/BO
PD
/BW
PD
Mcf/d Ftp Fcp Bopd Bwpd Hrs ON
680 MCFD is Estimated Rate
for Onset of Liquid Loading -
8/5/03Now down to 426 MCFD
…only 62% of the
calculated critical rate
Page 7
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and High Pressure”…Ft. Worth Basin – TX – Barnett Shale Well
– Downhole DXI Removes Water from Wellbore – Stabilizes Production – 8,000’ deep
producing well. Prior to the installation of the downhole DXI, the well would operate with
casing pressure in excess of 1,000 PSI. This well would then load up severely once per week.
Since installation of the DXI tool, the casing pressure is consistent and averages only 575 PSI –
indicating no liquid loading. The flowing bottom-hole pressure has been reduced by
approximately 400 PSI. This well is able to consistently produce without loading with only 75%
of the calculated critical gas rate necessary to continually lift liquid.
G S
1
10
100
1,000
10,000
6/1/
03
6/16
/03
7/1/
03
7/16
/03
7/31
/03
8/15
/03
8/30
/03
9/14
/03
9/29
/03
10/1
4/03
10/2
9/03
11/1
3/03
11/2
8/03
12/1
3/03
12/2
8/03
Mcfd
/ B
bls
/ p
sig
/ M
Mcf
SICP MCFD Cum Gas Water FTP Ave Daily Rate per Mo
12/10/04 Vortex DX Installed
Page 8
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and High Pressure”…Ft. Worth Basin – TX – Barnett Shale Well –
Downhole DXI Removes Water from Wellbore – Stabilizes Production – 8,000’ deep producing
well. Prior to the installation of the downhole DXI, the well would operate with casing pressure in
excess of 1,000 PSI and had recently shown classic signs of liquid loading – erratic gas production,
reduced water production and increased casing pressure. Since installation of the DXI tool gas
production has been stabilized and the decline rate flattened. Water production has also been more
consistent – indicating less liquid loading. Upon installation of a second DXR tool that was set in
middle of the tubing, the decline rate further flattened and became more stable.
DS
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
10/1
/200
3
10/8
/200
3
10/1
5/200
3
10/2
2/200
3
10/2
9/200
3
11/5
/200
3
11/1
2/200
3
11/1
9/200
3
11/2
6/200
3
12/3
/200
3
12/1
0/200
3
12/1
7/200
3
12/2
4/200
3
12/3
1/200
3
1/7/
2004
1/14
/200
4
1/21
/200
4
1/28
/200
4
2/4/
2004
2/11
/200
4
2/18
/200
4
2/25
/200
4
3/3/
2004
3/10
/200
4
3/17
/200
4
3/24
/200
4
3/31
/200
4
Mcfd
/ B
bls
/ p
sig
/ M
Mcf
-
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
SICP MCFD Cum Gas Cond. FTP Water
Vortex DXI
Installed
12/14/03
2/11/04 Mid
Hjole Insert
Tool Installed
Onset of Liquid
loading causing
significant
production
problems
Liquid
Loading
has been
mitigated!
Page 9
“Shallow, High Perm, Low Water and Low Pressure”…Powder River Basin – WY – Coal Bed
Well – Downhole DX Removes Water from Wellbore – 750’ producing well. Within five weeks (the
first time the fluid level was taken), the water level had been reduced from 16’ above the bottom of the
tubing to 0’. This well has been able to continue to lift water from the wellbore through the 2 3/8 tubing
with only 65 – 70 MCFD.
Page 11
“Moderate Depth, High Perm, Low Water and Low Pressure”…San Juan Basin – CO –
Coal Bed Well – Downhole DX Removes Water from Wellbore – Increases Production –
2,827’ deep producing well. Prior to the 5/03 installation of the downhole DX, the well had
approx 302’ of fluid at the bottom of the wellbore (see pressure survey below) or about 129 PSI
of extra pressure on the reservoir. This well was producing gas up the backside and utilized an
eductor to bring 250 MCFD up the tubing. The tubing was being used for fluid control. The
well typically produced 1,200 MCFD. After installation the well has been producing up to 2,400
MCFD. The fluid level is now only 0’ and the gradient of the fluid column indicates that it is
now mostly vapor and less water. The new production level was maintained for an extended
period of time after the DX tool installation.
JB G
1
10
100
1,000
10,000
01-Feb-03 03-Mar-03 02-Apr-03 03-May-03 02-Jun-03 03-Jul-03 02-Aug-03 01-Sep-03 02-Oct-03
MC
F/d
Line Press Rate Installed
Page 12
JB G - Pressure Survey - 04/03
-2,850
-2,800
-2,750
-2,700
-2,650
-2,600
-2,550
-2,500
-2,450
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Gradient, PSI/FT
De
pth
, F
T
JB G - Pressure Survey - 08/03
-2,850
-2,800
-2,750
-2,700
-2,650
-2,600
-2,550
-2,500
-2,450
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Gradient, psi/ft
Dep
th,
ft
Page 13
“Moderate Depth, High Perm, Low Water and Low Pressure”…San Juan Basin – CO –
Coal Bed Well – Downhole DX Removes Water from Wellbore – Increases Production –
3,014’ deep producing well. Prior to the installation of the downhole DX, the well had approx
100’ of fluid at the bottom of the wellbore. This water placed an additional 43 psi on the
reservoir. This well was producing gas up the backside and utilized an eductor to bring 170
MCFD up the tubing. The tubing was being used for fluid control. The well typically produced
1,700 MCFD. After installation the well has been producing more consistently and at an
estimated 150 MCFD above the prior decline curve.
RF
0
300
600
900
1,200
1,500
1,800
2,100
2,400
2,700
3,000
31-Jan-03 02-Mar-03 01-Apr-03 02-May-03 01-Jun-03 02-Jul-03 01-Aug-03 31-Aug-03 01-Oct-03
MC
F/d
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
psi
gRate Installed Line Press 3-inch Eductor
Page 14
“Shallow Depth, High Perm, High Water and Low Pressure”…Powder River Basin – WY
– Coal Bed Well – Downhole DX Replaces PCP Pump and Increases Gas and Water
Production – 568’ deep installation. Total depth of the well is 623’. Prior to the installation of
the downhole DX, the well produced 180 MCFD and 60 BWD. 14 weeks after installation, this
well continues to flow effectively without using any additional LOE (electricity, maintenance
and repair) costs.
PCP Pump used prior to downhole DX.
Page 15
5-23-56-76 CO
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
3/27 4/
34/
104/
295/
135/
205/
27 6/3
6/10
6/17
6/24 7/
17/
117/
187/
25 8/1
8/8
8/16
8/23
8/30 9/
69/
229/
2910
/7
10/15
10/23
10/30
11/6
11/18
Mcfp
d o
r B
wp
d
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Eff
ecti
ve F
OP
(ft
) o
r S
urf
. P
ressu
re (
psia
)
Gas Rate Water Produced Surface Flowing Pressure (Psia)
VX Downhole Tool
Installed 5/28/03PCP pump for w ater due to gas lock
problems w /ESP, gas f low up annulus
Page 16
Intermitted Well Flow Case Study
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and Moderate Pressure”…Piceance Basin – Tight Gas Well –
Downhole DXR enhances the effectiveness of an automated intermitter, Lowers Flowing
Bottom Hole Pressure and increases rate 150 MCFD – 8,000’ producing well. This
installation shows how the DXR tools can benefit even a well that is producing at a rate below
the minimum rate to continually flow 24/7 with a DXR tool in place. In this case, the DXR
enhanced a well that was produced with an automated intermitter. The automated intermitter
starts the ‘on’ cycle given a casing/tubing differential and then shuts-in upon the gas rate
reaching a predetermined minimum gas rate of about 275 MCFD. In this manner a well is able
to maximize its production time.
Based on the chart shown below, the bottom-hole pressure for this well was reduced by 200-250
PSI to a stable 500 PSI. Gas rate appears to have been improved by 150 MCFD.
The red line represents the casing pressure, the purple line the tubing pressure, the green line the
instantaneous gas rates (measured 3x per hour) and the blue line represents daily gas production.
Page 17
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and High Pressure”…Green River Basin – WY – Downhole DXI
Removes Water from Wellbore – Stabilizes Production – 12,000’ deep producing well. Prior to the
installation of the downhole DXR, the well was operating on a timer and was produced in three cycles
per day and ‘on’ for about 18 hrs per day. A DXR tool was installed and the cycles were kept the same.
Production has been increased by 10 -15% from the pre DXR trend line. This production would likely
improve to a greater degree with an automated intermitter in place (as is discussed in the Piceance Basin
well). Additionally, as this well is significantly greater than 7,500’ deep, a second tool stacked mid-hole
would also likely improve the results seen to date.
Falcon
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
01/01/0
4
01/08/0
4
01/15/0
4
01/22/0
4
01/29/0
4
02/05/0
4
02/12/0
4
02/19/0
4
02/26/0
4
03/04/0
4
03/11/0
4
03/18/0
4
03/25/0
4
04/01/0
4
04/08/0
4
04/15/0
4
04/22/0
4
04/29/0
4
05/06/0
4
05/13/0
4
05/20/0
4
05/27/0
4
06/03/0
4
06/10/0
4
06/17/0
4
06/24/0
4
07/01/0
4
07/08/0
4
07/15/0
4
07/22/0
4
07/29/0
4
08/05/0
4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
MCFD Condensate Water
7/11/04 DXR
Installation
Page 18
“Deep, Tight, Low Water and High Pressure”…Ft. Worth Basin – TX – Barnett Shale Well –
Downhole DXI Removes Water from Wellbore – Stabilizes Production – 8,000’ deep producing
well. Prior to the installation of the downhole DXI, the well was operating on a timer and was produced
for about 12 hrs per day. A DXI tool was installed and the well was taken off of the timer. However,
the gas production was less than 40% of the critical gas rate and the well was not able to flow effectively
24/7. But, when the well was put back on the same timer schedule with the DXI tool in place,
production came up above the pre-installation decline trend nicely. Production now appears to be 20%
above the trend line.
M T
1
10
100
1,000
10/1
/200
3
10/8
/200
3
10/1
5/200
3
10/2
2/200
3
10/2
9/200
3
11/5
/200
3
11/1
2/200
3
11/1
9/200
3
11/2
6/200
3
12/3
/200
3
12/1
0/200
3
12/1
7/200
3
12/2
4/200
3
12/3
1/200
3
1/7/
2004
1/14
/200
4
1/21
/200
4
1/28
/200
4
2/4/
2004
2/11
/200
4
2/18
/200
4
2/25
/200
4
Mc
fd / B
bls
/ p
sig
/ M
Mc
f
SICP MCFD Cum Gas Water Cond. FTP
DXI Tool Installed 12/15/03
Well produced on
intermitted time again
Production 20
MCFD …20%
above decline
trend.
To find out how Vortex Flow can help you increase production or reduce your
LOE costs, call us on 303.761.7570 or visit us online at vortextools.com and go
to the “Forms” section.