Emerson and Interwell, a global leader in well intervention and integrity solutions, have announced the launch of the Adaptive Gas Lift System (AGLS), the world’s first retrievable electric gas lift system designed to meet internationally recognised safety and performance standards. The AGLS enables continuous optimisation of oil production without the need for invasive and costly well interventions, and its unique retrievable design reduces operational downtime while improving both the safety and sustainability of gas lift operations.
Conventional gas lift systems typically optimise production during the early life of a well, when tubing pressure is high. As reservoir conditions change, drawdown efficiency decreases and oil output can decline, often resulting in over-injection or under-injection of lift gas. Traditional injection pressure operated (IPO) valves require reducing casing pressure to close, limiting injection depth and production potential.
Manipulating casing pressure and managing temperature-related uncertainties in valve behaviour can also cause multi-pointing, where gas is injected at unintended depths, leading to inefficiencies and lost production. Addressing these challenges usually requires complex and costly well interventions to adjust valve port sizes or change injection depths.
The Adaptive Gas Lift System transforms gas lift operations by providing real-time remote control of valve port sizes, gas injection rates, injection depths, and drawdown without interrupting production. Because valve closure does not rely on reducing casing pressure, deeper injection is achievable, improving lifting efficiency throughout the life of the well.