Unlocking Gas Lift Deepening Value: A Comparative Study of Coiled Tubing and Braided Line for PE/IWR Portfolio Optimization in Mature Offshore Wells, Peninsular Malaysia

Y. Ching

Abstract

Gas Lift Deepening is a proven production enhancement technique that improves well performance by enabling deeper gas injection in selected mature wells. The value realized from the intervention is closely linked to deployment method selection, which influences technical feasibility, execution efficiency, operational risk, and overall economics. In multi-asset environments, a structured deployment selection approach offers opportunities to further improve intervention effectiveness and portfolio scalability. In practice, Gas Lift Deepening interventions are frequently deprioritized within Production Enhancement and Idle Well Reactivation (PE/IWR) portfolios due to economic constraints when executed using conventional coiled tubing (CT) deployment. This study presents a comparative evaluation of Gas Lift Deepening deployment using CT and braided line, based on two field applications in mature offshore wells in Peninsular Malaysia. The evaluation integrates technical feasibility, operational performance, and economic effectiveness to establish a structured, fit-for-purpose approach for deployment method selection. The CT deployment, applied in a deep, highly deviation well, provided superior depth control and circulation capability, enabling successful valve placement and significant production gain. Conversely, the braided line deployment, executed in a moderate depth well with favourable wellbore conditions, enabled rapid intervention with lower operational cost while delivering meaningful production gain. Results demonstrate that CT ensures execution reliability in high-complexity wells, while braided line delivers up to 50–70% cost reduction with competitive production gains in moderate-complexity environments. This study establishes a structured, field-validated deployment framework that enables scalable, fit-for-purpose Gas Lift Deepening strategies, enhancing its viability as a competitive portfolio-level production enhancement solution across diverse well conditions. Critically, the study demonstrates that while coiled tubing and braided line differ in execution capability and cost efficiency, optimal value is achieved through aligning candidate selection, well characteristics, and fit-for-purpose deployment to maximize production gain and portfolio scalability.

Source: semanticscholar

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