Sea floor boost pump and gas lift system and method for producing a subsea well

摘要

A method and system for producing a subsea well includes installing a pump and a gas/liquid separator on a sea floor. The system flows well fluid up the well to the pump, boosting the pressure of the well fluid. The system flows the well fluid from the pump into the gas/liquid separator and separates gas from the well fluid. The stream of liquid flows up a flow line to a remote production facility. The stream of gas is injected back into the well at a selected depth to mix with the well fluid flowing up the well. The injection of gas creates a gas lift system that lightens the hydrostatic pressure of the well fluid in the well.

主权项

1. A method for producing at least one subsea well, comprising:
(a) installing a pump and a gas/liquid separator on a sea floor and connecting a discharge of the pump to an inlet of the separator, (b) flowing a well fluid up the well; (c) with the separator, separating gas from liquid in the well fluid; (d) with the pump, pumping the liquid separated to a remote production facility; (e) injecting at a selected depth in the well and into the well fluid flowing up the well at least some of the gas separated by the separator; (f) sensing a ratio of gas to liquid in the well fluid flowing to the pump; and (g) injecting a non production gas into the well if the ratio is less than a desired amount.