What is liquid-loading in gas wells?
One challenge for natural gas producers is liquid loading in their well.
Typically, a natural gas well can be produced with a minimal amount of water entrained in the flow stream. However, as the well ages and the gas pressure and velocity gradually fall, the well can become “liquid loaded.”
A gas well is liquid loaded when there is a column of fluid in the tubing that creates enough hydrostatic pressure to block the natural gas from being produced.
One solution to a liquid-loaded gas well is to introduce a soap stick to this liquid column.
What is a soap stick?
A soap stick used in a gas well is a mixture of detergents designed to foam the liquid.
Once introduced to the liquids in the well, the soap stick creates a foam from the liquid, which is lighter and more easily lifted to the surface by the natural well pressure. A soap stick is also referred to more generally as a type of surfactant.
How Do You Use a soap stick in a gas well?
Sending a soap stick downhole is usually done manually.
A piece of tubing connected to the well head will have isolation valves at each end. The operator will utilize this piece of equipment to introduce the soap stick to the well in a safe manner. After loading the soap stick, the operator will open the isolation valve, launching it downhole.
How much water can a soap stick help lift?
Depending on the production of the well, one soap stick can lift between 3 and 5 barrels of water. That’s enough to take hydrostatic pressure off the well to allow it to start producing again.
Multiple soap sticks can be used at once to increase the amount of liquids removed from the well.
When should i Use Soap Sticks?
Soap sticks are a good temporary option to remove a liquid column from a liquid loaded well. They are inexpensive compared to other forms of artificial lift.
However, they are a temporary fix. If your well has liquid loaded once, it’s highly likely it's going to do so again over time and more frequently. When this happens, it’s time to start planning for a more permanent fix—an artificial lift option like plunger lift or gas lift.
When Should i Not Use Soap Sticks ?
We don’t recommend using soap sticks on liquid-heavy wells—dry gas wells are the optimal application.
This method is also ineffective if there are large amounts of liquid hydrocarbons present that can neutralize the surfactants.
Also note that if you are treating other symptoms like sour gas or corrosion, there are other types of chemicals that come in this form that can be used for well treating.
