Publications

Handil is a mature oil field with depletion challenge as it was produced since 1975. Today it still contributes 70% of Delta Mahakam oil production with 90% of wells are using gas lift. The 40 years evolution creates a firmly established gas lift system and strategy. Initial gas lift technology was dual string gas lift with Side Pocket Mandrel (SPM) for each string. Since deepening became the next option for optimization, Retrievable Gas Lift (REGAL) was initiated to improve lifting capacity: Gas Lift Macaroni (GLM), Siphon String, GLD assembly, and Gas Lift Pack-Off (GLPO) each with different economic and well configuration consideration. Evolution in gas lift was also triggered by reservoir management which changed by time, where dedicated gas well should be adapted to produce oil reservoirs. Re-completion with smaller SPM tubing, GLPO, and GLM could be installed to optimize remaining potential. Gas lift could also be implemented for gas wells to solve liquid loading problem. Future gas lift wells in Handil are tubingless type with Mono Trip Gas Lift (MTGL) which significantly reduce completion cost. Gas lift design method is also evolving. From initially paper-based to digital computer-based method, and recently comprehensive field integrated model for injected gas allocation and priority. This summary of 40 years proven artificial lift technology provides references for better decision making to have maximum oil recovery for others new and mature oil field developments, to continue the production at recent economic challenges.