Publications

PT. Pertamina EP Regional 2 Zone 7 Jatibarang (PEPJ) operates a total of 54 fields and hundreds of active-producing wells, employing various lifting methods. Among these, Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) wells account for 26% of PEPJ’s total oil production. To maintain the active well production, PEPJ personnel address multiple factors, one of which is the Loss of Production Opportunity (LPO) from ESP wells. This study focuses primarily on the ESP wells in the Jatibarang field (JESP). Historical LPO statistics highlight a recurring issue: frequent downtimes in JESP wells due to surface artificial lift trip, which are critical and require immediate attention.

The JESP operation utilizes gas as the main prime mover fuel. However, the distance between the well and the discharge gas compressor station, coupled with the wellsite configuration, could cause drop in pressure and temperature, leading to condensation of both water vapor and hydrocarbon gas in the fuel gas. Laboratory test revealed that the existing fuel gas has a moisture content of 142 lb/MMscf. In addition, improperly installed scrubber on well clusters causes liquid carryover, which enters the gas-fueled engine, causing sudden shutdown in JESP operation.

PEPJ also has over 200 idle well, some located adjacent to active-producing wells. The space at certain depths of an idle well could potentially be used as further treatment to the fuel gas. A novel downhole separation method of fuel gas using idle wells, known as DOBBER, has been investigated in this study. The DOBBER results showed significant improvements in the fuel gas, reducing moisture content from 142 lb/MMscf to 39 lb/MMscf and emerged as reheated gas as the injected gas temperature rose by 9°C. This new fuel gas system has successfully improved JESP runtime and contributed to a reduction in LPO.