Assessment of Artificial Lifts for Oil Wells in Egypt

Abstract One of the challenges facing the Egyptian oil industry is to increase production and maximize reserves especially in mature and marginal fields. The fast and continuous development in artificial lift technology plays a role in solving these problems. Recent improvements in technology, automation and metallurgy have reduced lifting costs through system components that resist hostile environments, optimize power usage, and improve reliability allowing profitable production from previously uneconomic fields or wells. Since the oil industry first emerged in Egypt, over 200 oil and gas fields have come on-stream. Natural producing wells represent less than 9% of this total; other wells are lifted artificially. This paper will present the history, present day, and the future application of artificial lift systems in Egyptian oil fields, covering the main problems encountered in the operation of each single system of artificial lift including the actions taken to overcome or eliminate these problems. Special emphasis will be given to marginal and mature oil fields because of the economical limitations accompanied with development costs.