Description

Coalbed methane accounts for approximately 10% of the United States gas supply and is a growing resource internationally. However, one of the major challenges for CBM operators continues to be cost effective de-watering systems necessary to release natural gas from coal seams. Centrilift offers a range of artificial lift systems for CBM applications, including:

• Electrical Submersible Pump Systems
• Rod Driven Progressing Cavity Pump Systems

Centrilift ESP Systems
Centrilift ESP systems offer significant operational advantages compared to light industrial water well systems typically used in CBM wells. Centrilift offers complete topside and down-hole CBM systems with rugged, oilfield proven reliability.

• Wider choice of flow ranges: ESPs offer a wider choice of flow ranges for particular casing sizes, allowing operators to size an ESP to specific applications and maximize drawdown and gas production.


• Low leakage risk at surface: ESP systems do not require rod shafts or seals, so for applications where environmental considerations are significant, ESP systems offer lower risk of surface leakage.

Centrilift RDPCP Systems
Along with the CBM ESP systems, Centrilift LIFTEQ® rod driven progressing cavity pump systems provide CBM operators a range of superior options for any CBM well conditions. LIFTEQ systems provide a wide range of equipment options for CBM de-watering with standard pump lift ratings of up to 2300 psi and production rates to over 3,000 bfpd.

• Abrasives: CBM water production frequently includes abrasive solids such as formation sand, fracturing materials or coal fines. LIFTEQ® elastomers used in CBM applications resist the erosive wear of abrasives, boosting system run life. The elastomers also are resistant to water swell, which provides an initial highly efficient design that stabilizes quickly down-hole, thus providing targeted production from the start.


• Gas/Water Separation: CBM gas production is enhanced with wellbore gas/water separation in the casing annulus. A RDPCP can be landed below the casing perforations or producing zones to facilitate this separation. However, gas also can be produced through the pump since there are no devices within the pump susceptible to gas lock.


• Flexibility: Fluid production requirements for CBM wells tend to decrease over time and LIFTEQ systems offer efficient operation in this changing environment. The systems can be designed to provide production rates for initial drawdown of wellbore fluids and stabilizing well operations. The same system can later be adjusted by decreasing pump speed to match the production requirement as the reservoir fluid load is depleted.