Lift Enhancement (AVE) Systems

One area of technology focus is upon artificial lift Enhancement (AVE) systems to prevent liquid loading in long vertical and horizontal well sections.  A technology developed by Marathon, the AVE system, removes low- to medium-volumes of liquids that inhibit flow from gas wells. AVE equipment includes a packer and crossover assembly that allow wells to be gas lifted below packers with retrievable gas-lift valves). Liquids typically accumulate in the wellbore as gas production rate falls below the critical liquid removal velocity. If allowed to accumulate in the wellbore, these liquids will cause near-well relative permeability damage and reduce recoverable reserves. AVE has successfully reestablished economic production in numerous Marathon wells, resulting in significant reserve additions.