System and method for producing a well using a gas

A self-contained method for increasing production of a well, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a compressed lift gas to a well to obtain a production stream from the well;
• separating the production stream to form a product and a recycle gas stream;
• separating the recycle gas stream to form a power stream and a lift gas stream;
• and
• using at least a portion of the power stream to provide power for compressing the lift gas stream to form the compressed lift gas for provision to the well.

A system for increasing production of a well, the system comprising:

• a compressor for providing a pressurized lift gas to the well to obtain a product stream;
• at least one separator for receiving the product stream, wherein said at least one separator separates the product stream to form at least a power stream, and wherein said power stream provides power to the compressor;
• at least one measuring device in communication with the compressor, said at least one separator, or combinations thereof, for determining the volume, the contents, or combinations thereof, of the pressurized lift gas, the product stream, said power stream, or combinations thereof;
• and
• a controller for selectively actuating a plurality of valves disposed between the compressor, said at least one separator, or combinations thereof, based on measurements obtained by said at least one measuring device, wherein the controller comprises a processor in communication with computer instructions for instructing the processor to:
• selectively actuate the plurality of valves to direct the pressurized lift gas to the well, to divert the pressurized lift gas to a lift gas collector, or combinations thereof;
• selectively actuate the plurality of valves to direct the power stream to a power inlet of the compressor for providing power to the compressor, to direct the power stream to a gas inlet of the compressor for compression and use as lift gas, to divert the power stream to a collector, or combinations thereof;
• or
• combinations thereof.

A self-contained method for increasing production of a well, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating and compressing a lift gas to form a compressed lift gas;
• providing the compressed lift gas to a well to obtain a production stream from the well;
• separating the production stream to form a product and a recycle gas stream;
• separating the recycle gas stream to form a power stream and a lift gas stream;
• compressing the lift gas stream to form the compressed lift gas for provision to the well;
• using at least a portion of the power stream to provide power for compressing the lift gas stream;
• measuring the volume, the contents, or combinations thereof, of the compressed lift gas, the recycle gas stream, the power stream, or combinations thereof to form at least one measurement;
• and
• selectively diverting the compressed lift gas, the recycle gas stream, the power stream, or combinations thereof, to a collector based on said at least one measurement.