Systems and methods for producing gas wells with multiple production tubing strings

A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, the system comprising:

• a wellhead disposed at the surface;
• a production tree coupled to the wellhead;
• a casing coupled to the wellhead and extending into the wellbore;
• and
• a first plurality of production tubing strings extending into the casing from the wellhead to a first production zone, wherein each of the first plurality of production tubing strings is configured to provide a fluid flow path for gases from the first production zone;
• wherein the production tree is configured to selectively and independently control fluid flow through each of the first plurality of production tubing strings;
• a second plurality of production tubing strings extending within the casing to a second production zone, wherein the second production zone is farther from the surface than the first production zone;
• and where each of the second plurality of production tubing strings is configured to provide a fluid flow path for gases produced from the second production zone to the surface;
• wherein the production tree is configured to selectively allow and restrict fluid flow through each of the second plurality of production tubing strings independently.

A method for producing gas from a well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, the method comprising:

• (a) installing a first flow path within the wellbore, wherein the first flow path has a first cross-sectional area;
• (b) installing a second flow path within the wellbore, wherein the second flow path has a second cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area;
• (c) flowing gas from a first production zone in the subterranean formation during a first production period through the first flow path after both (a) and (b) until a flow rate from the first production zone reaches a first value;
• (d) shutting in the first production flow path;
• (e) flowing gas from the first production zone during a second production period through the second flow path after (a), (b), and (d) until the flow rate from the first production zone reaches a second value that is smaller than the first value;
• (f) shutting in the second production flow path;
• (g) installing a third flow path within the wellbore, wherein the third flow path has a third cross-sectional area;
• (h) installing a fourth flow path within the wellbore, wherein the fourth flow path has a fourth cross-sectional area that is smaller than the third cross-sectional area;
• (i) flowing gas from a second production zone in the subterranean formation during a third production period through the third flow path after both (g) and (h) until a flow rate from the second production zone reaches a third value, wherein the second production zone is farther from the surface than the first production zone;
• (j) shutting in the third production flow path;
• (k) flowing gas from the second production zone during a fourth production period through the fourth flow path after (g), (h), and (i) until the flow rate from the second production zone reaches a fourth value that is smaller than the third value;
• (l) shutting in the fourth production flow path.

A method for producing gas from a well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, the method comprising:

• (a) installing a first production tubing string within the wellbore;
• (b) installing a second production tubing string within the wellbore;
• (c) flowing gas from a first production zone in the subterranean formation through the first production tubing string after both (a) and (b);
• (d) flowing gas from a first production zone in the subterranean formation through the second production tubing string during (c);
• (e) determining a first pressure within the wellbore at an entrance of the first production tubing string;
• (f) determining a second pressure of gas within the first production tubing string at the surface;
• (g) regulating a flow of gas through the second production tubing string during (d) to minimize a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure;
• (h) shutting in an annulus disposed about the first production string and the second production string before (c) and (d);
• and
• wherein (e) comprises:
• (e1) measuring a third pressure within the annulus at the surface;
• (e2) estimating a fourth pressure exerted by a static column of fluid extending between the surface and the entrance of the first production tubing string;
• and
• (e3) adding the third pressure to the fourth pressure to determine the second pressure.