Title: Sensitivity Analysis of A Gas Lift System to Improve Oil Production in The Niger Delta
Authors: Anthony Ogbaegbe Chikwe, Christian Emelu Okalla, Godsgift Gbubemi Osimi.
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 105-116
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
In this study, a Python programming model was used to carry out sensitivity analysis on parameters affecting gas lift systems in a Niger Delta well. The main aim is analyzing how these parameters affect overall performance and what the optimum operating point is. The result gotten from the model built indicates that gas lift operation is not always effective and largely depends on specific well conditions. At a particular point, injecting gas becomes insignificant for oil production. Sensitivity analysis was carried out on the gas injection rate, well head pressure, and water cuts across five different case scenarios to investigate their individual effect. In case one, gas was initially injected at 2.2 MMSCF/D. The model later picked 3.41 MMSCF/D as the optimal range for maximum oil production of 913 barrels. It was observed that for subsequent cases, injecting more gas into the system resulted in gradual oil reduction and continual pressure increase. As more gas is injected, the mixture density experiences a gradual increase. This is supposed to be the reverse; gas injection was meant to reduce density so oil easily reaches the surface. But at some point, the reverse became the case and production dropped. Mixture density eventually increased from 29.10 to 30.14 during subsequent scenarios with various well head pressures. To achieve optimal results in any gas lift operation, gas injection rate should not be the only factor to consider. Other factors like well head pressure, water cut, bottom hole flowing pressure and reservoir geometry also deeply matter.