SPE Denver General Meeting November 2026

Abstract:

Gas Lift (GL) has been in use for over a century, but it can still be improved through innovation

and field testing. This presentation will review more than a decade of GL technology projects

and resulting learnings. Topics include equipment reliability, surveillance, optimization,

troubleshooting, and production improvement.

GL may not be resilient enough in certain applications. Hydraulically fractured wells have

created solids-related reliability challenges. More than 20 check valve models were subjected

to an erosive flow loop. Weaknesses were identified, and a survivor emerged in the process.

Data is key to GL surveillance, but not all assets possess the required quality. Wireless

sensors were deployed at legacy offshore assets to enrich data acquisition and optimize by

proxy. Ultrasonic gas flow meters were vetted in the lab and field to ensure they could meet

injection gas metering needs at locations where testing is rare.

Sometimes the data indicates a GL well is not achieving its potential. CO 2 tracing is a proven

method of identifying where GL gas is being injected without affecting production. A radioactive

tracing pilot was undertaken to validate an even simpler concept. Even if the GL is on target,

lift hydraulics could be enhanced if slip among produced fluids could be reduced. Surfactants

were piloted in various GL configurations to determine their effectiveness.

As these complementary topics demonstrate, GL optimization requires an integrated,

multidisciplinary approach. This presentation aims to show that technology advances can be

driven by asking and acting on the question, “Why can’t this be better?”

Biography:

Michael C. Romer, P.E. is Principal Artificial Lift (AL) Engineer at ExxonMobil and is on the

Upstream Production Optimization team in Houston. He has been with ExxonMobil for more

than 19 years, primarily focusing on global AL. Michael developed ExxonMobil courses on gas

lift, ESPs, rod pumps, and deliquification and enjoys delivering them worldwide.

Michael is the API 19G (Gas Lift) Task Group Chair, ALRDC Board Secretary, SPE Americas

AL Conference Vice Chair, and an SPE ESP Symposium committee member. He holds BS

and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee and the University

of Illinois, respectively.