Gas Lift Systems
Gas lift is an artificial lift method that injects high-pressure gas into the production tubing to reduce the hydrostatic head of the fluid column, allowing reservoir pressure to push fluids to surface. It is one of the most flexible lift methods available — suitable for high-rate wells, offshore platforms, wells with high gas-oil ratios, and fields where a central gas compression facility is already in place.
Proxima supplies gas lift equipment from ChampionX — PCS Ferguson brand — for wells across Azerbaijan and the Caspian region.
How Gas Lift Works
Compressed gas is injected down the casing-tubing annulus from surface. Gas lift valves, mounted on mandrels in the tubing string, admit gas into the tubing at one or more injection points. The injected gas aerates the fluid column, reducing its density and allowing reservoir pressure to lift the lightened column to surface.
The depth and number of injection points are determined by reservoir pressure, wellhead pressure, and available injection gas pressure. A properly designed gas lift string maximises production rate at minimum gas injection volume.
Continuous vs Intermittent Gas Lift
| Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | — |
| Continuous gas lift | Gas injected at constant rate to maintain aerated fluid column | High-rate wells, good reservoir pressure |
| Intermittent gas lift | Gas injected in slugs to lift discrete fluid columns | Low-rate wells, low reservoir pressure, tight formations |
PCS Ferguson systems support both methods. The choice depends on well inflow performance, available injection pressure, and target production rate.
Product Range
Gas Lift Valves
Gas lift valves control gas injection into the tubing at each mandrel depth. They open and close in response to casing or tubing pressure, maintaining the designed injection pressure at each point. Available in wireline-retrievable and non-retrievable configurations.
Gas Lift Mandrels
Mandrels are the tubing sub-assemblies that house the gas lift valves. Side-pocket mandrels allow valves to be installed and retrieved by wireline without pulling the tubing string — a major operational advantage. PCS Ferguson mandrels are available for all standard tubing sizes.
Gas Lift Packers
Gas lift packers isolate the casing-tubing annulus below the injection zone, forcing injected gas to enter only through the designed valve depths. PCS Ferguson packers are available in retrievable and permanent configurations.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| — | — |
| Valve types | Wireline-retrievable, fixed |
| Mandrel type | Side-pocket mandrel |
| Tubing sizes | 2⅜” – 4½” |
| Injection pressure | Up to 10 000 psi |
| Temperature rating | To 175°C |
| Standards | API 19G1, API 19G2 |
Gas Lift Design Service
PCS Ferguson’s OPTIpod™ software calculates the optimal injection depth, gas volume, and valve selection for a given well. Proxima’s application engineers use well data — reservoir pressure, wellbore geometry, fluid properties, injection gas pressure — to deliver a gas lift design with the equipment quotation.
Why Source Through Proxima
Proxima is the authorised distributor of ChampionX artificial lift products in Azerbaijan. We provide gas lift equipment supply combined with local engineering support for design, installation guidance, and after-sales troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What compression infrastructure is needed for gas lift?
Gas lift requires a surface compression facility to supply gas at injection pressure — typically 70–200 bar depending on well depth and design. Where field gas is available, it can be used directly after compression. Proxima can connect you with compression equipment suppliers.
Q: Can gas lift be used in offshore Caspian wells?
Yes. Gas lift is particularly well suited to offshore platforms where a central compression facility serves multiple wells. It is widely used on Caspian offshore platforms.
Q: How are gas lift valves retrieved for maintenance?
Side-pocket mandrel valves are retrieved and replaced by wireline without pulling the tubing — a major cost advantage over systems requiring a workover rig.
Q: Can gas lift and plunger lift be combined?
Yes. PCS Ferguson offers combined gas lift and plunger lift systems for horizontal wells — gas lift during the high-rate early life of the well, transitioning to plunger lift as rates decline.
Q: Does Proxima provide gas lift design?
Yes. Provide well data — reservoir pressure, depth, tubing size, fluid properties, injection gas pressure — and we deliver a gas lift design with the equipment quotation.
