Jet Pump Kick-Off: A Sustainable Approach for Wells Compared to Nitrogen Lifting
Authors: Alghamdi Ahmad 
Published: October 2024

The operation to kick-off a well using a Jet Pump is an extremely effective technique for reviving wells that are either dead or not producing. This approach is especially beneficial in the oil and gas sector, where quick and efficient solutions are often necessary to bring wells back to full productivity. The setup can be implemented with coil tubing or can be implemented using a slick-line, strategically positioned at a point where the tubing meets the casing in a communication point. This point is crucial as it serves as a key location for the jet pump to operate.

A key feature of a jet pump system is its dependence on two distinct pathways to facilitate the circulation of fluids within the well. These pathways have different but equally important roles: one is for the injection of power fluid, and the other is for the return of fluids produced. This dual pathway design is vital for the jet pump's success, as it enables the continuous movement of fluids from the surface to the wellbore, effectively lifting hydrocarbons to the surface.

At the core of the jet pump operation is the utilization of a high-velocity jet of fluid. This fluid jet creates a flow regime strong enough to overcome the static pressure of the wellbore fluids and lift them to the surface. The jet pump is integrated into the coil tubing assembly, a robust and flexible structure that enables the pump to be deployed deep into the wellbore. This setup also includes a surface pump, which plays an integral role in driving the power fluid down into the well at the necessary pressure to activate the jet pump. the surface pump can be the backside pump used along with the coil tubing for usual pressure tests in a coil tubing rig up.

The core mechanism of a jet pump is simple yet highly effective. The jet pump employs the kinetic energy of the power fluid, injected at high pressure and speed, to mix with the formation fluids in the well. Once mixed, these formation fluids, typically a blend of hydrocarbons and other fluids from the wellbore, are brought to the surface. This process is powered by the high pressure of the power fluid, which, when introduced into the jet pump's nozzle, converts to high velocity fluid and creates a low-pressure area that draws in the wellbore fluids, allowing them to be lifted along with the injected fluid.

Coil tubing jet pumps are recognized for their high efficiency in hydraulic performance, a critical aspect in enhancing the productivity of well intervention operations. This efficiency is due to the pump's capability to handle fluids of various viscosities and flow rates, making it highly versatile in dealing with different well conditions. Whether the fluids in the wellbore are mainly gas, oil, or a mixture of both, the jet pump can maintain its lifting abilities due to its adaptable design. The pump's high capacity to tolerate changes in flow rates and fluid properties allows it to be applied in a wide variety of well settings, from those with low-pressure conditions to those with more challenging circumstances, such as those with a significant production of sand.

Jet pumps are effective in wells with high sand production or variable flow rates. They can handle gas and liquid mixtures effectively, making them many-sided in challenging conditions. The jet pump does not have any moving parts and totally relay on the venturi principle to create a low-pressure zone and vacuums the well to lift the kill fluid and bring the well to natural flow. The heart of the pump consists of a nozzle and throat made of tungsten carbide steel which are erosion/corrosion resistant and can handle downhole harsh conditions. The pump works by injecting any available clean fluid such as water, diesel, oil, or brine to the power fluid conduit (coil tubing for example) which then the injected fluid gets transferred by the nozzle to be high-speed low-pressure fluid creating low pressure zone inside the pump and brings wellbore fluids inside the pump. The injected fluid is referred to as power fluid and is the prime mover of the Jet Pump system. The power fluid gets mixed with the production fluid and returns to the surface through the return conduit/produced fluid conduit (coil tubing/tubing annular for example).

The Jet pump technology enables the high-speed low-pressure fluid to create a low-pressure zone that vacuums the kill fluid from the wellbore and produces it through the return conduit. Jet Pump kick-offs eliminate the use of liquid nitrogen and all associated pressurized rotary equipment which leads to minimizing carbon emissions and enhancing the safety of moving equipment on the road and at the location. The drawdown created by the venturi effect in the Jet Pump is much stronger than the drawdown created by nitrogen lift. The nitrogen lift is leveraging the well energy to lift the well and might not succeed in low-pressure candidates while the jet pump system is using added energy to left the well.