Multiphase Pumping Reduces Back Pressure, Enhances Gas Lift Efficiency By Sven Olson Sr. and Ayat Elkenany ALLENDALE, N.J.-Although multiphase pumping has demonstrated tremendous value in a range of applications in all types of onshore oil and gas fields, many of the technology's initial applications were offshore. Multiphase pumping remains a flexible and universal tool that allows producers of shallowwater assets to extend the operational life of aging and declining wells that are assisted by gas lift. Multiphase pump installations in the Gulf of Mexico have brought significant benefits to operators and other stakeholders. On top of production and recovery gains, equally important and necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions also have been realized in these applications as a result of using multiphase pumps. Pressure boosting with multiphase pumps significantly extends plateau production and adds to the ultimate recovery in a shorter time compared with conventional recovery. As natural formation pressure declines with age, production rates essentially are determined by the capacity and performance of the artificial lift system. With a surface-installed multiphase pump lowering the flowing wellhead pressure, it is possible to improve the performance of gas lift and downhole pumps by optimizing flowing conditions, which in turn adds to better well inflow, higher production rates and improved ultimate recovery. JUNE 2023 81