Well flow system and method

Abstract

A well system and method of installation and operation for two-way communication between a service facility and a remotely located well head such as associated with an offshore well for such well functions as production of well fluids by gas lift. The system includes a well having a string of production tubing in a casing defining an annulus around the tubing, a gas lift valve in the tubing to admit lift gas from the annulus to the bore of the tubing to assist in raising production fluids to the surface, a well head including fittings for fluid communication into the production tubing and into the annulus, a service facility spaced from the well head including facilities for receiving well production and for pumping injection gas for gas lift in the well, and conductors communicating the service facility with the well head. The coiled tubing string is installed in the flow line between the service facility and the well head by several techniques including using pumpdown pistons which are displaced through the flow line by fluid pressure from the service facility to the well head. The pumpdown pistons may be either connected directly to the coiled tubing to pull the tubing from the service facility to the well head or may be connected to a cable which is transported to the well head where the cable is connected with a winch which in turn pulls the coiled tubing through the flow line to the well head.