SPE Production Operations & Optimization 2

Question 1

Which artificial lift method is most suitable for a high-GOR well producing from a deep, high-pressure reservoir with corrosive fluids?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic Jet Pump

Answer

Hydraulic jet pumps have no moving parts downhole, making them ideal for corrosive, high-GOR environments where ESPs and rod pumps suffer rapid wear.

Question 2

In a gas-condensate well, retrograde condensation occurs when reservoir pressure drops below which pressure?

Accepted Answer

Dew point pressure

Answer

Retrograde condensation in gas-condensate reservoirs begins when pressure falls below the dew point, causing liquid dropout in the reservoir.

Question 3

A production engineer observes that a well's IPR curve has shifted left over time with no change in skin. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Reservoir pressure depletion

Answer

A leftward shift of the IPR curve without a change in skin indicates reservoir pressure depletion, which reduces the maximum flow rate at zero bottomhole pressure.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a choke manifold on a well completion?

Accepted Answer

To control wellhead flow rate and backpressure

Answer

A choke manifold controls the flow rate from the well and maintains appropriate backpressure to manage reservoir drawdown and prevent sand production.

Question 5

Which parameter is most directly optimized by nodal analysis to maximize production rate?

Accepted Answer

Operating point (intersection of IPR and TPR)

Answer

Nodal analysis identifies the operating point where the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) intersects the Tubing Performance Relationship (TPR), and optimization seeks to move this intersection to a higher flow rate.

(SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers Certification Practice Test

(SPE) Society of Petroleum Engineers Certification Practice Test

SPE Production Operations & Optimization 2