Restoring Gas Lift with Straddle Solution GoLift System
A Norwegian offshore well suffering from suspected gas lift mandrel plugging had seen three interventions fail to restore stable injection. To recover production without removing the existing system, Interwell deployed the GoLift straddle solution via wireline, establishing a new injection point above the restriction. The retrofit increased gas lift injection rates from approximately 35 000 to 120 000 Sm³/d, more than tripling capacity and rapidly restoring well productivity.
Challenge
Well A-10 experienced persistent challenges in maintaining optimal gaslift injection due to suspected plugging around the gas lift mandrel (GLM). Despite three previous interventions, only one delivered temporary improvement, while the others had minimal effect. The root cause remains uncertain, although inorganic scale deposition at the side pocket mandrel(SPM) inlets was considered the most likely source.
The issue led to a significant reduction in gas lift capacity, limiting injection rates to approximately 35 000 Sm³/d and constraining oil production. At the same time, the well exhibited a high water cut of around 82%, further complicating production optimisation. Stable gas lift was required not only to sustain production but also to enable reliable evaluation of future interventions such as water shut-off.
Solution
To restore gas lift functionality, a retrofit solution using the Interwell GoLift system was selected. The operation involved punching the tubing and installing a straddle assembly equipped with a gas lift valve (GLV); enabling gas injection at a new depth while maintaining the original injection point.
Prior to installation, a detailed gas lift design study was performed to determine the optimal placement depth and orifice size. The selected depth of ~100 metres above the original GLM was identified as the most efficient location to restore injection pressure and maximise production response. A 20/64’’ orifice in a 1” GLV was chosen to balance injection capacity and operational stability.
The intervention was executed via wireline. Initial operations included logging to determine control line position, retrieval of the existing GLV, and installation of a dummy valve. Three holes were then drilled at 1537 m MD using the IPD tool in combination with the Gardian rotation tool; ensuring the control line was avoided.
A lower packer was installed in the same run, followed by deployment of the upper packer combined with a 5.5” GoLift sub and GLV. The straddle configuration enabled dual injection capability; effectively bypassing the suspected plugged section without requiring removal of the existing system.
Value Created
The installation of the GoLift retrofit system delivered a significant improvement in gas lift performance and overall well productivity. Gas lift injection rates increased from approximately 35 000 Sm³/d to 120 000 Sm³/d, representing more than a threefold increase in capacity.
This substantial uplift restored stable gas lift conditions, which are essential for maintaining production in a high water cut environment. Improved injection efficiency also enhances drawdown conditions, supporting better inflow performance and enabling more accurate evaluation of reservoir behaviour.
In addition to immediate production gains, the solution provides operational flexibility for future interventions. By establishing a new injection point above the suspected restriction, the system mitigates the impact of plugging without requiring complex and high-risk remediation of the original GLM.
The intervention demonstrates how a targeted retrofit solution can extend well life, reduce intervention risk, and deliver rapid production recovery.
