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eg) Are dry gas or wet gas wells more conducive to wellhead choking?
The practice of flow rate management has become increasingly sophisticated and common, particularly in the Appalachian Basin, as producers seek to optimize returns in a challenging price environment while maintaining well integrity and long-term productivity.
Advanced Remote Well Management & SCADA systems are allowing operators to:
Monitor wellhead pressure thru Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) at wellheads
Control flow rates
Adjust compression settings
Monitor equipment performance
Track production data in real-time
Flow Rate Management Methods:
Wellhead Choking:
• Least invasive method • Maintains well integrity • Used for short-term adjustments
Typical Range: • Most wells can be choked back remotely by 5-15% daily without significant issues • More aggressive choking (>20%) requires careful monitoring • Complete shut-in is different from choking
Limiting Factors: • Reservoir characteristics • Wellhead equipment specifications • Gathering system requirements • Contract obligations • Formation pressure
Operational Considerations: • Must maintain minimum velocity for liquids removal • Need to prevent hydrate formation • Consider downstream compression impacts • Monitor wellhead pressure changes
Recent Examples: • EQT's curtailment program focused more on shut-ins rather than choking • Chesapeake used a combination of choking and shut-ins • Most operators prefer complete shut-ins over aggressive choking for significant curtailments
Shut-in Process:
• Complete cessation of production • More dramatic impact • Requires specific procedures • Used for longer-term curtailment
Gathering System Adjustments:
• Compression modifications • Line pressure management • System-wide flow balancing
Recent Examples: • EQT: Curtailed ~1.0 Bcf/d in Q1 2024 • Chesapeake: Production management in Marcellus • Antero: Dynamic flow rate adjustment
Reasons for Flow Adjustments:
Primary Drivers: • Price response (more common in 2023-2024) • Pipeline maintenance • Seasonal demand changes • Storage management • Contract obligations
Increased Frequency Due To: • Lower gas prices • Better technology • More pipeline constraints • Market volatility