The Haynesville Production and Engineering team recently completed a major optimization project focused on intermitting legacy wells throughout the basin. By automating what had previously been a time-consuming and manual process, the team improved output productivity, reduced maintenance costs and enhanced safety for wells across the business unit.
Intermitting wells, or temporarily shutting in or cycling production, offers strategic benefits including optimizing production efficiency. Traditionally this process required lease operators to travel to the well site to manually open and close valves, causing greater variability in production and accelerated wear and tear on the equipment. Through automation, the team now uses remote control functions to calibrate intermitting cycles — improving well performance and freeing operators to focus on higher-value activities in the field.
“We’ve added automation software to more than 350 individual wells so far, with some recording production increases upwards of 300 Mcf/d,” said Seth Lagraen, Haynesville Operations Engineer. “The result is a safer, more efficient production process that’s streamlining operators day-to-day and driving meaningful production gains for the company.”
Safety improvements have been particularly meaningful. Removing the need for daily manual valve operation reduces human exposure to potential safety hazards and regular cycling of safety valves to help extend safe functionality.
“This is not a top-down driven project, it’s a powerful example of how our teams solve problems when empowered,” said Brian Lageman, Senior Production Manager. “By challenging historic operating processes, applying technology to persistent problems and methodically discussing risk management approaches, we’re building a sustainable system that improves our existing operations while laying the groundwork for smarter, more automated processes in the future.”
As optimization continues, the project is expected to deliver even greater uplift across the Haynesville legacy well portfolio, setting the stage for broader adoption of automated intermission in other areas.
