Optimization of gas well production through surfactant-based liquid loading mitigation strategy: Review

Abstract

Liquid loading remains one of the major production challenges affecting mature and low-pressure gas wells due to insufficient gas velocity required to transport accumulated liquids to the surface. Persistent liquid accumulation increases hydrostatic pressure, suppresses gas deliverability, accelerates productivity decline, and increases operational costs associated with well intervention and artificial lift systems. Among existing de-liquification techniques, surfactant-assisted foam lifting has emerged as a technically effective and economically viable approach because of its ability to reduce liquid density, enhance gas–liquid mobility, and improve liquid transport efficiency under multiphase flow conditions. This review critically examines recent advances in surfactant-assisted gas well de-liquification with emphasis on foam generation mechanisms, surfactant adsorption kinetics, foam stability, rheological behavior, concentration optimization, and the influence of reservoir conditions such as temperature, salinity, pressure, and condensate composition. The study further evaluates the performance of conventional, nanoparticle-enhanced, and environmentally sustainable surfactant systems reported in recent literature. Findings from the reviewed studies indicate that foam efficiency is strongly governed by interfacial adsorption behavior, surfactant concentration, dynamic foam stability, and reservoir-fluid interactions. However, limitations associated with foam degradation under harsh reservoir conditions, condensate interference, and inadequate adsorption stability continue to restrict field-scale efficiency. The review identifies current research gaps and highlights the need for integrated surfactant formulations with improved thermal stability, salt resistance, adsorption performance, and environmental compatibility for sustainable gas well de-liquification applications.