A Generalized Wellbore and Surface Facility Model, Fully Coupled to a Reservoir Simulator

Coats, B.K.; Fleming, Graham; Watts, James W.; Ramé, Marcelo; Shiralkar, G.S.

doi:10.2118/79704-ms

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The numerical reservoir simulator used in this work is a full-field finite volume simulator and has been described elsewhere (Coats et al 2004;Shiralkar et al 2005). The simulator has a gridded wellbore and network model (Coats et al 2004) with fully coupled flow from subsurface through pipeline network. The simulator also is true multi-reservoir; it can couple multiple independent subsurface models, each with its own grid and fluid system, through a common network (Bader 2007).…”

Section: Technical Workflowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Optimization of Development Scenarios for Multiple Exploration Prospects Using an Integrated Asset Model

Smyth

Rusin

Garcia

et al. 2010

SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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This paper introduces a decision optimization procedure that can evaluate and rank hundreds of prospect development scenarios quickly. Sophisticated optimization techniques that include uncertainty analysis are combined with fully coupled reservoir simulation models and a surface production network.In an example, 12 prospects are evaluated together. Each prospect is multi-zone with varying physical parameters, where each prospect has an equal probability of success. This procedure represents a holistic approach that incorporates technical drilling constraints, full-cycle development costs, and economic evaluation. The methodology yields production profiles for a maximum of seven successes out of the 12 prospects. Production plateaus range from 5 to 20 years at rates ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 BOPD. More than 3,000 simulations, representing 60 development scenarios each covered by 64 uncertainty samples were executed for the integrated asset model. This method yields full-development cycle results and enables decision makers to screen potential projects quickly. This approach considers all possible scenarios under conditions of uncertainty to provide associated risks. The procedure can quickly be scaled from quite coarse subsurface models, e.g., "tanks", to higher-resolution models as new information is acquired.We present a rigorous method for the rapid evaluation of a portfolio of exploration prospects to benefit operators who perform early pre-screening of projects in their current portfolios or who are considering new business opportunities that require rapid and accurate evaluation. Strategic tendencies are quickly identified and enable integrated asset teams to focus on critical aspects of potential project performance.

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Section: Technical Workflowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Optimization of Development Scenarios for Multiple Exploration Prospects Using an Integrated Asset Model

Smyth

Rusin

Garcia

et al. 2010

SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Therefore, representing sink/source terms requires special attention. Coats et al (2003) provided the treatment to the wellbore boundary condition for an integrated subsurface-surface framework. The equation is generalized such that it can automatically predict cross-flow situations based on the potential difference, assuming co-current phase flows in each individual connection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Concept of Wellbore Boundary Condition for Modeling Liquid Loading in Gas Wells

Limpasurat

Falcone

2013

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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A new formulation of the wellbore boundary condition in multiphase reservoir simulation is suggested, allowing automatic determination of the direction of the flow at any time instant. It is particularly useful in coupled transient modeling of the liquid loading phenomenon in gas wells. The traditional Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) uses a common well-block productivity index, but determines the inflow/outflow of the individual phases through a wellbore connection in an otherwise detached manner. The new approach takes into account that all phases should flow in the same direction and should have a common zero flow condition. The restriction leads to the definition of a new state variable: the multi-phase zero-flow pressure (MPZFP, P 0 ). According to the new formulation, the flow direction at the connection is determined by the sign of the difference between this grid-block variable and the wellbore flowing pressure. Some advantages of the new formulation are: the flow is always co-current through a single connection (but multiple connections can lead to cross-flow); the meaning of well-block productivity index is preserved; the phase composition of the connection stream is determined by the upstream condition; when wellbore pressure is far from the MPZFP, the traditional (detached) IPRs are recovered; and -last but not least -previous numerical convergence problems are completely eliminated during coupled dynamic simulation of the wellbore/reservoir system in the presence of significant capillary pressure. Examples illustrate the application of the new wellbore boundary condition in coupled modeling of the complex phenomena under liquid loading conditions.

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“…It also provides a tool to set short-or medium-term targets for parameters, such as average reservoir pressure and injection schedules. Because of these reasons, many studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] have been performed where the reservoir was coupled with surface facilities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupled Facility and Reservoir Simulations to Optimize Strategies for a Mature Field

2011

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It is important to employ a good production injection strategy to optimize hydrocarbon recovery from a field. Reservoir constraints on the surface facility change as the field matures. It may be economical to revise the surface facility configurations rather than retaining the initial design of the surface facility to maintain the target production level of the field as reservoir conditions change. If reservoir pressure is not sufficient to maintain natural flow, there may be need for artificial lift mechanisms to keep the well flowing. Careful analysis of interdependence of the surface facility constraints and reservoir conditions are important in designing good quality production injection strategies for these circumstances. Coupled facility and reservoir simulations allow production optimization and determination of the impact of injection or disposal policies on reservoir management. Sometimes there are oscillations in computed production rates, which may be as a result from inaccurate treatment of a coupling algorithm, well management rules, optimization techniques, etc. Excessive fluctuations make the solution impractical to implement. In this paper, we examine the cause of well rate fluctuations in coupled simulations. We were able to keep oscillation levels at a very low level in our simulations by using a small coupling interval and by revising well management rules. We made case studies with reconfiguration of surface facility designs in two large fields to examine if those designs were capable of meeting the required production targets as the reservoir conditions change with time. Surface facility models were built using a commercially available software, which were coupled to Saudi Aramco's in-house reservoir simulator, POWERS. We examine scenarios where some facilities could be eliminated to reduce cost while maintaining required production target. We study the impact of reconfiguring the surface network and examine how surface constraints might change the overall production rate.

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A Generalized Wellbore and Surface Facility Model, Fully Coupled to a Reservoir Simulator

Cited by 39 publications

References 32 publications

Rapid Optimization of Development Scenarios for Multiple Exploration Prospects Using an Integrated Asset Model

Rapid Optimization of Development Scenarios for Multiple Exploration Prospects Using an Integrated Asset Model

A New Concept of Wellbore Boundary Condition for Modeling Liquid Loading in Gas Wells

Coupled Facility and Reservoir Simulations to Optimize Strategies for a Mature Field

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