Application of a Coupled Wellbore/Reservoir Simulator to Well Performance Optimization

Livescu, Silviu; Brown, William P.; Jain, Rachna; Grubert, Marcel; Ghai, Sartaj Singh; Lee, Li-Bong Wei; Long, Ted

doi:10.2118/135035-ms

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The pressure and temperature (for thermal processes) inside the reservoir changes significantly over time, which in turn will change the well inflow and outflow performance. (Livescu et al, 2010) This is even more noticeable when there is continuous injection into the reservoir, such as in SAGD operations, where the optimization of wellbore design is achievable only through coupled wellbore-reservoir modeling.…”

Section: Section 3: Cmg-stars/flexwellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Flow Control Devices in SAGD Operations: How Different Methodologies are Functional

Noroozi

Melo

Montoya

et al. 2015

Day 3 Wed, November 25, 2015

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Maximizing production and profitability is imperative in heavy oil operations using steam-assistedgravity-drainage (SAGD), as well as in other thermal operations. Effective downhole flow technology plays an important role in increasing the net present value of a SAGD operation. Conformance improvement for the injection well, utilizing outflow control devices (OCDs), can potentially increase production, and as a result, profitability of the SAGD process. On the producer well, operators prefer to have a uniform inflow production profile to recover more in-situ oil. This can be achieved through installing inflow control devices (ICDs) in the producer well. ICDs also help to mitigate the negative effect of baffles and barriers on the production well. To properly model both ICDs and OCDs, there are several methodologies and approaches available in the oil and gas industry. Each approach can be helpful to address specific questions and examine certain attributes of downhole flow technology. Depending on the objectives of the analysis, a specific software program or workflow can be used. The tool itself has a particular importance for the analysis and we would like to understand the physics behind the tool. The performance attributes of each downhole flow control device (FCD) will vary based on dimensions and design factors. Other analyses focus on design and optimization of the completion tool. Some studies use software programs to only focus on wellbore hydraulics and follow a simple and quick analysis for modeling, while other studies involve multiple software programs and complicated methodology to model and optimize the entire process. This paper shows some of the different options that are available to analyze and model both ICDs and OCDs. It will examine the pros and cons of each method, as well as the limitations of each software/methodology. Some examples will be shown to investigate the details of outputs and objectives of each approach. At the end, a guideline will be introduced for completion, reservoir, and production engineers to understand how these models can help them to evaluate flow control devices and their applications.

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Section: Section 3: Cmg-stars/flexwellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Flow Control Devices in SAGD Operations: How Different Methodologies are Functional

Noroozi

Melo

Montoya

et al. 2015

Day 3 Wed, November 25, 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In comparison with conventional completion methods, the application of Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) has been shown to markedly enhance the inflow profile of horizontal wells. These devices facilitate a balanced advancement of the water ridge front in the lower part of the reservoir, significantly extending the time to bottom water breakthrough, augmenting the cumulative oil production without water, and enabling horizontal wells to operate effectively under elevated production pressure differentials [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Oil Recovery Through Balanced Production Techniques in Horizontal Wells of Bohai A Oilfield

Xue,

Zheng,

Liu

et al. 2024

ATG

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In response to the prevalent high water cut challenge in horizontal wells of the Bohai A Oilfield, this study introduces an innovative approach for pinpointing water production points in horizontal wells. The methodology leverages a comprehensive evaluation that integrates techniques such as curve identification, dynamic analysis, numerical simulation, and seepage model calculations. In conjunction, a novel hydraulic control-based balanced oil production process has been developed. This process utilizes a specialized water plugging string to effectively seal water production points in horizontal wells. Additionally, a hydraulic control system for horizontal well oil production has been implemented, facilitating staged extraction and thus achieving balance in oil production. Field application, particularly in Well X1, demonstrates a marked improvement post-implementation: the comprehensive water cut in Well X1 decreased from an initial 98.1% to 87.3%, and the production pressure differential escalated from 0.55 MPa to 2.01 MPa. This substantial enhancement in reservoir utilization indicates a notable reduction in water cut within the crude oil. The application of this balanced production technology in horizontal wells has led to a decrease in water cut and liquid production, significantly alleviating surface processing pressures. Consequently, there has been an improvement in well productivity and the overall development effectiveness of the oilfield. These findings suggest that the balanced oil production technique offers a promising solution for enhancing oil recovery in horizontal wells, particularly in fields grappling with high water cuts.

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“…This imbalanced phenomenon could be further aggravated if the reservoir is strongly heterogeneous or fractures are developed. By generating an additional pressure loss, inflow-control devices (ICDs) facilitate inflow profile uniformity. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Performance of a Novel Autonomous Inflow Control Device

2017

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Due to geological complexity and the heel−toe effect, the production profiles of long horizontal wells are usually imbalanced, and as a result, premature water breakthrough is usually encountered. Once water breakthrough occurs, this phenomenon will reduce oil production. To maximize oil recovery, inflow-control devices (ICDs) are widely used to create a uniform inflow profile. To date, known ICDs cannot meet all the ideal requirements throughout the well's life. In this study, based on the combination of a successive restriction mechanism and water swelling rubber, a novel autonomous inflow control device is proposed. Then, the rules of oil−water two-phase flow through the novel design are studied by a numerical simulation based on optimized structural parameters, and the fluid property sensitivities are analyzed. Upon integration of the novel design into the test apparatus, flow tests are conducted. The influences of water content, inflow rate, and injection rate on the pressure drop are further analyzed to provide a guide to completion parameter optimization. The results demonstrate that the novel design has a simple structure. Its flow-resistance rating can be easily adjusted. Additionally, the design provides a significant oil and water resistance difference. The pressure-drop ratio of the water relative to oil can be up to 40. The design has a large crosssectional flow area, providing high plugging resistance and high erosion resistance. Moreover, the design is not sensitive to flow rate or oil properties and has a wide application range. Reservoir heterogeneity should be given more attention than the heel−toe effect when optimizing the completion parameters.

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Application of a Coupled Wellbore/Reservoir Simulator to Well Performance Optimization

Cited by 9 publications

References 6 publications

Optimizing Flow Control Devices in SAGD Operations: How Different Methodologies are Functional

Optimizing Flow Control Devices in SAGD Operations: How Different Methodologies are Functional

Enhanced Oil Recovery Through Balanced Production Techniques in Horizontal Wells of Bohai A Oilfield

Design and Performance of a Novel Autonomous Inflow Control Device

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