Modeling Inflow Performance Relationships for Wells Producing From Two-Layer Solution-Gas Drive Reservoirs Without Cross-Flow

Abstract

Continuous monitoring and accurate anticipation of the present and future performance of the flowing wells and reservoirs constitute the cornerstone elements in the design of optimum field development strategy. It is crucial for the petroleum engineer to possess the appropriate tools that assist in efficiently predicting well behavior, designing artificial lift equipment, forecasting production, and optimizing the entire production system. Inflow performance relationship (IPR) is one of the vital tools required to monitor well performance. Existing inflow performance relationship models are idealistic and mainly designed for homogeneous reservoirs. However, most reservoirs around the world are heterogeneous and composed of layers of different permeabilities. Hence, there is an urgent need for new realistic IPR models that describe the actual reservoir inflow performance behavior more efficiently than the available models. The authors investigate the effects of reservoir heterogeneity on IPR curves for wells producing from two-layer solution-gas drive reservoirs without cross-flow. Furthermore, the results provide the petroleum engineer with two simple yet accurate IPR models for heterogeneous reservoirs. The first model represents the IPR of the well under present flowing conditions, while the second model is used to forecast future well deliverability.

Modeling Inflow Performance Relationships for Wells Producing from Multi-Layer Solution-Gas Drive Reservoirs

“…It is obvious from these figures that the shapes of the various IPR curves are similar to those of single layer homogeneous reservoirs. As opposed to the two layer system without cross-flow that was presented in our previous work (Qasem, 2012); the IPR curves do not exhibit any wiggling behavior over the entire depletion stages. This is mainly due to fluid cross-flow between the two layers as the well is opened to flow.…”

“…The performance of each reservoir was simulated using 15 different bottomhole pressures as illustrated in Table 2. A comprehensive description of the data acquisition and analysis procedures are well delineated in our previous work (Qasem et al, 2012).…”