World's First Gravel-Packed Uniform Inflow Control Completion

Augustine, Jody R.; Mathis, Stephen P.; Nguyen, Hang Thi; Gann, Christopher L.; Gill, Jerry

doi:10.2118/103195-ms

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The spiral channel-type ICDs were verified to keep the fluid flow in the wellbore uniform, so as to avoid large differential pressure, and could extend the lifetime of horizontal wells . In 2006, it was first confirmed that ICDs had the effect of stabilizing the fluid flow in the wellbore and delaying the bottom water breakthrough in the gravel layer . The nozzle-type ICD changed the spiral flow channel of the original ICD, generating a large pressure drop when the fluid passes through the nozzle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 5 In 2006, it was first confirmed that ICDs had the effect of stabilizing the fluid flow in the wellbore and delaying the bottom water breakthrough in the gravel layer. 6 The nozzle-type ICD 7 changed the spiral flow channel of the original ICD, generating a large pressure drop when the fluid passes through the nozzle. It could work well in increasing the friction resistance at the root of the wellbore where bottom water coning occurred, limiting the water flow into the wellbore and balancing the fluid pressure inside the wellbore.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices for Gas Exploitation

2023

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Horizontal well technology is an efficient method of oil and gas exploitation. The goal of increasing oil production and improving productivity can be achieved by increasing the contact area between the reservoir and the wellbore. The presence of bottom water cresting reduces the efficiency of oil and gas production significantly. Autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs) are widely used to delay the influx of water into the wellbore. Two kinds of AICDs are proposed to restrain the bottom water breakthrough during natural gas production. The fluid flows in the AICDs are simulated numerically. The pressure difference between the inlet and outlet is calculated to evaluate the ability of blocking the flow. A dual-inlet design can increase the flow rate of AICDs, thus enhancing the water blocking effect. Numerical simulations show that the devices can block water flowing into the wellbore effectively.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices for Gas Exploitation

2023

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A Novel Automatic Inflow-Regulating Valve for Water Control in Horizontal Wells

Cui

et al. 2020

ACS Omega

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Horizontal wells are prone to water coning and imbalanced inflow profile problems because of reservoir heterogeneity, the “heel-toe” effect, and different water avoidance heights. To solve these problems, an automatic inflow control device (AICD) technology is developed, as the traditional inflow control device (ICD) technology is frequently invalid after water breakthrough. In this study, a novel water control tool, an automatic inflow-regulating valve (AIRV), was designed to balance inflow profiles before water breakthrough and to limit water inflow after water breakthrough. With the use of a movable part, the AIRV can quickly distinguish fluids and limit the water output based on differences in fluid properties and the swirling flow principle. The water control efficiency and ability of the AIRV were simulated and optimized using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and verified experimentally using a water control testing system specially designed for the AIRV. We observed that (1) the total water force on the movable component of the AIRV is notably larger than that of oil because the swirling intensity of water is significantly higher than that of oil; moreover, the force directions of water and oil are opposite to each other. (2) The AIRV is sensitive to the flow rate and fluid viscosity but not to fluid density. (3) A higher water cut results in a higher AIRV pressure loss. The results of the CFD simulation and experimental test demonstrated that the AIRV has a significant water control ability and efficiency, particularly under conditions of a high production rate and high water cut. Thus, the AIRV can be used to enhance the control of water inflow before and after water breakthroughs in horizontal wells.

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Inflow Control Devices: Application and Value Quantification of a Developing Technology

Al-Khelaiwi

Davies²

2007

International Oil Conference and Exhibition in Mexico

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Horizontal and multilateral completions are a proven, superior development option compared to conventional solutions in many reservoir situations. However, they are still susceptible to coning toward the heel of the well despite their maximizing of reservoir contact. This is due to frictional pressure drop and/or permeability variations along the well. Annular flow, leading to severe erosion "hot-spots" and plugging of screens is another challenge. Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) were proposed as a solution to these difficulties in the early '90s. ICDs have recently gained popularity and are being increasingly applied to a wider range of field types. Their efficacy to control the well inflow profile has been confirmed by a variety of field monitoring techniques. An ICD is a choking device installed as part of the sandface completion hardware. It aims to balance the horizontal well's inflow profile and minimize the annular flow at the cost of a limited, extra pressure drop. Fractured and more heterogeneous formations require, in addition, the installation of annular isolation. The new technologies of Swell Packers and Constrictors can provide this annular isolation in an operationally simple manner. This paper describes the history of ICD development with an emphasis on the designs available and their areas of application. These technical criteria will be illustrated using published field examples. The ICD's flexibility will be shown by its integration with other conventional and advanced production technologies e.g. Stand-Alone-Screens, annular isolation, artificial lift, gravel packs and intelligent completions in both horizontal and multilateral wells. It will be shown how the value of such well-construction options can be quantified using commercially available, modelling simulators. Simple, but reliable, guidelines on how to model the performance of ICDs over the well's life will be provided. This technique can thus be used as part of the value quantification process for both the evaluation of completion options and for their detailed design. 1 Introduction Horizontal and multilateral wells are becoming a basic well architecture in current field developments. Advances in drilling technology during the past 20 years facilitated the drilling and completion of long (extended reach) horizontal and multilateral wells with the primary objective of maximising the reservoir contact. The increase in reservoir exposure through the extension of well length helped lower the pressure drawdown required to achieve the same rate and enhance the well productivity 1–2. Major operators have proved the advantages of such wells in improving recovery and lowering the cost per unit length. The production from thin oil column reservoirs (e.g. The Norwegian Troll Field) became a reality thanks to such wells 3–4. However, the increase in wellbore length and exposure to different reservoir facies came at a cost. Frictional pressure drop caused by fluid flow in horizontal sections resulted in higher drawdown-pressure in the heel section of the completion, causing an unbalanced fluid influx. Hence, coning of water and gas toward the heel of the well was observed. Variable distribution of permeability along the wellbore also results in variation of the fluid influx along the completion and an uneven sweep of the reservoir. Annular flow is another challenge often encountered when horizontal wellbores are completed with Stand-Alone-Screens (SAS) or with pre-perforated/Slotted liners. Neither of these completion options employs any form of isolation between the casing and the formation (i.e. external casing packers). Annular flow, which is dependent on many parameters such as the size of the clearance between the sandface and the liner (screen) outer diameter, still imposes several problems including: dislodging of the sand grains causing erosion of the sandface, formation of "hot-spots" and plugging of the sand screens 5–6. Previously, the elimination of such phenomenon required the utilization of gravel packs or installation of Expandable Sand Screens (ESS), which often had a significant impact on the well productivity and/or involved a very complex operation 6–7.

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World's First Gravel-Packed Uniform Inflow Control Completion

Cited by 15 publications

References 10 publications

Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices for Gas Exploitation

Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Inflow Control Devices for Gas Exploitation

A Novel Automatic Inflow-Regulating Valve for Water Control in Horizontal Wells

Inflow Control Devices: Application and Value Quantification of a Developing Technology

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