How do we get hydrocarbons to surface?

What is tubing performance?

How do we size tubing?

Outflow

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Outflow.ppt, page 1

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At the end of this session you should be able to:

Explain what tubing performance is
Describe the key features of tubing performance
Carry out a tubing size selection exercise

Outflow

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Outflow.ppt, page 2

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 Just as we optimise the Inflow performance of flow from

the reservoir to the wellbore, we also need to optimise the
Outflow performance from the bottom of the well to surface
Tubing performance is the term used to describe Outflow
performance. It is also called Vertical Lift Performance
Tubing Performance looks at optimising/minimising
pressure losses at lowest life cycle cost. By minimising
pressure drop, we maximise production.

Outflow

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 In order to flow from the bottom of the well to surface, we

need to overcome several pressure drops
Hydrostatic head
Frictional losses
Acceleration effects
(normally negligible)

Outflow

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Outflow

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Outflow

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Outflow

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 Bubble flow - dispersed bubble of gas in continuous liquid

phase;
Slug flow - coalescing bubble in larger one, expanding
across the entire pipe x-section. Between the larger bubble
are slugs of liquid with entrained smaller gas bubbles
Churn flow - highly turbulent flow pattern and dispersion of
both gas- and liquid phase
Annular flow (mist flow) - gas is continuous phase, with
dispersed liquid droplets; liquid moves as (unstable)
boundary layer to the pipe;

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INCREASE of PWF
due to fluid hold-up

Outflow

INCREASE of PWF
due increasing friction

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 Flowing tubing pressure

Length of tubing
Friction factors
Tubing diameter
Fluid composition (liquid/gas)

Outflow

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Flowing bottomhole pressure PWF

THP1 > THP2

THP1
THP2

Flow rate (Q)

Outflow

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Flowing bottomhole pressure PWF

2 7/8
4

Flow rate (Q)

Outflow

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Flowing bottomhole pressure PWF

GLR1
GLR2
GLR3
PWF

Flow rate (Q)

Outflow

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Outflow

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 IPR - Inflow Performance Relationship

IPC - Intake Pressure Curve
TPC - Tubing Performance Curve
CPC - Choke Performance Curve

Outflow

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 To isolate the well from downstream pressure

Control of downhole pressure

D1

Pfwh

D2

PFL

P fw h

f ( D 2 , G LR ) Q

Critical flow:
Single -phase gas flow

: PFTH > 1.9 PFL

Multi-phase gas-liquid flow

: PFTH > 1.7 PFL

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Outflow.ppt, page 16

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 Tubing performance is the term used to describe Outflow

performance.
Tubing performance dependent on:

Flowing tubing pressure

Length of tubing
Friction factors
Tubing diameter
Fluid composition (liquid/gas)

Definition of terms
Use of Choke

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In your syndicate groups, please do the following:

Explain what tubing performance is
What are IPC, TPC & CPC
Describe the key parameters which tubing performance what are they & how do they affect tubing performance

Outflow

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 1999 Shell International Exploration & Production BV

Outflow2.ppt, page 1

P180

Pressure Losses in Oil Production.

 1999 Shell International Exploration & Production BV

Outflow2.ppt, page 2

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The Function of a Completion

 1999 Shell International Exploration & Production BV

Outflow2.ppt, page 3

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Dual Completion

 1999 Shell International Exploration & Production BV

Outflow2.ppt, page 4

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Representation of Flowing Well