PIPESIM 2011.1 Fundamentals H PDF

PIPESIM Fundamentals
Workflow/Solutions Training
Version 2011.1
Schlumberger Information Solutions

February 23, 2012
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Table of Contents
About this Manual

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What You Will Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What to Expect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Course Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Workflow Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Module 1: PIPESIM Overview

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lesson 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lesson 2: Tour of the User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lesson 3: PIPESIM File System and Calculation Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Output Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Lesson 4: Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lesson 5: Single Branch Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Module 2: Simple Pipeline Tutorials

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Lesson 1: Single-Phase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Exercise 1: Modeling a Water Pipeline with Hand Calculations . . . . . . . . . . 30
Exercise 2: Modeling a Water Pipeline with PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Procedure 1: Performing Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Primary Output File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Auxiliary Output File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Exercise 3: Analyzing Multiple Scenarios with Sensitivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Exercise 4: Modeling a Single-Phase Gas Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Exercise 5: Calculating Gas Pipeline Flow Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Lesson 2: Multiphase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Exercise 1: Modeling a Multiphase Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 i

Module 3: Oil Well Performance Analysis
Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Lesson 1: NODAL Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Exercise 1: Building the Well Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Exercise 2: Performing NODAL Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Exercise 3: Performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Single Point Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Multi-Point Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Exercise 1: Calibrating PVT Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
GOR Property Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exercise 1: Flow Correlation Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Exercise 2: Matching Inflow Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Exercise 1: Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Exercise 2: Evaluating Gas Lift Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Exercise 3: Working with Multiple Completions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Lesson 5: Flow Control Valve Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Exercise 1: Modeling a Flow Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Module 4: Gas Well Performance

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Lesson 1: Compositional Fluid Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Equations of State (EoS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Binary Interaction Parameter (BIP) Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Exercise 1: Creating a Compositional Fluid Model for a Gas Well . . . . . . . 120
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exercise 1: Calculating Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Exercise 2: Calibrating an Inflow Model using Multipoint Test Data . . . . . 127
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Lesson 3: Erosion Prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
API 14 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Salama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
ii PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Exercise 1: Selecting a Tubing Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Lesson 4: Choke Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Exercise 1: Modeling a Flowline and Choke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Exercise 2: Predicting Future Production Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Lesson 5: Liquid Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Turner Droplet Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Exercise 1: Determining a Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading . . . . 140
Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Module 5: Horizontal Well Design

Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions . . . . 143
IPR Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Exercise 2: Constructing the Well Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Exercise 3: Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal Well Length . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Exercise 4: Specifying Multiple Horizontal Perforated Intervals . . . . . . . . . 149
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design

Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design . . . . . 154
Exercise 1: Developing a Compositional PVT Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Exercise 2: Constructing the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Exercise 3: Sizing the Subsea Tieback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Lesson 2: Hydrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Hydrate Mitigation Strategies in PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Exercise 1: Selecting Tieback Insulation Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Exercise 2: Determining the Methanol Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
PI-SS Indicator (Severe-Slugging Group) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Exercise 1: Screening for Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hydrodynamic Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Pigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Ramp-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 iii

Evaluating Each Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Exercise 1: Sizing a Slug Catcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Module 7: Scale Prediction

Lesson 1: Scale Prediction in PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Exercise 1: Predicting Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Module 8: Looped Gas Gathering Network

Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Solution Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Exercise 1: Building a Network Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Exercise 2: Performing a Network Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Looped Gathering Network Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Module 9: Water Injection Network

Lesson 1: Crossflow in Multilayer Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Exercise 1: Determining Fluid Distribution in a Water Injection Network . . 208
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Appendix A: PIPESIM 2011.1 Fundamentals Answer Key

Module 3: Simple Pipeline Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Lesson 1 Single-Phase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Module 3: Oil Well Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Lesson 1: Nodal Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Question (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Lesson 5: Flow Control Valve Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Module 4: Gas Well Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
iv PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Lesson 3: Erosion Prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Lesson 4: Choke Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Lesson 5: Liquid Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Module 5: Horizontal Well Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions . 220
Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design . . 220
Lesson 2: Hydrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Module 7: Scale Prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lesson 1: Scale Prediction in PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Module 8: Looped Gas Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 v

vi PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1
Schlumberger About this Manual
About this Manual
This training provides an introduction into the PIPESIM software

application. PIPESIM is a production engineer’s tool that covers a
wide range of applications relevant to the oil and gas industry.
Applications featured in this training manual include well

performance, fluid modeling, flow assurance and network
simulation.
Learning Objectives
After completing this training, you will know how to:
• build a single branch well or pipeline model

• define a black oil or compositional fluid model
• perform single branch simulation operations
• build a network model
• perform a network simulation.
What You Will Need

In this training you will need the following documents, hardware,
and software:
• Personal computer with minimum 512 MB RAM

• PIPESIM 2011.1
• Training data sets.
PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 1

Schlumberger
What to Expect
In each module within this training material, you will encounter the
following:
• Overview of the module

• Prerequisites to the module (if necessary)
• Learning objectives
• A workflow component (if applicable)
• Lessons, explaining a subject or an activity in the workflow
• Procedures, showing the steps needed to perform a task
• Exercises, which allow you to practice a task by using the
steps in the procedure with a data set
• Scenario-based exercises
• Questions about the module
• Summary of the module.
You will also encounter notes, tips and best practices.
2 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Schlumberger
Course Conventions
Content in this manual uses the following conventions.
Characters in Bold Represent references to dialog box names,

application areas, or commands to be
performed.
For example, "Open the Open Asset Model
dialog."
Denote keyboard commands. For example,
"Type a name and press Enter."
Identify the name of Schlumberger software
applications, such as ECLIPSE or Petrel.
Fixed-width Indicate variable values that the user must
characters inside <> supply, such as <username> and
triangle brackets <password>.
Characters in italics Represent file names or directories, such as
"... edit the file sample.dat and..."
Represent option areas in a window, such as
the Experiments area.
Identify the first use of important terms or
concepts.
For example, "compositional simulation…" or
“safe mode operation.”
Characters in Represent code, data, and other literal text
fixed-width you see or type.
For example, enter 0.7323.
NOTE: Text you must enter is indicated in a fixed-width font or a

fixed-width font inside triangle brackets. Do not include
the brackets when you enter the required information.
Instructions to make menu selections are also written using bold

text and an arrow indicating the selection sequence, as shown:
1. Click File menu > Save. (The Save Asset Model File dialog
box opens.)
OR
Click Save Model .

An ‘OR’ is used to identify an alternate procedure.

Schlumberger
Icons
Throughout this manual, you will find icons in the margin
representing various kinds of information. These icons serve as
at-a-glance reminders of their associated text. See below for
descriptions of what each icon means.

Schlumberger
Workflow Diagram
Figure 1 illustrates the workflow of the PIPESIM application.
Figure 1 PIPESIM workflow

Schlumberger
Summary
In this introduction, we:
• defined the learning objectives

• outlined what tools you will need for this training
• discussed course conventions that you will encounter within
this material
• provided a high-level overview of the workflow.

Schlumberger
NOTES

Schlumberger
NOTES

Schlumberger PIPESIM Overview
Module 1 PIPESIM Overview

This module introduces PIPESIM 2011.1 and describes the
graphical user interface (GUI) in detail to familiarize you with the
application environment.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to:
• create a new or open an existing project

• navigate through the user interface
• understand the structure of the output file
• display plots in PsPlot.
You will also develop an understanding of PIPESIM toolbars, file
system, engines, and operations.
Lesson 1 Introduction
PIPESIM is a steady-state, multiphase flow simulator used for the

design and analysis of oil and gas production systems. With its
rigorous simulation algorithms, PIPESIM helps you optimize your
production and injection operations. As shown in Figure 2,
PIPESIM models multiphase flow from the reservoir through to the
surface facilities to enable comprehensive production system
analysis.
PIPESIM is most often used by reservoir, production or facilities

engineers as an engineering tool to model well performance,
conduct nodal (systems) analysis, design artificial lift systems,
model pipeline networks and facilities, analyze field development
plans and optimize production.
NOTE: Steady-state flow simulation implies that the mass flow

rate is conserved throughout the system. This means
there is no accumulation of mass within any component
in the system.

PIPESIM Overview Schlumberger
Figure 2 Total production system
PIPESIM modules are available and licensed separately,

depending on your needs.
Base System Production system analysis

software for well modeling,
NODAL analysis, artificial lift
design, pipeline/process facilities
modeling and field development
planning.
Network Analysis (NET) Optional add-on to PIPESIM for
modeling complex networks that
can include loops, parallel lines
and crossovers
SIS PVT Toolbox - EOS Optional add-on to PIPESIM for
Package modeling compositional fluid using
flash packages from Eclipse 300
or DBR
SIS PVT Toolbox – Optional PVT Toolbox add-on for
Advanced Gas EOS exposing additional flash
packages, such as RefProp V8 &
GERG 2008
Multiflash Package Optional add-on to PIPESIM.
Compositional model is not
required.

Multiflash Hydrates Optional add-on to Multiflash

package
Multiflash Wax Optional add-on to Multiflash
Thermodynamics package
Multiflash Asphaltene Optional add-on to Multiflash
package
Multiflash CSMA EOS Optional add-on to the Multiflash
package for exposing CSMA EOS
Multiflash Package Linux Optional add-on to the Multiflash
Engine package for the Linux Operating
System
Linux Computation Used only with Avocet IAM when
Engines ECLIPSE Parallel and is run on a
Linux Cluster
Gas Lift Optimization Network Optimization option that
Module calculates the optimal gas lift
allocation to a network of gas lifted
wells, and optimizes choke sizes
and well status
PIPESIM OLGAS Steady Third-party 2-phase mechanistic
State Flow Correlation – multiphase flow model
Two Phase
PIPESIM OLGAS Steady Third-party 3-phase mechanistic
State Flow Correlation – multiphase flow model
Three Phase
PIPESIM LEDA Flow Third-party 2-phase mechanistic
Correlation – Two Phase multiphase flow model
PIPESIM LEDA Flow Third-party 3-phase mechanistic
Correlation – Three multiphase flow model
Phase
PIPESIM Rod Pump Third-party module for designing
Design and Optimization rod pumps
PIPESIM Rod Pump Third-party module for diagnosing
Diagnostics rod pump performance based on
digitized dynocards

PIPESIM DBR Wax Single-phase wax deposition

Deposition model embedded in PIPESIM that
uses wax properties characterized
with the DBR Solids application
DBR Solids – Wax and Standalone application that
Asphaltene Precipitation predicts the wax and asphaltene
precipitation temperature
DBR Solids – Wax Standalone application that
Deposition characterizes wax properties for
Characterization use in PIPESIM wax deposition
Lesson 2 Tour of the User Interface
The PIPESIM graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to easily

construct well and network models within a single environment. To
launch PIPESIM from the Start menu, select Program files >
Schlumberger > PIPESIM.
As shown in Figure 3, the PIPESIM interface consists of one main

window, a menu bar, a status bar, a standard toolbar and three
specific toolbars related to single branch and network modeling
views. The standard toolbar (Figure 4) contains common
commands that are displayed in both the single branch and
network views.
The Single Branch toolbar (Figure 5) is displayed only in single

branch view, while the Network toolbar (Figure 6) and the Net
Viewer toolbar are displayed in the Network view.
You can also hide the toolbars from view using the Menu bar.
Menu Bar Consists of some of the familiar Windows menus,

including File, Edit, Help, and more. All the tools
available in other toolbars, plus all operations in
PIPESIM.
Status Bar Shows the status of running operation. If there is
no operation running, it will show the path of
model.
Standard Available in both single branch and network
Toolbar model and is comprised of the icons and
processes.

Figure 3 PIPESIM toolbars and menus
Figure 4 Standard toolbar functionality

Single Branch This is available only in single branch

Toolbar models or the network model in single
branch mode. It consists of all objects
required to build the physical model.
These tools can also be accessed from

the Menu bar.
Figure 5 Single Branch toolbar

Network This toolbar is available only in the network

Toolbar model view. It consists of all objects required
to build the physical network model.
These tools can also be accessed from the

Menu bar.
Figure 6 The Network toolbar
NOTE: Icons in the Network toolbar and the Net Viewer bar
are not highlighted in the Single Branch model. Similarly,
icons in the Single Branch toolbar are not highlighted in
the network model.
From the Network model, you must access the Single

Branch viewing mode by double-clicking on the object to
insert necessary equipment, such as compressors,
pumps, chokes, and more.

Lesson 3 PIPESIM File System and

Calculation Engines
PIPESIM generates several input and output files in its working

directory when you run a model. The input files are processed by
the simulation engine to create output files.
PIPESIM • PIPESIM uses one engine for a Single

Engines Branch model and another engine for a
Network model.
• Psimstub.exe is the PIPESIM engine for
single branch operations.
• Pnetsub.exe is the PIPESIM engine for a
network simulation.
• You can set or change the path of these
engines by selecting Setup >
Preferences > Choose Paths.
PIPESIM File PIPESIM stores data in these formats:
System
• ASCII files
• Binary files
• Microsoft Access database.

Table 1 provides a brief description of PIPESIM file extensions.

Table 1: PIPESIM File Extensions and their Uses
Extension Type of File Application

*.bps Single branch All the data necessary to run a model.
model Single Branch model file includes data
PIPESIM file for units, fluid composition, well IPR,
system data, and more.
The support team requires these files
when you make support queries.
*.bpn Network model Same as above for a Network model.
PIPESIM file
Output Files
*.out Output file All output data in ASCII format. The
output file is produced from both
Single Branch and Network models.
Node by node results are reported in
output files.
The output file is divided into sections.
To show or hide a section, select
Setup > Define Output.
Mostly, errors are reported in output
file. Remember to check this file in
case of an error in a PIPESIM model.
*.sum Summary file Summary report of PIPESIM output,
such as pressures and temperatures
at sources and sinks.
Plot Files
*.plc Profile plot Variables you can plot with distance
and elevation in PsPlot. These
variables include pressure,
temperature and fluid properties, and
more.
PsPlot is a plotting utility in PIPESIM.
*.plt System plot Same as the *.plc file, but does not
contain variables such as distance and
elevation. This file is primarily used to
see sensitivity of one variable to
another.
For example, you can plot water cut
with system outlet pressure.

Table 1: PIPESIM File Extensions and their Uses

Miscellaneous Files
*.psm This is the keyword input file
generated by the user interface for the
PIPESIM single branch engine named
psimstub.exe. In certain situations
(mainly debugging), this file can be
manually modified via expert mode.
*.tnt All instructions sent to the PIPESIM
network engine - pnetstub.exe. The
PIPESIM engine reads this file for
processing - not the *.bpn file.
*.mdb Access Black oil fluid data, electric
database file submersible pump (ESP) performance
curves, user-defined pump and
compressor curves, and pressure
survey data.
You can access this file by selecting
Setup > Preferences > Choose
Paths. You can set the path of this file
in the Data Source box.
*.pvt PVT file A single stream composition and a
table of fluid properties for a given set
of pressure and temperature values.
If needed, this file can be created by a
commercial PVT package, such as
Multiflash, Hysys, DBRSolids, or
others, or via the Compositional
module in PIPESIM.
*.unf Unit file Stores user-defined unit sets, which
can be passed from user-to-user.
*.env Phase envelope file
*.map Flow regime map

Output Files
The PIPESIM output file is an ACSII format file, generated by
either a Single Branch or a Network model. This is a very large file
divided into many sections. You can customize the output report
by selecting Setup > Define output (Figure 7).
Figure 7 Define Output tab

Figure 8 shows a sample output file from the primary output

section of PIPESIM.
Figure 8 Sample output file (primary output section)

Lesson 4 Plots
Plots in PIPESIM are displayed with a plotting utility called PsPlot.

The path to the PsPlot executable is normally located in the
PIPESIM installation directory, such as C:\Program
Files\Schlumberger\ PIPESIM\Programs\PSPlotX.exe.
You can set the path of PsPlotX.exe by selecting Setup >

Preferences > Choose Paths. You can use PsPlot to open both
*.plc and *.plt files.
Optionally, you can view data in tabular mode (Figure 9) by

clicking on the Data tab.
Figure 9 Plot and tabular view of PsPlot data

You can change display settings of PsPlot, such as title, minimum

or maximum axis, color, legends and more, by selecting Edit >
Advanced Plot Setup (Figure 10).
Figure 10 Advanced Plot Setup dialog

Lesson 5 Single Branch Operations
There are many single branch operations available in PIPESIM

(Figure 11.
Figure 11 List of single branch operations
System This operation enables you to determine the

Analysis performance of a given system for varying
operating conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Results of the system analysis operation are
provided in the form of plots of a dependent
variable, such as outlet pressure, versus an
independent variable, such as flow rate.
You can generate families of X-Y curves for the

system by varying either a single sensitivity
variable (such as water cut) or by applying
permutations of a group of sensitivity values.

The ability to perform analysis by combining

sensitivity variables in different ways makes the
system analysis operation a very flexible tool
for plotting data on a case-by-case basis. A
typical plot resulting from a system analysis
operation is shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12 Typical System Analysis plot

Pressure/ You can generate pressure and temperature
Temperature profiles of the system as a function of distance/
Profile elevation along the system. Both temperature
and pressure profiles are generated on a node-
by-node basis for the system.
NOTE: The System Analysis operation also generates Pressure/

Temperature profile plots for each case. Likewise, Pressure/
Temperature Profile operations generate a system plot.
Flow Quickly compare multiphase flow correlations

Correlation against measured data. The Data Matching
Comparison operation introduced in PIPESIM 2009.1 is
recommended for regression of friction and
holdup multipliers to tune multiphase flow
correlations to match well test data.
Data Select parameters that are automatically
Matching adjusted to match measured pressure and
temperature data for a particular system. These
parameters include multipliers for heat transfer
coefficient (to match temperature
measurements), as well as friction factor and
holdup factor multipliers (to match pressure
measurements).

You can select and rank multiple flow

correlations and simultaneously match
pressure and temperature measurements.
NODAL A common way to analyze well performance.
Analysis This visually assesses the impact of various
system components and is done by splitting the
system at the point of interest (the NODAL
analysis point).
This graphically presents the system response

upstream (Inflow) and downstream (Outflow) of
the nodal point.
The point at which the inflow and outflow

curves intersect is the operating point for the
given system, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 NODAL analysis Inflow/Outflow

curves
Optimum This predicts hydraulic wellbore performance in
Horizontal the completion. The multiple source concept
Well Length leads to a pressure gradient from the blind end
(toe) to the producing-end (heel), which, if
neglected, results in over-predicting
deliverability.
The reduced drawdown at the toe results in the

production leveling off as a function of well
length. It can be shown that drilling beyond an
optimum length yields no significant additional
production.

Reservoir For the purposes of reservoir simulation, it is

Tables often necessary to generate VFP curves for
input to a reservoir simulation program. The
VFP curves allow the reservoir simulator to
determine bottomhole flowing pressures as a
function of tubing head pressure, flow rate,
GOR, water cut, and the artificial lift quantity.
The reservoir simulator interface allows you to

write tabular performance data to a file for input
into a reservoir simulation model. Currently, the
following reservoir simulators are supported:
• ECLIPSE
• PORES
• VIP
• COMP4
• MoReS (Shell’s in-house reservoir
simulator).
Well These can be created in the network solver to
Performance produce faster solution times. A curve is
Curves created that represents the performance of the
well under specified conditions. The network
solver will then use this curve instead of
modeling the well directly.
Gas Lift Rate Determines the gas lift injection rate possible
vs. Casing based on the casing head pressure for a well.
Head Press.
Artificial Lift This analyzes the effects of artificial lift of a
Performance production well using either gas lift or an
electrical submersible pump (ESP). The
performance curves allow for sensitivities on
various parameters, including wellhead
pressure, water cut, tubing, and flowline
diameters.
Depending on selected methods, you must

enter wax properties or provide a properties file.
NOTE: The Artificial Lift Performance operation is essentially a

specific implementation of the System Analysis operation.

Wax With various deposition model/methods,

Deposition generates wax deposition profile (Distance vs.
Wax deposition thickness) and system (Wax
Volume vs. time) plots.
Review Questions
• What is the basic premise of steady-state flow modeling?
• What single branch operations are available?
Summary
In the module, you gained an understanding of PIPESIM toolbars,
file system and engines, and operations. You also learned about:
• starting PIPESIM with a new or existing project

• navigating and learn the user interface
• viewing results in output file
• displaying plots in PsPlot
• selecting single branch options
• identifying PIPESIM executables and data files.

NOTES

Schlumberger Simple Pipeline Tutorials
Module 2 Simple Pipeline Tutorials

The purpose of these tutorials is to familiarize you with the
PIPESIM Single Branch interface by building and running simple
examples. You begin by performing a simple hand calculation to
determine the pressure drop in a water pipeline, and then
construct a simple pipeline model to validate pressure drop along
a horizontal pipeline for a given inlet pressure and flow rate.
You will also run some sensitivity studies on the model.
Learning Objectives
• build the physical model

• create a fluid model
• choose flow correlations
• perform operations
• view and analyze results.
Lesson 1 Single-Phase Flow Calculations
Consider the case, illustrated in Figure 14, of a pipeline

transporting water.
Figure 14 Pipeline transporting water

Simple Pipeline Tutorials Schlumberger
The pressure change per distance L for single phase flow is given
by Bernoulli’s equation:
 dp   dp   dp   dp 
       
 dL  total =  dL  frictional +  dL  elevational +  dL  accelerational
The accelerational term is normally negligible except for low
pressure and high velocity gas flow, although PIPESIM will always
calculate this term.
Assuming the accelerational term to be zero for your hand

calculation, the pressure gradient equation becomes:
 dp  f v 2
 
 dL total = 2 gd (frictional) - g sin  (elevational)
where:
 = fluid density (lbm/ft3)

g = gravitational constant
f = moody friction factor
v = fluid velocity (ft/s)
d = pipe inside diameter (ft)
Exercise 1 Modeling a Water Pipeline with

Hand Calculations
In this exercise, using the data in the table and assuming the flow
is isothermal, you perform a hand calculation to determine the
delivery pressure of the pipeline using single-phase flow theory.
NOTE: You will need a hand calculator or MS Excel to complete

this exercise.

Pipeline Data
Diameter d 3 in (= 0.25 ft)
Length L 20,025 ft
Elevation Change Z 1,000 ft
Horizontal X 20,000 ft
Distance
Ambient Tamb 60 degF
Temperature
Inclination Angle q 2.866 º (=.05002 radians)
Roughness e 0.0015 in
Relative /d 0.0005 in
Roughness
Fluid Data
Water viscosity w 1.2 cp (= 8.06e-4 lb/ft-s)
Water density w 63.7 lbm/ft3

Operating Data
Source Tinlet 60 degF
Temperature
Inlet Pressure Pin 1,200 psia
Water Flow rate Qw 6,000 BPD (= 0.39 ft3/s)

Constants
Gravitational g 32.2 ft/s2
TIP: To ensure unit consistency when performing hand

calculations, refer to the converted unit in the far right
column of the table.

1. Calculate the water velocity:
Qw
v
 d 
2
 
 4  = _____________ ft/s
2. Calculate the Reynold’s number.
vd
Re 
 = ______________
Is the flow laminar or turbulent? (See the Moody Diagram in

Figure 15.)
3. Determine the friction factor using the Churchill equation for

turbulent flow.
NOTE: Alternatively, you can look up the friction factor using
the Moody diagram in Figure 15.
f = __________________________

Figure 15 Moody diagram
fv 2
4. Evaluate the frictional pressure term, 2 gd :
 dp 
 
 dL  friction = __________ psf/ft
divide this by 144 to get_______ psi/ft
Multiply by the given length of pipe, L, to get the total

frictional pressure drop:
dp friction = _____________ psi
5. Evaluate the elevational pressure term,  sin 

NOTE: If using Excel, be sure the angle is in radians.
dpelevation = __________ psi/ft
divide this by 144 to get________ psi/ft


elevational pressure drop
dpelevation = _____________ psi
6. Add the frictional and elevational terms to determine the total

pressure term:
 dp   dp   dp 
     
7.  dL  total =  dL  frictional +  dL  elevational
 dp 
 
 dL total = ________ psi/ft
pressure drop
dptotal = _____________ psi
8. Calculate the outlet pressure given the inlet pressure:
Pout = Pin -
dptotal = __________ psia.
Exercise 2 Modeling a Water Pipeline with

PIPESIM
In this exercise, you use PIPESIM to build the water pipeline you
hand calculated in . You will define parameters for each
component in the model, perform operations, view and analyze
the results, and compare PIPESIM results to your hand
calculations.
There are three parts to this exercise:
1. Starting the application

2. Creating the fluid model (water) and selecting flow
correlations
3. Building the physical model.

Getting Started
To start the application:
1. To start PIPESIM, select Start > Program Files >

Schlumberger > PIPESIM.
2. Click NEW Single Branch Model….
3. From the Setup > Units menu, select the Eng(ineering)

units.
4. From the Setup > Define Output tab, uncheck all report
options except Primary Output and Auxiliary Output.

Building the Physical Model (a Water Pipeline Model)

You begin by defining the physical components of the model.
1. Click Source and place it in the window by clicking inside

the Single Branch window.
2. Click Boundary Node and place it in the window.
3. Click Flowline .
4. Link Source_1 to the End Node S1 by clicking and dragging
from Source_1 to the End Node S1.
NOTE: The red outlines on Source_1 and Flowline_1
indicate that essential input data are missing.

5. Double-click Source_1 and the source input data user form

displays.
a. Fill in the form.
b. Click OK to exit the user form.

6. Double-click Flowline_1 and the input data user form is
displayed.
7. Fill the form as shown below, ensuring that the rate of
undulations = 0 (no terrain effects).

8. Click the Heat Transfer tab and fill in the form for an
adiabatic process, as no heat was gained or lost between the
system and its environment.
9. Click OK to exit the user form and accept the overall heat
transfer coefficient (U value) defaults.
Creating the Fluid Model (Water) and Selecting Flow

Correlations
To create the fluid model and select flow correlations:
1. Select Setup > Black Oil to open the Black Oil Fluid menu.
2. Fill in the Black Oil user form and click OK when you are
finished.

3. Select File > Save As and save the model as

Exercise2_WaterPipe.bps.
4. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, select the
Moody single-phase flow correlation.
5. Click OK.

Procedure 1 Performing Operations
PIPESIM Single Branch mode offers several simulation

operations, depending on the intended workflow. Many of these
operations are explained in the exercises that follow.
The Pressure/Temperature Profile operation is used to acquire

the distribution of pressure, temperature and many other
parameters across the flow path.
To perform these operations:
1. From the Operations menu, select the Pressure/

Temperature Profile operation.
NOTE: The Pressure Temperature Profile Operation requires
that you designate a calculated variable and specify
all other variables. Generally, two specifications are
provided for use with the rate, inlet pressure and
outlet pressure, while the third is calculated.
However, all three can be specified and a forth
variable will be calculated, for example choke size.
2. Enter the known flowing conditions.
3. Click Run Model. The pressure calculation uses the Moody

correlation (default single-phase correlation).

4. View and analyze the results. The pressure profile below

should be visible upon completion of the run.
5. To display a tabular output of the Pressure/Temperature

profile, click the Data tab at the top of your graph. Notice that
the outlet pressure is 89 psia.
6. (Optional) Copy this data into Excel:
a. Highlight the cells of interest.
b. Press Ctrl + C.
c. Select a cell in Excel and press Ctrl + V.
d. To view an abbreviated form of the full output file, select
Reports > Summary File.

You can observe the output:
The Liquid holdup value displayed (175 bbl) is the total

liquid volume for the entire pipe.

7. The Summary file reports the frictional and elevational

components of the total pressure change in the pipeline.
Compare the results of PIPESIM to your hand calculations by
entering the appropriate values in the table.
Table 2: Result Table 3: Hand Table 4: PIPESIM

Calculation
Liquid Velocity (ft/s)
∆Pfrictional (psi)
∆Pelevational (psi)
∆Ptotal (psi)
Outlet Pressure (psia)
8. View the output file by selecting Reports > Output File. By

default, the output file is divided into five sections:
• Input Data Echo (Input data and Input units summary)
• Fluid Property Data (Input data of the fluid model)
• Profile and Flow Correlations (Profile and selected
correlations summary)
• Primary Output
• Auxiliary Output.
NOTE: If the units reported in the output file are not the
desired ones, you should change the units (Setup >
Units), pick the preferred unit system, and re-run the
simulation.

Primary Output File

The primary output is shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16 Example of the primary output file

The primary output contains 17 columns:
• Node number: node at which all the measures on the row

have been recorded. (The nodes have been spaced by
default with a 1,000 foot interval)
• Horizontal Distance (cumulative horizontal component of
length)
• Elevation (absolute)
• Angle of inclination (from the horizontal)
• Angle of inclination (from the vertical)
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Mean mixture velocity
• Elevational pressure drop
• Frictional pressure drop
• Actual Liquid flow rate at the P,T conditions of the node
• Actual Free gas rate at the node converted to standard P,T
conditions
• Total Mass flow rate at the node
• Actual Liquid density at the P,T conditions of the node
• Actual Free gas density at the P,T conditions of the node
• Slug Number
• Flow Pattern.
Notice that, as the pressure decreases, the liquid density
decreases; therefore, the velocity must increase to maintain a
constant mass flow rate.

Auxiliary Output File

The auxiliary output is shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17 Example of the auxiliary output file

The auxiliary output consists of 19 columns:
• Node number
• Horizontal distance (cumulative)
• Elevation (absolute)
• Superficial liquid velocity
• Superficial gas velocity
• Liquid mass flow rate
• Gas mass flow rate
• Liquid viscosity
• Gas viscosity
• Reynolds number
• No-slip Liquid Holdup Fraction
• Slip Liquid Holdup Fraction
• Liquid Water cut
• Fluid Enthalpy
• Erosion Velocity ratio
• Erosion rate (if applicable)
• Corrosion rate (if applicable)
• Hydrate temperature sub-cooling (if applicable)
• Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio (If Applicable).
TIP: The values of the Reynolds number indicate that the
flow regime is turbulent (NRE > 2000) and are consistent
with the results of the hand calculations.

Exercise 3 Analyzing Multiple Scenarios with

Sensitivities
In this exercise, you will continue using the previous example to

explore how your model responds to different inlet temperatures.
You will set a range of temperatures, perform operations, and
view and analyze your results.
To modify the P/T profile operation and view the output:
1. From the Operations menu, select the Pressure/

Temperature Profile Operation.
a. Select Source_1 as the Object and Temperature as the
Variable.
b. In the Pressure/Temperature Profile user form, click
Range .
c. Enter the values shown and click Apply.
d. Close the Set Range window. The completed form is

shown in the figure.

2. Click Run Model.

The pressure calculation uses the Moody correlation (default
single phase correlation).
3. Observe the PsPlot output. This pressure profile should be
visible upon completion of the run.
Notice that the highest inlet temperature generates the

lowest pressure drop. As the temperature increases:
• viscosity decreases
• Reynolds number increases
• corresponding friction factor decreases
• frictional pressure gradient is lower.
In other words,
vd  dp 
Re   
T ↑ »  ↓ »  ↑ » f ↓ »  dL  friction ↓
NOTE: In the case of water, the effect of the temperature on

the density is negligible, as water is essentially an
incompressible fluid.

4. Click the Data tab in the Plot window to see all the data for
each temperature in a tabular format.
5. Open the output file (*.out). The output file can be opened in
one of two ways.
Click the Output File button from within the Operations
(Pressure/Temperature Profiles) dialog:
OR
Select Reports > Output File.
By default, the output file contains the information for the first
case only. (T = 20 degF).
6. To report all sensitivity cases:

a. Select Setup > Define Output.
b. Ensure that options are selected as shown in the figure.
c. Set the number of cases to print to 4.

7. Re-run the operation.

TIP: If you do not change the operation or alter any of the
parameters within the Operations menu, you can run
the simulation by clicking Run .
8. Open the output report to view the results of the four

sensitivity cases.
9. To add segment data to your report, select Setup > Define
Output and check the Segment Data in the Primary Output
option.
10. Re-run the operation.

11. Open the output file and observe that additional segments
have been inserted.
NOTE: By default, PIPESIM performs the pressure drop

calculation for each of those additional segments to
obtain precise averaged values of properties, such
as liquid holdup or velocities at the main nodes.

Exercise 4 Modeling a Single-Phase Gas

Pipeline
In this exercise, you investigate the flow of a single phase gas

without changing the physical components of your previous
example.
To investigate the flow of a single phase gas:
1. Select Setup > Black Oil and modify the user form, as
shown in the figure. This represents 100% gas
a. Change Water Cut to WGR.
b. Change GOR to OGR.
c. Set values for WGR and OGR as 0.
d. Rename the fluid as gas.

2. Under the Setup > Define Output menu, uncheck the box
labeled Segment Data in Primary Output.
3. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile and
modify the Pressure/Temperature profile operation.
4. Click Run Model. As for the case of a single-phase liquid,

the pressure calculation will be done using the Moody
correlation.

5. Inspect the pressure profile plot upon completion of the run.
In the previous example using water, the density remained

constant because water is essentially incompressible. However,
gas is a compressible fluid with a density described by the ideal
gas law, rearranged into the following expression:
pM
g 
zRT
where:
g = gas density
p = pressure
M = Molecular Weight
z = gas compressibility factor
R = ideal gas constant
T = Temperature
Notice that the highest inlet temperatures yield the highest

pressure drop. As the temperature increases the density
decreases, which results in a decrease in the Reynolds number.

Correspondingly, the friction factor increases and, as a result, the

frictional pressure gradient is higher. In other words,
vd  dp 
Re   
T ↑ » g ↓ »  ↓ » f ↑ »  dL  friction ↑
Also, because
 dp  fv 2
 
 dL friction = 2gd ,
the velocity increase caused by gas expansion has an exponential

effect on the frictional pressure term. This accounts for the
increase in the frictional gradient along the flowline and the
curvature in the pressure profile plot.
NOTE: The viscosity of the gas increases slightly with increasing

temperature, but this effect is small and does little to offset
the effects of decreasing density.
Exercise 5 Calculating Gas Pipeline Flow

Capacity
In previous exercises, you calculated the outlet pressure given a

known inlet pressure and flow rate. In this exercise, you specify
known inlet and outlet pressures and calculate the corresponding
gas flow rate.
There are three key variables in Single Branch operations:
• Inlet pressure
• Outlet pressure
• Flow rate.
Two of these variables must be specified and the third is
calculated. Some operations allow you to specify all three
variables, in which case a matching variable, such as pump speed
or choke setting, must be set as a calculated variable.
PIPESIM generally performs calculations in the direction of flow.

Therefore, when the outlet pressure is calculated, as in the
previous examples, the solution is non-iterative in that the outlet
pressure is calculated during the first and only pressure traverse
calculation.

However, when outlet pressure is specified and either the inlet

rate or the flow rate is calculated, the process becomes iterative.
Successive estimates of the calculated variable are supplied until
the calculated outlet pressure agrees with the specified pressure.
To calculate gas deliverability:
1. Open the Pressure/Temperature Profiles user form and set

Gas Rate as the calculated variable.
2. Specify 600 psia for the outlet pressure.
3. Clear the temperature sensitivity values, shown in the figure,
by highlighting the cells and pressing Ctrl + X.
4. Click Run Model on the user form.

5. Observe the PsPlot output.

The gas flow rate corresponding to the specified pressure
drop is shown in the legend beneath the profile plot.
6. Observe the output files (*.out). The iteration routine for this
operation can be seen in the output file, as shown below.
NOTE: To view this report, you must check Iteration Progress
Log under Setup/Define Output).
7. Save your file as exer5.bps.

Lesson 2 Multiphase Flow Calculations
While pressure losses in single-phase flow in pipes have long

been accurately modeled with familiar expressions such as the
Bernoulli equation, accurate predictions of pressure loss in two-
phase flow have proved to be more challenging because of added
complexities.
The lower density and viscosity of the gas phase causes it to flow
at a higher velocity relative to the liquid phase, a characteristic
known as slippage. Consequently, the associated frictional
pressure losses result from shear stresses encountered at the
gas/liquid interface as well as along the pipe wall. Additionally, the
highly compressible gas phase expands as the pressure
decreases along the flow path.
Further complicating matters are the variety of physical phase

distributions that are characterized by flow regimes or flow
patterns (Figure 18). The prevailing flow pattern for a specific set
of conditions depends on the relative magnitude of the forces
acting on the fluids.
Figure 18 Multiphase flow regimes for horizontal flow

Buoyancy, turbulence, inertia, and surface-tension forces are

greatly affected by the relative flow rates, viscosities, and
densities of a fluid, as well as the pipe diameter and inclination
angle. The complex dynamics of the flow pattern govern slippage
effects and, therefore, variations in liquid holdup and pressure
gradient.
Many empirical correlations and mechanistic models have been

proposed to predict liquid holdup and pressure loss. (Refer to the
PIPESIM help system for details). Some are very general, while
others apply only to a narrow range of conditions (Figure 19).
Many of these approaches begin with a prediction of the flow
pattern, with each flow pattern having an associated method of
predicting liquid holdup.
Figure 19 Multiphase flow regimes for vertical flow
Because the gas travels faster in steady-state flow, it will occupy

less pipe volume. The fraction of pipe volume occupied by the
liquid is called the liquid holdup and is illustrated in Figure 20.
Liquid holdup is generally the most important parameter in

calculating pressure loss. Liquid holdup is also necessary to
predict hydrate formation and wax deposition and to estimate the
liquid volume expelled during pigging operations for sizing slug
catchers.

The liquid holdup prediction is used to determine a two-phase

friction factor from which a pressure gradient is calculated.
Figure 20 Liquid holdup
Exercise 1 Modeling a Multiphase Pipeline
The previous exercises explored single-phase flow of water and

gas through a pipeline. In this exercise, you modify the existing
pipeline model and explore multiphase flow.
1. Insert Report Tool at the beginning and end of the

flowline, as shown.
2. Click on the flowline to highlight the object and drag the tip
connected to the source to the first Report icon.

3. Release the mouse button when the arrow is on top of the

Report Tool icon and the flowline turns yellow.
4. Repeat the previous step for the second Report Tool icon.
5. Select Connector and connect the first Report Tool to

the Source icon.
6. Select the Boundary node and press the Delete key. Your
model should now displays as shown below:
7. Double-click on each of the Report Tool icons and enter the

data shown in the figure.

8. Double-click on the flowline and select the Heat Transfer tab.

9. Choose the typical Heat Transfer Coefficient value for bare
pipe exposed to air, as shown.
10. Select Setup > Black Oil and specify the fluid properties.

11. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, select Beggs
and Brill Revised (Taitel-Dukler map) for the horizontal flow
correlation and Hagedorn and Brown for the vertical flow
correlation.
NOTE: Observe that the Swap angle is set to 45º. This is the
angle that corresponds to the switch between use of
the vertical and horizontal flow correlation. In this
example, the pipeline inclination angle is about 3º,
which means that only the horizontal flow correlation
is used.

12. Double-click on Source_1 and change the pressure to 4800

psia.
13. Select Operations > Pressure Temperature Profiles and

enter the information shown in the figure.
NOTE: The pressure drop is calculated using the Moody
correlation (default single-phase correlation) and the
Beggs and Brill Revised correlation.
The results from the Taitel-Dukler Flow Regime map

will be reported and will influence the pressure drop
calculations performed by the Beggs and Brill
Revised correlation if the flow regime is different from
that predicted by the Beggs and Brill correlation.

14. Run the model.

15. Observe the pressure profile plot.

16. From the Reports menu, open the output file. The following
display can be seen in the primary output section of the
output file.

Notice that the flow is initially single-phase liquid until the

pressure falls below the bubblepoint upon which two-phase
oil-gas flow is present.
The single-phase Moody correlation is used in the first part of

the pipe. The Beggs and Brill multiphase correlation is used
in the second part of the pipe after the pressure falls below
the bubblepoint.

17. Scroll down to view the Auxiliary output. The liquid holdup
values are shown in the figure.

The spot reports output is shown in Figure 21 and the Flow

regime map is shown in Figure 22.
NOTE: To view the graphics and output in SI or Custom units,

specify the units via the Setup > Units… option and re-
run the model.
Figure 21 Sample spot report output

Figure 22 Flow regime map
NOTE: You also can view the flow regime map in PsPlot by
selecting Reports > Flow Regime Map.

Review Questions
• Which types of pressure drop contributions are reported by
PIPESIM in output file (by default)?
• What is the default single-phase flow correlation in PIPESIM?
• How do you describe a Black Oil fluid model for water or dry
gas?
• Did you get any difference in pressure drop between hand
calculation and PIPESIM reported results? If yes, why?
Summary
In this module, you learned about:
• building the physical model

• creating a fluid model
• choosing flow correlations
• performing operations
• viewing and analyzing results.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger Oil Well Performance Analysis
Module 3 Oil Well Performance

Analysis
This module examines a producing oil well located in the North
Sea. You analyze the performance of this well using NODAL
analysis, calibrate black oil fluid (low GOR) using laboratory data,
and match flow correlations with pressure survey data.
You will also analyze the behavior of the well with increased water
cut and find an opportunity to inject gas at a later stage when the
well is unable to flow naturally.
Learning Objectives
• perform NODAL analysis

• estimate bottomhole flowing conditions
• calibrate pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) data
• perform flow correlation matching
• perform inflow performance relationship (IPR) matching
• conduct water cut sensitivity analysis
• evaluate gas lift performance
• install a flow control valve.
Lesson 1 NODAL Analysis
NODAL analysis is used to evaluate the performance of an oil

well. It involves specifying a nodal point, usually at the bottomhole
or wellhead, and dividing the producing system into two parts: the
inflow and the outflow. This is represented graphically in
Figure 23.
The solution node is defined as the location where the pressure

differential upstream (inflow) and downstream (outflow) of the
node is zero.

Oil Well Performance Analysis Schlumberger
Solution nodes can be judiciously selected to isolate the effect of

certain variables. For example, if the node is taken at the
bottomhole, factors that affect the inflow performance, such as
skin factor, can be analyzed independently of variables that affect
the outflow, such as tubing diameter or separator pressure.
Nodal Analysis
Psep
PR Inflow
Outflow
Pwf
Pwf PR Psep
17
Flow rate
Figure 23 Intersection points of the inflow and outflow

performance curves
Getting Started
Before beginning an oil well performance analysis:
1. Select File > New > Single Branch.

2. Select Setup > Units and set the engineering units.

Exercise 1 Building the Well Model
Model building refers to setting up all objects, from the source to

the sink, and defining the properties of these objects. You can
select PIPESIM single branch objects using either the Tool menu
or the toolbar at the top of PIPESIM window.
To build the well model:

1. Select a Vertical Completion object from the single
branch toolbar, and place it in the Single Branch flow
diagram.
2. Select a Boundary Node and place it in the flow diagram.
3. Click to select a Tubing object.

4. Connect VertWell_1 to the End Node S1 by clicking and

dragging from VertWell_1 completion to the End Node S1.
NOTE: The red outlines on VertWell_1 and Tubing_1
indicate that essential input data are missing.
5. Double-click on the completion and enter the properties

listed in the table.
Reservoir and Inflow Data

Completion model Well PI
Use Vogel? Yes
Reservoir Pressure 3,600 psia
Reservoir Temperature 200 degF
Liq. Productivity Index 8 stb/d/psi

6. Double-click on the tubing object and enter the tubing

properties based on data listed in the table.
Deviation Data
Measured Depth (ft) True Vertical Depth (ft)
0 0
1,000 1,000
2,500 2,450
5,000 4,850
7,500 7,200
9,000 8,550
Geothermal Gradient
Measured Depth (ft) Ambient Temp. (degF)
0 50
9,000 200
Tubing Data
Bottom MD (ft) Internal Diameter (inches)
8,600 3.958
9,000 6.184
7. Specify an Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient = 5 btu/hr/ft 2/F

(override the default value).
NOTE: You can use the overall heat transfer coefficient to
calculate total heat transfer through the pipe wall.
The overall heat transfer coefficient depends on the
fluids and their properties on both sides of the wall,
as well as the properties of the wall and the
transmission surface.
8. Click the Summary table button to observe the configuration

summary and schematic of the wellbore.
9. Set the Distance between nodes to 100 ft.
10. Click Refresh to see the effect in the table and the
schematic.
11. Select Setup > Black Oil.

12. Enter the fluid properties, as shown in the table. Assume

default PVT correlations and no calibration data.
Black Oil PVT Data

Water Cut 10 %
GOR 500 scf/stb
Gas SG 0.8
Water SG 1.05
Oil API 36 ºAPI
The fluid physical properties are calculated over the range of

pressures and temperatures encountered by the fluid. These
physical properties are subsequently used by multiphase
flow correlations to determine the phases present, the flow
regime, and the pressure losses in single and multiphase
flow regions.
NOTE: The heat transfer calculations use the fluid thermal

properties.
13. From the Setup > Flow Correlation menu, ensure that the
Hagedorn-Brown correlation is selected for vertical flow and
the Beggs-Brill Revised correlation is selected for horizontal
flow.
NOTE: Select the correlation that is best suited for the fluid
and operating conditions of interest. There is no
universal rule for selecting a multiphase flow
correlation that is good for all operating scenarios.
(See the PIPESIM help system for information on the

applicability of flow correlations.)
14. Save the model as CaseStudy1_Oil_Well.bps.

Exercise 2 Performing NODAL Analysis
In this exercise, you perform a NODAL analysis operation for a

given outlet (wellhead) pressure to determine the operating point
(intersection) and the absolute open flow potential (AOFP) of the
well.
To do this, add a NODAL analysis point at the bottomhole to

divide the system into two parts.
Part A extends from reservoir to the bottomhole, while Part B runs

from the bottomhole to the wellhead.
To perform a NODAL analysis:
1. Select a NODAL analysis point from the toolbar and drop it

near the completion.
2. Click on the tubing and drag its bottom tip over to the NODAL
analysis point.
3. Insert a connector to link the completion with the NODAL
analysis point.
N.A. Point

4. Select Operations > NODAL analysis.

5. Enter an Outlet Pressure (Boundary Condition) of 300 psia.
6. Leave Inflow Sensitivity and Outflow Sensitivity empty.
TIP: PIPESIM 2009.1 or older versions: Increasing the
number of points in inflow and outflow curves provides
more detailed curves from which you can read a more
accurate intersection. Click Limits in the Nodal
Analysis window to change the number of points in
inflow and outflow curves.
PIPESIM 2010.1 and later implemented several

modifications in Nodal Analysis calculation. The most
significant is displaying the intersection point on the
nodal plot. Now, you do not depend on reading from the
plot and solution points are calculated with values
displayed on the Data tab. There is no need to specify or
change number of points for inflow and outflow curve
unless you wish to use those data for further processing.
PIPESIM automatically determines the number of points
and their spacing for both inflow and outflow curves.

7. Run the model.

8. Inspect the plot and select the Data tab to determine the
answers.
Results
(Outlet) Wellhead Pressure 300 psia

Operating Point Flow rate
Operating Point BHP
AOFP
Exercise 3 Performing a Pressure/

Temperature Profile
The Pressure/Temperature profile calculates pressure and

temperature on a node-by-node basis for the system. The results
are plotted for pressure or temperature as a function of distance/
elevation along the flow path.
To estimate bottomhole flowing conditions:
1. Run Operations > Pressure / Temperature Profile.

2. Enter the Outlet (Tubing head) pressure of 300 psia.
3. Specify the liquid rate as the calculated variable.
4. Leave Sensitivity Data empty.
NOTE: Inlet and outlet pressure always reference the
boundaries of the system. In this particular case, inlet
pressure is the reservoir pressure, while the outlet
pressure corresponds to wellhead pressure.
The inlet pressure is specified at the completion or

source level, whereas the outlet pressure is always
specified manually within the operation.
5. Run the model.

NOTE: PIPESIM 2011.1 generates a Profile plot for every
valid combination of inflow-outflow cases. Because
of this, there is no need to run a separate Pressure
Temperature Profile operation.

6. Inspect the plot and summary output report to determine

answers.
Results
Wellhead Pressure 300 psia

Production Rate
Flowing BHP
Flowing WHT
Depth at which gas appears
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review.
• What is the significance of intersection between the inflow

and outflow curves?
• What are the advantages/disadvantages of performing a
Pressure/Temperature Profile versus a NODAL analysis?
Lesson 2 Fluid Calibration
Fluid properties (also known as PVT properties) are predicted by

correlations developed by fitting experimental fluid data with
mathematical models. Various correlations have been developed
over the years based on experimental data sets covering a range
of fluid properties.
The PIPESIM help system describes the range of fluid properties

used to develop each correlation, which helps you select the most
appropriate correlation for the fluid at hand. The default
correlations in PIPESIM are based on the overall accuracy of the
correlations as applied to a broad range of fluids.
To increase the accuracy of fluid property calculations, PIPESIM

provides functionality to match PVT fluid properties with laboratory
data. Calibration of these properties can greatly increase the
accuracy of the correlations over the range of pressures and
temperatures for the system being modeled.

For example, calibration of the bubblepoint pressure can result in

the initial appearance of gas at a depth of perhaps a thousand feet
higher or lower than an uncalibrated model. This results in a
significantly different mixture fluid density and, thus, a much
different elevational pressure gradient.
Likewise, calibration of the fluid viscosity can drastically improve

the calculation of the frictional pressure gradient, especially in
heavy oils and emulsions.
If the calibration data are omitted, PIPESIM calibrates on the

basis of oil and gas gravity alone, resulting in a loss of accuracy.
After the calibration is performed, a calibration factor calculated as

ratio of measured value to the value calculated by selected
correlation.
There are two calibration options available in PIPESIM:
• Single Point calibration

• Multi-Point calibration.
Single Point Calibration

In many cases, actual measured values for some properties show
a slight variance from calculated values. When this occurs, it is
useful to calibrate the property using the measured point.
PIPESIM can use the known data for the property to calculate a
calibration constant Kc.
Kc = Measured Property @(P,T)/Calculated Property @(P,T)
This calibration constant is used to modify all subsequent

calculations of the property in question, that is:
Calibrated value = Kc (Predicted value)

Multi-Point Calibration
In multi-point calibration, black oil correlations are tuned so that
the correlation honors all data points (Figure 24).
Figure 24 Correlation running through all data points
A calibration factor is calculated for every measurement point, and

a plot is generated for the Pressure vs. Calibration factor, as
shown in Figure 25.
Figure 25 Pressure vs. Calibration factor
NOTE: This is not a best fit method, as all points are fitted
exactly. Any outlying data should be smoothed before
entering it into PIPESIM.

Exercise 1 Calibrating PVT Data
To calibrate PVT data:
1. From Setup > Black Oil, click the Viscosity Data tab.
2. Enter the following calibration data.
a. Under Dead Oil Viscosity, select User’s 2 Data points as
the correlation.
b. Enter the following measurements:
Dead Oil Viscosity Measurements

Property Temperature (degF) Value
Viscosity 200 1.5 cp
60 10 cp
c. For Live Oil Viscosity, ensure that the Chew and Connally
correlation is selected.
d. For the Emulsion Viscosity Method, select the Brinkman
1952 correlation.
e. For the Undersaturated Oil Viscosity, select the Bergman-
Sutton correlation.
3. Click the Advanced Calibration Data tab and click Single-
Point Calibration.
4. Enter the measured data to calibrate the PVT model.
PVT Calibration Data

Pressure Temp
Range Property Value (psia) (degF)
P > Pb OFVF 1.18 3,000 200
P = Pb Sat. Gas 500 scf/stb 2,100 200
P <= Pb OFVF 1.22 2,100 200
Live Oil 1.1 cp 2,100 200
Viscosity
Gas viscosity 0.029 cp 2,100 200
Gas Z factor 0.8 2,100 200

5. Select the following PVT correlations:
Property Correlation
Saturated gas Lasater
OFVF at / below bubblepoint Standing
Live oil viscosity Chew and Connally
Gas Z Standing
6. From the Advanced Calibration Data tab, choose Plot PVT

Data (Laboratory Conditions GOR = GSAT) to generate a
plot of the PVT properties for various pressures and
temperatures.
7. Choose Series and change the Y-axis to Oil Formation
Volume Factor.
8. Verify that the predicted values match the calibration points.

9. Repeat steps 12 and 13 for Oil viscosity and Gas viscosity to

ensure the predicted values are correct.
NOTE: Dead Oil conditions are at 14.7 psia.
Notice that the predicted oil viscosity value at a temperature

of 60 degF and 14.7 psia is 10.0 cP, consistent with the
laboratory dead oil data.
10. Now that the fluid model is calibrated, re-run the Pressure-
Temperature Profile.
11. Determine the flowing bottomhole pressure, flowing wellhead
temperature, and production rate for the given wellhead
pressure.
12. Compare your answers to the uncalibrated model results in
Lesson 8, Exercise 3: Performing a Pressure/Temperature
Profile.
13. Inspect the plot and summary output to determine answers.

Results
Wellhead Pressure Calibrated Uncalibrated

Production Rate
Flowing BHP
Flowing WHT
Depth where gas appears
GOR Property Definitions

The quantity defined by PIPESIM as stock tank GOR is actually
the produced GOR, a dynamic property. The solution gas GOR
calibration, an intrinsic property, is specific to the reservoir oil at
reservoir conditions and is obtained through laboratory
experiments.
The solution gas liberated at standard conditions is called the

associated gas. Produced gas can also include a contribution
from the gas cap, otherwise known as free gas. In other words:
Produced gas = associated (solution) gas + free gas.
If free gas is produced, the produced GOR will be higher than the
solution GOR and, therefore, the calculated bubblepoint based on
the specified produced GOR will be higher than that defined by
the solution GOR calibration point.
Lesson 3 Pressure/Temperature
Matching
The pressure distribution of the fluid as it flows though the tubing

is very important in production engineering tasks such as
selecting tubing sizes, forecasting well productivity, and designing
artificial lift installations.
There are many flow correlations in a PIPESIM library that are

used to predict pressure drop and perform various multiphase
calculations. Together, these correlations cover a wide range of
geometrical configurations of flow path, pipe sizes and angles,
fluid types with wide variations in phase ratios, and many other
variations. These flow correlations fall into two primary categories:
Empirical and Mechanistic.

Most of the empirical correlations were developed and validated

against specific ranges of field data and may not yield satisfactory
results if the conditions change significantly. On the other hand,
mechanistic correlation solves combined momentum equations
and produces reasonable predictions for most condition.
PIPESIM 2011.1 introduces several new mechanistic correlations,

including LEDA Point Model and the new Tulsa Unified Flow
Correlation. Along with updated OLGAs, these flow correlations
are available for 2- and 3-phase flow.
Pressure distribution along particular tubing can be obtained from

actual measurements taken with pressure gauges using wireline/
slickline at different depths in the well while it is flowing at a
constant rate. The result of this measurement is a plot of fluid
pressure along tubing versus vertical depth, called a Flowing
Gradient survey (FGS) and shown in Figure 26.
Figure 26 Flowing Gradient survey
When an FGS is available, it is always best to compare different

multiphase flow correlations with the FGS, to determine the one
that best matches the FGS.
Additionally, the correlation can be tuned to more accurately

match the data. Optimization routines in PIPESIM allow the
PIPESIM Single Branch engine to calculate optimal values of
parameters to match measured pressure and/or temperature
data.

The match is performed by tuning parameters, such as friction

and hold-up factor multiplier for pressure matching, and a U-factor
multiplier for temperature matching. After the model is tuned, you
should validate it against test data measured at different
conditions.
WARNING: Avoid using large tuning factors. The recommended

tuning range of friction and holdup factor multipliers
are +/- 15% (such as 0.85 - 1.15). If it needs > -/+
15% to match the actual measured data, you should
review the data again. Large adjustments in friction
and holdup factors could also be due to poor fluid
characterizations.

Exercise 1 Flow Correlation Matching l
An FGS is available for this well. In this exercise, you use the
measured data to select the most appropriate vertical flow
correlation.
To perform a flow correlation match:
1. Select Data > Load/Add Measured Data.

2. Click New.
3. Enter the test data, as shown.
4. Click Save Changes.

5. Go to Operations > Data Matching and enter the range of

calibration factors, as shown in the figure.
NOTE: You can uncheck the calibration factor for horizontal
flow as there is no horizontal flow in this model.

6. Click the Flow Correlation tab and select some of the

vertical multiphase flow correlations, as shown.
TIP: Omit OLGAs flow correlations in case this third-party
license is unavailable.
7. Go to the Run tab and specify the given Outlet Pressure

(Wellhead) and Liquid Rate.

8. Choose the Inlet Pressure as the calculated variable and

click Run model.
9. View the results in Data Matching window to determine

which flow correlation agrees most closely with the
measured data.
10. Select the best correlation and click Save Selected Results
to update the model with this correlation and the matched
values for the friction factor, holdup factor, and U-Value
multipliers.
NOTE: Weighting factors are used to set the relative
importance of the pressure and temperature error
terms if both pressure and temperature data have
been specified.
Results
Best Vertical Correlation

Flowing BHP
Head Factor Multiplier
Friction Factor Multiplier
U Factor Multiplier

Exercise 2 Matching Inflow Performance
It is known from a pressure gradient survey that this particular well

can flow 6,500 bbl/d of liquid against 300 psia of wellhead
pressure. Using the correct flow correlation from the previous
exercise, run the Pressure/Temperature profile to determine how
much this well can produce for the same boundary conditions.
If the calculated flow rate is different from measured flow rate

(6,500 bbl/d), it is time to determine the Productivity Index (PI) that
matches the test data.
In this exercise, you also determine the absolute open flow

potential (AOFP) of the well with the new PI, given a reservoir
pressure known to be 3,600 psia.
TIP: The Productivity Index (PI) is expected to be in the range

from 5 to10 stb/d/psi.
To perform the IPR matching:
1. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile.

2. Enter the Outlet Pressure and the Liquid Rate.
3. Set the User variable as the calculated variable and click
Define.
4. Choose Object VertWell_1 and the Variable Productivity Index.

5. Enter the expected range of PI and click OK.
6. Run the model and review the PsPlot for calculated Liquid PI.
NOTE: IMPORTANT: Update the PI for the completion with
the matched value.
Results
Matched PI STB/d/psi
Questions
• What is the minimum data requirement for black oil fluid

model in PIPESIM?
• How can you use lab PVT data to improve black oil
correlations?
• What data should you use in black oil calibration: flash or
differential?

• What components of the pressure drop are reported by

PIPESIM?
• What is the recommended way of selecting a multiphase
correlation in PIPESIM?
• What is the role of the pressure loss in the completion during
flow correlation matching?
Lesson 4 Well Performance Analysis
After you define the well and fluids descriptions and match them to
generate an accurate model for the well, several simulation
operations can be performed to evaluate a variety of operating
scenarios.
Exercise 1 Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity

Analysis
After an initial design has been made, it is important to evaluate

how the system will respond to changing operating conditions.
Increase in water production in the late life of oil and gas fields is
inevitable, whether because of water injection or water coning.
Using the wellhead pressure and reservoir pressure from the

previous exercise, determine the highest possible water cut this
well will produce.
NOTE: Change the completion PI in the well model from the

previous exercise.
There are two methods available to solve this problem: Method A:

System analysis and Method B: NODAL analysis.
Method A – System Analysis

To run a System analysis:
1. Select Operations > System Analysis.

2. Enter the Outlet Pressure as 200 psia (required minimum
wellhead pressure).
3. Calculate the liquid rate.
4. For the X-axis variable, choose Fluid Data.

5. Enter the water cut values of 30 to 70% in increments of 5%.

6. Leave Sensitivity Variable 1 empty.
7. Run the model to generate a plot of calculated liquid rate vs.
water cut.
8. Interpolate to identify the limiting water cut at which the
production rate continues to be calculated.
NOTE: You may need to re-run the model using finer
sensitivity values for the water cut.
Method B – NODAL Analysis

To run a NODAL analysis:
1. Go to Operations > NODAL analysis.

2. Enter the Outlet Pressure.
3. Leave Inflow Sensitivity empty.
4. Enter the water cut values of 30 to 70% in increments of 5%.
5. Click the Limits button and change the number of outflow
points to display to 50.
6. Run the model to generate the NODAL analysis plot.
7. Identify the lowest water cut for which there is no solution
point.
NOTE: You may need to re-run the model using finer
sensitivity values for the water cut.
Results
Critical Water Cut

Exercise 2 Evaluating Gas Lift Performance
The basic principle behind gas lift injection in oil wells is to lower
the density of the produced fluid in the tubing. This results in a
reduction of the elevational component of the pressure gradient
above the point of injection and a lower bottomhole pressure.
Lowering the bottomhole pressure increases reservoir drawdown
and, thus, production rate.
In this exercise, you examine how this well responds to gas lift by
introducing a Gas Lift Injection point at 8,000 feet MD in the tubing
equipment. Use the values listed in the table for this exercise.
You have two tasks to accomplish:
• Determine how the well responds to gas lift when the water
cut is 10% and 60%.
• Determine the liquid production rates as a function of the gas
lift rate and water cut.
Gas Lift Data
Wellhead Pressure (psia) 300
Injection Gas SG 0.6
Injection Gas Surface Temp (degF) 100
To evaluate gas lift performance:
1. Double-click on Tubing and select the Downhole Equipment

tab.
2. Under Equipment, select Gas Lift Injection and specify a
measured depth of 8000 ft.
3. Click Properties.
4. Enter a default gas lift rate of 1 mmscf/d.
5. Go to Operations > Artificial Lift Performance and enter
the Outlet Pressure.
6. For Sensitivity Data, enter water cut values of 10% and 60%.
7. For the Gas Lift Injection Rate:
a. Select Range.
b. Enter a start value of 1.0.
c. Enter an end value of 10.0.
d. Enter increments of 0.5.

8. Run the model to generate a plot of calculated liquid rate vs.

gas lift rate for different water cuts.
9. Inspect the plot and summary output to determine answers.
Results
Gas Lift Rate Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @
(mmscf/d) @ 10% Wcut 60% Wcut
1
2
4
6
10
Exercise 3 Working with Multiple Completions
Log analysis shows that a shallow gas zone exists at a TVD of

7,500 feet (Figure 27). As an alternative to gas lift injection, you
can investigate the benefits of perforating this zone and self lifting
the well.
Figure 27 Shallow zone at 7,500 feet

Defining a Second Completion

To define a second completion:
1. Insert a second vertical completion below the NODAL

analysis point.
2. Connect to the original completion using a separate tubing
model, as shown.

3. Modify the upper tubing string to extend only to the top of the
upper perforations.
a. Modify the Deviation survey such that it will extend to only
7,200 feet TVD.
b. Modify the Geothermal survey such that the ambient

temperature at an MD of 7,500 feet is 180 degF.
c. In the Tubing Configurations tab, specify a bottom MD of
7,500 feet and a tubing ID of 3.958 inches.
d. In the Downhole Equipment tab, remove the gas lift
injection.
e. Click OK to close the menu.

4. Double-click on the lower tubing string to define its properties.

a. In the Deviation Survey tab, define the lower tubing string
profile, as shown.
b. In the Geothermal Survey tab, specify temperatures of

180 degF at 7,500 feet and 200 degF at 9,000 feet.
c. Specify the U value as 5 Btu/hr/ft2/F.
d. In the Tubing Configuration tab, specify a tubing ID of
3.958 inches to a depth of 8,600 feet MD and 6.184
inches to a depth of 9,000 feet.
e. Click OK to close the menu.

5. With no test data at hand, model the reservoir performance

of the upper zone using the pseudo-steady state Darcy
equation. Specify the upper completion using the following
data:
Reservoir Properties: Upper Gas Zone

Model Pseudo-steady state
Basis of IPR Calculation Gas
Use Pseudo-pressures? yes
Reservoir pressure 3,000 psia
Reservoir Temperature 180 degF
Thickness 5 feet
Permeability 20 md
Mechanical Skin 0
Rate Dependant Skin 0
6. Select the Fluid model tab within the completion dialog and
enter the following:
a. Use a locally-defined fluid model with an OGR of 0 STB/
mmscfd and a WGR of 0 (all gas).
b. Specify a gas gravity of 0.67.
c. Leave all other properties and correlations at their default
settings.
NOTE: The fluid data used for a well/source is defined by a
default, local data set or an override value [for water
cut and/or GOR/GLR/OGR/LGR]. If there are
multiple fluids present in the system with different
intrinsic properties, define the main fluid as the
default and all others as local fluids.

7. To analyze the effect of perforating the upper zone

(compared with gas lift injection), run a Pressure/
Temperature Profile for the 60% water cut case.
a. From Setup > Black Oil, set the water cut to 60%.
NOTE: This water cut affects only the lower zone because
the lower zone uses the default fluid model, while the
upper zone is defined with a local fluid model.
b. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile.

c. Specify the Outlet Pressure as 300 psia.
d. Specify the Mass Rate as the Calculated Variable.
e. Run the model.
f. Inspect the output file to determine the results.
Results
Wellhead Pressure 300 psia

Liquid Rate (stb/d)
Gas Rate (upper zone) (mmscfd)
Question
Comparing the results of gas lift injection versus perforating the
upper zone, roughly how much gas lift injection would result in the
same liquid rate achievable through perforating the upper zone?
Equivalent gas lift injection rate: ______________
Lesson 5 Flow Control Valve Modeling
A downhole flow control valve (FCV) allows you to model so-

called 'intelligent' or 'smart' wells. The methodology implemented
provides a simple way of modeling single branch (non-multilateral)
intelligent wells in which FCVs are located close to the reservoir.
An FCV can restrict the completion flow rate through the system;
however, they are available only for vertical completions. The
purpose of an FCV is to provide a restriction to fluid flow, thereby
reducing the productivity (or injectivity) of a given completion.
They are useful in a model containing multiple completions.

An FCV is very similar to a choke. Like a choke, it can be modeled

as a fixed-size orifice, in which form it presents a restriction to flow
resulting in a pressure drop that increases as flow rate increases.
Unlike a choke however, a maximum flow rate can also be

specified. This is applied to the completion and, if necessary, the
choke bean diameter is reduced to honor the limit. The choke
diameter and flow rate limit can be applied separately or together.
If they are both supplied, they are treated as maximum limits.
As shown in Figure 28, the Flow Control Valve dialog uses radio
buttons to present a choice between a Generic valve and a
Specific valve.
Figure 28 Flow Control Valve properties

A generic valve is specified with its Equivalent Choke Area, Gas

and Liquid Flow Coefficients, and choice of Gas Choke Equation
method. The choke area can be omitted if a Maximum Rate
Through Valve is specified. If it is present, the FCV is modeled
with that choke area but, if the resulting flow rate exceeds the
limit, the area is reduced to honor the limit.
You must choose a specific valve from the list of available valves
provided in the PIPESIM database. Many of the specific valves
are multi-position devices, as they allow you to select the effective
choke area from a range of pre-installed fixed chokes.
If a flow rate limit is supplied, the simulation selects the choke

position required to honor the limit. Because the choke area
cannot be calculated to match the limit exactly, this usually results
in the flow rate being lower than the limit.
The valve position can be specified or omitted. If specified, the

FCV is modeled with the corresponding choke area, but if the
resulting flow rate exceeds the limit, a lower position number is
used.
Valve positions are numbered in order of increasing choke size,

starting with position zero. This position usually specifies a
diameter of zero to allow the valve to be shut. An FCV can have
as many as 30 positions.
Exercise 1 Modeling a Flow Control Valve
A formation integrity test indicates you should not flow more than
2 mmscfd of gas from the upper formation. To make sure, install
the FCV in the upper completion.
To model a flow control valve:
1. Double-click on the upper completion and check Flow

Control Valve.
2. In the FCV Properties window, set the Maximum Rate
through Valve to 2 mmscfd.
3. Leave Equivalent Choke Area empty.
4. Select Operations > Pressure Temperature Profile.
5. Ensure that the Liquid Rate is the calculated variable and the
outlet pressure is set to 300 psia.

6. Run the model and view the output file for Bean Size.
Required Bean Size: _______________
7. (Optional) Select any Specific Valve to sensitize on FCV and

generate a plot liquid flow rate vs. FCV position.
TIP: Select SLB : TRFC-HN-AIS value and use System
Analysis and mass flow rate.
Review Questions
• What is the effect on tubing performance curve of increasing
the water cut?
• What is the difference between a standard choke and an
FCV?
• What is the difference between a generic valve and a specific
valve?
Summary
• performing a NODAL analysis

• estimating bottomhole flowing conditions
• calibrating PVT data
• performing flow correlation matching
• performing IPR matching
• conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity analysis
• evaluating gas lift performance
• installing a flow control valve.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger Gas Well Performance
Module 4 Gas Well Performance

A gas well has been drilled for which Drill Stem Test (DST) and
compositional fluid data are available. In this module, you will
model the performance of this well.
Learning Objectives
• model compositional fluid

• calibrate the Inflow model
• perform a NODAL analysis at bottomhole
• perform a System analysis
• select the optimum tubing size
• model flowline and choke performance
• calculate pressure drop due to increased condensate
production.
Lesson 1 Compositional Fluid Modeling
PIPESIM offers fully compositional fluid modeling as an

alternative to the Black Oil model.
Compositional fluid modeling is generally regarded as more

accurate, especially for wet gas, condensate and volatile oil
systems. However, detailed compositional data are less frequently
available to the production engineer.
PIPESIM currently has access to two compositional PVT

Frameworks that provide several PVT flash packages.

Gas Well Performance Schlumberger
Original PIPESIM PVT Framework:
• SIS Flash, developed by Schlumberger. This is the same

Equation of State package used by other GeoQuest
products, such as ECLIPSE Compositional, PVTi, VFPi,
and others.
NOTE: SIS Flash has been deprecated in PIPESIM 2011.1
User is recommended to use ECLIPSE 300 Flash
instead.
• Multiflash, a third-party compositional package (InfoChem).
New PVT Toolbox Framework (available in PIPESIM 2010.1):
• Eclipse 300 Flash, a new interface to ECLIPSE two-phase

flash, allowing additional Equation of States.
• DBR Flash, two-phase flash developed by the Schlumberger
DBR Technology Center. It has a more extensive component
library than ECLIPSE Flash.
• NIST Refprop v8 Flash, two-phase flash using HelmHoltz
Equation of State.
• GERG 2008 Flash, two-phase flash using HelmHoltz
Equation of State.
Equations of State (EoS)

Equations of State describe the pressure, volume and
temperature (PVT) behavior of pure components and mixtures.
Most thermodynamic and transport properties are derived from
the Equation of State. They are a function of pressure and
temperature.
One of the simplest Equations of State for this purpose is the ideal
gas law, PV=nRT, which is roughly accurate for gases at low
pressures and high temperatures.
NOTE: The Black Oil model uses this equation along with a
compressibility factor (z) to account for non-ideal
behavior.
However, this equation becomes increasingly inaccurate at higher

pressures and temperatures, and it fails to predict condensation

from a gas to a liquid. As a result, much more accurate Equations

of State have been developed for gases and liquids.
The Equations of State available in PIPESIM include:
SIS Flash 2-Parameter Peng-Robinson
3-Parameter Peng-Robinson
2-Parameter Peng-Robinson (advanced)
3-Parameter Peng-Robinson (advanced).

Multiflash Standard Peng-Robinson
Advanced Peng-Robinson
Standard Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK)
Advanced Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK)
Benedict-Webb-Rubin-Starling (BWRS)
Association (CPA).
DBR Flash Peng-Robinson (with/without Volume Shift)
Soave-Redlich-Kwong (with/without Volume

Shift Correction).
ECLIPSE 300 Peng-Robinson (with/without Volume Shift +
Flash Accentric Factor Correction)
Soave-Redlich-Kwong (with/without Volume

Shift Correction).
NIST HelmHoltz Equation of State
Refprop
Flash
GERG 2008 GERG 2008
Flash

Viscosity
Compositional fluid models also use Viscosity models based on
corresponding state theory. Available Viscosity models include:
• Pederson (default)
• Lohrenz-Bray-Clark (LBC)
• Aasberg-Petersen.
Comparative testing has shown the Pedersen method to be the
most widely applicable and accurate for oil and gas viscosity
predictions (Figure 29). Multiflash uses the Pedersen method as
the default viscosity model, though an option is available to
choose the LBC model for backward compatibility.
The choice you make of the Equation of State has a large effect
on the viscosities predicted by these methods. The LBC method is
more sensitive to the Equation of State effects than the Pedersen
method.
Figure 29 Selecting the default Viscosity option

Binary Interaction Parameter (BIP) Set

Binary interaction parameters (BIPs) are adjustable factors used
to alter the predictions from a model until the predictions match
experimental data as closely as possible.
BIPs are usually generated by fitting experimental VLE or LLE

data to the model in question. BIPs apply between pairs of
components, although the fitting procedure can be based on both
binary and multi-component phase equilibrium information
(Figure 30).
Figure 30 Selecting a BIP in the Compositional Properties

window
Emulsion Viscosities
An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquid phases. One
phase (the dispersed phase) is carried as droplets in the other
(the continuous phase). In oil/water systems at low water cuts, oil
is usually the continuous phase.
As water cut is increased, there comes a point at which phase

inversion occurs, and water becomes the continuous phase. This
is the Critical Water cut of Phase Inversion, otherwise called the
cutoff, which occurs typically between 55% and 70% water cut.
The viscosity of the mixture is usually highest at, and just below,
the cutoff.
Emulsion viscosities can be many times higher than the viscosity

of either phase alone. Three mixing rules have been implemented
that are identical to the options currently available in the Black Oil
section.

You can choose any of these options:

• Set to oil viscosity
• Volume ratio of oil and water viscosities
• Woelflin, which uses the Woelflin correlation at a water cut
less than, or equal to, CUTOFF, and water viscosity at a
water cut greater than CUTOFF. (Refer to Figure 31.)
Figure 31 Mixing options
Flashing Options
Flash calculations are an integral part of all reservoir and process
engineering calculations. They are required whenever it is
desirable to know the amounts (in moles) of hydrocarbon liquid
and gas coexisting in a reservoir or a vessel at a given pressure
and temperature.
These calculations are also performed to determine the

composition of the existing hydrocarbon phases. Given the overall
composition of a hydrocarbon system at a specified pressure and
temperature, flash calculations can determine four factors:
• Moles of the gas phase

• Moles of the liquid phase
• Composition of the liquid phase
• Composition of the gas phase.
The compositional module uses inline flashing (PVT tables built in
memory) as the default mode of compositional simulation.

For inline flashing, PIPESIM has three options: Interpolation,

Interpolation when close to phase boundary, and Rigorous
(Figure 32).
Interpolation To maximize the speed of the simulation, not

all requested P/T points are flashed. A
pressure/temperature grid is defined and only
these points are created.
For points not lying exactly on a grid point,

four-point interpolation is used. The default
grid points can be changed via the
compositional option. This is the fastest, but
least accurate, method.
Interpolation In a case where one or more of the four
when close to points used for the interpolation is in a
a Phase different phase, a full flash is performed and
Boundary the data point added to the table. This
improves accuracy at the cost of speed.
Rigorous A full flash is always performed. Very
accurate, but slow!
Figure 32 Flashing options

Exercise 1 Creating a Compositional Fluid

Model for a Gas Well
To create a compositional fluid model:
1. Start with a new PIPESIM case: Single Branch.

2. Open the Compositional Fluid Template menu by selecting
Setup > Compositional Template.
3. Choose PVT Framework as PIPESIM and select Multiflash
as PVT Package.
NOTE: Schlumberger employees select PVT Toolbox
Framework, E300 Flash Package. Your results will
be slightly different.
4. Click the Component Selection tab.

5. Add following library components by selecting the desired
components from the list and click Add >>.
Components
Methane Butane
Ethane Isopentane
Propane Pentane
Isobutane Hexane
6. Add the C7+ pseudo-component:

a. Select the Petroleum Fractions tab.
b. Enter the pseudo-component name and data.
c. Highlight the row number for the pseudo-component and
click Add to Composition.
Pseudo-Component Stock Tank Properties

C7+ BP 214 degF
C7+ MW 115
C7+ SG 0.683
7. Leave Property Models as default.

8. Open the Compositional (Local Default) menu by selecting
Setup > Compositional (local default).

9. Under the Component Selection tab, you will notice all the
components predefined in Step 5. Add the mole fraction to
these components.
Composition (%)
Methane 78 Isopentane 0.8
Ethane 8 Pentane 0.5
Propane 3.5 Hexane 0.5
Isobutane 1.2 C7+ 6.0
Butane 1.5
10. To determine the water content at saturation at reservoir

conditions:
a. Go back to the Compositional Template UI and add
Water as additional component.
b. Now come back to Compositional (Local default) UI and
add an arbitrary amount of water, such as 20 moles, to the
composition.
c. Select the Flash/Separation tab.
d. Click the PT button and enter the reservoir pressure and
temperature, 4,600 psia and 280 degF, respectively.
e. Perform a flash and read the water content for the vapor
fraction from the screen.
NOTE: The hydrocarbon vapor components will be
normalized to include the mole fraction of water.
f. Copy and paste (Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V) the water and the
normalized hydrocarbon composition back into the
compositional editor main screen.
Water can be carried along with the gas in the vapor
phase or entrained in the gas in droplet form. There exists
at any temperature and pressure a maximum amount of
water vapor that a gas is able to hold. A gas is completely
saturated when it contains the maximum amount of water
vapor for the given pressure and temperature conditions.

NOTE: Keeping the volume and pressure constant on water

vapor-saturated gas, water will condense out at lower
temperatures because the capacity of the gas to hold
water is less. The same is true if the volume and
temperature are kept constant, but the pressure is
allowed to increase.
11. Click Phase Envelope to generate a phase envelope using

the water-saturated composition.
12. From the main Component Selection tab, click Export,
name the composition sat_gas and click Save.
13. Select Setup > Flow Correlations and choose Gray
Modified for the vertical flow correlation.
14. Select File > Save As and save the model as
GasWell.bps.

Questions
• What are the key differences between the various flash

packages?
• What is the trade off between the rigorous flash option and
the interpolation flash option?
• What is the likelihood of forming an emulsion when water
and gaseous hydrocarbons are the two phases present?
Lesson 2 Gas Well Deliverability
Based on the analysis for flow data obtained from a large number
of gas wells, Rawlins and Schellhardt (1936) presented a
relationship between the gas flow rate and pressure drawdown
that can be expressed as:
Qsc = C(pR2 – pWF2)n

where
Qsc = gas rate (mmscf/d)

pR = average reservoir pressure (psia)
pWF = flowing bottomhole pressure
C = flow coefficient (mmscf/day/psi2)

n = non-Darcy exponent
The exponent n is intended to account for the additional pressure

drop caused by the high-velocity gas flow, such as turbulence.
Depending on the flowing conditions, the exponent n can vary
from 1.0 for completely laminar flow to 0.5 for fully turbulent flow.
The performance coefficient C in the equation above is included to

account for:
• Reservoir rock properties

• Fluid properties
• Reservoir flow geometry.

This equation is commonly called the deliverability or back-

pressure equation. If you can determine the coefficients of the
equation (n and C), you can calculate the gas flow rate Qsc at any
bottomhole flow pressure pWF and construct the IPR curve.
Deliverability testing has been used for more than sixty years by
the petroleum industry to characterize and determine the flow
potential of gas wells.
There are essentially three types of deliverability tests:
• Conventional deliverability (back-pressure) test

• Isochronal test
• Modified isochronal test.
Essentially, these tests consist of flowing wells at multiple rates
and measuring the bottomhole flowing pressure as a function of
time. When the recorded data are properly analyzed, it is possible
to determine the flow potential and establish the inflow
performance relationships of the gas well.
Exercise 1 Calculating Gas Well Deliverability
In this exercise, you construct the simple physical well model

shown below and perform a simulation to calculate deliverability.
1. Using the Single Branch toolbar, insert a vertical completion,

tubing, and NODAL analysis point, as shown in the figure.
S
c
h
lu
m
b
e
rg
e
r
P
ri
v
a
te

2. Edit the reservoir and tubing data according to the data in the
table.
Reservoir Data
Static Pres 4,600 psia
Reservoir Temp. 280 degF
Gas PI 1 x 10-6 mmscf/d/psi2
Tubing Data
Mid perf TVD 11,000 feet
Mid perf MD 11,000 feet
Ambient temp 30 degF
EOT MD 10,950 feet
Tubing ID 3.476 inches
Casing ID 8.681 inches
The vertical completion properties for Well_1 are shown in

the figure.

The figure shows an example of tubing properties for a

simple model.
3. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile

Operation.
a. Select the Gas Rate as the calculated variable.
b. Specify an Outlet Pressure of 800 psia and click Run.
4. The flow rate displays below the plot. You can read the
bottomhole flowing pressure on the plot.
5. On the Plot menu, select Series.
6. Change the Y-axis to Temperature. You can read the
bottomhole and wellhead temperatures on the plot.

Results
Pres = 4,600 psia, Tres = 280 degF

% H2O @ saturation
Po = 800 psia
QG
Pwf
BHT
WHT
Exercise 2 Calibrating an Inflow Model using

Multipoint Test Data
In this exercise, you use the back-pressure equation for inflow

performance relationship for a gas well producing at a pseudo-
steady state. Using a multipoint well test, the C and n parameters
are calculated.
1. Double-click Completion.
2. Choose Back Pressure Equation from the drop-down menu.
3. Click Calculate/Graph and enter the test data listed in the
table.
Multipoint Test Data

QGas (mmscf/d) Pwf (psia)
9.7 3,000
11.9 2,500
14.3 1,800

4. Click Plot IPR.
TIP: To position data points, right-click and drag on a plot.

To zoom in, click and drag a window across the data
points towards the lower right. To zoom out, click and
drag a window towards the upper-left.
5. Re-run the Pressure/Temperature Profile operation to

determine the following:
• Gas flow rate
• Bottomhole flowing pressure
• Bottomhole flowing temperature
• Wellhead temperature.
6. Inspect the profile plot and summary file to view the results.
Results
Back Pressure Equation

Parameter C
Parameter n
Po = 800 psia
QG
Pwf
Tbh (degF)
Twh (degF)

Questions
• What IPR methods are available in PIPESIM for gas wells?

• What are the three types of gas well deliverability tests?
• Does the C factor in the back pressure equation change over
time?
Lesson 3 Erosion Prediction
Erosion has been long recognized as a potential source of

problems in oil and gas production systems. Erosion can occur in
solids-free fluids but, usually, it is caused by entrained solids
(sand).
Two erosion models are available in PIPESIM: API 14 E and

Salama (Figure 33).
Figure 33 Selecting erosion options

API 14 E
The API 14 E model comes from the American Petroleum
Institute, Recommended Practice, number 14 E. This is a solids-
free model that calculates only an erosion velocity (no erosion
rate). The erosion velocity Ve is calculated with the formula
where
m is the fluid mean density and C is an empirical constant.
C has dimensions of (mass/(length*time2)) 0.5. Its default

value in engineering units is 100, which corresponds to 122
in SI units.
The current practice for eliminating erosional problems in piping
systems is to limit the flow velocity to that calculated by this
correlation.
Salama
The Salama model was published in Journal of Energy Resources
Technology, Vol 122, June 2000, An Alternative to API 14 E
Erosional Velocity Limits for Sand Laden Fluids, by Mamdouh M.
Salama.
This model calculates erosion rate and erosional velocity. The

parameters required for the model are Acceptable Erosion rate,
Sand production ratio, Sand Grain Size, Geometry Constant and
Efficiency.
The equations in Salama's paper use a sand rate in Kg/day. This

is obtained from the supplied volume ratio using Salama's typical
value for sand density - 2650 kg/m 3.

Exercise 1 Selecting a Tubing Size
In this exercise, you perform a NODAL analysis to select an

optimum tubing size. The available tubing sizes have IDs of 2.992
inches, 3.958 inches, 4.892 inches, and 6.184 inches.
Your final decision will be based on these criteria:
• Flow rate (High)

• Erosional velocity ratio (<1).
• Cost (Generally increases with size)
To select a tubing size:
1. Ensure that the model includes a NODAL analysis object

located between the tubing and the completion.
a. Enter 800 psia as the Outlet Pressure.
b. Enter the tubing IDs as the Outflow Sensitivity.
c. Under Limit tab, set the Outflow Gas Rate limit to 40
mmscfd (this is done to control the extent of plot).
d. Run the model and observe the outflow curves.

3. Another way to analyze the effect of the tubing ID is to

perform a Pressure/Temperature profile.
Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile.
a. Enter the tubing size as the sensitivity.
b. Specify the flow rate as the calculated variable and run the
model.
c. From the profile plot, change the X-axis to Erosional
Velocity Ratio (EVR = actual velocity / API 14e limit) by
selecting the Series option from the toolbar. This lets you
determine the maximum erosional velocity ratio.
Based on the results of the NODAL analysis and EVR
calculations, which tubing size would you select?_______
4. Record the results below for the selected tubing size; specify
this tubing size in the tubing object in subsequent exercises
and procedures.
Results
Po = 800 psia
QG
Pwf
BHT
WHT
Well-head, Selected Tubing
Max. Erosional velocity ratio
Questions
• What are the criteria for optimum tubing selection?

• What is the basic difference between the API 14 E and the
Salama correlation?

Lesson 4 Choke Modeling
Wellhead chokes are used to limit production rates to meet

surface constraints, protect surface equipment from slugging,
avoid sand problems due to high drawdown, and control flow rate
to avoid water or gas coning. Placing a choke at the wellhead
increases the wellhead pressure and, thus, the flowing bottomhole
pressure, which reduces production rate.
Pressure drop across wellhead chokes is usually very significant,

and various choke flow models are available for critical (sonic)
and sub-critical flow (Figure 34).
Figure 34 Gas fraction in the fluid and flow regimes
Sound waves and pressure waves are both mechanical waves.

When the fluid flow velocity in a choke reaches the traveling
velocity of sound in the fluid under the in situ condition, the flow is
called sonic flow.

Under sonic flow conditions, the pressure wave downstream of

the choke cannot go upstream through the choke because the
medium (fluid) is traveling in the opposite direction at the same
velocity. As a result, a pressure discontinuity exists at the choke,
which means that the downstream pressure does not affect the
upstream pressure.
Because of the pressure discontinuity at the choke, any change in

the downstream pressure cannot be detected from the upstream
pressure gauge. Any change in the upstream pressure cannot be
detected from the downstream pressure gauge either. This sonic
flow provides a unique choke feature that stabilizes the well
production rate and separation operation conditions.
Whether a sonic flow exists at a choke depends on a downstream-

to-upstream pressure ratio. If this pressure ratio is less than a
critical pressure ratio, sonic (critical) flow exists. If this pressure
ratio is greater than, or equal to, the critical pressure ratio, sub-
sonic (sub-critical) flow exists.
The critical pressure ratio is about 0.55 for natural gas, and a
similar constant is used for oil flow.
In some wells, chokes are installed in the lower section of tubing

strings. This choke arrangement reduces wellhead pressure and
enhances oil production rate as a result of gas expansion in the
tubing string. For gas wells, a downhole choke can reduce the risk
of gas hydrates. A major disadvantage of using downhole chokes
is that replacing a choke is costly.

Exercise 1 Modeling a Flowline and Choke
In this exercise, you add a horizontal flow line and a choke to the
model. You use the gas rate calculated in the previous exercise to
determine the choke bean size that results in a manifold (end of
flowline) pressure of 710 psia.
To model a flowline and choke:

1. Ensure the tubing ID is set to 3.958 inches.
2. Insert a choke at the wellhead and reconnect the tubing to
the choke.
3. Choose the mechanistic model for both critical and sub-
critical flow.
TIP: The sensitivity variable overwrites an entered choke size.
4. Insert a flowline downstream of the choke and connect it to a

node representing the manifold.
5. Specify the flowline using the data in the table.
Rate of Undulation 10
Horizontal Distance 300 feet
Elevation Difference 0 feet
Flow-line ID 6 inches
Pipe Roughness 0.001 inches
Wall thickness 0.5 inches
Ambient Temp 60 degF


7. Remove sensitivity variables set from the previous exercise.
8. Select User Variable as calculated and input a choke size. A
good estimate is a size between 1 inch and 3 inches.
9. Set the Outlet Pressure to 710 psia.
10. Specify the gas flow rate calculated in the previous exercise.
11. Run the model and see the PsPlot for the choke size.
12. Enter the resulting choke size into the choke model.
13. Re-run the Pressure/Temperature profile with outlet pressure
as the calculated variable to verify that the calculated
wellhead pressure is 800 psia.
14. Inspect the output file to determine individual pressure drops
for the reservoir, tubing, choke and flow line.
Results
Po = 710 psia
Choke size
Pressure losses across system
P Reservoir
P Tubing
P Choke
P Flow-line

Exercise 2 Predicting Future Production Rates
In this exercise, you use System analysis to calculate the gas rate
as a function of reservoir pressure.
To predict future production rates:
1. Right-click and choose Active to deactivate the choke and

flowline. These objects should be highlighted in red to
indicate they are inactive.
3. Choose Gas Rate as the calculated variable.
4. Set the wellhead pressure to 800 psia.
5. Use Reservoir (Static) Pressure as the X-axis variable and
set these values:
• 4,600 psia
• 4,200 psia
• 3,800 psia
• 3,400 psia.
6. Run the model and view the resultant plot.
Results
Reservoir Pressure (psia) Gas Rate (mmscfd)

4600
4200
3800
3400
Questions
• What is the difference between critical and sub-critical flow?

• What effect does changing the manifold pressure have if the
choke is in critical flow?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using
downhole chokes instead of wellhead chokes?

Lesson 5 Liquid Loading
Gas wells usually produce natural gas-carrying liquid water and/or

condensate in the form of mist. As the gas flow velocity in the well
drops because of reservoir pressure depletion, the carrying
capacity of the gas decreases. When the gas velocity drops to a
critical level, liquids begin to accumulate in the well (liquid
loading).
This increases the bottomhole pressure, which reduces the gas

production rate. A low gas production rate will cause gas velocity
to drop further and, eventually, the well will cease producing.
Turner Droplet Model

In predominantly gas wells operating in the annular-mist flow
regime, liquids flow as individual particles (droplets) in the gas
core and as a liquid film along the tubing wall.
By analyzing a large database of producing gas wells, Turner

found that a force balance performed on a droplet could predict
whether the liquids would flow upwards (drag forces) or
downwards (gravitational forces). If the gas velocity is above a
critical velocity, the drag force lifts the droplet, otherwise the
droplet falls and liquid loading occurs. This is illustrated in
Figure 35.
Figure 35 Turner Droplet model
When the drag is equal to weight, the gas velocity is at critical.

Theoretically, at the critical velocity, the droplet would be
suspended in the gas stream, moving neither upward nor
downward. Below the critical velocity, the droplet falls and liquids
accumulate in the wellbore.

In practice, the critical gas velocity is generally defined as the

minimum gas velocity in the tubing string required to move
droplets upward.
The general form of Turner's equation is given by
where
ρg = gas phase density (lbm/ft3)
ρl = liquid phase density (lbm/3)

σ = interfacial tension (dynes/cm)
vt = terminal velocity of liquid droplet (ft/sec)
Liquid loading calculations are performed in every operation and

are available for review in output files and plot reports. Review the
output file to determine if the well is under liquid loading.
A value of Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio in excess of 1 indicates

loading.
The NODAL analysis plot will report the Liquid Loading Gas Rate
when the X-axis is configured to display gas rate. For every point
on the outflow curve, the value of Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is
calculated and the critical gas rate is calculated at a point where
liquid loading velocity ratio is equal to 1.
NOTE: The reported value comes from interpolation of the

outflow curve between two points, one with a velocity
ratio below 1 and another with a velocity ratio above
1. Therefore, the accuracy of the results depends on
the number of points on the outflow curve.

Exercise 1 Determining a Critical Gas Rate to

Prevent Well Loading
To determine the Critical Gas Rate:

2. Select Limits and change these settings:
• Number of points on each inflow curve = 100
• Number of points on each outflow curve = 200
• Inflow curves to extend to the AOFP
• Outflow curves limited to the pressure range of the inflow
curves.
3. Set the outlet pressure to 800 psia and run the model.
4. Plot the Pressure at NA point vs. Stock Tank Gas Rate. Note
the stock tank gas rate on the Data tab.
The reported critical gas rate is _________ mmscfd.
NOTE: The reported critical gas rate refers to the outflow
curve, which you can validate by performing a
Pressure/Temperature Profile operation at the same
conditions (flow rate and outlet pressure).
5. Perform a Pressure/Temperature Profile operation to

calculate inlet pressure at the given critical gas rate,
corresponding to an outflow outlet pressure of 800 psia.
6. View the output file to see if the Maximum Liquid Loading
Velocity Ratio is close to 1, which is consistent with the
results of the NODAL analysis.
Question
What actions can be taken to prevent liquid loading?

Review Questions
• What is an Equation of State?
• Why are flashing options used?
• What is the function of deliverability testing?
• What are erosion models important?
• Describe the effect of sonic flow.
• What does the Turner Droplet model predict and why is it
important?
Summary
• building a simple well model

• calibrating the inflow model
• performing a NODAL analysis at bottomhole
• performing system analysis
• selecting optimum tubing size
• modeling flowline and choke performance
• calculating the pressure drop due to increased condensate
production.

NOTES

Schlumberger Horizontal Well Design
Module 5 Horizontal Well Design

This module shows you how to use PIPESIM to design a
horizontal well and evaluate horizontal well performance.
Learning Objectives
• optimize horizontal well length

• perform horizontal well IPR / sensitivity
• model a horizontal well with multiple perforated intervals.
Lesson 1 Inflow Performance

Relationships for Horizontal
Completions
The main advantage of a horizontal well, as compared to a vertical

well, is to enhance reservoir contact and, thereby, enhance well
productivity. There are also many circumstances that lead to
drilling horizontal wells (Cooper, 1988).
• Thin reservoirs: The increased area of contact of the

horizontal well with the reservoir is reflected by the
Productivity Index (PI).
Typically, the PI for a horizontal well can be increased by a
factor of 4 when compared to a vertical well penetrating the
same reservoir.
• Heterogeneous reservoirs: When irregular reservoirs exist,

the horizontal well can effectively intersect isolated
productive zones that might otherwise be missed.
A horizontal well also can intersect vertical natural fractures
in a reservoir.
• Reduce water/gas coning: A horizontal well provides

minimum pressure drawdown, which delays the onset of
water/gas breakthrough. Even though the production per unit
well length is small, the long well length provides high
production rates.

Horizontal Well Design Schlumberger
• Vertical permeability: If the ratio of vertical permeability to

horizontal permeability is a high, a horizontal well can
produce more economically than a vertical well.
IPR Methods
The following IPR methods are available in PIPESIM for designing
horizontal wells.
Steady State Production

The simplest form of horizontal well productivity calculations are
the steady-state analytical solutions, which assume that the
pressure at any point in the reservoir does not change with time.
According to Joshi (1991), even though very few reservoirs

operate under steady-state conditions, steady state solutions are
widely used because:
• Analytical derivation is easy.

• The concepts of expanding drainage boundary over time,
effective wellbore radius and shape factors allows the
conversion to either transient or pseudo-steady state results
to be quite straightforward.
• Steady-state mathematical results can be verified
experimentally.
The steady-state distributive productivity index is based upon
Joshi's SPE 16868, Review of Horizontal and Drainhole
Technology. The equation is based on the assumption that the
horizontal well drains an ellipsoidal volume around the wellbore of
length L.
Pseudo-Steady State Production

It is often desirable to calculate productivity from a reservoir with
unique boundary conditions, such as a gas cap or bottom water
drive, finite drainage area, well location, and so forth. In these
instances, pseudo-steady state equations are employed.
Pseudo-steady state or depletion state begins when the pressure

disturbance created by the well is felt at the boundary of the well
drainage area.

The Pseudo-steady state productivity index is based on Babu and

Odeh's SPE paper 18298. It is recommended that you read this
reference before applying the equation. The equation is based
upon the Pseudo-steady state IPR well model applied to a
rectangular drainage area.
Distributed Productivity Index Method

This option uses straight line PI value for liquid or gas. The
distributed productivity index relationship is:
Q = J(Pws - Pwf)L for liquid reservoirs
OR
Q = J(Pws2 - Pwf2)L for gas reservoirs, where J = distributed

productivity index.
The Optimum Horizontal Completion Analysis module can

accurately predict the hydraulic wellbore performance in the
completion and is an integral part of the PIPESIM reservoir-to-
surface analysis.
PIPESIM uses a technique in which the horizontal completion is

subdivided into vertical cross-sections, and flow is treated
independently from other cross-sections. This multiple source
concept leads to a pressure gradient from the blind end (toe) to
the producing end (heel), which, if neglected, results in over-
predicting deliverability.
The reduced drawdown at the toe results in the production

leveling off as a function of well length. It can be shown that
drilling beyond an optimum length yields no significant additional
production.

Exercise 2 Constructing the Well Model
To construct the well model:
1. Construct the physical horizontal well model shown in the

figure, using the tubing data in the tables that follow.
Wellbore Deviation Survey Data

MD (ft) TVD (ft)
0 0
7,000 7,000
7,700 7,600
8,400 8,000
9,000 8,200
9,500 8,300
Geothermal Survey
Ambient Temp. U Value
MD (degF) (Btu/hr/ft2)
0 50 2
9500 200 2

Tubing Configuration
Bottom MD ID Pipe Roughness
(ft) (in) (in)
9500 2.992 0.001
Completion Data
Static Pressure 4,600 psia
Temperature 200 degF
Completion Model Distributed PI
IPR Model Type Distributed PI
Distributed PI 1.00E-9 mmscf/d/psi2/ft
Wellbore Data
Length 10,000 feet
ID 2.992 inches
Tambient (degF) 200 degF
2. Select Setup > Compositional Template and add these

Library components:
• Methane
• Ethane
• Propane
• Iso-butane
• Butane
• Water.
3. Keep all other options as default.

4. Select Setup > Compositional (Local Default).

a. Enter the following composition:
Component Mol %
Methane 0.846
Ethane 0.087
Propane 0.038
Isobutane 0.013
Butane 0.016
b. Enter the water content of 2 BBL/mmscf.

5. Select Setup > Flow Correlations.
6. Specify Beggs-Brill Revised for both horizontal and vertical
flow.
Exercise 3 Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal

Well Length
To evaluate the optimal horizontal well length:
1. Select Operations > Optimum Horizontal Well Length.

2. For an outlet pressure of 200 psia, evaluate the optimal
length of a horizontal well up to approximately 10,000 feet
and the pressure loss from the toe to the heel of the
horizontal well.
What is the optimal horizontal well length?

Exercise 4 Specifying Multiple Horizontal

Perforated Intervals
Additional geological information suggests that the reservoir

consists of four sand intervals that are 500, 400, 400, and 500 feet
in width, with equally spaced impermeable intervals of 400 feet in
width.
To specify multiple intervals:
1. Specify separate horizontal completions for each interval with

flowline objects to connect the completion intervals, as
2. Run a Pressure Temperature profile with the Gas Rate as the

calculated variable and 200 psia as the Outlet Pressure.
Results
Po = 200 psia
QG
Bhp

Review Questions
• What are the advantages of a horizontal well over a vertical
well?
• What are the basic completion models in PIPESIM for
horizontal wells?
• Explain the shape of the horizontal well length versus
production rate curve
Summary
In this module, you learned how to:
• construct a horizontal well

• optimize horizontal well length
• perform horizontal well IPR / sensitivity
• model a horizontal well with multiple perforated intervals.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger Subsea Tieback Design
Module 6 Subsea Tieback Design

The offshore frontier poses some of the greatest technical
challenges facing the oil and gas industry, particularly as we
venture into ever deeper waters and more remote locations.
Development costs can be substantial and many new production
systems must be designed to accommodate subsea multiphase
flow across long distances to be economically viable.
Managing costs over extended distances introduces a number of

complex risks and reliability becomes a key concern due to high
intervention costs and potential for downtime. Characterizing and
managing these risks requires detailed multidisciplinary
engineering analysis and has led to the emergence of a new field
called flow assurance.
Design of subsea tiebacks requires multiphase flow simulation to

assure that fluids will be safely and economically transported from
the bottom of the wells all the way to the downstream processing
plant.
Four flow assurance issues are discussed in this module,

including hydrates, heat loss, erosion, and liquid slugging.
Learning Objectives
• develop a compositional model of the hydrocarbon phases

• size the subsea tieback line and riser
• determine the pipeline insulation requirements
• screen the results for severe slugging at the riser base
• size a slug catcher.

Subsea Tieback Design Schlumberger
Lesson 1 Flow Assurance

Considerations for Subsea
Tieback Design
In this case study, a client plans to produce four condensate wells

into a subsea manifold (Figure 36), then send it through a subsea
tieback and up a riser to a platform. The oil and gas will be
separated, with the oil pumped to shore and the gas compressed
to shore.
Figure 36 Subsea Tieback

Exercise 1 Developing a Compositional PVT

Model
In this exercise, you develop a compositional PVT model based

on the data in the tables that follow.
Component Moles
Carbon Dioxide 3
Methane 72
Ethane 6
Propane 3
Isobutane 1
Butane 1
Isopentane 1
Pentane 0.5
Hexane 0.5
Boiling Point Molecular Specific

Name (degF) Weight Gravity Moles
C7+ 214 115 0.683 12
Component Volume ratio (%bbl/bbl)

Water 10
To develop a Compositional PVT model:
1. Start with a new PIPESIM case: Single Branch.

2. Open the Setup > Compositional Template menu.
3. Choose PIPESIM as PVT Framework.
4. Choose Multiflash as PVT Package.
5. To enter the pure components noted in the preceding tables,
select the pure hydrocarbon components from the
component database.
TIP: Make multiple selections by holding down the Ctrl key.
6. After selecting all pure hydrocarbon components, click

Add >>.

7. Select the Petroleum Fractions tab and characterize the

petroleum fraction C7+ by entering these parameters:
• petroleum fraction name
• BP
• MW
• SG in Row 1.
8. Highlight the row by clicking Row 1 and click Add to
composition >>.
9. Return to the Component Selection tab. The petroleum
fraction displays in the component list table on the right.
10. Click the Property Model tab and check the radio button
Use Template Models for all fluids.
11. Select SRK Equation of State and Pedersen viscosity model.
Leave all other options as default.
12. Select Setup > Compositional (Local Default) and add
mole fractions for all library and pseudo components, as per
3, 4, and 5.
13. Generate the hydrocarbon phase envelope by clicking
Phase Envelope.
Exercise 2 Constructing the Model
In this exercise, you construct the subsea tieback model.

To construct the model:
1. Using the Single Branch toolbar, insert the objects shown in
the figure.
.

2. Specify each object using the data provided in the tables that
follow.
NOTE: To enter the detailed heat transfer data in the flowline
and riser, select the Heat Transfer tab and click
Calculate U value. Ensure that your Riser Elevation
survey matches the figure.
Manifold Data
Pressure 1,500 psia

Subsea Tieback Data

Rate of undulations 0'/1000 feet (not hilly)
Horizontal Distance 6 miles
Elevational difference 0 feet (horizontal)
Available IDs 9,10,11 inches
Heat Transfer:
Ambient temperature 38 degF
Pipe thermal conductivity 35 Btu/hr/ft/degF
Insulation thermal conductivity 0.15 Btu/hr/ft/degF
Insulation thicknesses available 0.50 in + 0.25 in increments
Ambient fluid water
Ambient fluid velocity 1.5 ft/sec
Burial depth Leave it blank
(Elevated above ground)
Ground conductivity 1.5 Btu/hr/ft/degF
Riser (use detailed profile)

Horizontal Distance 0 feet (vertical pipe)
Elevational difference 1,600 feet
Available IDs 9,10,11 inches
Heat Transfer
Ambient temp @ riser base 38 degF
Ambient temp @ 1,200 feet 42 degF
Ambient temperature @ 800 feet 48 degF
Ambient temperature @ 400 feet 56 degF
Ambient temperature @ topsides 68 degF
Pipe thermal conductivity 35 Btu/hr/ft/degF
Insulation thermal conductivity 0.15 Btu/hr/ft/degF
Insulation thickness 0.50 in (plus additional 0.25
in increments if required)
Ambient fluid water
Ambient fluid velocity 1.5 ft/sec

Exercise 3 Sizing the Subsea Tieback
You will now determine the required ID for the subsea tieback,
such that the separator pressure for the maximum expected rate
is no less than 400 psia.
The expected production rate is 14,000 STBD. The system will be

designed to accommodate between 8,000 STBD (turndown case)
and 16,000 STBD, should the wells produce more than expected.
The riser must be the same ID as the tieback, and you must not
exceed the erosional velocity.
To size the subsea tieback:
1. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, make the

following selections:
• Vertical Flow Correlation = Hagedorn Brown (Duns & Ros
map)
• Horizontal Flow Correlation = Beggs-Brill Revised.
2. Perform a System analysis with the minimum, maximum, and
expected flow rates as the X-axis variable and the available
IDs for the flowline and riser as Change in Step (with
Sensitivity variable 1) sensitivity variables.
3. Determine the minimum flowline ID that satisfies the
separator pressure requirement (400 psia) for the maximum
flow rate.
4. Change the Y-axis to display Erosional Velocity Ratio
Maximum.
5. Verify that the selected flowline ID does not exceed an
erosional velocity ratio of 1.0 for the expected flow rate.
Results
Property Value
Pipeline and Riser ID
Max. erosional velocity ratio for selected ID
Min. Separator pressure for selected ID
Max. separator pressure for selected ID

Lesson 2 Hydrates
Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds with a snow-like

consistency that occur when small gas molecules come into
contact with water at below a certain temperature. Hydrate
formation temperature increases with increasing pressure,
therefore, hydrates risk increases at higher pressures and lower
temperatures. When hydrates form inside the pipeline, the flow
can be blocked by hydrate plugs.
Hydrate forming molecules most commonly include methane,

ethane, propane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
Three hydrate crystal structures have been identified: Structures I,

II, and H. The properties of Structures I and II hydrates are well
defined. Structure H hydrates are relatively new, and their
properties are less well defined.
Hydrates can very easily form downstream of a choke where fluid

temperature can drop into the hydrate formation region due to
Joule-Thompson cooling effects.
Figure 37 shows a typical gas hydrate curve that is very useful for
subsea pipeline design and operations. On the left side of the
curve is the hydrate formation region. When pressure and
temperature are in this region, water and gas start to form hydrate.
Many factors impact the hydrate curve, including fluid

composition, water salinity and presence of hydrate inhibitors.
NOTE: Generating Hydrate curves requires the PIPESIM

Multiflash Hydrate Package, which cannot be used
with SIS Flash.
Figure 37 Hydrate curve

Hydrate Mitigation Strategies in PIPESIM

Two common strategies available in PIPESIM to mitigate hydrates
formation are thermal insulation and chemical inhibitors. Thermal
insulation carries a higher up front capital cost whereas chemical
inhibition carries a higher operational cost.
Thermal insulation
Heat transfer between the fluid and surroundings occurs,
depending upon the temperature gradient. There are two options
for modeling the heat transfer in PIPESIM: Input U value and
Calculate U value.
Input U value is an overall heat transfer coefficient (U value)

based upon the pipe outside diameter is entered.
Calculate U value includes the following information, which can be

entered to compute the overall Heat Transfer coefficient.
• Pipe coatings
• Thickness of the pipe coat.
• K (Thermal conductivity) of the material
• Pipe conductivity
• Ambient fluid (Air or Water)
• Ambient Fluid Velocity
• Pipe burial Depth
• Ground conductivity (for flowlines only)
Chemical Inhibitors
Thermodynamic inhibitors can be used to shift the hydrate curve
towards the left, thereby lowering the hydrate formation
temperature. Examples of inhibitors include methanol and
ethylene glycol.
Kinetic and anti-agglomerate inhibitors comprise a category

known as Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors (LDHIs). These
inhibitors do not lower the hydrate formation temperature; instead,
they help prevent the nucleation and agglomeration of hydrates to
avoid blockage formation. The effects of these types of inhibitors
cannot be modeled with PIPESIM.

Exercise 1 Selecting Tieback Insulation

Thickness
Using the tieback/riser ID selected above, determine the thickness

of the insulation required for both the flowline and the riser, such
that the temperature of the fluid does not cross the hydrate curve
for all possible flow rates.
To select tieback insulation thickness:
1. Double-click on the Report tool and ensure that Phase

Envelope is checked.
2. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature profile.
3. Specify Separator (outlet) pressure as the calculated variable
and the three design flow rates as the sensitivity variables.
4. Use the Series menu on the resulting plot to change the X-
axis to Temperature and the Y-axis to Pressure to display the
phase envelope.
5. Observe the production path on the phase envelope and its
proximity to the hydrate curve.
6. If required, perform successive runs while increasing the
insulation thickness of both the flowline and riser by 0.25 inch
increments until sufficient.
Results
Property Value
Req. Insulation thickness
Exercise 2 Determining the Methanol

Requirement
Assume the flowline and riser have been insulated but they are
under-insulated with only 0.25 inch of insulation. In this exercise,
you determine the required injection volume of methanol to ensure
that hydrates do not form.
There are two menu options you can use for determining the
methanol requirement: System Analysis and Pressure
Temperature Profile.

Method 1: System Analysis Option

To determine the methanol requirement:
1. Insert an injector just downstream of the source, as shown in

the figure.
2. Specify Methanol as Injector Fluid.

a. Select Setup > Compositional Template.
b. Add Methanol to the list of added components.
c. Double-click on the Injector and select Edit Composition.
d. Specify a composition of 100% Methanol.
e. Specify an Injection Temperature of 68 degF.
f. Specify any injection rate.
3. Select Setup > Heat Transfer Options.
4. Verify that Enable Hydrate Sub-Cooling Calculation is
selected.
a. Specify a liquid rate of 8,000 BPD.
b. Set calculated variable as the outlet pressure.
c. For the X-axis variable, set the Injector as the object and
Rate as the Variable.
d. Select Range and enter a range of 500 to 600 BPD in
increments of 25 BPD.

e. Uncheck the active status on all sensitivity variables with

defined values.
f. Run the model.
6. On the resulting plot, change the Y-axis to display Maximum
Hydrate Sub-cooling Temperature.
7. From the plot, determine the required Methanol injection rate
such that the flowing temperature is always above the stable
hydrate temperature.
TIP: A positive hydrate sub-cooling in the output file
indicates the fluid temperature is below the hydrate
formation temperature. Pick the lowest injection rate
that does not show positive hydrate sub-cooling
temperature.
Method 2: Pressure Temperature Profile Option

To determine the methanol requirement:
1. Follow Step 1 through Step 3 in Method 1.

a. Specify a liquid rate of 8,000 BPD.
b. Set calculated variable as the outlet pressure.
c. Set the Injector as the object and Rate as the Sensitivity
Variable.
d. Select Range and enter a range of 500 to 600 BPD in
increments of 25 BPD.
e. Run the model.
3. On the resulting profile plot, change the X-axis to display
Temperature and the Y-axis to display Pressure.
4. Analyze the plot to determine the required Methanol injection
rate such that the flowing pressure-temperature profile is
right of the hydrate line.
TIP: Zoom in the section of plot where the pressure-
temperature profile intersects Hydrate lines. These
multiple hydrate lines represent the variable methanol
injection rate. (The right-most line represents the lowest
Methanol injection). Find the right-most hydrate line that
does not intersect profile lines.

Results
Property Value
Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d): Method 1
Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d): Method 2
Questions
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermal

insulation versus chemical inhibition for prevention of
hydrates?
• What is the basic difference between thermodynamic
inhibitors and low-dosage hydrate inhibitors?
Lesson 3 Severe Riser Slugging
Severe slugging in risers can occur in a multiphase transport

system consisting of a long flowline followed by a riser. Severe
slugging is a transient phenomenon that can be split into four
steps, as shown inFigure 38.
Figure 38 Four slugging steps

Step 1: Slug formation corresponds to an increase of the

pressure in bottom of the riser. The liquid level does
not reach the top of the riser. During this period, the
liquid is no longer supported by the gas and begins to
fall, resulting in blockage to the riser entrance and
pipeline pressure buildup, until the liquid level in the
riser reaches to the top.
Step 2: In slug production, the liquid level reaches the riser
outlet, and the liquid slug begins to be produced until
gas reaches the riser base.
Step 3: In bubble penetration, gas is again supplied to the
riser, so the hydrostatic pressure decreases. As a
result, the gas flow rate increases.
Step 4: This corresponds to gas blowdown. When the gas
produced at the riser bottom reaches the top, the
pressure is minimal and the liquid is no longer gas-
lifted. The liquid level falls and a new cycle begins.
PIPESIM does not rigorously model severe slugging associated

with risers, as this is a transient phenomenon, but it does report a
dimensionless indicator of the likelihood of this occurring (PI-SS
number in PIPESIM output file).
Severe slugging is most prevalent in cases in which a long

flowline precedes a riser, especially for cases in which the flowline
inclination angle is negative going into the riser.
In cases of severe slugging, the slug catcher must be able to

receive a volume of liquid at least equal to the volume of the riser.
However, severe slugging can be mitigated by topsides choking or
riser base gas lift including self-lifting mechanisms.

PI-SS Indicator (Severe-Slugging Group)

The PI-SS indicator (severe-slugging group) is the ratio between
the pressure build-up rates of gas phase and that of liquid phase
in a flowline followed by a vertical riser
where
Z = Gas compressibility factor

R = Gas universal constant
T = Temperature (K)
M = Molecular weight of gas
WG = Gas mass flow rate (kg/s)
WL = Liquid mass flow rate (kg/s)
g =Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)

LF = Flowline length (m)
= Average flowline gas holdup
Severe slugging is expected when the Pots’ number is equal to, or

less than, unity. Pots’ model can be used to determine the onset
of severe slugging, but the model cannot predict how long the
severe slugs will be and how fast severe slugs will be produced
into the separator.
The PI-SS indicator is available as part of the PRIMARY output in

PIPESIM.

Exercise 1 Screening for Severe Riser

Slugging
To screen for severe riser slugging:
1. Deactivate the methanol injector and reset the insulation

thickness to that determined to prevent hydrate formation.
2. Under Setup > Define Output, select three cases to print.
This reports the full output of each sensitivity value with the
Report tool selections appended to the bottom of each
sensitivity output.
3. Perform a System analysis with an inlet pressure of 1,500,
outlet pressure calculated and liquid rates of 8,000;
14,000 and 16,000 BPD.
4. To check for severe slugging:
a. Configure the Y-axis of the System analysis plot to display
the PI-SS number. This represents the maximum value of
the PI-SS number along the flowline.
b. View the Output report by selecting Reports > Output
File, to determine the prevalent flow regime at the riser
base for the different rates.
Results
8,000 14,000 16,000

Severe Slugging stb/d stb/d stb/d
PI-SS number at riser base
Flow pattern at riser base

Lesson 4 Slug Catcher Sizing
PIPESIM is frequently used to estimate the capacity requirements

for slug catchers. More detailed analysis is typically performed
with transient simulators such as OLGA.
For offshore platforms, you must balance the high cost of added
weight to the platform with the potential of a large slug
overwhelming the liquids handling capacity and shutting down the
entire system.
There are three typical scenarios to consider in the sizing of slug

catchers for this type of system:
• Hydrodynamic slugging
• Pigging
• Ramp-up.
Hydrodynamic Slugging
Most multiphase production systems will experience
hydrodynamic slugging. It is not common practice to design
systems simply to avoid hydrodynamic slugging, such as
specifying a larger pipe ID. Because hydrodynamic slugs grow as
they progress through the pipe, long pipelines can produce very
large hydrodynamic slugs.
PIPESIM calculates the mean slug length as a function of

distance traveled by using the SSB or Norris Correlations. A
continuous intermittent flow regime is required for this to occur.
A probabilistic model (based on Prudhoe Bay field data) is applied

to calculate the largest slug out of 10, 100 and 1,000 occurrences.
The 1/1000 slug length is often used to determine slug catcher
volume requirement.
The slug output from PIPESIM yields the length and frequency for
the selected slug size correlation:
• Mean slug length (distribution is assumed skewed log normal)

• 1 in 1,000 slug length and frequency
• 1 in 100 slug length and frequency
• 1 in 10 slug length and frequency.

The preceding probabilities represent various levels of confidence

regarding the maximum slug size. For example, a 1 in thousand
slug length of 50 meters indicates there is only 0.1% probability of
the maximum slug length exceeding 50 meters.
Symbols included in the slug output have the following meanings:
0.0 Flow is not in a slugging regime (as calculated by the

relevant flow map correlation at spot report) and, thus, no
hydrodynamic slugs are required.
N/A The slug length calculated using the chosen slugging
correlation is negative and, therefore, slug size is
indeterminate at this point in the flowline.
NOTE: Slug size data output is only printed if SLUG is specified

in the Windows menu option Define Output (Figure 39).
Figure 39 Define Output menu options

Alternatively, you can insert the Report tool and check Slugging
values and Sphere-generated Liquid Volume values, as shown in
Figure 40.
Figure 40 Selecting report properties
Pigging
In multiphase flow in horizontal and upwards inclined pipe, the gas
travels faster than the liquid due to lower density and lower
viscosity. This is called slippage. Multiphase flow correlations
predict the slip-ratio which depends on many factors, such as fluid
properties, pipe diameter and flow regime.
To preserve continuity, recall the definition of liquid holdup

discussed in Module 2.
In steady-state flow, the gas travels faster, so it will slip past the
liquid and occupy less pipe volume. This gives rise to a higher
liquid volume fraction than if the gas traveled at the same velocity,
resulting in liquid holdup, as illustrated in Figure 41.

Figure 41 Liquid Holdup
During a pigging operation, a solid object the diameter of the

pipeline is sent through the line to push out liquids and debris. As
a pipeline is pigged (Figure 42), a volume of liquid builds up ahead
of the pig and is expelled into the slug catcher as the pig
approaches the exit.
PIPESIM considers that the pig travels at the mean fluid velocity
and, thus, the volume of liquid that collects ahead of the pig is a
function the degree of slip between the gas and liquid phases
(such as magnitude of liquid holdup). PIPESIM reports this
volume as the sphere generated liquid volume (SGLV). The slip
ratio (SR) is also reported, which is the average speed of the fluid
divided by the speed of the liquid.
The volume of liquid expelled at the receiving terminal as a result

of pigging can be estimated using steady-state analysis as a first
order approximation.
Figure 42 Pigging operation

Ramp-up
When the flow rate into a pipeline increases, the overall liquid
holdup typically decreases because the gas can more efficiently
sweep out the liquid phase. When a sudden rate increase (ramp-
up) occurs, the liquid volume in the pipeline is accelerated
resulting in a surge.
A ramp-up operation is illustrated in Figure 43. The size of the

surge is influenced by the sensitivity of liquid holdup with respect
to the overall flow rate. A simple material balance approach can
be applied to estimate the volume of the associated surge.
For more details, see Cunliffe's method entry in the PIPESIM help
system.
Figure 43 Ramp-up operation

Evaluating Each Scenario

For a more detailed analysis of slug catcher sizing, you should
also consider the drainage rates of the primary separator and slug
catcher. Hydrodynamic slugs and pig-generated slugs typically
occur over a short duration (minutes), while the surge created by a
ramp-up operation can be a long duration (hours/days).
Exercise 1 Sizing a Slug Catcher
In this exercise, you screen for severe slugging and determine the
required size of the slug catcher based on the largest of the
following criteria, multiplied by a safety factor of 1.2.
Consider these criteria:
• Hydrodynamic slugging, which is the requirement to handle

the largest slugs envisaged, chosen to be statistically the
1/1000 population slug size. This is determined by using the
SSB or Norris Correlations.
• The requirement to handle liquid swept in front of a pig.
• Transient effects, such as the requirement to handle the
liquid slug generated when the production flow is ramped up
from 8,000 to 16,000 STB/D, such as ramp-up surge.
NOTE: For the purposes of sizing a slug-catcher, it is assumed
that severe riser slugging can be mitigated with topsides
choking or riser-based gas lift.
To size the slug catcher:
1. In the Report tool, verify that slugging values and sphere

generated liquid volume are selected.
2. Re-run the System analysis configured in the previous
exercise.
3. For each sensitivity value, scroll down and read the reported
1/1000 slug volume and the Total Sphere Generated Liquid
Volume So Far.
4. For the ramp-up case, calculate the difference in total liquid
holdup, as this will be the surge volume. You must convert
from ft3 > bbl. The conversion factor is 5.615 ft3/bbl.

NOTE: The surge associated with ramp-up occurs over a

much longer time period than the other cases. The
ramp-up volume does not consider the drainage rate
of the separator or the duration of the ramp-up.
See Cunliffe’s Method in the PIPESIM help system for

information on how to calculate the ramp-up duration.
5. Inspect the output file and observe the flow regimes along
the profile for each case.
6. Based on the results in the table below, select a slug catcher
size that will be able to handle the largest slug volume for all
conditions.
Results
8,000 14,000 16,000

Slug Catcher Sizing stb/d stb/d stb/d
1/1000 slug volume (bbl)
Sphere generated liquid volume (bbl)
Ramp-up volume (bbl)
Design volume for slug catcher (bbl)
(use 20% safety factor)
Review Questions
• What types of slugs are reported by PIPESIM?
• How do you report SGVL at particular location in the system?
• Why should the SGVL not be greater than the total liquid
holdup?
• Can PIPESIM be used for transient analysis?

Summary
• developing a compositional model of the hydrocarbon

phases
• sizing the subsea tieback line and riser
• determining the pipeline insulation requirements
• screening the results for severe slugging at the riser base
• sizing a slug catcher.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger Scale Prediction
Module 7 Scale Prediction

Restricted fluid flow due to deposition of carbonate and sulfate
scales is a common problem in producing wells and is caused by
changes in the condition of produced brine. Scale can develop in
formation pores near the wellbore, reducing formation porosity
and permeability. It also can coat the downhole completion
equipment.
The effect of scale can be dramatic and immediate; in some

cases, production can fall to zero in a few hours requiring massive
treatment costs.
Prediction of scale formation may be performed by using a PVT

file generated by the OLI ScaleChem program (purchased
separately). No extra license for PIPESIM is required.
The PVT file contains tables of all fluid phases and transport
properties required for thermo-hydraulic calculations. This file also
contains detailed water chemistry information that enables
PIPESIM to determine the occurrence, type, location, and severity
of scale formation (Figure 44).

Scale Prediction Schlumberger
Figure 44 Typical PVT table showing scale mass fraction

Learning Objectives
• predict scale in PIPESIM

• use ScaleChem to report scaling tendencies.
Lesson 1 Scale Prediction in PIPESIM
PIPESIM analyzes the total production/flow system, taking

information from the PVT file to produce these outputs:
• Phase Envelope: Scale appearance line (total and by

individual species)
• Profile Plots: Total scale mass fraction (e.g., ppm, mg/L),
mass fraction of individual scale species, scale species pre-
and post-scale index, etc.
• System Plots: Many useful types of information, including
branch-wise data on maximum scale mass reaction,
maximum pre- and post- scale index, etc.
Scaling tendencies are reported by ScaleChem in two forms: the
pre-scale index and the post-scale index. The pre-scale index is
based on a condition in which everything remains in solution (no
solid phases are allowed to form). The pre-scale index values can
be greater than 1.0 (supersaturated).
The post-scale index is more commonly used and represents

equilibrium conditions. If the water is saturated (the scale species
precipitates), the post-scale index is 1. The post-scale index also
is useful for understanding the potential risk of scaling, based on
the degree of undersaturation, i.e., how close the post-scale index
is to 1.
These properties may be viewed in profile plots and tables.
To view phase appearance lines on the same plot as the

production profile, select temperature as the X-axis and pressure
as the Y-axis. Each scale species is described by either a phase
appearance line, a phase disappearance line, or both.

Moving from the left side of the plot to the right (from low to high
temperature at a constant pressure):
• If a phase appearance line is encountered first, solids will

exist only at temperatures above this line until (and if) a
phase disappearance line is encountered. This behavior is
typical for CaCO3 and CaSO4.
• If a phase disappearance line is encountered first, solids
exist only at temperatures below this line. This behavior is
typical for BaSO4.
Exercise 1 Predicting Scale
In this exercise, you will use PIPESIM to simulate a case using a

PVT file from ScaleChem and predict occurrence, location, and
severity of scale precipitation for the entire production system.
The data for this exercise is available in the PIPESIM installation
directory and located in the PIPESIM Case Studies folder:
• Condensate_Well_Scale.bps (PIPESIM single branch model)

• ScaleChem_Condensate_NoMEG.pvt (PVT file).
To predict scale:
1. Open the PIPESIM single branch case studies model

Condensate_Well_Scale.bps.
TIP: In a typical PIPESIM installation, the study is located in
the path C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case
Studies\Well Design and Performance\ScaleChem\Cond
ensate_Well_Scale. In Windows 7 installations, the root
directory is C:\Program Files (x86).

2. Under Setup, choose PVT File and browse to the

Condensate_Well_Scale folder as above to select PVT file
named ScaleChem_Condensate_NoMEG.pvt.

3. Under Operations, choose Pressure/Temperature Profile

Operation and set an outlet pressure of 200 psia.
4. Run the Pressure/Temperature Profile Operation to get the

profile plot.

5. Modify the profile plot by changing X-axis to Temperature (F)

and the Y-axis to Pressure (psia). The plot shows scale
appearance and disappearance lines.
6. Configure the plot to display results along the profile.

a. Change the X-axis to Total Distance.
b. Use the Y-axis to plot the variable of interest.
• What is the scaling species encountered by the production
system?
• At what point in the production system do these scaling
precipitations occur?
Occurrence Scale Concentration (lb/ft3)

location
in the
Scaling production Disappearance Riser
species system Location Bottomhole Wellhead base
Species 1
Species 2
Overall

Review Questions
• What types of scaling analysis results are available in
PIPESIM?
• What are pre- and post-scale indexes?
• What can you do to counter scale issues?
Summary
• analyzing production systems for possible scale precipitation

• predicting the type, occurrence, location, and severity of
scale formation.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger Looped Gas Gathering Network
Module 8 Looped Gas Gathering

Network
You must model the network as a complete system to account for
the interaction of wells producing in a common gathering system.
The wellhead pressure and, by extension, the deliverability of any
particular well is influenced by the backpressure imposed by the
production system.
Modeling the network as a whole allows the engineer to determine

the effects of such actions as adding new wells, adding
compression, looping flowlines and changing the separator
pressure.
In this module, you learn how to build a gathering network and

perform a network simulation to evaluate the deliverability of the
complete system.
Learning Objectives
• build a model of the network

• specify the network boundary condition
• solve the network and establish the deliverability.
Lesson 1 Model a Gathering Network
Network models are constructed using the network module and

solved using its calculation engine. These are the basic stages
involved in developing a network model:
1. Build a model of the field, including all wells and flowlines.

2. Specify the boundary conditions.
3. Run the model.

Looped Gas Gathering Network Schlumberger
Boundary Conditions
To solve the network model, you must enter the correct number of
boundary conditions. Boundary nodes are those that have only
one connecting branch, such as a production well, injection well,
source or sink.
The number of boundary conditions required for a model is

determined by the model’s Degrees of Freedom, determined as
follows:
Degrees of Freedom = number of wells (production and

injection) + number of sources + number of sinks
For example, a 3 production well system producing fluid to a

single delivery point has 4 degrees of freedom (3+1), regardless
of the network configuration between the well and the sink.
Each boundary can be specified in terms of Pressure OR Flow

rate OR Pressure/Flow rate (PQ) curve.
Additionally, the following conditions must be satisfied:
• The number of pressure, flow rate or PQ specifications must

equal the degrees of freedom of the model.
• At least 1 pressure must be specified.
• At each source (production well & source) the fluid
temperature must be set.
Solution Criteria
A network has converged when the pressure balance and mass
balance at each node are within the specified tolerance. The
calculated pressure at each branch entering and leaving a node is
averaged, and the tolerance of each pressure is calculated from
the equation:
If all Ptol values are within the specified network tolerance, that
node has passed the pressure convergence test. This is repeated
for each node.

The total mass flow rate into and the total mass flow rate out of a
node are averaged. The tolerance is calculated from the equation:
If the Ftol value is within the specified network tolerance, that

node has passed the mass convergence test. This is repeated for
each node.
The network has converged when all of the foregoing conditions

are satisfied.
Exercise 1 Building a Network Model
In this case study, your goal is to establish the deliverability of a

production network. The network connects three producing gas
wells in a looped gathering system and delivers commingled
product to a single delivery point.
Using the engineering data available at the end of this case study,
build a model of a network.
To build the model:
1. Open PIPESIM and go to File > New > Network to create a

new network model.
2. Go to File > Save As to save the model in your training
directory, such as c:\training\pn01.bpn.
3. Click Production Well to place Well_1 in the work area,

as shown.

4. Double-click on Well_1 to reveal the components, as shown

below.
5. Double-click on the vertical completion to enter the inflow

performance data.
6. Enter a gas PI of 0.0004 mmscf/d/psi2 and a reservoir
temperature of 130 degF.
NOTE: You will enter the reservoir pressure later when the
network boundary conditions are specified. In the
meantime put any value against Reservoir Pressure
to let GUI dialog close.
7. Double-click on the tubing and select Simple Model as the

preferred tubing model.
8. Define vertical tubing with a wellhead datum MD of 0 feet
and mid perforations TVD and MD of 4,500 feet.
9. The ambient temperatures are 130 degF at mid-perforations
and 60 degF at the wellhead. The tubing has an I.D. of 2.4
inches.
NOTE: Essential data fields are shown in a red outline; if the
fields are not outlined, data entry is optional.
10. Close the view of Well_1 by clicking at the upper-right corner

of the window, or by selecting File > Close to return to the
network view.

11. Copy the data to Well_2 and Well_3.

a. Select Well_1.
b. Using the commands Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste (or
Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V), create two copies of the well.
NOTE: By default, the names of the copied wells will be
Well_2 and Well_3 and contain the same input data
as Well_1.
12. Position the new wells, as shown.
13. Modify the data of Well_3.

a. Double-click on Well_3 and modify the completion and
tubing data.
b. For the vertical completion, enter a gas PI of 0.0005
mmscf/d/psi2 and a reservoir temperature of 140 F.
c. Define vertical tubing with a wellhead TVD of 0 and mid-
perforations TVD and MD of 4,900 feet.
d. The ambient temperatures are 140 degF at the mid-
perforation depth and 60 degF at the surface. The tubing
has an I.D. of 2.4 inches.
e. Close the view of Well_3 to return to the network view.

14. Specify the composition of each production well.

This step defines the compositions at the production wells.
Well_1 and Well_2 are producing from the same zone and,
thus, are assumed to have the same composition. Well_3
has a composition that is different than that shown in the data
section at the end of the case study.
The most efficient way to define the compositions is to set

the more prevalent composition (that for Wells_1 and Well_2)
as the global composition, then specify the composition of
Well_3 as a local composition.
TIP: The composition data of all wells is provided at the end

of this exercise in Summary data.
a. Save the current network model.

b. Define the global template of all components used in the
network model.
i. Select Setup > Compositional Template menu.
ii. Add all library components (Hydrocarbon as well as
aqueous components).
c. Under the Petroleum Fraction tab, specify the name and
properties of the petroleum fraction and add it to the list of
template components.
d. Select Setup > Compositional (Network Default).
e. Enter the mole fraction for all components to define global
composition (Well_1 and Well_2).
NOTE: By default, the network global composition applies to
all sources/wells in the network model. This can be
checked by viewing the network fluid summary under
Setup > Fluid Models. To define a different
composition for any particular source/well, you must
set it locally.
f. Define the local composition for Well_3:

i. Right-click on Well_3.
ii. Choose Fluid Model.
g. Select Use locally defined fluid model and click Edit.
h. Choose Local Compositional and click Edit Composition.
i. Enter the composition of Well_3.

15. Connect the network together.

a. Insert a sink and some junction nodes.
NOTE: Holding down the Shift key while placing junction
nodes allows for multiple insertions. Be sure to
release the Shift key before the final insertion.
The network should now look like this:
b. Use the Branch button to connect J_1 to J_2. To do

this:
i. Click the Branch object.
ii. Hold down the left mouse button on J_1 and drag the
cursor to J_2.
iii. Release the mouse button. A connected branch is

16. Double-click on the arrow in the center of B1 to enter data for

that branch.
a. Double-click on the flowline to enter the following data:
Rate of Undulations 10/1000

Horizontal distance 30,000 feet
Elevation difference 0 feet
Inner Diameter 6 inches
Wall Thickness 0.5 inches
Roughness 0.001inches
Ambient Temperature 60 degF
b. Close the B_1 window to return to the network view.

17. As the looped gathering lines are all identical, the data for
branch B_1 can be used to define the other looped gathering
lines.
a. Choose B_1.
b. Click on the arrow in the middle of the branch and copy/
paste B_1 to create B_2, B_3, and B_4.
c. To connect a pasted branch:
i. Click the arrow in the middle of the new branch. You
will see that highlight boxes display at either end of the
branch.
ii. Move the cursor over the right-hand, highlight box. The
cursor changes to an up arrow (). Use this end of the
branch to drag and drop onto a junction node.

d. Position the new branches.
e. Connect the wells to the adjacent junction node and

connect J_4 to the sink.

18. Double-click on branch B_5 and insert the following objects

in the left-to-right order shown in the figure:
• Liquid separator with an efficiency of 100%

• Compressor with a pressure differential of +400 psi and an
efficiency of 70%
• After-cooler (heat exchanger) with an outlet temperature of
120 degF and ∆P of 15 psi
• Flowline, with the following properties:
Rate of undulations 10/1000

Inner Diameter 8 inches
Wall Thickness 0.5 inches
Roughness 0.001 inches
a. Click Connector to join the equipment together.

b. Close the Single Branch window.
19. Select Setup > Flow Correlations menu and choose
Beggs-Brill Revised as the global vertical and horizontal
multiphase flow correlations.
20. In the Options Control tab of the Flow Correlations menu:
a. Select use network options.
b. Click Apply network options to all branches.

21. Select Setup > Erosion and Corrosion Options and

choose the deWaard Corrosion model.
NOTE: This model calculates a corrosion rate caused by the
presence of CO2 dissolved in water. Concentrations
of CO2 and water are obtained from the fluid property
definitions, (black oil or compositional). The corrosion
rate will be zero if CO2 or the liquid water phase is
absent from the fluid.
22. In the Options Control tab of the Erosion and Corrosion

Options menu:
a. Select use network options.
b. Click Apply network options to all branches.
23. Save the model as gas_network.
Exercise 2 Performing a Network Simulation
To perform a network simulation:
1. Select Setup > Boundary Conditions and specify these

boundary conditions:
Node Pressure
Well_1 2,900 psia
Well_2 2,900 psia
Well_3 3,100 psia
Sink_1 800 psia
All flow rates are calculated by the network solver.
NOTE: Any pressure specification defined in the single

branch model must be re-specified in the network
model. However, the boundary pressures specified in
the Network view will update the pressures defined
in the single branch model for use in single branch
operations.
2. Open the Setup > Iterations menu to set the network

tolerance to 1%.
3. Save the model.

4. Click Run .
5. When the network has solved, you should see the message:
Gas_network – Finished OK.
When this message displays, click OK.
6. Click Report Tool .

• What is the gas production rate at the sink? _____ mmscfd.
• What is the Pressure Drop Across completion for Well_3?
_________ psi
TIP: Several improvements have been made to the report
tool in PIPESIM that make it easier to search, sort, and
filter to acquire information.
7. Hold down the Shift key and select the flow route from
Well_3, branch B3 and branch B5.
8. Click Profile Plot .

Obtain the pressure profile for these three branches. The
effect of the compressor at J_4 on the system pressure
should look similar to the figure below.

9. Select Series and change the Y-axis to Corrosion Rate to

observe the calculated corrosion rate.
Maximum Corrosion Rate in network = ______ mm/year.
10. Determine the field production rate in the event of a

compressor shutdown. Assuming a bypass line exists around
the compressor, deactivate the compressor object and re-
run.
Gas production rate at the Sink: _______ mmscfd.
NOTE: Edit the legend and title on PsPlot to improve the

graphical presentation.
Looped Gathering Network Data

The tables that follow contain the data for exercises in this
module. The looped network layout is illustrated in Figure 45.
Figure 45 Network layout

Completion and Tubing Data

Well_1 and Well_2 Well_3
Gas PI 0.0004 mmscf/d/psi 2
0.0005 mmscf/d/psi2
Wellhead TVD 0 0
Mid Perforations TVD 4,500 feet 4,900 feet
Mid Perforations MD 4,500 feet 4,900 feet
Tubing I.D. 2.4 inch 2.4 inch
Wellhead Ambient 60 degF 60 degF
Temperature
Mid Perforations 130 degF 140 degF
Ambient Temperature
Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well_1 and Well_2)

Component Moles
Carbon Dioxide 3
Methane 72
Ethane 6
Propane 3
Isobutane 1
Butane 1
Isopentane 1
Pentane 0.5
Hexane 0.5
Petroleum Fraction (Well_1 and Well_2)

C7+ 214 115 0.683 12
Aqueous Component (Well_1 and Well_2

Water 10

Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well_3)

Component Moles
Carbon Dioxide 2
Methane 71
Ethane 7
Propane 4
Isobutane 1.5
Butane 1.5
Isopentane 1.5
Pentane 0.5
Hexane 0.5
Petroleum Fraction (Well_3)

C7+ 214 115 0.683 10.5
Aqueous Component (Well_3)

Water 5
Data for Looped Gathering Lines (B1, B2, B3, and B4)
Rate of undulations 10/1000
Inner diameter 6 inch
Wall thickness 0.5 inch
Roughness 0.001 inch
Ambient temperature 60 degF
Overall heat transfer coefficient 0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/degF

Data for Deliver Line (B5)

Separator type Liquid
Separator efficiency 100%
Compressor differential pressure 400 psi
Compressor efficiency 70%
After cooler outlet temperature 120 degF
After cooler delta P 15 psi
Flowline Rate of undulations 10/1,000
Flowline Horizontal distance 10,000 feet
Flowline Elevation difference 0 feet
Flowline Inner diameter 8 inch
Flowline Wall thickness 0.5 inch
Flowline Roughness 0.001 inch
Flowline Ambient temperature 60 degF
Flowline overall heat transfer 0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/degF
coefficient
Boundary Conditions
Node Pressure Temperature
Well_1 2,900 psia 130 degF
Sink_1 800 psia (calculated variable)
Review Questions
• How do you change tolerance in PIPESIM Network model?
• What are the rules for pressure and flow rates in PIPESIM
Net?
• Where do you see corrosion rate in the PIPESIM output?

Summary
• building a model of the network

• specifying the network boundary condition
• solving the network and establish the deliverability.

NOTES

Schlumberger Water Injection Network
Module 9 Water Injection Network

In this module, you learn how to build and simulate a water
injection network. Other features illustrated in this module include
crossflow, single-phase (water), and electric submersible pump
(ESP) lifted production well.
Learning Objectives
• build an injection network

• insert an ESP into a well
• model multilayer reservoir with and without crossflow.
Lesson 1 Crossflow in Multilayer Wells
Figure 46 shows how crossflow can occur when production from

one zone is injected into another zone of lower pressure. This can
occur in either production or injection systems.
Figure 46 Crossflow types in layered reservoir

Water Injection Network Schlumberger
NOTE: To model all crossflow scenarios, you must use this

engine keyword from Setup > Engine Options:
OPTIONS REVERSEFLOW = ON.
Exercise 1 Determining Fluid Distribution in a

Water Injection Network
A water production well feeds water into an injection system

consisting of two injection wells with multiple completions. The
water is lifted from the production well by an ESP. Figure 47
schematically represents the layout of the studied water injection
system.
The objective of the exercise is to determine the fluid distribution

(the water, in this instance) in an injection system from a single
production well.
Figure 47 Water Injection network by electric submersible

pump (ESP)

To determine fluid distribution:
1. Create a New Network model by selecting File > New >

Network.
2. Layout the network as shown in Figure 47 using the data in
the tables that follow.
Water Production Well

Reservoir Pressure 4,000 psia
Productivity Index (PI) 100 STB/d/psi
Tubing Model simple
Orientation vertical
Tubing depth 6000 ft. TVD
Surface ambient temp 50 degF
Tubing ID 7 in
ESP depth 2,000 ft. TVD
ESP model Centrilift IB700
ESP stages 30
ESP speed 3,600 rpm
Surface Flowlines (all)

HTC 0.2 BTU/hr/ft2/degF
Flowline Data
Flowline Distance (ft) Elevation Difference (ft) Diameter (in)

B_1 150 0 8
B_2 15,000 0 6
B_3 10,000 0 6

Both injection wells have 1.995-inch ID tubing and the properties

listed in the tables.
Injection Well 1
Reservoir Res
Pressure Temp MD/TVD Injection PI
Zone (psia) (degF) (ft) (stb/d/psi) FCV
Zone 1_1 4,400 210 7,800 2 No FCV
Zone 1_2 4,600 220 7,900 3 Maximum Liquid =
1,500 STB/d
Zone 1_3 4,800 235 8,200 5 Equivalent Choke
Area = 0.25 in2
Injection Well 2
Reservoir Res
Pressure Temp MD/TVD Injection PI
Zone (psia) (degF) (ft) (stb/d/psi) FCV
Zone 2_1 4,500 220 7,900 4 No FCV
Zone 2_2 4,800 250 8,500 5 Maximum Liquid =
1,000 STB/d
Zone 2_3 5,000 270 8,800 4 FCV Closed
NOTE: For each of the lower two multi-layer tubing objects, be

sure to use the bottom MD of the upper tubing string for
the datum MD of the next lower tubing string. For
example, Datum MD for tubing between zone 1_1 and
1_2 should be 7,800 ft. Leave all other parameters at
their default settings.
3. Create a global fluid model for water by selecting Setup >

Black Oil.
4. Specify water as fluid (set water cut as 100% and GLR = 0).
5. Select Beggs-Brill Revised as the vertical and horizontal
multiphase flow correlations.
6. Select Setup > Engine Options and enter the following in
the additional Engine Keywords field (TOP of network file):
OPTIONS REVERSEFLOW = ON

7. Go to Setup > Boundary Conditions and specify these

boundary conditions:
Node Pressure
Producer 4000 psia
Injector_1 4800 psia
Injector_2 5000 psia
8. Click Run Model to start the simulation.
9. Click Report Tool and select Clear.

10. Click on the producing well and each of the injectors.

11. Plot the pressure profiles for the entire network by selecting
all objects in the network and click Profile Plot.
Review Questions
• Which crossflow scenario occurs in your model?
• What is the effect of installing FCV in your model.
• Remove the FCVs from completions and compare the
results. Which crossflow scenarios now occur?
• What other way can a water fluid model be defined?
Summary
• modeling a water injection network

• modeling a multilayer injection well
• modeling an ESP.

NOTES

NOTES

Schlumberger PIPESIM 2011.1 Fundamentals Answer Key
Appendix A PIPESIM 2011.1

Fundamentals
Answer Key
Module 3: Simple Pipeline Tutorials
Lesson 1 Single-Phase Flow Calculations

Exercise 1: Modeling a Water Pipeline with Hand
Calculations
1. Water Velocity = ~ 7.94 ft/s
2. Reynold’s number = ~157,000; turbulent flow
3. Friction Factor = ~ 0.0193
4. dP(friction) = 662 psi
5. dP(elevation) = 442 psi
6. dP(Total) = 1106 psi
7. Outlet Pressure = 94 psia
Exercise 2: Modeling a Water Pipeline with PIPESIM

• Liquid velocity = 7.91-7.94 ft/s
• dP (frictional) = 667.6 psi
• dP (elevational) = 443.1 psi
• dP (total) = 1111 psi
• P(outlet) = 89.33 psia
Exercise 5: Calculating Gas Pipeline Flow Capacity

• Flow rate = 10.47 mmscfd

Schlumberger
Module 3: Oil Well Performance Analysis
Lesson 1: Nodal Analysis

Exercise 2: Performing Nodal Analysis
• (Outlet) Wellhead Pressure= 300 psia
• Operating Point Flow rate= 8,514 stb/d
• Operating Point BHP= 2,536 psia
• AOFP= 21,290 stb/d
Exercise 3: Performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile

• (Outlet) Wellhead Pressure= 300 psia
• Production Rate= 8,514 stb/d
• Flowing BHP= 2,536 psia
• Flowing WHT= 133 degF
• Depth at which gas appears= 7,290 ft
Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration

Exercise 1: Calibrating PVT Data
• Wellhead Pressure= 300 psia
• Production Rate= 7,810 stb/d
• Flowing WHT= 129 degF
• Depth at which gas appears= 7,012 ft
Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching

Exercise 1: Flow Correlation Matching
• Vertical Correlation= TUFFP-3Phase
• Head Factor= 1.0096
• Friction Factor= 0.9965
• U Factor= 0.7867

Schlumberger
Exercise 2: Matching Inflow Performance

• PI= 6.15445
Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis

Exercise 1: Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity Analysis
• Water Cut= 49.4%
Exercise 2: Evaluating Gas Lift Performance
Gas Lift Rate Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @ Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @
(mmscf/d) 10% Wcut 60% Wcut
1 7,356 4,337
2 7,584 5,874
4 7,808 6,913
6 7,619 7,044
10 6,796 6,644
Exercise 3: Working with Multiple Completions

• Liquid Rate (stb/d)= 6,740
• Gas Rate (upper zone) (mmscfd)= 4.3374
Question (Optional)
• Equivalent gas lift injection rate = 3.28
Lesson 5: Flow Control Valve Modeling

Exercise 1: Modeling a Flow Control Valve
• Required Bean Size = 0.046 in2

Schlumberger
Module 4: Gas Well Performance
Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability

Exercise 1: Calculating Gas Well Deliverability
Pres = 4,600 psia, Tres = 280 degF

% H2O @ saturation 1.8553
Po = 800 psia
QG 18.22 mmscfd
Pwf 1,716 psia
BHT 236 degF

WHT 169 degF
Exercise 2: Calibrating the Inflow Model using Multipoint

Test Data
Back Pressure Equation

Parameter C 7.9793682e-007
Parameter n 1
Po = 800 psia
QG 14.98 mmscfd
Pwf 1,547 psia
Tbh (degF) 232 degF
Twh (degF) 165 degF

Schlumberger
Lesson 3: Erosion Prediction

Exercise 1: Selecting a Tubing Size
Based on the results of the Nodal Analysis and EVR calculations,
which tubing size would you select? 3.958 in.
Po = 800 psia
QG 15.39 mmscfd
Pwf 1,369 psia
BHT 228 degF

WHT 163 degF
Well-head, Selected Tubing
Max. Erosional velocity ratio 0.7655
Lesson 4: Choke Modeling

Exercise 1: Modeling a Flowline and Choke
Po = 710 psia
Choke size 1.511261 ins

Pressure Losses Across System
P Reservoir 3,231.5 psia
P Tubing 568.81 psia
P Choke 87.444 psia
P Flow-line 1.796 psia
Exercise 2: Predicting Future Production Rates
Reservoir Pressure Flow Rate

4,600 15.388
4,200 12.726
3,800 10.279
3,400 8.056

Schlumberger
Lesson 5: Liquid Loading

Exercise 1: Determining a Critical Gas Rate to Prevent
Well Loading
The reported critical gas rate = 1.7405 mmscfd
Module 5: Horizontal Well Design
Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships for

Horizontal Completions
Exercise 3: Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal Well
Length
Optimal horizontal well length = 10,000 ft
Exercise 4: Specifying Multiple Horizontal Perforated

Intervals
Table 5: Po = 200 psia
QG 24.42 mmscfd
Bhp 2,682 psia
Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design
Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for

Subsea Tieback Design
Exercise 3: Sizing the Subsea Tieback
• Pipeline and Riser ID= 10 inch
• Max. erosional velocity ratio for selected ID= 0.8275
• Min. outlet pressure for selected ID= 947 psia
• Max. outlet pressure for selected ID= 1,265 psia

Schlumberger
Lesson 2: Hydrates
Exercise 1: Selecting Tieback Insulation Thickness
Req. Insulation thickness = 1 in
Exercise 2: Determining the Methanol Requirement

• Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d): (Method 1) = 550
• Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d): (Method 2) = 550
Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging

Exercise 1: Screening for Severe Riser Slugging
8,000 stb/d 14,000 stb/d 16,000 stb/d

PI-SS number at riser 1.0202 1.2606 1.3405
base
Flow pattern at riser Intermittent Intermittent Intermittent
base
Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing

Exercise 1: Sizing a Slug Catcher
8,000 14,000 16,000

Property stb/d stb/d stb/d
1/1000 slug volume (bbl) 165 182 216
Sphere generated liquid volume (bbl) 464 434 426
Ramp-up volume (bbl) 952 – 795 = 157
Design volume for slug catcher (bbl) 464 * 1.2 = 557

Schlumberger
Module 7: Scale Prediction
Lesson 1: Scale Prediction in PIPESIM

Exercise 1: Predicting Scale
• Scaling species encountered = CaSO4, BaSO4, CaCO3
Occurrence Scale Concentration (lb/ft3)

location in
the
Scaling production Disappearance Riser
species system Location Bottomhole Wellhead base
CaSO4 Reservoir Flowline_1 0.0561 0.00485 0.0000
(2112 ft after
the choke)
BaSO4 Reservoir Never 0.000018 0.000050 0.000066
disappeared
CaCO3 Reservoir Tubing (2000 ft 0.0024 0.0000 0.0000
below
wellhead)
Overall Reservoir Never 0.0585 0.0049 0.000066
disappeared
Module 8: Looped Gas Gathering Network
Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network

Exercise 2: Performing a Network Simulation
• Gas production rate at the Sink = 42.25 mmscfd.
• Completion DP across Well_3 = 5.3128 psi
• Maximum Corrosion Rate in network = 28.38 mm/year
• Gas production rate at the Sink = 38.24 mmscfd.

Schlumberger
NOTES

Schlumberger
NOTES

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About this Manual

Module 1: PIPESIM Overview

Module 2: Simple Pipeline Tutorials

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 i

Module 4: Gas Well Performance

ii PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Module 5: Horizontal Well Design

Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 iii

Module 7: Scale Prediction

Module 8: Looped Gas Gathering Network

Module 9: Water Injection Network

Appendix A: PIPESIM 2011.1 Fundamentals Answer Key

iv PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 v

About this Manual

This training provides an introduction into the PIPESIM software

Applications featured in this training manual include well

• build a single branch well or pipeline model

What You Will Need

• Personal computer with minimum 512 MB RAM

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 1

• Overview of the module

2 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Characters in Bold Represent references to dialog box names,

NOTE: Text you must enter is indicated in a fixed-width font or a

Instructions to make menu selections are also written using bold

Click Save Model .

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 3

4 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Figure 1 PIPESIM workflow

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 5

• defined the learning objectives

6 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 7

8 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Module 1 PIPESIM Overview

• create a new or open an existing project

PIPESIM is a steady-state, multiphase flow simulator used for the

PIPESIM is most often used by reservoir, production or facilities

NOTE: Steady-state flow simulation implies that the mass flow

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 9

Figure 2 Total production system

PIPESIM modules are available and licensed separately,

Base System Production system analysis

10 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Multiflash Hydrates Optional add-on to Multiflash

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 11

PIPESIM DBR Wax Single-phase wax deposition

Lesson 2 Tour of the User Interface

The PIPESIM graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to easily

As shown in Figure 3, the PIPESIM interface consists of one main

The Single Branch toolbar (Figure 5) is displayed only in single

Menu Bar Consists of some of the familiar Windows menus,

12 PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1

Figure 3 PIPESIM toolbars and menus

Figure 4 Standard toolbar functionality

PIPESIM Fundamentals, Version 2011.1 13

Single Branch This is available only in single branch

These tools can also be accessed from