3 Well Performance Vision 2010 PDF

Well Performance
D. R. Davies
Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K
Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
Lecture Objectives
At the end of the lecture, you should be able to:
• Describe Well Inflow and tubing vertical lift

performance.
• Discuss the implementation of these concepts in

computerised well completion design programs.
1
Well & Total System Performance
• Introduction:- Pressure losses in Producing Systems

• Nodal analysis:- Well inflow & outflow
• Pressure drops across tubings:- Theory & application
• Multiphase flow:- Concepts, flow patterns &
correlations
• Flow through chokes & completions
• Well Performance prediction computer programs:-
Coupled temperature & pressure prediction
• Well Performance Sensitivities
Pressure Drops across the Producing System
Pressure losses occur:

• Across the reservoir
• Across the completion
• From the wellbore to
the wellhead
• Across the choke &
flowlines to the
separator
2
Pressure Drops across the Producing System
(1) across the reservoir

(2) across the completion
(3) across restrictions in the tubing
(4) across the safety valve
(5) across the surface choke
(6) across the flowline
PT needs to understand the Pressure Profile

across the Production System
3
Typical Pressure loss magnitudes in vertical wells
• Role of Production Engineer is to maximise production by
understanding sources & magnitudes of pressure losses
Horizontal & Vertical Wells are different
• Carry out Sensitivity analysis of the

chosen well design
• Analyse “expected” & “possible”
well & reservoir conditions
• Minimise total lifetime-costs of
well construction & operation
4
PIPE2
Nodal Analysis Q
PNode
PSep
• Nodal Analysis can be Outflow
carried at any point of a PIPE1
flowing system e.g.
reservoir inflow/tubing Inflow
outflow system PReservoir
(i) Flow into the node
equals flow out of the
node.
(ii) Only one pressure
can exist at the node.
i.e. Node Flow Rate &
Pressure are unique
Systems (NodalTM) Analysis of a Production System
• Concept introduced by Gilbert in 1954

• At any point (node) in the system
– (i) Flow into the node equals flow out of the node.
– (ii) Only one pressure can exist at the node.
i.e. Flow rate & pressure at Node are unique
• Pressures at system end points:
{separator (Psep) and average reservoir pressure (PR)}
are both fixed.
• PR - (Pressure loss upstream components) = Pnode [A]
• Psep + (Pressure loss downstream components) = Pnode [B]
5
Well Performance
The production performance of a Well is governed by
the behavior of two flow systems:
• The capacity of reservoir fluids to flow into the bottom of

the well against the FBHP (Inflow Performance)
• The ability of the produced fluids to flow from the
bottom of the well through the tubing etc. to the separator
(Vertical Lift or Outflow Performance)
These two factors are closely linked.

We will start by looking at the reservoir inflow performance
Radial Integration of
Darcy’s law leads to:
Black Oil Well Inflow
Productivity Index (PI) Performance
PI = q / (PR - Pwf)
• PI: Well inflow rate
per unit of drawdown
(related to kh)
Absolute Open Hole
Factor (AOF)
• AOF (or qmax) is the
flowrate at zero
Flowing Bottomhole
Pressure
• AOF combines PI &
reservoir pressure in
one number representative of well inflow potential
6
Gas Well Inflow Performance
• Gas is compressible
• Radial Integration of
Darcy’s law leads to:
q = C (PR2 - Pwf2)
• At high flow rates:
q = C (PR2 - Pwf2)n
where 0.5 <n <1.0
• A log-log plot of
q vs (PR2 - Pwf2) is a
straight line of slope
n & intercept C.
• Non-Darcy flow can
reduce AOF by > 50%
N.B. Also Forscheimer Eqn: ( Pr2 - Pwf2 ) = AQ
Revised 2010 G+
HWU MSc.BQ
PT -G
2
David Davies
• Linear PI NOT valid for: Solution-Gas Drive

Vogel (1968): Reservoir
Above Bubble Point Pressure

PI = 1.8(Qmax - Qb)
Pb
where Qb is Q at the
Bubble Point
• Equivalent to the
Fetkovich Equation:
QG= Cp( Pr2 - Pwf2 )n
when n = 1
7
Inflow Performance
• Heterogeneous
Reservoirs are
more complex
• Reservoir Inflow
after some years of
production:
Incompressible Fluid
“Tubing Outflow” or “Tubing Pressure Traverse”
is plot of pressure in tubing with depth
Required Bottom Hole Pressure increases with Flow Rate

8
Compressible Fluid (Gas)
“Tubing Outflow” or “Tubing Pressure Traverse”
is plot of pressure in tubing with depth
Required Bottom Hole Pressure increases exponentially with Flow Rate

Pressure loss components for

production of different fluids
9
Hydrocarbon Phase
Changes in Tubing
• Liquid & Gas Phase Fraction for

Hydrocarbons present at each point in
the tubing depend on the local
Pressure & Temperature
Temperature & Pressure profile in flowing well

The tubing pressure gradient (dP/dL) is a function of:
v - velocity
ρ - density
θ - well inclination angle
d - pipe diameter
fm - friction factor
µ - viscosity
Some of these parameters depend on pressure & temperature

(1) Loss of pressure with decrease in depth (expansion)
(2) Loss of heat to the surrounding formations
10
General Procedure for Nodal Analysis
• Select component to be evaluated
• Select the node to emphasize the effect of changes in
the component flow characteristics
• Develop inflow and outflow expressions
• Calculate pressure drop relationships for the flow
characteristics of the component
• Plot inflow and outflow pressures versus rate
• Identify optimum component characteristics
Nodal Analysis Applications

• Tubing size selection
• Flow line size selection
• Gravel pack design
• Perforation density
• Surface choke sizing
• SSSV sizing
• Evaluation of stimulation/damage
• Identification of flow restrictions
11
Tubing Outflow - Tubing Friction Term
• Reynolds Number
– A Dimensionless number describing fluid flow regime
– For a circular pipe:
Dv ρ  ρ v 2  inertial forces  
N Re = ≡  
µ  µ v/D  viscous forces  
• LAMINAR flow (NRe < 2100) characterised by fluid
particle movement in flow direction only
• TURBULENT flow (NRe > 3600) shows fluid particle
movement in chaotic, random directions
• Flow regime & fluid rheology control velocity profile
across tubing cross-section
Tubing Outflow - Tubing Friction Term

• LAMINAR flow (NRe < 2100) characterised by fluid
particle movement in flow direction only
•TURBULENT flow (NRe > 3600) shows fluid particle

movement in chaotic, random directions
12
Tubing Outflow –
Examples of Laminar & Turbulent single phase Flow
• Water is frequently
in Turbulent Flow
• More viscous oil in
Laminar flow
Tubing Outflow - Frictional Pressure loss
• Experiments measuring pressure drops during liquid

flow in pipes found found the Fanning Equation
 dP 
  =
( f )ρ υ
m
2
 dL  FRICTION 2D
Where:
fm - Moody Friction Factor ρ - fluid density

ν - fluid velocity D - pipe diameter
13
Tubing Outflow - Frictional Pressure loss
Calculation of friction factor
• Laminar Flow :
Moody friction factor is independent of tubing roughness
• Turbulent Flow:
Experiments found the frictional pressure drop depends on:
(a) the Reynolds number
(b) the relative pipe roughness:
relative pipe roughness = absolute pipe roughness
pipe diameter
Tubing Outflow:- Friction Factors
• Reynolds Number
ρυd 1488 ρ {lbm / ft 3} ⋅υ{ ft / s} ⋅ d{ ft}
µ{ cp}
NRe = =
µ
• Laminar Flow, NRe< 2000 64
fm =
analytical solution: N Re
• Turbulent Flow, NRe> 3600
experiments showed that f = f ( NRe , ε / d)
relative pipe roughness is &
ε = K / D
the important parameter
14
Tubing Outflow:- Moody friction factor diagram
Tubing Outflow:
Frictional Pressure loss:- effect of Tubing Roughness
• Absolute Pipe roughness depends on many factors
– Pipe metallurgy, treatment, coating etc.
– Fluid velocity (erosion at high rates) and fluid corrosivity
(pH, the presence of solids, CO2, H2S etc)
– Years in service
• Tubing Roughness (ε) treated as empirical, fitting
parameter. Typical values for ε:
• Deposits (scale, wax, hydrates, etc.) reduce flow area

15
Phase Changes in tubing
due to gas evolution
• Well inflow performance is the

start of the flow system
• Gas evolution due to hydrocarbon
mixture phase controls the Flow
Regime at any point in the tubing
• Phase Changes controlled by
reservoir fluid’s PVT properties
Multi phase flow

N.B. Two-Phase, Three-Phase, Multiphase are used synonymously
• Two-Phase: Gas -Oil / Gas - Water / Oil - Water

• Three-Phase: Gas -Oil - Water + Solid Particles
(sand, wax, hydrates etc.)
• SLIP & HOLD UP describe the fundamental,

multiphase-flow phenomenon of differential flow velocity
due to different phase-densities
16
Multiphase Flow - Volume fractions
Definition of Parameters
• Volume Fractions
- Liquid Holdup: Fraction of pipe filled with liquid
VL
HL = • where V = VL + VG
VL + VG
QL
No Slip Holdup: H = = λ
QL + Q
L L
(both phases travel at the same velocity) G
Where:
• λL is the Liquid Input Flow Fraction and
• QL/ /QG are the Liquid/Gas in- & out-flow velocities
i.e. Both phases travel at the same velocity
Multi-phase flow
17
Prediction of Multiphase Flow Fluid Properties
- Density
ρL = ρo f o + ρw (1− f o ) Liquid Phase Density
ρn = ρLλL + ρg (1−λL ) Two-Phase, No Slip Density
ρn ={ρLQL + ρG (1−QG )}/(QL +QG)
ρS = ρL HL + ρg(1− HL ) Two-Phase Density with Slip
Multiphase Flow
- Fluid Properties
• Two Phase Liquid/Gas Viscosity
µM =µLHL +µG(1−HL) • Slip Viscosity
µM =µLλL +µG(1−λL) • No Slip Viscosity
µM = µLH ⋅ µG(1−H )
L L
•Slip Viscosity (Hagedorn-Brown)
Liquid Phase Viscosity
µL = µo f o + µw (1− f o )
Experiments show that this is not always true.
18
Multiphase Flow - Two Phase Viscosity
Two Phase Viscosity
• No Slip Viscosity Oil Water/Viscosity
µn = µLλL +µg(1−λL)
• Slip Viscosity
µS = µL HL + µg (1− HL )
• Slip Viscosity
(Hagedorn-Brown)
µs = µLHL ⋅µg(1−HL)
Experiments show that this is not always true.
Impact of Hydrocarbon Phase Behavior on the Production System
• The hydrocarbon fluid:

(a) is a single phase liquid in
the reservoir
(b) remains a single phase
liquid when flowing
into the wellbore
• Constant temperature
process in the reservoir
• Pressure & temperature
both reduce in the tubing
19
Phase Changes in tubing
due to gas evolution
• Well inflow performance is the

beginning of the flow system
• Gas evolution due to hydrocarbon
mixture phase control the Flow
Regime at any point in the tubing
• Pressure Drop across tubing
calculated using Fluid Mechanics
Multi phase flow - vertical tubing

•Increasing velocity breaks up the
large gas slugs into gas bubble with a
wide range of sizes - “churn flow”
•Both phases become dispersed within
one another “froth flow”
•Continued gas liberation and expansion
leads to a central, high velocity core of
gas with a continuous film of liquid on
the tubing wall - “Annular flow”
•Increasing shear at the gas/liquid
interface from the continually
increasing gas velocity destroys the
liquid ring on the tubing wall &
disperses it as a “mist” of small
droplets - “Mist flow”
20
Multi-phase flow in
vertical tubing
Annular & Bubble Flow:

The Gas phase has a higher linear
velocity than the liquid phase
Slug Flow:
The Gas & liquid phases
have similar linear velocities
Phase Changes in
tubing due to gas
evolution
Definition of Flow Pattern:
Physical appearance of gas

and liquid in a pipe.
21
Multiphase flow - vertical tubing
• Experimental results
pictured in Flow map
• Experimenters
analysed their
experiments differently
• Produced own
correlation, for each of
the flow regimes,
between pressure drop,
liquid and gas phase
properties, velocity,
tubing diameter etc.
Multi phase flow -

vertical tubing
• Controlling Parameters:
- Gas and liquid flow rates
- Inclination angle
- Diameter
- Phase densities
• Less important variables:
- Viscosity
- Surface tension
- Pipe roughness
- Local geometry changes
22
Multi-Phase Flow - inclined tubing
• Gas separates easily from the liquid
• Stratified flow common at low rates
• The hydrostatic head component tends to decrease
with increasing deviation angle (θ)
• Average fluid density often increases due to
increased liquid hold up (HL)
• Difference between the actual and superficial phase
velocities greater than for vertical flow
• Tubing length (L) becomes greater than H (the
vertical depth) as θ increases (L = H/cosθ)
Multi phase flow patterns in horizontal tubing
• Gas/liquid separation
& stratified flow most
apparent in horizontal
wells.
• Large changes occur in
the observed flow pattern
when well inclination
angle changes from +1˚ to
-1˚ under stratified or low
velocity flow conditions
23
Multiphase flow -
Gradient Curves
Gilbert’s
• Gradient Curves are a graphical
data
calculation method to calculate the
TUBING OUTFLOW
PERFORMANCE for Nodal analysis
• Gilbert found in 1954 that at a

constant GLR, Water Cut, Flow rate Standardised
& pipe diameter the field measured Gilbert Curve
pressure traverse curves can be

shifted downwards so they overlap
Multiphase flow - Gradient Curves

• Gilbert provided a limited
range of Gradient Curves
(upto 3.5 in OD tubing
diameter & 600 bfpd)
• Gradient Curves later
calculated from Multiphase
Flow Correlations (e.g.
Hagedoorn and Brown)
• Direct application of
multiphase flow models is
complicated
Computer programs required
24
• Select the appropriate
Gradient Curve
(1) (1) Well Depth
Equivalent to Tubing
Head Pressure &
(2) required Flowing
Bottom Hole Pressure
(2)
▪ Repeat for a range
of flow rates
Multiphase flow - Gradient Curve Application
• Repeat for a series of

flow rates
• Plot flow rate against
well head pressure
25
Optimisation of Tubing Flow
• Gilbert illustrated the effects of tubing size & GLR on
the optimisation of tubing performance:
– For small tubing size, in situ flow velocities are
high, increasing the frictional pressure loss.
– For large tubing sizes, the average upwards
velocity are small enough for the buoyancy forces
on the lighter phase (and slip) to be significant.
– This results in a higher hydrostatic pressure gradient
There is a minimum pressure gradient for a given production rate
• The GLR corresponding to the minimum total pressure
gradient will increase as production rate declines
– Slip becomes relatively more important
Tutorials in Well Performance

• Tutorial Chapter 13
• Tutorial later in term
• Assessed exercise (“Haggis”) in the use of Well

Performance Evaluation
– “Haggis” Assessed Exercise using Wellflo (EPS)

to start shortly
– PIPESIM (SIS) software package will also be

made available for the design project
26
Multiphase flow
Flow maps & correlations use dimensionless parameters
• Duns & Ros

Multiphase flow - flow maps and correlations
• Flow maps represent the results of many experiments

– Data analysed in a dimensionless form (e.g. gas
and liquid velocity & viscosity, pipe diameter)
– Flow map drawn indicating the boundaries
between the various flow regimes
– Boundary lines described by equations.
• Separate correlation developed for each flow regime
for slip, hold up & friction factor
• Allows calculation of the pipe pressure drop
27
Multiphase flow:- Flow Maps & Correlations
• Many (> 12) flow correlations available in well
performance programs
• Each flow correlation has a different appearance
• Calculate different results & even flow regimes
Taitel-Barnea-Dukler
Revised 2010 Duns & Ros HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
Multiphase flow - flow maps & correlations

R eferen ce D a ta S o u rce F lu id s C o m m en ts
G ilb ert F ield d ata G, O, W In tro d u ced v ertic al,

m u ltip h ase g rad ien t cu rv es
D uns and R os F ield a n d L a b . G, O, W V ertical flo w o v er w id e
d ata (a ir, o il & flo w rate ran g e
w a ter flo w in 1 1 / 4 -
3 1 / 8 in . p ip es)
G riffith an d L ab o rato ry d ata G, W G o o d slu g flo w co rre latio n
1
W allis (a ir & w a ter flo w u sed b y later in v estig ato rs
in n a rro w p ip es)
H ag e d o o rn an d F ield e x p erim en t G, O, W F o rm s b asis fo r w id ely u sed
2
B ro w n (g a s, o il & w a ter co rrela tio n
flo w in 1 - 4 in .
p ip es)
A ziz an d F ield & L ab . d ata G, W C o rrelatio n s d ev elo p ed b y
3
G o v ier (a ir, o il & w a ter m ech an istic flu id
flo w in a w id e m ech an ical stu d y tested
ra n g e o f p ip es) ag ain st fie ld d a ta
B eg g s an d L ab o rato ry d ata G, W C o rrelatio n s u seab le at all
4
B rill (a ir & w a ter flo w in clin a tio n an g le s
in 1 -! 1 / 2 in . p ip es)
• Original flow correlation has often been extended by later studies

28
Multi phase flow - flow maps
• Select Flow correlations when modeling a Well’s

Production Performance. Depends on:
– Type of well
– Production rate
– Field experience
– Etc.
• Fitting of field (pressure traverse) data best (tuning)
BUT extrapolation rapidly becomes unrealistic if
inappropriate correlation used
Multi phase flow - choice of modeling method

• Suggestions for first choice:
- Near vertical wells (Duns & Ros, H&B)
- Highly deviated wells (B&B)
- Near horizontal (B&B)
- Hilly terrain pipelines (B&B)
- Injection wells (B&B)
- Wet gas wells (Gray)
- Inclined Flow:
– Upward inclination - use upward vertical flow
– Downward inclination - use horizontal flow
29
Temperature Modeling
• Geothermal
gradient ensures
temperature is
not constant
along the length
of the well
• Average tubing
temperature
increases with
production rate
increase
Coupled Temperature & Pressure Modeling
• Hydrocarbon
fluid properties
influenced by
both temperature
& pressure
30
Coupled Temperature & Pressure Modeling
• Hydrocarbon fluid properties influenced by both

temperature and pressure
• Well performance programs require coupled
pressure and temperature calculation
• Transient phenomenon require even more
complicated models than the steady state processes
discussed here (OLGA 2000 from SPT group)
Temperature Modeling
• Produced fluid transfers heat from subsurface to surface
• Law of Conservation of Energy dictates phase changes

driven by temperature & pressure changes
31
Coupled Pressure & Temperature Calculation
The Choke:
1. Controls well flow rate,
2. Acts as a safety device by
reducing excess pressure
(energy) to the flowline
operating value
32
Choke Design:-
Critical Flow
• Pressure changes downstream of choke (in sales pipeline

or separator) does not affect production rate
• Pressures maintained safely below permitted, maximum
surface pressures
Choke Performance
• Sonic velocity or critical
flow depends on fluid
density
• Mass flow rate at
point of critical flow:
- independent of Pu for
incompressible fluid
- dependent on Pu for a
compressible fluid
• Critical flow for gas:
Pu / Pd = 1.5 - 1.7
— Determined by Heat
Capacity ratio {CP/CV}
33
Flow through chokes - Choke Performance Curves
Liquid Phase Flow through a Choke

Independent of absolute pressure:
Q = C *CD *D * Pu − PD
Q = Flow Rate ρ
?
C = a constant, depends on units
CD = Flow discharge coefficient through the choke
D = Choke Diameter
PU = Upstream Pressure
PD = Downstream Pressure
ρ = Fluid density
• Choke manufacturers supply correlation charts of CD
with choke diameter & fluid flowing Reynolds number
34
Multiphase flow through choke
a b c Cx
For Critical flow: Ros 1 2.00 0.500 235
a
pwh Gilbert 1 1.89 0.546 259
qL = C x c d b Baxendell 1 1.93 0.546 321
R
Achong 1 1.88 0.650 649
qL = Liquid production rate, stb/d R = Gas Liquid rate, scf/stb
d = Choke diameter, in. pwh= Wellhead pressure, pisa
Critical flow for multiphase mixtures: Pu / Pd = 2.0 - 3.0

Two examples of Gathering System Layouts
35
Flow through completions –
McLeod’s Open Perforation Model
Perforation Inflow Performance
controlled by :
• length
• diameter
• density
• phasing
• crushed zone depth
• drawdown
• produced fluid properties
• depth formation damage
• vertical & horizontal permeability
Mechanical Skin controlled by

the Perforation Phasing Hydrocarbons have
a more tortuous
path to reach the
wellbore. This is
contrary to the idea
of 360° radial flow -
Zero phased thus there is a
perforations ‘mechanical skin’
0o Phasing Reduces Well Productivity

36
Perforation
Phasing &
Density
effect well
Productivity
Recommended perforation
length = 150% of
Formation Damage
Sufficient
Perforation
Penetration
bypasses
Formation
Damage
37
Influence of Perforation Density and Vertical &
Horizontal Permeability on Well Productivity
Perforation charge performance

- discussed further in Chapter6 (Perforating)
• Perforation charge performance depends on:
– perforating gun type & design
– weight of explosive
– wide hole diameter or deep penetration design
– type of charge liner
– perforation gun design & stand-off from casing wall
– thickness and type of the casing, formation rock
strength, insitu stresses, formation pressure etc.
• Performance prediction available from gun supplier
38
A composite gravel pack completion model
• Gravel pack impairment
represented by skin or
reduced number of
perforations open to flow.
• Inflow maximised by:
– large as possible gravel
pack sand
– sufficient perforation
density & phasing to
minimise perforation
tunnel pressure drop
Porous Media, Completions & IPR’s

P orous M ed ia F lo w E q n
C o m pletio n
IP R
S k in ?
• IPR is a composite (Porous Media + Completion) model

• Completion Models only used with Porous Media Model
• Skin may/may not be Integrated with a Composite IPR
– Darcy’s Law:- Use separate Skin Factor
– Vogel:- Use Flow Efficiency factor
39
Well Performance Prediction Programs
- Pressure & Temperature Profile Computation
• Producing system is split up
into segments:
– steady state flow requires
conservation of mass,
momentum and energy
between inlet and outlet
• Calculate pressure drop across
each pipe segment
• Describe well as a series of
pipe segments

• Large segments decrease

calculation time while small
segments maintain accuracy
Revised 2010 •ABC HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
40
• Ensure TOTAL mass, momentum and energy are
conserved when two separate flows join
Well performance Sensitivities

• We now have developed enough tools to model the
complete production system.
• Typical Production Engineering evaluations :
* Wellhead node : evaluate optimise size flow line
* SCSSV node: evaluate the effect of the reduced flow
diameter caused by a SCSSV (important in high rate gas
wells)
* Sand face node: select the optimum tubing size or
evaluate well inflow performance e.g.
– reperforation,
– stimulation to remove a positive skin (acidisation) or
– create negative skin (hydraulic fracturing)
41
Examples of Well Performance Sensitivities
• Compare these two well designs

Reservoir Inflow and Tubing Outflow Restrictions
• What is restricting well production in each case?
Tubing Size & Liquid Loading

• Gas•velocity
What is causing the above behaviour?
becomes insufficient to lift liquid as
Revised 2010 tubing diameter increases. HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
42
Tubing Size & Liquid Loading

• Well production becomes unstable & ceases as tubing
Reviseddiameter
2010 increases HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Effect of Pressure
Depletion
- Production rate
decreases as reservoir
pressure decreases
- Low GOR:- fluid
density in the tubing
remains constant
- High GOR:- Gas (and
average fluid) density
decreases as reservoir
depletes
43
Examples of
Well
Performance
Sensitivities
Effect of Water Cut
• Production decreases due to reduced GLR and

increased hydrostatic head in tubing HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
Revised 2010

– Effect of Depletion
• Production decreases from
reduced reservoir pressure -
• Well
effectsdies forperformance
inflow pressures less
&
than P with water cuts
res3 water cut decreases
• Increased
greaterby
production than 50%
altering
outflow performance
• When will the well
stop producing?
44
• Current well inflow

(skin = +8)
• Partial (skin = +2)
& complete (skin = 0)
removal
• Small hydraulic
fracture (skin = -3)
stimulation
• Is stimulation
Probably uneconomic
economic?
with tubing 1 - outflow
restriction
• Potentially economic
production gains
achieved
Revised 2010 with tubing 2 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
Completion Design
• (High) Completion
– What skin here?
is happening can have many causes but should
NOT be due to inadequate perforations (a design error)
• Too
Revised 2010 few perforations limit production HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
45
Completion Design
• Larger diameter
– What perforations
is happening here? can (partially)
overcome inadequate perforating densityHWU MSc. PT - David Davies
Revised 2010
Examples of Well performance Sensitivities
Completion Design
• Perforation cost
minimised by
optimum combination
of perforation number
and diameter
• Theoretical calculations a guide but often not all perforations effective.

E.G.2010
Revised assume only 33 - 50% perforations effective in gravel packed
HWU MSc. wells
PT - David Davies
46
• Surface Pressure Losses

• Improved
performance with low
pressure separator
operation
•What is the cause of
this?
• Surface pressure drops in (small) flowlines & separator

back pressure limit drawdown available for fluid inflow
•Revised
Especially
2010 important for low pressure reservoirs
HWU MSc. PT - David Davies
The Most Efficient Completion
• Meets the objectives of the well

• Minimizes future operating expenses & investments
in work over operations and/or artificial lift
installations OVER THE LIFE OF THE WELL
• Provides adequate opportunities for future
development
• Can be delivered “on –budget” within the
“Authorisation For Expenditure”
47
Practical Well Performance
• Tutorial Chapter 13
• Assessed exercise (“Haggis”) in the use of Well
Performance Evaluation
– “Haggis” Assessed Exercise using Wellflo
(Weatherford) to start shortly
– Pipesim (SIS) & Prosper (PETEX) software
package will also be available for the design
project
Well Performance - further study
• Petroleum Production Systems

M Economides, A Hill and C Ehlig-Economides
• Well Performance (2nd Edition)
M Golan and C Whitson
• Production Optimisation Using Nodal Analysis
H Beggs
48
Lecture Objectives
At the end of the lecture, you should be able to:
• Describe Well Inflow and tubing vertical lift

performance.
• Discuss the implementation of these concepts in

computerised well completion design programs.
49

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Well Performance

Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

At the end of the lecture, you should be able to:

• Describe Well Inflow and tubing vertical lift

• Discuss the implementation of these concepts in

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

• Introduction:- Pressure losses in Producing Systems

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Pressure Drops across the Producing System

Pressure losses occur:

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

(1) across the reservoir

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

PT needs to understand the Pressure Profile

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Horizontal & Vertical Wells are different

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

• Carry out Sensitivity analysis of the

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Systems (NodalTM) Analysis of a Production System

• Concept introduced by Gilbert in 1954

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

• The capacity of reservoir fluids to flow into the bottom of

These two factors are closely linked.

• Linear PI NOT valid for: Solution-Gas Drive

Above Bubble Point Pressure

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Required Bottom Hole Pressure increases with Flow Rate

Required Bottom Hole Pressure increases exponentially with Flow Rate

Pressure loss components for

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

• Liquid & Gas Phase Fraction for

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Temperature & Pressure profile in flowing well

θ - well inclination angle

Some of these parameters depend on pressure & temperature

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Nodal Analysis Applications

Tubing Outflow - Tubing Friction Term

•TURBULENT flow (NRe > 3600) shows fluid particle

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Tubing Outflow - Frictional Pressure loss

• Experiments measuring pressure drops during liquid

fm - Moody Friction Factor ρ - fluid density

Tubing Outflow:- Friction Factors

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

• Deposits (scale, wax, hydrates, etc.) reduce flow area

• Well inflow performance is the

Multi phase flow

• Two-Phase: Gas -Oil / Gas - Water / Oil - Water

• SLIP & HOLD UP describe the fundamental,

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

ρL = ρo f o + ρw (1− f o ) Liquid Phase Density

ρn = ρLλL + ρg (1−λL ) Two-Phase, No Slip Density

ρn ={ρLQL + ρG (1−QG )}/(QL +QG)

ρS = ρL HL + ρg(1− HL ) Two-Phase Density with Slip

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Revised 2010 HWU MSc. PT - David Davies

Impact of Hydrocarbon Phase Behavior on the Production System

• The hydrocarbon fluid:

• Well inflow performance is the