Dynamic Flow Analysis (DFA)

Section 11 – Numerical models

11.A
Introduction

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Numerical models

• Area of usage
• Complex geometries
• Multiphase
• Non Darcy flow
• Compaction
• Pressure constraints
• Rate constraints
• Gridding
• PEBI
• Automatic unstructured grids (Voronoi)
• Solver
• Linear
• Nonlinear

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 Dynamic Flow Analysis (DFA)
Section 11 – Numerical models

11.B
Building complex geometries

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Building complex geometries

Bitmap of field

Vector description of the problem

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 Building complex geometries

Composite zones added

Thickness map 5
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Building complex geometries

Unstructured Voronoi grid

Customized grid 6
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 Dynamic Flow Analysis (DFA)
Section 11 – Numerical models

11.C
Principle of Voronoi / PEBI gridding

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Principle of gridding
• Generate grid nodes
• Nodes can be anywhere in the domain
• Unstructured
• Voronoi cell=space closer to node than any other node
• Contact face=bisector between nodes
• Voronoi grid related to Delaunay triangulation

Property of Voronoi grid Voronoi grid and Delaunay triangulation (broken lines)

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4
 Building the Voronoi grid
Rectangular module

• Superposition of simple modules

• Base
• Segment
• Corner Hexagonal module

• Well

Radial module

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Building the Voronoi grid

Vector representation of the problem: Radial modules around wells

contour, faults, vertical wells

Base module nodes for a hexagonal grid Segments modules around faults and contour

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 Building the Voronoi grid

Corners modules around faults and contour angles Final Voronoi grid

Final superposition Final Voronoi grid and modules areas of influence

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Local refinements vertical well

Vertical well Fractured well (fully penetrating)

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 Local refinements limited entry

Limited entry gridding module Limited entry fracture gridding module

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Local refinements horizontal well

Horizontal well module: 2D display, 3D view and vertical cross-section

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 Dynamic Flow Analysis (DFA)
Section 11 – Numerical models

11.D
Handling linear problems

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Out of reach of analytical solutions

Circular reservoir with two parallel faults

Complex composite reservoir

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 Same errors as analytical

Nonlinear (material balance)

Linear (no material balance)

Buildup following a production period

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Out of reach of analytical solutions

Numerical solution for a radial composite system in a closed circular reservoir

Numerical solution for a radial composite system in a closed circular reservoir

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 Using field data

Interpolated porosity

Interpolated permeability
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Interpolation schemes

Inverse distance weighting Linear interpolation

Krigging, range 1500 ft Krigging, range 750 ft

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 Permeability field

50 mD Average k

• Introduction of k/kfield

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Double porosity reservoirs

• Grid cell split

• Fissures
• Matrix
• Described identical to analytical model

Yellow zone only defined as double porosity

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 Horizontal anisotropy

Deformed “Voronoi” grid for an anisotropic reservoir (kx/ky=0.2)

Actual equivalent isotropic Voronoi grid to solve

the anisotropic reservoir (kx/ky=0.2)
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Horizontal anisotropy

Isotropic reservoir

Anisotropic reservoir

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 Multilayer

• Vertical wells
• Vertical walls

2D grid piled to simulate a 4 layer system

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Multilayer

Pressure fields, no crossflow Pressure fields, crossflow

Pressure fields, no crossflow, bottom layer not perforated

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 Individual layer rates simulations

Crossflow during build-up

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Dynamic Flow Analysis (DFA)

Section 11 – Numerical models

11.E
Handling nonlinear problems

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 Non-Darcy flow

• Laminar flow, Darcy law

• Turbulent flow, modified Darcy law
• Reynolds number
• Re<2000-3000 – Laminar
• Re>4000 – Turbulent
• S’=S0 + Dq
• Forchheimer equation

Dots simulated with non-Darcy flow

Continuous curves with rate dependent skin

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Non-Darcy flow, fracture

Non-Darcy flow in fracture

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 Multiphase flow

• Dead oil and water

• Dry gas and water
• No phase exchange
• Capillary pressures neglected
• Relative permeabilities

⎛ k ⎞ ⎛⎜ k p ⎞⎟ ⎛ k w ⎞ ⎛ k (S ) k (S ) ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = k .⎜ rp w + rw w ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ μ ⎠t ⎝ μ p ⎠ ⎝ μ w ⎠ ⎜ μ μ w ⎟⎠
⎝ p

Relative permeability curves

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Multiphase flow

• Derivate stabilization
• Dynamic phase mobilities
• Inject water into oil
• Injection stabilization based upon total mobility at maximum Sw
• Fall-off based on variable Sw

Minimum Sw

Maximum Sw

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 Unconsolidated formations

• Pressure dependent porosity and permeability

• Subsidence
• Effect can be reversible
• Problem highly nonlinear

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Defining the k(P-Pi) function for an unconsolidated formation 33

Unconsolidated formations

Simulation of two production + build-up sequences

in an unconsolidated reservoir

Effect on permeability
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 Three phase flow, problem

Gas saturation

Loglog plot
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Well controls

• Pressure constrains
• Rate target

Minimum bounding pressure is reached during the first production

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 Well controls

Water injector pressure constrained

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