Nodal Analysis

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Nodal Analysis
• The system analysis for determination of fluid
production rate and pressure at a specified node is
called nodal analysis in petroleum engineering.
• Nodal analysis is performed on the principle of
pressure continuity, that is, there is only one unique
pressure value at a given node regardless of whether
the pressure is evaluated from the performance of
upstream equipment or downstream equipment.
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Nodal Analysis
• The principle of nodal analysis can be expressed as:

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Nodal Analysis
• The pressure loss in any component varies with flow rate. Therefore, a
plot of node pressure versus flow rate will produce two curves.
• The performance curve (pressure–rate relation) for upstream
equipment is the inflow performance curve.
• The performance curve for downstream equipment is the outflow
performance curve.
• The intersection of the two performance curves defines the operating
point, that is, the operating flow rate and pressure, at the specified
node.

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Nodal Analysis
• For the convenience of using pressure data measured normally at
either the bottom-hole or the wellhead, nodal analysis is usually
conducted using the bottom-hole or wellhead as the solution node.
• When the bottom-hole is used as a solution node in nodal analysis, the
inflow performance is the well inflow performance relationship (IPR),
and the outflow performance is the tubing performance relationship
(TPR).
• Well IPR can be established with Vogel or Fetkovich method
presented in the previous chapter. TPR can be obtained with various
multiphase flow correlations discussed earlier.

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