Integrated production simulator based on capacitance-resistance model

Abstract

A well-based production simulator is provided, which predicts the quantity of fluids produced per phase, per well and per time as a function of operational field parameters. The invention combines a petroleum reservoir simulator with a petroleum production facility simulator to obtain an integrated model to quickly and accurately forecast production on a well-by-well basis. The efficiency of the petroleum reservoir simulator is derived from its unique formulation, which solves for the production well's flow rate rather than the petroleum reservoir pressure. The simulator properly represents viscous, capillary and gravity forces, as well as complex fluid descriptions, including three-phase black-oil formulations.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62 / 002,470, filed May 23, 2014, and entitled “INTEGRATED PRODUCTION SIMULATOR BASED ON CAPACITANCE-RESISTANCE MODEL,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]Hydrocarbon reservoirs are exploited by drilling wells in a hydrocarbon bearing geologic formation. Both producing wells and injecting wells are typically used. The role of producing wells (producers) is to allow hydrocarbons to flow to the surface. Injecting wells (injectors) are drilled in order to maintain the reservoir pressure by injecting fluids (typically water or gas) to replace the produced fluids.[0003]The key to a successful exploitation operation of a petroleum reservoir is to efficiently design and operate wells. In order to guide and optimize well operations, simulators are often used. The role of reservoir simulators is to forecast the production of wells in order to evalua...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a computer system and methods for modeling a production system and generating production forecasts for individual wells. The system combines information from a capacitance-resistance model of the production system with information from a well-bore model, flow lines, and production facilities. The integrated production simulator provides a system-wide representation of fluid flow through the production reservoir, wellbore, and surface facilities. The computer system can also generate production forecasts for individual wells based on operational parameters. The main technical effects of this invention are improved accuracy and efficiency in predicting oil and gas production, and better decision-making for well drilling and reservoir management.

Problems solved by technology

Classical grid-based reservoir simulation can be very accurate but is usually prohibitively slow.

These models are large and require significant computer resources to run them.

They are prohibitively slow for use in supporting day-to-day decisions related to production optimization.

Although much faster than classical reservoir simulation models, current CR models are limited in their application as they currently rely on a significant simplification of the reservoir flow equations.

Critical limitations include neglecting the effect of fluid flow in the production or injection wellbore and surface facilities.

Images