Dynamic modelling and real-time monitoring of intelligent wells

Abstract

Intelligent Wells (I-Wells) are the wells equipped with in-well Flow Control Devices (FCDs) and sensors. I-Wells offer a wide range of flow control and monitoring options, with the latter often being subject to how well the information is derived from the measured, raw data. Pressure or temperature are the measurements most commonly taken and requiring interpretation in I-Wells. This work develops innovative methods for modelling and monitoring of dynamic, transient flow in I-Wells. The topics cover: i. I-well clean-up modelling and analysis; ii. Integrated Pressure and Temperature Transient Analysis (PTTA) in wells; and iii. Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA) in I-Wells. This study starts with addressing the challenging clean-up process in I-Wells. A dynamic, coupled wellbore-reservoir modeling workflow is developed that simulates the whole process from fluid invasion to the flow back period. This is followed by investigating the role of different types of FCDs, e.g. autonomous and passive FCDs, well geometries etc. on the cleanup efficiency. General recommendations to facilitate the clean-up in I-Wells are further provided. This study continues with a novel methodology integrating mature PTA solutions with the relatively new Temperature Transient Analysis (TTA) ones for various applications such as reservoir characterization, flow rate allocation and completion monitoring. Several available TTA solutions are extended to describe the multiphase flow in the reservoir. The required modifications and workflow are developed and verified using synthetic case studies. The value of the integrated analysis is then demonstrated by presenting a new method applicable for multi-phase production rate allocation in multi-zone, vertical I-Wells. The variable rate problem in the TTA context is later studied where the distorted signal is reconstructed by proposing normalization methods and developing a data-driven deconvolution algorithm. Finally, the effect of non-linear pressure drop across FCDs in I-Wells on applicability of the classical PTA solutions is investigated. The corrections to incorporate this effect into the classical PTA solutions is implemented as well as a workflow to decompose the total skin is presented. The value and applicability of the proposed workflow are later illustrated using real field case studies. This thesis is an important contribution into the understanding, modelling, monitoring and analysis of dynamic flow process in advanced wells.