A General Dynamic Model for Single and Multi-phase Flow Operations during Drilling, Completion, Well Control and Intervention

Abstract

A general dynamic model for any flow-related operation during well construction and interventions has been developed. The model is a basis for a new generation support tools and technologies needed in today's environment with advanced well designs, challenging drilling conditions and need for fast and reliable real-time decision support. The solution method uses a "divide and conquer" scheme, which computes the flow in each well segment separately, and then solves for the appropriate flow in the junctions. This simplifies greatly simulating complex flow networks, such as multilateral wells and jet subs. The flexibility allows incorporating additional pumps in the flow loop, as in Dual Gradient Systems. The model includes dynamic 2-D temperature calculations, covering the radial area affecting the well and assuming radial symmetry in the vicinity of the well. Other features: Flexible boundary conditions (which includes drilling, tripping) Non-Newtonian frictional pressure loss Transient well-reservoir interaction Slip between phases Advanced PVT relationship The reason for this new approach was to respond constructively to today's challenges (complex and difficult drilling conditions, need for reliable real time decision support). Our approach has been more flexibility, improved accuracy, reduced numerical diffusion and increased computational speed. The paper will present the basic model assumptions; the model architecture, and solution methods. Integration of the model into a real time system with links to real time databases and advanced visualization tools is currently ongoing. Thus the model may follow the whole work process through planning, training, execution, and post analysis. Examples of applications of the model so far will be presented, as well as visions for future applications. Introduction Alongside the advances in instrumentation and the more intelligent tools being developed today, there is a need for advanced numerical simulators that can bring all the technologies together to do intelligent drilling that will increase safety, reduce the costs, and make previously "impossible" fields "possible". The challenge in making the simulators lies in making the simulator kernel able to include all the important physical parameters; the important events; compute correct results; and fast enough to meet real time requirements. Examples of some of the recent improvements of the "events" that simulators are able to dynamically simulate are: control during underground blowout1; and hydrate formation2. In order to do this, the kernel needs to be able to change boundary conditions and connectivity during a single simulation. The simulator kernel presented here fulfills the needs of the present and many of the future challenges, as shown in the examples. The next chapters briefly explain the models used in the simulator, and the numerical methods used. The flexibility of the simulator is illustrated through a few examples, and the results of its use in real situation are presented.

Moving horizon estimation in managed pressure drilling using distributed models

“…Flow and pressure estimations during oil well drilling have been subject to many researches, e.g., [4], [5], [6]. Usually a model of the system is used together with inputs and outputs to calculate the estimates of the unmeasured flow, pressure and unknown or uncertain parameters like the frictional coefficient.…”

Adaptive estimation of downhole pressure for Managed Pressure Drilling operations

“…The adaptive observer (10) guarantees that, for any initial conditions, the solutions q bit (t) , e q (t) andθ (t) to (12), (13) and (14) are globally uniformly bounded and satisfy lim t→∞ (q bit (t) , e q (t)) = 0. Proof: Consider the function V q bit , e q ,θ = 1 2…”

“…This has triggered a lot of research into developing advanced hydraulic models in order to capture all aspects of the drilling hydraulics, see e.g. [11], [12], [13], [14]. These models are based on distributed parameter models of multiphase flow and are able to reproduce a wide range of drilling-specific events, such as pipe connections, cementing, gelling and multi-fluid scenarios to an impressingly high degree of detail [15], [16].…”

Supervisory control for underbalanced drilling operations

“…Several authors have provided substantial work on modelling of well pressure and flow dynamics with multi-phase fluids (Rommetveit et al, 1995;Lage, 2000;Perez-Tellez, 2003;Petersen et al, 2008;Fan et al, 2009), as well as simpler models aimed at control or parameter identification purposes (Nygaard, 2006;Hauge et al, 2012;Aarsnes et al, 2014a,b).…”