Advances in Modeling of Passive Inflow Control Devices Help Optimizing Horizontal Well Completions

Abstract

Passive Inflow Control Devices (PICD) has become a frequently used completion method for horizontal and closeto-horizontal wells over the past decade. There are several types of PICDs, but the working principle is similar for all of them: PICD restricts a flow by creating an additional pressure drop and therefore equalizing the wellbore pressure drop to accomplish a uniformly distributed flow along the horizontal well.To evaluate performance and potential benefits of a PICD completion, a full-field simulation model is required. Simple near-wellbore simulators are often used to initially evaluate the applicability of the PICD-based completion. However, only full-field reservoir simulation can provide prediction for the completion/reservoir performance and thus allow for a full evaluation of the economics and feasibility of the project. A multi-segment well model can be used to represent the PICDs in the horizontal well. The multi-segment well model is an advanced well modeling that allows accurate modeling of multi-phase flow and pressure variations in wells with a reservoir simulation model. This paper provides an example of the reservoir development study. PICD completion is designed and optimized to achieve the best possible economic results using in a commercial black oil simulator. The work is based both on a generic model. The methodology of implementing external pressure drop models is presented. Also, the process of optimization of the PICD-based horizontal well completions utilizing simulation is shown.