Unsupervised PSD Clustering to Assess Reservoir Quality Along the Horizontal Wells: An Efficient Inflow Control Devices Design

Abstract

In steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations, inflow control devices (ICDs) might provide an extra pressure drop (ΔP) on top of the liquid pool's ΔP. To avoid hot-spot zones, this ΔP design heavily relies on reservoir quality. Flow-loop experiments can provide flow قate measurements versus ΔP for various nozzle designs. Therefore, an efficient ICD design should be investigated in a numerical flow simulation that represents reservoir quality and heterogeneity by employing flow-loop data. In this study, core analysis and 40 PSD data drilled in the same location are collected, and permeability for each PSD is estimated using a correlation developed in our previous study. Given PSD offers a measure of hydraulic properties and heterogeneity, it can provide an indirect indicator of potential hot-spot zones. Moreover, representative PSDs are determined by using a clustering algorithm to tie the best-designed ICD to the relevant geology. The reservoir model for the database's location is generated using real data, three tabular data from flow-loop experiments are assigned to the reservoir simulation, and the ICDs' performances are compared. The clustering algorithm generated five groups with a weighted average permeability of 4,013 mD. The first and second largest clusters with 6.55% and 35.05% fines content cover 55% and 23% of the database, respectively. By employing a relatively conservative production with subcooling between 10°C and 15°C, the cases with liner deployed (LD) ICDs offered a greater oil production rate, better steam conformance, and lower cumulative steam oil ratio (cSOR) than the cases without ICDs. However, in a rather risky production scenario with subcool between 1°C and 5°C, the case without ICDs could not be simulated in the desired the subcool temperature. Because of its enhanced steam conformance and slightly higher oil production rate, LDICD#1 was picked as the best case for the two scenarios. Compared to the case without ICDs, the oil production rate and cSOR for the case with LDICD#1 at higher subcool temperature rose by 17% and reduced by 8%, respectively. Compared to the case without ICDs, the oil production rate and cSOR for the case at lower subcool temperature with LDICD#1 raised by 21% and reduced by 12%, respectively. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of ICDs at various subcool levels. The results could be applied in SAGD projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the water and natural gas usage to generate steam. Completion and production engineers would benefit from a better understanding of production relative performance to develop more effective operations design.

Impact of Inflow and Outflow Rate Control to Minimize Freshwater Usage: Historical Canadian Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Operations versus Numerical Simulations

“…Notably, operational parameters and the distribution of reservoir heterogeneities significantly influence factors such as the recovery factor and cumulative steam/oil ratio (cSOR), particularly emphasizing their sensitivity. , Hot-spot zones may emerge as a result of reservoir heterogeneity, leading to a decrease in the viscosity of the emulsion and resulting in higher local flow rates that increase with time . These regions become more susceptible to steam breakthroughs, leading to SAGD failure and liner damage. , As a result, quantifying the significance of reservoir heterogeneity is essential to understanding bitumen recovery from oil sands to enhance oil recovery while reducing carbon footprints. , The reservoir heterogeneity and associated negative effects can be addressed by controlling the inflow and outflow rates in SAGD wells. ,, …”

“…5,6 The reservoir heterogeneity and associated negative effects can be addressed by controlling the inflow and outflow rates in SAGD wells. 3,7,8 Flow control devices (FCDs) represent cutting-edge technology integrated into the design of SAGD well completions. They play a crucial role in efficiently managing and controlling inflow and outflow rates in both injector and producer wells, with the primary objectives being the augmentation of oil production and the reduction of the cSOR.…”