Viability study of implementing smart/intelligent completion in commingled wells in an Australian offshore oil field

Abstract

Simulating the automated action of smart well components represents a challenge in forecasting performance of such wells, and is fundamental to design decisions. Examples are wells equipped with inflow control valves (ICV), where zones have to be switched on, off or partially closed based on their performance relative to the rest of the wells/completions in the field, and where they share the same surface network and facilities constraints. This paper presents a study that has been carried out to justify installation of a surface controlled ICV in a group of wells in an offshore Australian field with commingled production. The merit of surface-controlled ICV versus uncontrolled commingled production has been compared. A numerical reservoir simulator program has been used to model reservoir performance and production from individual zones. Also, the wells and production network have been simulated using well flow simulator and a production network simulation software respectively. A simulation manager software is used to facilitate information exchange between the two simulation programs (production network and reservoir) and optimisation of the process. Proper control of ICVs is simulated based on reservoir and wellbore simulation data, which will result in maximum oil production of a field network system resulting in higher recovery. Also, we have done economic analysis for smart well completion implementation. The results of two aforementioned analyses (simulation study and economics) show that smart completion is viable for this field.