An integrated performance model for multilateral wells equipped with inflow control valves
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Intelligent well technology is a relatively new technology that has been adopted by many operators in recent years to improve oil and gas production, and recovery. The technology uses downhole monitoring and control to regulate flow condition and provides solutions to production problems. It is one of the most effective means for optimization of commingled multilateral wells in heterogeneous reservoirs. Due to the high cost and complexity in intelligent multilateral well constructions, accurate modeling of the reservoir, completion and wellbore performance is essential to design an economically beneficial well, and the critical component, inflow control valves (ICV), should be integrated into the performance modeling process. This paper presents an integrated analytical model that is built on existing models for predicting reservoir and wellbore flow behavior. Also, equations that can predict the flow performance through restrictions such as ICVs, in a multilateral well system are incorporated into the analytical model. The integrated model estimates the reservoir inflow and flowing wellbore pressure at each lateral of a multilateral well, then predicts the anticipated pressure drop across each ICV for any given flow rate. By knowing pressure and flow distribution in a well system, the flow rate distribution can be balanced by operating ICVs to achieve better flow conditions. This analytical model provides the engineers with a hands-on tool to select proper ICV positions for each lateral or segment and helps optimize the well production. Examples at field conditions are used in the paper to illustrate how the model can be used to improve well performance. Applications such as preventing crossflow in commingled multilateral wells are also presented in the paper. Copyright 2011, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
