Anjana Malagalage
Tel-Tek, Porsgrunn, Norway / Telemark University College, Faculty of Technology, Norway
Britt Halvorsen
Telemark University College, Faculty of Technology, Norway
Download article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp15119289Published in: Proceedings of the 56th Conference on Simulation and Modelling (SIMS 56), October, 7-9, 2015, Linköping University, Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 119:29, p. 289-298
Published: 2015-11-25
ISBN: 978-91-7685-900-1
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
Heavy oil reservoirs cover up two third of the world’s hydrocarbon reservoirs. Even though it is vast energy resource, heavy oil recovery is not considered economical due to its high viscous properties. Generally horizontal wells are more suitable for heavy oil recovery. When the heavy oil is produced with water drive, a water breakthrough is expected in the higher permeable zones of the reservoir or in the heel of the well. Once water has reached the well, heavy oil reservoirs tend to produce more water than oil.
In order to overcome this issue, inflow control devices are being used. Conventional inflow control devices (ICDs) are only capable in in delaying a water breakthrough. The disadvantage of ICDs is that, it cannot control the water inflow, once the water breakthrough has occurred. Autonomous inflow control valve (AICV) is designed to choke or stop the inflow as soon as the water breakthrough takes place.
In order to evaluate the performance of AICVs for different reservoir conditions, OLGA-Rocx simulations were carried out. Simulations with fractured, heterogeneous and homogeneous reservoirs were performed. By comparing the obtained results with conventional ICDs it was found that the AICVs have a superior potential in limiting the water inflow to the base pipe (86% reduction in water accumulation compared to normal ICDs in fractured reservoirs). It was also observed that, AICVs are more effective in heterogeneous and fractured reservoirs as it can restrict the early water breakthrough. Even in homogeneous reservoirs, AICVs have the capability in controlling the water inflow. As a result, oil production rate would also be reduced compared to the ICD system, however, the lifetime of the well will be increased by using AICV.
Near well simulation; OLGA-Rocx; Inflow control devices; ICD; Autonomous inflow control devices; AICV
A. Hart. 2013. "A review of technologies for transporting heavy crude oil and bitumen via pipelines." Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology:1-
10. doi: 10.1007/s13202-013-0086-6.
B. Hu, J. Sagen, G. Chupin, T. Haugset, A. Ek, and T. Sommersel. 2007. "Integrated Wellbore-Reservoir Dynamic Simulation,." Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition.
F. T. Al-Khelaiwi, V. M. Birchenko, M. R. Konopczynski, and D. Davies. 2010."Advanced Wells: A Comprehensive Approach to the Selection Between Passive and Active Inflow-Control Completions." SPE Production & Operations 25:305-326. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/132976-PA.
M. Halvorsen, G. Elseth, and O. M. Nævdal. 2012."Increased oil production at Troll by autonomous inflow control with RCP valves." SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.
Mathiesen, H. A. Vidar. 2013a. "Increased oil recovery of an old well, recompleted with Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICV)." ADIPEC 2013 Technical Conference, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mathiesen, V. 2013b. "Autonomous gas/water shutoff in field with gas/water breakthrough." SPE Aberdeen Summit Series Seminar.
P. Fernandes, Z. Li, and D. Zhu. 2009."Understanding the roles of inflow-control devices in optimizing horizontal-well performance." PE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.
Peaceman, D. W. 2000. Fundamentals of numerical reservoir simulation: Elsevier.
R. A. F. S. Moghaddam, H. Aakre, B. M. Halvorsen. 2013. "Near well simulations of heavy oil production with ICD completion." Computational Methods in Multiphase Flow VII 79:499-509.
S.D.Joshi. 2003. "Cost/benefits of horizontal wells." SPE Western Regional/AAPG Pacific Section Joint Meeting.
