Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir
Simulator For Complex Completions Design
2019-NAPS-2.2AUTHORS: Jim Gilliat, Parry Hillis, Bill Myers, Rajani Satti, Baker Hughes (a GE company)
DALLAS - FORT WORTH. AUGUST 5-6, 2019.
AGENDA
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
INTRODUCTION
NUMERICAL MODEL
APPLICATION EXAMPLESDropped objects Incident diagnostics Impact on lubricator valves Integrity of a sand management system
CONCLUSIONS
INTRODUCTION
WHY IS TRANSIENCE IMPORTANT TO COMPLETIONS ?
Success of a well completion job is driven by careful understanding of transient physics that
entails
complex geometries
material properties,
fluid dynamics,
geomechanics
and most importantly, a wide range of temporal scales (microseconds to days)
Examples of transient events (desired or undesired) that are typically encountered during well-completions are described below: Water hammer, a pressure transience or surge that travels up or down the wellbore Ball drop for multizone plug-n-perf operations Sliding sleeve operations, Setting a packer, Detonation of perforating guns, where the dynamic explosive energy from shaped charges penetrates
the casing, creates perforation tunnels, tunnel clean-up enhanced by transient underbalance.
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
INTRODUCTION
THE NEED FOR MODELING TOOL …
Limited data from downhole measurements
Fit-for-purpose transient, well-completion simulators that incorporate the following
features are currently not available within the industry:
Transient wellbore-reservoir-perforation-fracture simulator that captures extremely short
duration events (few milliseconds to seconds).
Comprehensive representation of downhole geometry including tubing, packers, plugs,
valves, perforating assemblies, stimulation mechanisms etc.
Applications focused on generic dynamic events encountered during well completions
This work presents the philosophy and application of a transient wellbore-reservoir-
perforation-fracture simulator that’s used for modeling dynamic completion events.
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
INTRODUCTION
PHILOSOPHY OF OUR NUMERICAL MODEL
Mathematical Model:
• The mathematical model is based on an explicit coupling
of independent reservoir (qR), wellbore (qw), and tool
stress fields (σ).
• The dynamics of each model are coupled through the
boundary conditions between the reservoir and wellbore
(B), and the force conditions between the wellbore fluids
and the completion tools (F) as shown in Figure
Numerical Schemes:
• Split-scheme integration for robust flux conservation and
shock capturing capabilities.
• Riemann solvers
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 1
DROPPED TOOLS IN A WELLBORE
Instances of dropped tools or objects can be classified into two categories an object or a working tool is accidently dropped into the
wellbore planned operation of a ball being dropped and pumped
downhole to seat on a plug.
Fundamental experiment of a metal bar with transient gages dropped into a wellbore is discussed here.
Transient velocity is compared between the experimental (from the gage) and computed (transient simulator) data.
The transient profile of velocity and most importantly, the instant when the metal bar contacts the water interface is accurately captured by the computational software.
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 2
FIELD INCIDENT DIAGNOSTICS
Completion scenario of a well in the Middle East
A new and novel liner tool assembly was utilized in a well, where the liner tool included various components that were to be activated during the setting and installation of the liner/liner hanger assembly, prior to cementing operations.
The tool’s operation required the application of workstring pressure differential to a setting tool to shear, starting the setting sequence. After many attempts, the required differential pressure could not be achieved.
A failed component was suspected, generating a leak path. The majority of the tools remained in the well, below the set liner hanger, therefore retrieval and investigation of the tools was not possible.
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
Tool setting depth, bottom, MD and TVD 2,951 m
Plug Back TD, MD and TVD 3,101 m
Open Hole diameter 8.50”
Tool / Liner OD 7.655” (Cplg for 7” 32#)
Wellbore fluid 12.1# mud, poor condition, “highly viscous”
Formation Pressure @ setting depth 4,050 psi
BHT, F 210°F
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 2FIELD INCIDENT DIAGNOSTICS
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
One such avenue of investigation was initiated when it was
reported that the tools “dropped” by approximately two feet
while setting the slips when the liner was at depth.
Using the transient wellbore-reservoir simulator, a simulation
was conducted using the as-run well and tool string information,
and the fluid properties of the drilling mud.
Investigation of pressure differential failure points
Investigation of undesired leak paths
Water hammer effects of the fluids inside and outside of the
tool string.
These spikes indicated that more than sufficient pressure
differential to cause failure of these components can occur
under the conditions modeled.
Learnings of the investigation were incorporated: components
were re-engineered to increase the differential pressure ratings,
robust operation procedures were introduced to reduce the
chance of reoccurrence.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 3IMPACT ON LUBRICATOR VALVE
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
• Effect of impact on a lubricator valve was examined if the
perforating string in a wellbore was inadvertently dropped.
• The near wellbore simulator was used to investigate the
following:
Compression failure of the valve.
How the bouncing of the perforating assembly causes
additional compressional loads on the valve
G force loading on the valve at the moment of impact
Software can be used as a risk mitigation tool for in many
types of environments and situations.
Most importantly, the insight provided by transient fluid
variables like pressure, velocity along with tool movement is
invaluable in ensuring the safety and efficiency of a
completion operation.
Impact
Tool String bouncing
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 3
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
• Effect of impact on a lubricator valve was examined if the
perforating string in a wellbore was inadvertently dropped.
• The near wellbore simulator was used to investigate the
following:
Compression failure of the valve.
How the bouncing of the perforating assembly causes
additional compressional loads on the valve
G force loading on the valve at the moment of impact
Software can be used as a risk mitigation tool for in many
types of environments and situations.
Most importantly, the insight provided by transient fluid
variables like pressure, velocity along with tool movement is
invaluable in ensuring the safety and efficiency of a
completion operation.
IMPACT ON LUBRICATOR VALVE
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 4SAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: INTEGRITY ANALYSIS
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
• Examine the integrity of a novel sand management screen
system
• Customer in Azerbaijan was concerned about blowing of a ball seat after the production packer is set and the if the subsequent pressure surge could damage the sand management screen
• The transient simulator was used to setup pressure points along the body of the screen and at various points along the completion.
• The simulator has a “valve” feature that can be used to replicate the rapid pressure release.
• pseudo pressure points were then placed along the tool string to monitor pressures and differentials.
• The permeability of the screen and the formation behind it was also accounted for to ensure an accurate measure of differential pressure across the tools
Valve (ball seat)
Quantum packer
Perforated joint
Swell packer 1
Blank pipe
Swell packer 2
Sand screen
Production packer
APPLICATION EXAMPLE # 4SAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: INTEGRITY ANALYSIS
2019-NAPS Application of a Transient Near-Wellbore / Reservoir Simulator For Complex Completions Design
• As the valve opens, a pressure wave travels down the string towards the screen.
• It is interesting to note that the model predicts turbulence as the fluid passes the perforated pup joint in the string.
• The pressure surge attenuates quickly, by the time the wave reaches the screen the peak pressure is only 1,300 psi and the maximum differential across the screen is estimated at 300psi.
• From the results of the model, it was deemed that the peak and differential pressures did not present an issue and the completion was successfully deployed.
Pressure at the production packer
Pressure at the perforated joint
Pressure at the sand screen
DALLAS - FORT WORTH. AUGUST 5-6, 2019. QUESTIONS? THANK YOU
2019-NAPS-2.2AUTHORS: Jim Gilliat, Parry Hillis, Bill Myers, Rajani Satti, Baker Hughes (a GE company)
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