A New Modular Approach to Comprehensive Simulation of Horizontal Wells

Abstract

Abstract The development in drilling and completion technology for horizontal wells has created new demands for enhanced comprehensive simulation methods. Wellbores with complex flow geometries are not easily implemented in commercially available simulation tools. A modular, comprehensive modelling of well and reservoir is proposed in this paper. The model consists of a detailed horizontal well flow simulator coupled to a reservoir simulator. The wellbore simulator is based on a network model which is capable of solving a broad range of possible flow configurations in the horizontal part of the well. The modular approach is facilitated by a coupling technique that reduces the requirement for iteration between the modules. The simulator is applied to high flowrate horizontal wells in thin oil zones with high permeability. Due to the flexibility in wellbore configuration, the simulator may be used to optimize well location, well path and completion approach. The coupling provides a detached wellbore simulation module which is reservoir simulator independent. The new simulation approach should be considered for horizontal wells where frictional pressure loss or geological inhomogeneities along the well are of importance to a well's production performance. The simulator will be used to evaluate completions with a complex flow configuration, potential cross-flow and for optimization of production and injection performance of wells in heterogeneous reservoirs.