A Nodal Approach For Applying Systems Analysis To The Flowing and Artificial Lift Oil or Gas Well

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A NODAL APPROACH FOR APPLYING SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TO THE FLOWING AND ARTIFICIAL LIFT OIL OR GAS WELL A nodal

and new approach is presented for applying systems analysis to the complete well system from the outer boundary of the reservoir to the sand face, across the perforations and completion section to the tubing intake, up the tubing string including any restrictions and down hole safety valves, the surface choke, the flow line and separator. Node 1 represents the separator pressure which is usually regulated at a constant value. There are two pressures that are not a function of flow rate. They are at Node 8 and PSEP at Node 1. The node selected depends upon which component we want to evaluate. The effect of tapered strings, surface chokes and safety valves can also be evaluated in this manner. In summary, a new (nodal) system has been presented in order to effectively evaluate a complete producing system. All of the components in the well, starting from the static pressure ( ) and ending at the separator, are considered. This includes flow through the porous medium, flow across the perforations and completion, flow up the tubing string with passage through a possible down-hole restriction and safety valve, flow in the horizontal flow line with passage through a surface choke and on to the separator. INTRODUCTION A nodal and new approach is presented for applying systems analysis to the complete well system from the outer boundary of the reservoir to the sand face, across the perforations and completion section to the tubing intake, up the tubing string including any restrictions and down hole safety vaIves, the surface choke, the flow Iine and separator. NODAL CONCEPT In order to solve the total producing system, nodes are placed to segment the portion defined by different equations or correlations. The node is classified as a functional node when a pressure differential exists across it and the pressure or flow rate response can berepresented by some mathematical or physics I function. Node 1 represents the separator pressure which is usuaIly regulated at a constant value. The pressure at node 1A is usually constant at either gas saIes Iines pressure or gas compressor suction pressure. The pressure at node 1B is usually constant at O psig. In the system there are two pressures that are not a function of flow rate. They are * at node 8 and PSEP at node 1. For this reason any trial and error solution to the total system problem must be started at node 1 (PSEP), node 8

( ) or both node 1 and 8 if an intermediate node such as 3 or 6 is selected as the solution node. The total producing system wiII produce only where the created pressure at any node is equal to the required pressure at that node for the stated producing rate. CHANGES IN FLOW CONDUIT SIZE On this system there is only one flow line size and one tubing size. Of course it is possible and sometimes advantageous to change one of these pipe sizes in the middle of the string. To evaluate a system of this nature, the solution node could be placed at the point where the pipe size changes. THE FUNCTIONAL NODE in a total producing system there is usually at least one point or node where this assumption is not true. When a pressure differential exists across a node, that node is termed a functional node since the pressure flow rate response can be represented by some physical or mathematical function. Surface Wellhead Choke Since the wellhead choke is usually placed at node 2, this will be the solution node selected to solve the problem. It is necessary to solve this problem in two parts. Summary and Conclusions A new (nodal) system has been presented in order to effectively evaluate a complete producing system. All of the components in the well, starting from the static pressure (Pr) and ending at the separator are considered. This includes flow through the porous medium, flow across the perforations and completion, flow up the tubing string with passage through a possible down-hole restriction and safety valve, flow in the horizontal flow line with passage through a surface choke and on to the separator. Various positions and/or components are selected as nodes and the pressure losses are converged on that point from both directions. Nodes can be effectively selected to better show the effect of inflow ability, perforations, restrictions, Safety valves, surface chokes, tubing strings, flowlines and separator pressures. The appropriate multiphase flow correlations and equations for restrictions, chokes, etc. must be incorporated in the solution. In conclusion, an effective means of analyzing an existing well, making recommended changes or planning properly for a new well can be accomplished by the nodal systems analysis. This procedure offers a means to more economically optimize producing wells.

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