Aggregate MRC Well System for Multi-Reservoir Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilateral well modeling and performance prediction are challenging due to the interplay between branches or laterals and pressure drop behaviors, making it difficult to achieve specific production flowrates and control wellhead pressures effectively in hydrocarbon extraction from tight reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an aggregate multi-lateral multi-reservoir maximum reservoir contact (MRC) well system, which includes independently operated completion units, pressure sensors, chemical tracers, and flow rate sensors, along with a single production string connecting multiple MRC wells, allowing for real-time monitoring and optimization of productivity indices and flow rates across laterals, and a flow control valve setting system that adjusts valve settings based on data from downhole sensors to maximize oil production while minimizing water and gas production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multilateral wells are used to extract hydrocarbons from multiple reservoirs, then the productivity and reservoir contact are improved, but the complexity of well modeling and performance prediction increases due to interplay between branches and pressure drop behaviors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multilateral well system into independent completion units, each with its own flow control valves and monitoring sensors. This segmentation allows each lateral to be modeled and controlled independently, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time monitoring systems with sensors that provide feedback on pressure, flow rates, and production parameters from each lateral. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of flow control valves to optimize performance, simplifying the modeling process by providing actual data rather than requiring complex predictive models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple completion units are installed in multilateral wells to access separate production zones, then the adaptability to different reservoirs is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of controlling wellhead pressures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable flow control valves in each completion unit, allowing the system to adapt to different reservoir conditions and production requirements. These valves can be adjusted in real-time to control flow rates and wellhead pressures, providing versatility without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes independently controllable parameters (flow control valve settings, choke sizes) for each completion unit to adapt to different reservoir characteristics. By changing operational parameters rather than structural configurations, the system achieves high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Loss of time
If a single production string is used to connect multiple MRC wells, then the loss of time and operational costs are reduced, but the measurement precision of individual lateral flow rates and productivity indices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single production string into multiple monitored zones, with individual flow rate sensors and pressure sensors installed in each lateral. This segmentation allows precise measurement of flow rates and productivity indices for each lateral while maintaining the operational efficiency of a single production string architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical tracers as intermediary substances to track and measure flow rates from individual laterals. These tracers provide a means to precisely measure contribution from each lateral to the combined production, resolving the measurement precision issue while maintaining the time-efficient single string configuration.
4Productivity
If flow control valves are adjusted to maximize oil production, then the productivity is improved, but the pressure drop behaviors and wellhead pressure control become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where real-time pressure and flow rate measurements from each lateral are used to automatically adjust flow control valve settings. This closed-loop control maximizes oil production while maintaining wellhead pressure within desired limits, resolving the contradiction between productivity enhancement and pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial chocking or flow restriction in certain laterals to balance the overall system performance. By selectively limiting flow in high-pressure laterals while maximizing flow in others, the system achieves high overall productivity while maintaining acceptable wellhead pressure control.
Data Source
AI summary
An aggregate MRC well includes a plurality of maximum reservoir contact (MRC) wells, a plurality of independently operated flow control or completion units installed in each of the plurality of MRC wells, a plurality of pressure regimes corresponding to the plurality of MRC wells, and a single production string connecting each of the plurality of MRC wells. The method includes providing a plurality of maximum reservoir contact (MRC) wells forming an aggregate MRC well, providing a plurality of independently operated flow control valves in each of the plurality of MRC wells, providing a plurality of pressure regimes corresponding to the plurality of MRC wells, and providing a single production string connecting each of the plurality of MRC wells.