Artificial Lift Plan Generation for Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for developing artificial lift plans in hydrocarbon extraction rely heavily on individual expertise and fail to consider dynamic and lifetime-based factors, leading to inconsistencies and reduced production efficiency due to the selection of non-ideal artificial lift approaches.
Innovation Solution
A method that evaluates static, dynamic, and lifetime-based factors to generate an optimized artificial lift plan, selecting the most suitable artificial lift approaches based on changing conditions over the well's life, reducing equipment failure and enhancing production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional artificial lift plan methods relying on individual expertise are used, then the selection process is simple and quick, but the production efficiency is reduced and equipment failure likelihood increases due to inconsistent and non-ideal approach selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the artificial lift approach selection into distinct evaluation components: static factor evaluation (well characteristics, reservoir properties) and dynamic factor evaluation (changing operating conditions, production rates). This segmentation allows systematic assessment of multiple approaches against different criteria, resolving the contradiction by enabling thorough evaluation without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic factor evaluation that continuously assesses artificial lift approaches based on changing operating conditions over the well's lifetime. This dynamic evaluation mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying production conditions, improving production efficiency by selecting optimal approaches at different time points rather than relying on static expert judgment.
2Reliability
If static factors only are considered in artificial lift plan development, then the planning process is simplified, but the reliability of approach selection deteriorates due to ignoring dynamic and lifetime-based factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple artificial lift approaches against static factors (well characteristics, reservoir properties) before actual deployment. This preliminary assessment establishes a baseline reliability framework that can be later enhanced with dynamic factors, allowing systematic comparison of approaches under controlled conditions before facing operational complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where dynamic factor evaluation results feed back into the overall approach selection process. Operating conditions, production rates, and performance data are continuously monitored and fed back to reassess the suitability of selected artificial lift approaches, improving reliability by enabling course correction based on actual performance rather than relying solely on initial static assessments.
3Measurement precision
If multiple artificial lift approaches are evaluated comprehensively, then the optimal approach selection is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial evaluation by assessing artificial lift approaches against the most critical factors first (static factors like well depth and reservoir pressure), then progressively evaluating dynamic factors only for approaches that pass initial screening. This partial evaluation strategy maintains measurement precision for the most important criteria while reducing overall evaluation time by avoiding exhaustive analysis of all factors for all approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes evaluation parameters dynamically based on well characteristics and production stage. Different artificial lift approaches are evaluated against different weighted factors depending on the specific well context and production phase. This parameter adaptation allows precise evaluation tailored to each situation without requiring uniform comprehensive analysis, reducing time loss while maintaining evaluation precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of techniques for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir based on an artificial lift plan are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes performing, by a processing device, an evaluation of an artificial lift approach that can be operated at a well having a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, the evaluation being based at least in part on a static factor associated with operating the artificial lift approach in the well and a dynamic factor associated with operating the artificial lift approach at a operating condition. The method further includes generating, by the processing device, an artificial lift plan based at least in part on the evaluation. The method further includes extracting the hydrocarbons from the subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir based on the artificial lift plan by operating, at the well, the artificial lift approach.