Calibrating Sand Erosional Model for Wellbore Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to accurately estimate and manage sand production rates in wellbore operations, leading to erosion issues and instability, as they do not effectively account for the solid phase of the wellbore during sand flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
A calibrated sand erosional model is developed using a computer model that incorporates a reservoir simulator to predict sand production rates and inflow performance relationships, accounting for the solid phase of the wellbore, and adjusts well tool settings based on real-time measurements to maintain a sand-free operating envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sand flow measurements are taken during production operations, then erosion rate can be measured, but the measurements do not accurately reflect true sand production rates due to lack of calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a calibration process that uses measured sand production rates during production operations to adjust and refine the reservoir simulator model. This feedback loop allows the model to continuously improve its accuracy by incorporating actual field data, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters in the reservoir simulator model based on calibration data from production operations. By adjusting model parameters to match actual measured sand production rates, the system achieves more accurate predictions while maintaining wellbore stability management reliability.
2Reliability
If operating parameters are adjusted in response to erosion measurements, then wellbore stability can be managed, but without accurate sand production rate prediction the management effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration of the reservoir simulator model using historical production data before making predictions for future operations. This preliminary action ensures the model accurately represents actual sand production characteristics, enabling effective wellbore stability management when operating parameters are adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process incorporates feedback from actual production measurements to continuously improve the model's prediction accuracy. This feedback mechanism ensures that sand production rate predictions remain accurate even as operating conditions change, thereby maintaining wellbore stability management effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reservoir simulator is used to predict sand production, then a sand-free operating envelope can be defined, but the model requires calibration to account for solid phase effects accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process leverages actual production data from the well itself to automatically adjust model parameters. The system uses measured sand production rates during production operations to self-calibrate the reservoir simulator, reducing the need for complex manual calibration procedures while maintaining accurate solid phase representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically adjusts key model parameters based on calibration data to accurately represent solid phase effects. By changing parameters such as sand production coefficients and erosion rates to match actual measurements, the model achieves accurate predictions without requiring overly complex calibration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a processing device and a memory device that includes instructions to receive real-time data including wellhead pressure, a new sand measurement, and a new erosion rate for a wellbore. A model including an available reference sand rate for the wellbore based on the wellhead pressure and at least one of the new sand measurement or the new erosion rate of the wellbore may be calibrated. The model may be applied to determine a calibrated sand rate is within a pre-determined threshold. A new sand production rate for the wellbore based on the model may be determined.