Downhole Multizone Flow Estimation for Multiphase Production

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods struggle to accurately determine flow rates and characteristics of multiphase fluids in multiple reservoir zones of hydrocarbon production systems due to the presence of more unknowns than solvable parameters, leading to interpretation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A system with multiple sensors in different zones of a hydrocarbon production system captures data, using a processor to solve for unknowns in one zone based on known values in another zone, and adjusts control parameters accordingly, employing machine learning to refine flow rate estimates through a hybrid model combining physical and synthetic data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional flow metering mechanisms are used in multiphase flows across multiple zones, then the system structure remains simple, but the interpretation problem becomes unsolvable due to more unknowns than solvable parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wellbore is divided into multiple discrete zones, each equipped with its own sensors and flow control valve. This segmentation allows the system to independently measure and control flow parameters in each zone, transforming a single complex multiphase measurement problem into multiple simpler zone-specific problems that can be solved sequentially using the propagation method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to continuously measure pressure, temperature, and flow rates in each zone, then feeds this data back to a processor that solves the interpretation problem and adjusts flow control valve positions accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of flow rates while maintaining measurement accuracy despite the increased system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If multiple sensors and zones are added to measure multiphase flows accurately, then measurement capability improves, but the interpretation problem becomes more complex with more unknowns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow characterization completenessVSAvoidinterpretation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurements in the bottommost zone first, where boundary conditions are known or can be assumed. The solved parameters from this initial zone are then used as known inputs for solving the next zone upward, creating a sequential solving approach that reduces the interpretation difficulty from solving all zones simultaneously to solving them one at a time in a predetermined sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interpretation problem is transformed from a simultaneous multi-dimensional system of equations into a sequential series of simpler problems by introducing a temporal and spatial dimension to the solution process. The system solves zones in sequence from bottom to top (or top to bottom), using results from previously solved zones as boundary conditions for subsequent zones, thereby reducing the mathematical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional mechanisms are used without zone-by-zone solving, then the processing method remains simple, but flow rate estimation accuracy deteriorates due to unsolvable interpretation problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow estimation reliabilityVSAvoidcomputation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurements in the bottommost zone first, where boundary conditions are known or can be assumed. The solved parameters from this initial zone are then used as known inputs for solving the next zone upward, creating a sequential solving approach that reduces the interpretation difficulty from solving all zones simultaneously to solving them one at a time in a predetermined sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wellbore is divided into multiple discrete zones, each equipped with its own sensors and flow control valve. This segmentation allows the system to independently measure and control flow parameters in each zone, transforming a single complex multiphase measurement problem into multiple simpler zone-specific problems that can be solved sequentially using the propagation method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250264020A1Downhole estimation of multiphase flows in production systems

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

This disclosure relates to systems and methods with multiple sensors located in different zones of a hydrocarbon production system. The multiple sensors are configured to capture parameters about flow through multiple zones of a wellbore. The system also includes a processor that is configured to obtain data about a multiphase flow through the plurality of zones of the wellbore of the hydrocarbon production system from the multiple sensors and to solve an interpretation problem for a first unknown in a bottommost zone. The processor is configured to use a value for the first unknown in the bottommost zone to solve for a second unknown in an upper zone that is above the bottommost zone in the wellbore of the hydrocarbon production system. The processor is configured to change control parameters of the hydrocarbon production system based at least in part on the first unknown and the second unknown.