Dynamic Skin Factor Modeling for Hydrocarbon Well Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in hydrocarbon well development is managing production rate and pressure effectively, as existing well models become inaccurate due to changing skin factors over the life of the well, leading to premature depletion, water breakthrough, and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic updating of the skin factor and corresponding well models based on observed performance, involving periodic determination of operating parameters, skin factors, and well performance characteristics to maintain accurate relationships between flowing well pressure and production flowrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If production rate is held at a relatively high level for an extended period of time, then production efficiency is improved, but the risk of premature well depletion and water breakthrough increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic skin factor modeling that continuously updates the skin factor value based on changing well performance characteristics over time, rather than using a static skin factor. This allows the well model to adapt to evolving reservoir conditions and provides more accurate predictions for optimizing production rates while avoiding premature depletion
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses observed well performance data (production rates, bottom hole pressures) to continuously update and refine the skin factor and well model. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustment of production recommendations to balance productivity with well longevity, preventing conditions that lead to premature depletion or water breakthrough
2Reliability
If production rate is held at a relatively low level for an extended period of time, then the risk of premature well depletion is reduced, but production efficiency decreases and marginal cost of production increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing dynamic skin factor updates based on changing well performance, the system can identify the optimal production rate at different stages of well life. This prevents overly conservative production rates that reduce efficiency while still managing depletion risk through accurate, time-varying skin factor characterization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the skin factor parameter from a static value to a dynamic, time-varying parameter that reflects evolving near-wellbore conditions. This enables more accurate determination of optimal production rates that balance depletion risk management with maintaining productive output
3Device complexity
If existing well models with static skin factor are used, then model simplicity is maintained, but accuracy of well performance prediction deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static to dynamic skin factor modeling, where the skin factor is continuously updated based on observed well performance. This dynamic approach maintains reasonable model complexity while dramatically improving prediction accuracy over the well's lifecycle by accounting for changing reservoir conditions
4Device complexity
If skin factor is not dynamically updated, then operational complexity is reduced, but the accuracy of inflow performance relationships deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring well performance (production rates, bottom hole pressures) and using this data to update the skin factor and IPR relationships. This feedback loop maintains accurate performance predictions without requiring overly complex operational procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are techniques that include determining a first set of operating parameters for a hydrocarbon well for a first period; determining, based on the first set of operating parameters, a skin factor (S1); determining, based on the skin factor (S1), a well model for the well; determining, a second set of operating parameters for the well for a second period; determining, based on the second set of operating parameters, well performance characteristics for the second period that include: a well pressure and a production flowrate for the second period of time; determining that the well performance characteristics for the second period are not consistent with the well model and, in response: determining, based on the second set of operating parameters, an updated skin factor; and determining, based on the updated skin factor (S2), an updated well model for the well.