Flow Control Openings Using Clustered Completion Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing flow control devices in oilfields are computationally expensive and inefficient, particularly when using greedy algorithms with reservoir simulators, which hinders the accurate determination of discrete configurable positions for optimal hydrocarbon extraction.
Innovation Solution
A computer system is programmed to determine a set of flow control device configurable positions by executing a reservoir simulator to obtain settings in continuous space, performing cluster analysis to identify discrete positions, and re-inputting these into the simulator to guide the optimizer towards an optimized solution, thereby increasing computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If greedy algorithms with reservoir simulators are used to design flow control devices, then optimization accuracy is improved, but computational cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cluster analysis on continuous flow control settings to pre-identify discrete configurable positions before optimization. This preliminary action reduces the search space for subsequent optimization algorithms, maintaining accuracy while reducing computational time required during the actual optimization process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous flow control parameter space into discrete clusters using cluster analysis. By dividing the continuous settings into distinct configurable positions, the system transforms a complex continuous optimization problem into a more manageable discrete problem, reducing computational burden while preserving essential optimization characteristics
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous flow control settings are used, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flow control parameter from continuous to discrete by applying cluster analysis. This parameter change maintains sufficient flow control precision through carefully selected cluster centers while significantly reducing device complexity by limiting the number of configurable positions to a manageable discrete set
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatment to different regions of the parameter space by identifying locally optimal discrete positions through cluster analysis. Each cluster represents a local region with similar flow characteristics, allowing precise control within each region while using a simplified discrete structure overall
3Measurement precision
If multiple cluster analyses are performed for different numbers of clusters, then selection of optimal configurable positions is improved, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cluster analysis for multiple different numbers of clusters (excessive action) to ensure thorough exploration of possible discrete configurations. By evaluating multiple cluster counts and selecting the optimal one, the system achieves high position selection accuracy while the computational overhead is managed through efficient comparison of resulting configurable position sets
Data Source
AI summary
Defining flow control device configurable positions include executing a reservoir simulator on a reservoir model to obtain a collection of flow control device settings defined in continuous space. For each number of multiple numbers of clusters, a cluster analysis is individually performed on the collection to obtain a set of flow control device configurable positions. The set includes the number of flow control device configurable positions and its corresponding inflow area or diameter. Performing the cluster analysis across the numbers generates multiple sets for the multiple numbers of clusters. The sets of flow control device configurable positions are compared to obtain a selected set of flow control device configurable positions, which is presented in a completion design.