ICD Parameter Optimization for Horizontal Wellbore Inflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal oil wells face early water and gas coning due to frictional pressure drops and permeability variations, leading to unbalanced inflow and reduced hydrocarbon recovery, as they tend to accelerate early water and gas breakthrough, limiting sweep efficiency and leaving oil bypassed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an algorithmic process to optimize inflow control device (ICD) parameters along a horizontal wellbore, using a wellbore simulator to determine optimal ICD placement and configuration, such as hole diameter and spacing, to achieve a uniform pressure drop and delay water/gas breakthrough, thereby enhancing oil recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal wellbores are used to maximize contact with the pay zone, then well productivity is improved, but early water and gas coning occurs due to frictional pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the ICD parameters (hole diameter, spacing, or flow coefficient) at different locations along the horizontal wellbore. This creates location-specific flow control characteristics that compensate for the non-uniform pressure distribution and permeability variations, preventing water and gas coning at vulnerable sections while maintaining optimal production from other sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing ICD geometric parameters (hole diameter, spacing, orientation) and flow coefficients at different wellbore locations. These parameter variations create a tailored flow resistance profile that balances inflow along the horizontal section, delaying water and gas breakthrough while maximizing hydrocarbon recovery.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ICD parameters are optimized to balance inflow, then water and gas breakthrough is delayed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the horizontal wellbore into multiple sections with distinct ICD configurations. Each section is optimized independently based on local reservoir conditions, pressure distribution, and expected water/gas coning tendencies. This modular approach achieves balanced inflow control while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic zoning.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform ICD distribution is used, then installation is simplified, but unbalanced inflow occurs due to permeability variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by transitioning from uniform to non-uniform ICD distribution based on local reservoir characteristics. ICD parameters such as hole diameter, spacing, and orientation are adjusted at different locations to account for permeability variations, ensuring balanced inflow while adapting to local geological conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The algorithmic optimization of ICD parameters results in increased oil production by delaying water and gas breakthrough, ensuring a balanced inflow and improved hydrocarbon recovery, as demonstrated by simulations and numerical models, which converge quickly to achieve desired accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
frictional pressure drops along the horizontal section
Implementation Method 2
balancing inflow throughout the length of a completion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for improving production of an oil well. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations for generating a model of a wellbore in a wellbore simulator. The at least one processor further executes an algorithm that determines optimal parameters for inflow control devices (ICD) along a horizontal portion of the wellbore. The determined optimal parameters of the inflow control devices would yield a substantially uniform approach of at least one of water and gas along the horizontal portion of the wellbore.