Multilateral Well Layout Using Transient Models for Reservoir Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multilateral well drilling techniques fail to optimize geometrical parameters such as lateral spacing, configuration, and length, leading to inefficient hydrocarbon drainage and productivity in reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a transient model to iteratively determine optimal geometrical parameters like lateral spacing, configuration, and length of multilateral wells, based on reservoir data and simulation, to maximize productivity index (PI) and hydrocarbon recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multilateral wells are drilled without optimizing geometrical parameters, then drilling complexity is reduced, but hydrocarbon recovery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of geometrical parameters (lateral spacing, configuration, length) through transient modeling and simulation before actual drilling operations. This advance planning ensures optimal hydrocarbon recovery without adding complexity during the drilling execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses transient models and simulations to create virtual copies of multilateral well systems. These digital models allow optimization of geometrical parameters through iterative testing without physical drilling, resolving the contradiction between optimization needs and drilling complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If lateral spacing between lateral sections is increased, then drainage area is maximized, but well competition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs transient models that simulate pressure responses and production rates to provide feedback on the effects of different lateral spacing configurations. This iterative feedback process identifies the optimal spacing that maximizes drainage area while minimizing well competition through balanced pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies geometrical parameters including lateral spacing, configuration, and length to find the optimal combination. By changing these parameters in the transient model, the system identifies configurations that maximize drainage area while maintaining acceptable well competition levels.
3Productivity
If multiple simulation scenarios are executed to determine optimal parameters, then productivity index is maximized, but computational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent executes multiple simulation scenarios with different geometrical parameters to thoroughly explore the parameter space. While this requires significant computational resources, it ensures identification of the true optimal configuration for maximizing productivity index before actual drilling begins.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable media to perform operations including: building a multi-layer transient model representing the reservoir based on a geological model; determining a location at the reservoir for placing the at least one multilateral well in at least one first simulation scenario executed by the multi-layer transient model; determining a lateral spacing between lateral sections of the at least one multilateral well and a number of lateral sections based on a first productivity index (PI) in at least one second simulation scenario executed by the multi-layer transient model; determining a well length for each lateral section of the multilateral well based on a second PI in at least one third simulation scenario executed by the multi-layer transient model; and drilling the multilateral well in the reservoir having the determined lateral spacing, the determined number of lateral sections, and the determined well length at the determined location.