Perforated Production String Flow Inference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Efficient hydrocarbon recovery from wellbores is hindered by voids in gravel packs and collapses in open boreholes, causing variations in flow rates that lead to erosion and damage in perforated production components, making it difficult to detect and prevent such issues.

Innovation Solution

Monitoring pressure along a perforated production string and inferring flow rates to predict the formation of voids or collapses by matching pressure data with previous well data, using distributed pressure sensors and analyzing pressure and flow rate graphs to locate and quantify these issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If pressure monitoring is implemented along the production string to detect voids and collapses, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of voids and collapsesVSAvoidpressure monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The production string is divided into multiple segments with pressure sensors positioned at different locations along its length. This segmentation allows localized detection of voids and collapses at specific intervals rather than requiring continuous monitoring, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors serve as intermediary devices that indirectly detect voids and collapses by measuring pressure variations caused by these conditions. Instead of directly detecting the physical presence of voids or collapses, the system uses pressure as a mediator parameter to infer their location and severity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If flow rate variations are allowed to occur naturally, then production efficiency is maintained, but erosion and damage to production components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoiderosion of production components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors pressure variations along the production string and uses this feedback information to detect developing voids and collapses. By providing real-time feedback on flow conditions, operators can adjust production rates to prevent harmful flow variations before they cause erosion, while maintaining efficient hydrocarbon recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects voids and collapses at early stages through pressure monitoring, allowing preliminary corrective actions to be taken before significant erosion occurs. By identifying problems early in their development, operators can adjust production strategies proactively to prevent damage rather than reacting after erosion has already occurred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables early detection and location of voids and collapses, allowing operators to alter production strategies and prevent damage, thereby maintaining efficient hydrocarbon recovery and extending the lifespan of production components.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring pressure along a perforated production string

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

inferring flow from the monitored pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-flow relationship: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8051910B2Methods of inferring flow in a wellbore

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A method of inferring flow in a production string includes, monitoring pressure along a perforated production string, and inferring flow from the monitored pressure.