Quantifying Pressure Interference Among Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately quantify pressure interference among wells, which affects hydrocarbon production and reservoir management, as they do not account for the dynamic interactions and interdependencies between multiple wells in a subterranean zone.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to determine a base and current productivity index for a target well, using reservoir pressure and bottomhole pressure measurements, and calculate an interference modulus to assess the impact of flow from adjacent wells, allowing for the quantification of pressure interference and its effect on productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional well test methods are used to evaluate reservoir properties, then the evaluation process is simple, but the measurement precision of pressure interference among wells is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the productivity evaluation into multiple components: base productivity index (without interference) and current productivity index (with interference). By calculating the difference between these segmented components, the interference effect is isolated and quantified, improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic decomposition of the evaluation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interference modulus as an intermediary parameter that quantifies the pressure interference effect. This modulus serves as a mediator between the complex multi-well interactions and the productivity evaluation, enabling precise measurement of interference while simplifying the overall analysis through a dedicated intermediate metric.
2Productivity
If multiple wells are drilled in a subterranean zone to maximize hydrocarbon extraction, then the productivity increases, but the pressure interference among wells affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful pressure interference effect into a beneficial measurement opportunity. By deliberately analyzing the interference modulus caused by multiple well interactions, the method transforms what was previously a source of measurement error into a quantifiable parameter that enhances understanding of reservoir dynamics and improves overall productivity optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from a single productivity index to a comparative analysis of base productivity index versus current productivity index. This parameter transformation enables the system to distinguish between intrinsic reservoir properties and interference effects, maintaining measurement precision even as productivity increases through multiple well drilling.
3Reliability
If transient well tests are performed to characterize reservoir properties, then the dynamic reservoir quality is understood, but the interference from simultaneous flow through other wells is not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the interference modulus calculated from current productivity measurements is fed back into the reservoir characterization process. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously refine its understanding of reservoir properties by accounting for interference effects, thereby improving reliability while preventing loss of critical interference information.
Data Source
AI summary
Quantification of pressure interference among wells in a well system is determined by determining a base productivity index for a target well in the well system. The base productivity index is free of interference on production through the target well from flow through other wells in the multiple wells. A current productivity index for the target well is determined. The current productivity index is affected by interference on production through the target well from flow through other wells in the multiple wells. An interference modulus is determined for the target well based on the current productivity index and the base productivity index for the target well. Using the interference modulus for the target well, an effect, such as a numerical value representing the effect, on the target well, of the simultaneous flow through the other wells in the multiple wells is determined.