Well Flow Control for Water Breakthrough Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mature wells face significant challenges with water breakthrough, which decreases hydrocarbon production rates, and existing flow control systems struggle to effectively manage fluid flow rates and contaminant levels in well fields.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control system utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence, including neural networks, to detect contaminant levels and adjust flow control device settings in real-time, minimizing contamination by generating and transmitting flow control signals to remotely controlled flow control devices within the well system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flow control systems are used to manage fluid flow rates, then basic flow control is achieved, but they struggle to effectively manage contaminant levels and optimize production in mature wells
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors contaminant levels (water cut) in the produced fluid and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust flow control device settings. The controller receives real-time contaminant level data and automatically modifies the flow rates through remotely controlled flow control devices to maintain optimal production while managing water breakthrough
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control system transitions from static, pre-set flow rates to dynamic, real-time adjustment of flow rates based on changing contaminant levels. The system continuously adapts flow control device settings in response to varying water cut measurements, enabling optimal performance throughout different production stages
2Ease of operation
If flow control devices are remotely controlled based on water cut information, then flow balance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control system operates autonomously by automatically processing water cut measurements and adjusting flow control device settings without requiring continuous manual intervention. The controller self-manages the balance of inflow along horizontal wells by interpreting contaminant level data and independently modifying flow rates through remote control of flow control devices
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they control both hydrocarbon production flow rates and contaminant (water) management simultaneously. The same remotely controlled devices handle different operational requirements throughout the well's production lifecycle, from initial production optimization to mature well water breakthrough management
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for controlling flow rates within a well system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a first flow control configuration is determined including determining flow profiles for a plurality of zones each including at least one flow control device. Contaminant intake classifications associated with one or more of the zones are generated based on the first flow control configuration and a first contaminant level detected for a combined flow comprising inflow from the zones. A second flow control configuration for the zones is generated based on the contaminant intake classifications.