Wellbore Flow Control Constraints for Unique Multi-Zone Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing flow control in long, complex wells with multiple sidetracks and downhole devices are not robust enough to handle constraints effectively, often resulting in conflicts between surface and downhole control points, leading to non-unique solutions for controlling flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A method that simultaneously evaluates multiple constraints at each downhole flow control device, determining total molar rates and adjusting settings to ensure compliance with wellhead constraints, thereby establishing unique control modes and avoiding violations, using data from flow-related measurements and pressure-volume-temperature characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple downhole flow control devices are used to control multiple zones selectively, then well productivity is maximized and water/gas cut is reduced, but conflicts arise between surface and downhole control points resulting in non-unique solutions for controlling flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control points (wellhead and downhole flow control devices), each capable of autonomous decision-making. The wellhead valve and downhole flow control devices operate as separate decision-making units that evaluate constraints locally and coordinate through a standardized communication protocol, transforming a centralized control problem into distributed autonomous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts flow rates by evaluating constraints in real-time and transitioning between different control modes. The autonomous decision-making capability allows the system to adaptively respond to changing well conditions, reservoir pressure, and constraint violations, ensuring unique and reliable control solutions under varying operational scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If traditional wellhead control techniques are used, then operation is simple, but they are not robust enough to handle additional downhole flow control valve constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole flow control devices possess autonomous decision-making capability, enabling them to self-evaluate constraints and self-adjust flow rates without requiring complex centralized control. Each device independently assesses its operational constraints and makes decisions to satisfy wellhead constraints, eliminating the need for elaborate control algorithms at the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where downhole flow control devices monitor their operational status and constraint satisfaction, then adjust their flow rates accordingly. The autonomous decision-making process incorporates continuous feedback from pressure, temperature, and flow measurements to maintain compliance with wellhead constraints while optimizing local performance.
3Productivity
If flow control devices operate autonomously with decision-making capability, then well interventions are minimized, but conflicts may arise between control points requiring robust constraint evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous decision-making process evaluates all possible control actions and selects the most appropriate one that satisfies constraints. By considering a comprehensive set of potential actions and their consequences, the system ensures unique and reliable control decisions without requiring overly complex coordination mechanisms between control points.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computing systems, and computer-readable media for determining flow control device settings. The method may include obtaining data representing flow rates for a plurality of flow control devices; determining total molar rates for a plurality of flows through pipe segments associated with each of the flow control devices based on the obtained data; determining initial flow control device constraints based on the total molar rates for the plurality of flow control devices; determining that one or more wellhead constraints would be violated based on the flow control device constraints; determining adjusted flow control device constraints that result in the satisfaction of one or more wellhead constraints or constraints of others of the plurality of flow control devices; determining an adjusted flow rate based on the adjusted device constraints that satisfy the wellhead and the flow control device constraints; and executing a computer-based instruction to set one or more wellhead settings and flow control device valve settings based on the adjusted flow control device constraints.