Role of Well Testing and Information in the Petroleum Industry- Testing in Multilayers Reservoirs Assoc

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Role of Well Testing and Information in the Petroleum Industry- Testing in Multilayers Reservoirs Assoc ISSN XXXX XXXX © 2016 IJESC Research Article Volume 6 Issue No. 7 Role of Well Testing and Information in the Petroleum Industry- Testing in Multilayers Reservoirs Assoc. Prof. Nevton KODHELAJ M.Sc. Shkëlqim BOZGO Abstract: The actual demand for oil and gas so as their products shows a clear increasing trend, despite some fluctuation mostly because of the global economic negative situation as well as some other geostrategic impacts. The new drilling activities and progressing toward deeper formations require stronger and abundant financial support, and looks that the safest way remains the increase of the oil recovery factor in the existing oil and gas fields. Well testing and their numerical modelling, gives responses that support their exploitation optimization. In many cases the oil and gas fields, represents as very complex systems composed by a large number of thin layers. Generally, they represent very complex hydrodynamic systems. The classification systems of these reservoirs, the calculation of the most important parameters, the factors that impacts and determine their exploitation performance as well as some economic indicators, are subject of this paper. Key words: Well test, reservoir, petroleum engineering, production forecats, skin effect 1 INTRODUCTION The oil well test represents one of the basic disciplines of the Oil & Gas Wells Testing reservoir engineering. The information collected regarding the fluid flow and the drawdown testing in the formation Pressure Data’s plays a key role for the determination of the productive Average Pressure of the Formation Use for Material Balance Calculations capacities of the oil and gas fields. The drawdown test gives Evaluation of the Vertical and Horizontal Evaluation of the Vertical and Horizontal Permeability an important support regarding the determination of the Anisotropy of the Permeability average pressure of the formations. This information’s Estimation of the Formation Extension Well Testing with Different Regimes allows the study and identification of the formations and Oil Saturation behavior and particularly their yield forecast, for different Quantitative Evaluation of the Well Status, EOR regimes. The pressure data’s are without any doubt, among Pressure Data’s Interpretation the most important, regarding the reservoir engineering. Efficiency, Wells Productivity Estimation They play a key role to all the reservoirs exploitation stages Well Testing in Standard Conditions Estimation of the Formation Permeability and Well Status [7, 10]. Oil and gas wells testing, main objectives are: Quantitative Estimation of the Drainage Numerical Simulation 1. Well status evaluation and the reservoir Area and Well Status Evaluation of the Permeability Changes form one Well to the other characterization; Parameters Estimated through the Well Testing and Data Inputs to the Model Figure 1: Information collected by the well testing 2. Calculation of the formation parameters for the purpose of the identification of its productive Is important to highlight that along the lifetime of the oil and segment; gas wells, starting from it’s drilling an up to its “abandonment”, should be collected information’s regarding 3. The identification of the well productive segment; its technical status and daily activity. Here differs the pressure data’s, to each single well or at least for the “key wells”, whose represent not less than 25% of the total wells, 4. Skin effect and factor calculation, and based in its in a periodical basis. Is very important to make careful value could be decided regarding the programming regarding the information’s that should be implementation of the EOR methods. collected through the well testing and its frequency. A very simplified logical sketch on the well testing is presented in 2 WELL TESTING AND ITS ROLE IN THE the Figure 2 [7]. It’s obvious that, the well testing could be PETROLEUM INDUSTRY used for the selection of the well that should be subject of the Enhancement Oil Recovery (EOR) methods. The core of the The oil and gas wells testing represent one of the strongest process stands in the identification of all factors, which tools, mostly regarding their reservoir engineering prospect, pushed toward the well productivity decline [3]. For this, as well the reservoir exploitation optimization. In a more could be very helpful the pressure build-up or pressure descriptive way the information collected by the well testing drawdown tests, the drill stem, the samples analysis or any is presented in the Figure 1 [7]. International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, July 2016 1647 http://ijesc.org/ additional information. After “the identification”, should be optimization, and this can be achieved only after having the selected the optimal stimulation process and its correct classification. Figure 4 shows all activities that help implementation design. Summarized, the selection of all the starting from the formation classification, and the Figure 5 calculation procedures regarding the determination of the which shows the reservoir pressure data’s analysis for the exploitation parameters of each single well and the reservoir, purpose of the accurate evaluation of the reservoir of the formation properties evaluation, regarding the properties. Reservoir Characterization Through the efficiency and results of the EOR for the purpose of the OR Integrated Approach (Oil Recovery) increase with aim to maximize the financial profit, is given in Figure 3. A well testing process can be General Description of the Formation efficient regarding collecting the information’s, and later on with their analysis, but only if is done a detailed and accurate Rock Evaluation Structural Testing Reservoir Properties Estimation Integrated Approach · Lithology; · Structure; · Profiles; · Porous Volume; · Sediments Origin; · Continuation; · Reservoir Boundaries; planning, design, evaluation and coordination of all · Transmissivity. · Rock Evaluation. · Approx. Thickness. · Real Thickness. processes [1, 3]. Information's on the Yield and Samples Analysis Oil Wells Testing Pressure Programming, Reasoning, Time, Priorities Fluid Flow Analysis Methods, Pressure Measurement and their Utilization Design, Direction, Analysis See Figure 5 Figure 4: Reservoir classification through the integrated Before the Exploitation Along the Exploitation testing of the system Information's on the Fluids Well Testing Fluid Flow Analysis Methods, Pressure Measurement and their Utilization Information's on the Well Exploitation Information's on the Injections, EOR’s etc. Well Testing Methods Most Important Interpretation Collector Parameters Others Figure 2: Well testing programming Solution for Different Initial and A n o i t a u l a v E Fluid Flow Equations Boundary conditions and Geometry d n a s u t a t S n o i t a m r o F / l l e W n o i t a t i o l p x E s r e t e m a r a P n o i t a t i o l p x E Horizontal Wells s n o i t a l u c l a C r, r’, s, k ,k e tc. Testing v h s ’ R O E ) t c e f f e n i k S ( e g a m a D e r o b l l e W e n i l c e D e r u s s e r P y t i l i b a e m r e P w o L y t i l i b a e m r e P e s U Drawdown & Buildup kh, s’1, s’2, s, D, pr, Δps, Testing, Initial Pressure pores volume, pi, pa s l l e W , s i s y l a n A e l p m a S , s e u q i n h c e T g n i t s e T l l e W n g i s e D R O E s ' n o i t a m r o f n I l a n o i t i d d A , n o i t a t i o l p x E n o i t a z i l i t U n o i t a m r o f n I n o i t a m i t s E l a n i F Fractured Collectors Cs, CsD, k, Φct, s’, sf, xf, ω, λ s r o t c a F e n i l c e D n o i t c u d o r P t n e m e v o r p m I g n i t s e T l l e W Fluid Flow Regime k, s, kf, C, CD, CDf, m, Δ, ω A Figure 3: Well selection for the purpose of the EOR optimization Fracking kfu, sf, r’u, xf, (kfbf)D, r’w/xf, kfbf Drilling samples analysis ensures valuable information’s regarding the preliminary identification of the rocks. The well testing process somehow support toward its Wells Interference kh/μ, Φhc, Φμct, k, s, ν, Φt, khm improvement. Also, the well testing support, regarding the identification of all areas with low permeability whose can create difficulties during the normal process of the reservoir Heterogeneous kx, ky, kxy, kmin, kmax, Θ, Φt, Φμct, kht exploitation, or even for the identification of all areas with Reservoirs Analysis well-developed fractures, and by summarizing it helps for Figure 5: Different analysis system for the collector the preparation of the permeability map of the formation. properties calculation The main goal of the reservoir engineering is the OR International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, July 2016 1648 http://ijesc.org/ The multilayers reservoirs well testing, including the natural Geological Modeling Petroleum Engineering Modeling · Geophysical logging · Petroleum Engineering · Mapping and profile creation based in the · Data Entering in the Reservoir Model fracturing reservoirs, the solution of the flow differential surface geology equations with constant flow or pressure, and the economic Geophysical Modeling Geostatistical Modeling · Space Distribution of the Collector Properties aspects of the exploitation of these kinds of reservoirs, have · Seismic and their Correlations been always challenging for their industrial exploitation.
Recommended publications
  • Production Management
    Process Solutions Guide Production Management Key Benefits Common Common GAS • Improve availability of wells and Header #1 Header #2 Gas Lift GAS facilities Production Separator OIL • Manage declining production and Well 1 Oil / Gas / Water WATER dynamic production characteristics Test Separator Flow • Improve reservoir modeling GAS Computer 3-Phase Separator OIL • Reduce cost of maintenance and Well 40 WATER operations 2-Phase GAS Turbine Water Cut Separator Meter Probe OIL & WATER Proven Coriolis Applications Net Oil Tank • Gas lift System Coriolis Computer Meter • Volume measure of oil, gas and MANUAL/AUTO produced water SAMPLING Process Diagram • Net oil / water cut Process Overview Production management involves establishing and maintaining optimal hydrocarbon production rates (oil / natural gas) while maximizing the overall recovery of the hydrocarbons available in the reservoir (yield). Production facilities are either oil or natural gas predominant and depending upon the type of reservoir or production methodology employed can produce various combinations and quantities of oil / condensate, natural gas and water. Well production is dependent upon the rate at which hydrocarbons flow toward the well bore and the reservoir pressure available to move the fluids to the surface for production. Over time, well production is typically assisted through artificial lift technology to help pump produced fluids to the surface. This can involve surface rod pumps, Electric Submersible Pumps, plunger lift or gas lift systems. Decline in reservoir pressure is countered with Secondary Recovery methods that involve the injection of natural gas or water back into the reservoir through injection wells to maintain reservoir pressure. The produced fluids from each well are measured to determine the volume production rate of oil, natural gas and water from each well in the field.
    [Show full text]
  • The Expanding Scope of Well Testing
    59605schD7R1.qxp:59605schD7R1 5/25/07 4:25 PM Page 44 The Expanding Scope of Well Testing Well testing has come a long way since the first drillstem test was run in 1926. From a simple composite packer and valve run on drillstring, the scope of well testing has blossomed into a broad array of sophisticated downhole and surface technologies. Hani Aghar Every E&P company wants to know what type of By measuring in-situ reservoir conditions and In Salah Gas (Joint venture of fluids its well will produce, what flow rates the fluids as they flow from the formation, the testing Sonatrach, BP and Statoil) well will deliver, and how long production can process gives E&P companies access to a variety Hassi-Messaoud, Algeria be sustained. Given the right planning, of dynamic and often unique measurements. technology and implementation, well testing can Depending on the scale of a test, some param - Mark Carie provide many answers to these important eters are measured at multiple points along the New Orleans, Louisiana, USA questions. In one form or another, well testing flow path, allowing engineers to compare Hani Elshahawi has been used to determine reservoir pressures, downhole pressures, temperatures and flow rates Shell International Exploration distance to boundaries, areal extent, fluid against surface measurements of the same and Production properties, permeability, flow rates, drawdown parameters (below). Through well testing, Houston, Texas, USA pressures, formation heterogeneities, vertical operators can extract reservoir fluid samples— layering, production capacity, formation damage, both downhole and at the surface—to observe Jaime Ricardo Gomez productivity index, completion efficiency changes in fluid properties and composition Jawaid Saeedi and more.
    [Show full text]
  • Well Testing Systems
    NORSOK STANDARD SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WELL TESTING SYSTEMS D-SR-007 Rev.1, January 1996 Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the NORSOK standards neither OLF nor TBL or any of their members will assume liability for any use thereof. Well testing systems D-SR-007 Rev. 1, January 1996 CONTENTS 1 FOREWORD 2 2 SCOPE 2 3 NORMATIVE REFERENCES 2 4 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS 3 4.1 Definitions 3 4.2 Abbreviations 3 5 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS 3 5.1 General 3 5.2 Products/services 3 5.3 Equipment/schematic 4 5.4 Performance/output 5 5.5 Regularity 5 5.6 Process/ambient conditions 5 5.7 Operational requirements 5 5.8 Maintenance requirements 7 5.9 Isolation and sectioning 7 5.10 Layout requirements 7 5.11 Interface requirements 7 5.12 Commissioning requirements 7 6 INFORMATIVE REFERENCES 8 ANNEX A SERVICE DATA SHEETS 9 ANNEX B EQUIPMENT DATA SHEET 19 NORSOK standard 1 of 38 Well testing systems D-SR-007 Rev. 1, January 1996 1 FOREWORD NORSOK (The competitive standing of the Norwegian offshore sector) is the industry initiative to add value, reduce cost and lead time and remove unnecessary activities in offshore field developments and operations. The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry as a part of the NORSOK initiative and are jointly issued by OLF (The Norwegian Oil Industry Association) and TBL (The Federation of Norwegian Engineering Industries). NORSOK standards are administered by NTS (Norwegian Technology Standards Institution). The purpose of this industry standard is to replace the individual oil company specifications for use in existing and future petroleum industry developments, subject to the individual company's review and application.
    [Show full text]
  • Using Multi-Phase Flow Meters for Well Test Optimization in the New Digital Yet Cost Sensitive Environment
    Using Multi-Phase Flow Meters for Well Test Optimization in the new Digital yet Cost Sensitive Environment Daniel Sequeira Haimo America Inc. APR, 2020 Contents ❑ Conventional Well Testing ❑ Multiphase Meter Technology ❑ Why Multiphase Meters ❑ MPFM + AI in Well Testing ❑ Conclusions Conventional Well Testing Various types of well testing is conducted throughout the lifetime of producing wells • In the petroleum industry, a well test is the execution of a set of planned data acquisition activities. The acquired data is analyzed to broaden the knowledge and increase the understanding of the hydrocarbon properties therein and characteristics of the underground reservoir where the hydrocarbons are trapped….. The overall objective is identifying the reservoir's capacity to produce hydrocarbons, such as oil, natural gas and condensate. – Wikipedia • A “well test” is simply a period of time during which the production of the well is measured, either at the well head with portable well test equipment, or in a production facility – PetroWiki • Users of the well test data & information within the operator organization include amongst others Facilities, Production, Reservoir & Allocation Engineers, as also Hydrocarbon Accounting & senior management. Daily Well Testing - Allocation & Prod. Mgt Daily tests are conducted during production phase to obtain average daily production of oil, gas and water “Daily” test procedures usually require the rates of liquid, gas, pressure and temperature to be stable 24 hours or other fixed period. Due to "unstable" production conditions, and delays introduced by test separators, extended testing period is often required, sometimes reaching 5-7 days. Costs associated could be very high. Periodic well tests on the production plant is the conventional way to get an estimated or theoretical production contribution per phase fraction per well per month.
    [Show full text]
  • Well Integrity in Drilling and Well Operations
    NORSOK Standard D-010 Rev. 4, June 2013 Well integrity in drilling and well operations This NORSOK standard is developed with broad petroleum industry participation by interested parties in the Norwegian petroleum industry and is owned by the Norwegian petroleum industry represented by the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association and The Federation of Norwegian Industries. Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this NORSOK standard, neither the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association nor The Federation of Norwegian Industries or any of their members will assume liability for any use thereof. Standards Norway is responsible for the administration and publication of this NORSOK standard. Standards Norway Telephone: + 47 67 83 86 00 Strandveien 18, P.O. Box 242 Fax: + 47 67 83 86 01 N-1326 Lysaker Email: [email protected] NORWAY Website: www.standard.no/petroleum Copyrights reserved Provided by Standard Online AS for Oljedirektoratet 2014-10-30 © NORSOK. Any enquiries regarding reproduction should be addressed to Standard Online AS. www.standard.no Provided by Standard Online AS for Oljedirektoratet 2014-10-30 D-010, Rev. 4, June 2013 NORSOK Standard D-010 Well integrity in drilling and well operations Contents 1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 2 Normative and informative references ................................................................................................... 7 2.1
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance on Safety of Well Testing
    TECHNICAL REPORT MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE (MMS) GUIDANCE ON SAFETY OF WELL TESTING REPORT NO. 4273776/DNV REVISION NO. 01 DET NORSKE VERITAS DET NORSKE VERITAS Report No:4273776/DNV rev. 01 TECHNICAL REPORT Date of first issue: Project No.: 2004-07-01 72501050 DET NORSKE V ERITAS Technology Services. N America Approved by: ~ Urqanisational unit: Ame Edvin L¢ken Marine & Process Systems 163.W Park Ten Place Head of Section Suite 100 Houston 7708-1 United Stairs c.;lient: Client ref.: Tel: + I 28 1 7'.! I 6600 Fa.: + I 18 1 7'.!I 6833 Minerals Management Service (MMS) Mathew Quinney hup //www dnv.com Summary: Based on a Joint Industry Project managed by DNV this report has been produced providing guidance on a number of key areas with respect to flow testing of wells. The guidance focuses on aspects of well testing which represent a departure from fairly traditional testing carried out in shallow water, and for which there is a relatively good safety record. The principal areas addressed include : • Testing from floating installations in deepwater • Testing of High Pressure High Temperature wells • Testing from Dynamically Positioned vessels • Temporary storage and offloading of crude oil • Testing in arctic areas The Guidance relates only to safety considerations and not operational efficiency. The Guidance is aimed at all the parties involved in a welJ test operation : - The Licensee (Operator) - Drilling Contractor - Service Company - Regulatory Inspector Reoort No.: Subject Group: 4273776/DNV Indexing terms RePort title: Kev words ervice Area Safety of Well Testing Safety Technical Well Testing Market ector Exploration D No distribution without permission from the client or responsible organisational unit D free distribution within DNV after 3 years D Strictly confidential Date of this revision: 15 Nov 2004 IZ! Unrestricted distribution Page i Rderence to part of this report which may kad to misinterpretation is nocpermissibk.
    [Show full text]
  • New Approach for In-Line Production Testing for Mature Oil Fields Using Clamp-On SONAR Flow Metering System
    New Approach For In-Line Production Testing for Mature Oil Fields Using Clamp-on SONAR Flow Metering System Giovanni Morra, Sara Scagliotti (Eni E&P) Dhia Naeem, Ali Al Alwan (South Oil Company Iraq) Siddesh Sridhar, Ahmed Hussein (Expro Meters) Abstract Monitoring produced oil, gas and water rates from individual wells plays an important role in reservoir management and production optimization. While beneficial, obtaining timely and accurate wellhead measurements can be challenging due to a range of factors. This paper describes a cost-effective and convenient approach to production surveillance of black oil wells using clamp-on flow meters (Sonar), integrated with a PVT and multiphase flow engine to calculate the properties of the produced fluids, and the individual phase flow rates. The PVT engine calculates the gas and liquid properties of the produced fluids, at the pressure and temperature conditions measured where the Sonar flow meter is clamped-on. The Sonar flow meter provides a direct measurement of the mixture flow velocity within the flow line. The mixture flow velocity is then interpreted in terms of actual gas and liquid flow rates. Once the gas and liquid flow rates are determined at actual conditions, the oil, water, and gas flow rates are reported at standard conditions based on the PVT data calculated by the PVT engine. The new approach was deployed in a mature field to test 6 different wells against existing conventional test separators as the reference. The tests showed that Sonar meters could be installed either upstream or downstream of the choke manifold thus allowing more flexibility in terms of field installation.
    [Show full text]
  • Occupational Safety and Health for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations
    Occupational Safety and Health for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 54 FOURTH EDITION, FEBRUARY 2019 Special Notes Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights. Classified areas may vary depending on the location, conditions, equipment, and substances involved in any given situation. Users of this Recommended Practice should consult with the appropriate authorities having jurisdiction. API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction. Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to particular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer, the manufacturer or supplier of that material, or the material safety data sheet. Where applicable, authorities having jurisdiction should be consulted. Work sites and equipment operations may differ. Users are solely responsible for assessing their specific equipment and premises in determining the appropriateness of applying the Recommended Practice. At all times users should employ sound business, scientific, engineering, and judgment safety when using this Recommended Practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin I
    Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin i The Beam Lift Handbook First Edition, Revised by Paul M. Bommer and A. L. Podio Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin published by The University of Texas at Austin PETROLEUM EXTENSION 2015 iii Contents Figures x Tables xviii Foreword xxi Preface xxiii Acknowledgments xxv About the Authors xxvii Introduction xxix Reference xxxi 1. Beam Lift Goals and System Design 1-1 Goals 1-1 Unconstrained Design 1-4 Example 1, Initial Reservoir Pressure Just Above the Bubble Point 1-4 Example 2, Shallow Well Pumping From Reservoir Undergoing Successful Waterflood 1-18 Constrained Design 1-22 Example 3, Casing Size Limits Tubing Size 1-22 Example 4, Maximum Production Using Available Equipment 1-25 Example 5, Gear Box Capacity Constraint 1-28 Example 6, Flowing While Pumping 1-30 Example 7, Coal Bed Methane Pumping 1-32 Example 8, Pumping From Highly Deviated Wells 1-33 References 1-38 Bibliography 1-38 2. Monitoring and Analysis of Performance 2-1 Recommended Practices for the Monitoring and Analysis of Pumping System Performance 2-1 Dynamometer Analysis 2-1 Collecting Dynamometer Data 2-6 Data Quality Control 2-7 Analyzing the Dynamometer Data 2-8 Polished Rod Power 2-8 Valve Test 2-11 Fluid Load and Working Fluid Level 2-11 Wellbore Pressures 2-12 Maximum Gear Box Torque and Counterbalance Condition 2-13 Permissible Load Diagram 2-16 PetroleumFluid Slippage Extension-The and TV Leakage University of Texas at2-16 Austin The TV Test 2-17 Leakage Rate Calculation 2-20 TV Test for
    [Show full text]
  • Best Practices for Real Time Monitoring of Offshore Well Construction
    Best Practices for Real Time Monitoring of Offshore Well Construction DRAFT REPORT v3.0 03-MARCH, 2017 Prepared by: Eric van Oort, Nathan Zenero, and Cesar Gongora on Behalf of: Ocean Energy Safety Institute 1470 William D Fitch Pkwy, College Station, TX 77845 Best Practices for Real Time Monitoring of Offshore Well Construction Statement of Purpose In 2016, new well-control rules were established (CFR § 250.724) whereby operators are required to provide real-time monitoring plans and capabilities for operations in the OCS detailing at least the following technical and operational capabilities: • How the RTM data will be transmitted onshore, how the data will be labeled and monitored by qualified onshore personnel, and how the data will be stored onshore; • A description of procedures for providing BSEE access, upon request, to the RTM data including, if applicable, the location of any onshore data monitoring or data storage facilities; • Onshore monitoring personnel qualifications; • Methods and procedures for communications between rig and onshore personnel; • Actions that will be taken in case of loss of RTM capabilities or rig-to-shore communications; and • A protocol for responding to significant or prolonged interruptions of RTM capabilities or communications, including procedures for notifying the District Manager of such interruptions. As written the rule is open to interpretation. Therefore, to provide additional clarity regarding § 250.724 OESI has provide a collection of recommendations that are likely to satisfy the spirit of the rule without imposing undue burdens on operators or prescribing specific technologies or practices. The central purpose of this document is two-fold: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • MODELING of UNCONTROLLED FLUID FLOW in WELLBORE and ITS PREVENTION a Dissertation by RUOCHEN LIU Submitted to the Office Of
    MODELING OF UNCONTROLLED FLUID FLOW IN WELLBORE AND ITS PREVENTION A Dissertation by RUOCHEN LIU Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, M. Sam Mannan Co-Chair of Committee, A. Rashid Hasan Committee Members, M. Nazmul Krim Mahmoud El-Halwagi Head of Department, M. Nazmul Karim May 2016 Major Subject: Chemical Engineering Copyright 2016 Ruochen Liu ABSTRACT Uncontrolled fluid flow in the wellbore is one of the most critical safety concerns for the oil and gas industry. The major focus of this dissertation is on blowout events given the most severe consequences associated with such incidents. The past tragedies reflect a strong need for not only understanding the mechanisms of blowout to accurately estimate the consequence, but also the approaches to managing and controlling the risks, uncertainties, and hazards associated with blowout events. A fully integrated analytical model that couples the reservoir and wellbore has been proposed to investigate the fluid behaviors during the blowout events. This model could be used to simulate any potential blowout events for gas, oil, or oil/gas wells at onshore or offshore facilities. The reservoir, wellbore, and their interactions are coupled together to demonstrate a full picture of the potential well blowout incidents. The results reveal that understanding the importance of heat transfer and multi-phase flow behaviors is essential to accurately estimate the consequence of well blowouts. Well-established computational algorithms are developed to effectively estimate the blowout rate and total discharge amount during blowout incidents.
    [Show full text]