Method for enhancing production allocation in an integrated reservoir and suface flow system

• US 20080065363A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Usuf Middya
• Original Assignee: Usuf Middya
• Inventors: Middya, Usuf
• Granted Patent: US 7,752,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/10
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/00 Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells applicable only to water E03B
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well

Abstract

A method for enhancing allocation of fluid flow rates among a plurality of wellbores coupled to surface facilities is disclosed. The method includes modeling fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and reservoirs penetrated by the wellbores. The method includes modeling fluid flow characteristics of the surface facilities. An optimizer adapted to determine an enhanced value of an objective function corresponding to the modeled fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and the surface facilities is then operated. The objective function relates to at least one production system performance parameter. Fluid flow rates are then allocated according to the optimization.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing allocation of fluid flow rates among a plurality of wellbores coupled to surface facilities, comprising:

modeling fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and at least one reservoir penetrated thereby;

modeling fluid flow characteristics of the surface facilities;

operating an optimizer adapted to determine an enhanced value of an objective function, the objective function corresponding simultaneously to the modeled fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and the surface facilities, the objective function relating to at least one production system performance parameter; and

allocating fluid flow rates among the plurality of wellbores as determined by the operating the optimizer.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises economic value.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises minimum water production rate.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises minimum gas/oil ratio.

5. A method for optimizing allocation of fluid flow rates among a plurality of wellbores coupled to surface facilities, comprising:

modeling fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and at least one reservoir penetrated thereby;

modeling fluid flow characteristics of the surface facilities;

optimizing an objective function, the objective function corresponding simultaneously to the modeled fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and the surface facilities, the objective function relating to at least one production system performance parameter; and

allocating fluid flow rates among the plurality of wellbores as determined by the optimizing.

8. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises gas/oil ratio.

6. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises economic value.

7. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the at least one production system performance parameter comprises water production rate.