Introduction to Nodal Analysis

Introduction to Nodal Analysis

Instructional Objectives

1. Explain the concept of Nodal Analysis. 2. List 4 segments in the reservoir/well system where pressure loss occurs. 3. Define the following terms: inflow performance curve, outflow performance curve, system graph, solution node.

Pressure Losses in Well System

P4 = (Pwh - Psep) Pwh Psep
Liquid Gas

Sales line Stock tank

P1 = Pr - Pwfs P3 = Pwf - Pwh P2 = Pwfs - Pwf P3 = Pwf - Pwh P4 = Pwh - Psep PT = Pr - Psep

= Loss in reservoir = Loss across completion = Loss in tubing = Loss in flowline = Total pressure loss

Pwf

Pwfs

Pr

Pe

P1 = (Pr - Pwfs) P2 = (Pwfs - Pwf)

Adapted from Mach et al, SPE 8025, 1979.

Nodal Analysis
P4 = (Pwh - Psep) Pwh Psep
Liquid Gas

Sales line Stock tank

P1 = Pr - Pwfs P3 = Pwf - Pwh P2 = Pwfs - Pwf P3 = Pwf - Pwh P4 = Pwh - Psep PT = Pr - Psep

= Loss in reservoir = Loss across completion = Loss in tubing = Loss in flowline = Total pressure loss

Pwf

Pwfs

Pr

Pe

P1 = (Pr - Pwfs) P2 = (Pwfs - Pwf)

Adapted from Mach et al, SPE 8025, 1979.

Inflow Performance Curve

3500

Inflow (Reservoir) Curve Flowing bottomhole pressure, psi

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

Production rate, STB/D

Outflow Performance Curve

3500

Flowing bottomhole pressure, psi

3000

Outflow (Tubing) Curve

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

Production rate, STB/D

System Graph
3500

Flowing bottomhole pressure, psi

3000

Inflow (Reservoir) Curve Outflow (Tubing) Curve

2500

1957.1 psi
2000

1500

1000

500

2111 STB/D

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

Production rate, STB/D

Solution Node At Wellhead

P4 = (Pwh - Psep) Pwh Psep
Liquid Gas

Sales line Stock tank

P1 = Pr - Pwfs P3 = Pwf - Pwh P2 = Pwfs - Pwf P3 = Pwf - Pwh P4 = Pwh - Psep PT = Pr - Psep

= Loss in reservoir = Loss across completion = Loss in tubing = Loss in flowline = Total pressure loss

Pwf

Pwfs

Pr

Pe

P1 = (Pr - Pwfs) P2 = (Pwfs - Pwf)

Adapted from Mach et al, SPE 8025, 1979.

System Graph - Wellhead Node

1600 1400

Inflow Curve Outflow Curve

Flowing wellhead pressure, psi

1200 1000 800

500 psi
600 400 200 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

2050 STB/D

Production rate, STB/D

Nodal Analysis : Uses

Estimation of Reservoir Parameters e.g
Skin Permeability Reservoir Pressure Note : Non unique solutions unless only one unknown

Evaluation of Potential Stimulation Treatments

Primarily through reduction in skin Parameter sensitivity studies are important

Nodal Analysis
Two Main Components
Inflow Performance Curve/Relationship (IPR) Oil or Gas Flowrate vs Bottomhole Flowing Pressure Ordinate Origin = Reservoir Pressure (p = 0 Abscissa Intercept = Absolute Open Flow Potential (p = pr Outflow Curve (Tubing Intake) Function of Hydrostatic, Friction & Acceleration Components Curves Shifted by Wellhead Pressure & Artificial Lift Intercept of Curves Gives FBHP (psi) & Flowrate q = Max) q = 0)

Nodal Analysis
Reservoir Pressure Inflow Pressure at Node Operating Point

Pressure PWF

Outflow

Operating Flowrate

Flowrate (stb/d)

The Inflow Performance Relationship Dependent On:

Fluid Properties Oil Viscosity, Gas oil Ratio, Bubble Point Formation Volume Factor, Density Gas Viscosity, Z Factor, Compressibility Density Inflow Correlation Used e.g. Oil - Darcy, Vogel, Gas - Jones, Darcy Well Geometry i.e. Vertical or Horizontal Formation Properties Reservoir Pressure Permeability Skin (Includes deviation, perforation, damage etc) Net Pay Height

Effect of Skin on IPR

Pressure at Node

Inflow (IPR) Outflow SKIN 10 5 0 -1 -3

Flowrate

ln re +S rw Note : Log effect

qo 1/

Effect of Pressure Depletion on IPR

Reservoir with no pressure support

Pressure at Node

Inflow Outflow

Oil Recovery (% STOIIP) 12 8 4 0

Flowrate

The Outflow Performance Relationship Dependent On:

Fluid Properties Oil Viscosity, Gas oil Ratio, Bubble Point Formation Volume Factor, Density Gas Viscosity, Z Factor, Compressibility Density Outflow Correlation Used e.g. Oil - Duns & Ross, Gas - Gray Friction Completion Properties Tubing Size Tubing Restrictions Tubing Roughness

Effect of Tubing Size on Outflow

For a Tubing Restricted Well
Inflow (IPR)
Pressure at Node

Outflow
2 3/8 2 7/8 3 1/2 4 1/2

Flowrate (stb/d)

Solution Procedures for Oil wells

Node location 1. separator 3. Pwh 6. Pwf 8. Pr

Solution at bottom of the well

Node location 1. separator 3. Pwh 6. Pwf 8. Pr

Step by step solution procedure

(1) Assume several rates and construct the IPR curve (2) Assume several flow rates and obtain the required well head pressures necessary to move the fluids through the horizontal flowline to the separator (3) Using the same assumed flowrate as step 2 and the corresponding Pwh determine Pwf (4) Plot IPR curve and and Pwf from step 3

Assumed rate, Pwf for constant Pwf for Vogel, b/d J, psi Klik om het opmaakprofiel van ___ __psi ___ __ ___ _____________ de modeltekst 200 2000 2000

te__________ __ ________ bewerken

Tweede niveau _____ ______
600 Derde ______ ____ niveau 800
Vierde niveau _____ ______

400

1800 1600 1400 1200 700

1800 1590 1350 1067

1000 1500

Vijfde niveau _____ ______

Pressure 100 psi

Pwh

Lenght, 1000ft

Assumed rate, b/d 200 400 600 800 1000 1500

Pwh (required horiz), psi 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 700

Pressure 100 psi

Pwf

Depth, 1000 ft

Assumed rate, b/d 200 400 600 800 1000 1500

Pwh horiz, Psi 115 140 180 230 275 420

Tubing intake (node outflow), psi 750 880 1030 1225 1370 1840

Rate (Vogel)

Rate (linear)

Solution at top of the well

Node location 1. separator 3. Pwh 6. Pwf 8. Pr

Step by step solution procedure

(1) Assume several flowrates as before (2) Start with the separator pressure and find the required wellhead pressures to move the fluids horizontally (3) Using the same asumed flow rates and starting from Pr find the corresponding Pwf for the reservoir to produce these rates (4) Using the flowing pressures obtained in 3 determine the permissible wellhead pressure for these flowrates (5) plot the wellhead pressures of step 2 vs wellhead pressures of step 4 to obtain the flowrate

Assumed rate, Pwf for constant Pwf for Vogel, b/d J, psi Klik om het opmaakprofiel van ___ __psi ___ __ ___ _____________ de modeltekst 200 2000 2000

te__________ __ ________ bewerken

Tweede niveau _____ ______
600 Derde ______ ____ niveau 800
Vierde niveau _____ ______

400

1800 1600 1400 1200 700

1800 1590 1350 1067

1000 1500

Vijfde niveau _____ ______

Pressure 100 psi

Pwh

Lenght, 1000ft

Pressure 100 psi

Pwh

Depth, 1000 ft

Rate (linear)

Rate (Vogel)

Solution node at the separator

Node location 1. separator 3. Pwh 6. Pwf 8. Pr

Step by step solution procedure

(1) Assume various flowrates (2) Start with the other end position at Pr and determine the flowing borttom hole pressures necessary for the well to produce the assumed flowrates (3) Start with the Pwf values of step 2 as tubing intake pressure and find Pwh (4) Starting with Pwh of step 3 find the corresponding permissible separator pressures for each rate (5) Plot the separator pressure vs rate drawing the constant separator pressure