Abstract
During the recent decades, a significant number of multi-laterals wells with smart completions controlled by different flow control technologies has been installed worldwide. This case study is based on a reservoir developed completely with multi-lateral wells. Each well is completed with three to seven laterals with different flow control technologies.
The study covers an analytical methodology and a multiphase flow model to optimize production that has multi-lateral wells equipped with flow control devices. Optimizing the complexity of this system, and understanding the contribution of each lateral during commingled production, has become a challenging process and is the main objective of this study.
A multi-lateral well modelling process was developed to obtain a representative model, which can predict accurate results under different operational conditions. The paper also covers a well test procedure, which is essential to guarantee the good quality of the data and ensure representative results.
This methodology covers two main factors affecting multi-lateral productivity, which are a flow dependent gas-oil ratio (GOR) rate and interference between the laterals.
The multilateral production optimization process was developed successfully to represent the operational conditions and optimize the well for different scenarios based on their specific reservoir management strategy. This model was extended successfully from a single to a multi-well model, including their actual surface facility network. The model will be considered in future production strategy plans.
