Abstract
One of the great challenges facing our industry is accurate prediction of well inflow. Conventional methods have been too cumbersome and imprecise and have suffered from a lack of accuracy and clarity. Informed use of computational fluid dynamics, fine scale modelling and improved computing power enable far more accurate prediction of the impact of formation damage and thus of well performance.
The accurate prediction of well performance helps with appraisal of development prospects, well planning and reliable prediction of true well and field value. If we know what the outcome of our actions and of our well designs will be, then we can make sensible and informed choices on damage impact and mitigation.
Results from laboratory simulations of drilling and completion operations were generated from "standard" return permeability testing. The detailed data obtained, and its millimetre scale resolution was incorporated in to a well specific model. The damaged and undamaged states were examined using flow rate predictive computational fluid dynamics. The impact on flow in a single and dual permeability reservoir interval were calculated. In a specific example presented, the case for underbalance drilling was clearly made as the impact of overbalance drilling was predicted to have a severe impact on well productivity.
The results of accurate and detailed laboratory simulation of formation damage have been translated using innovative software applications to give a prediction of well performance. This is the first time that computational fluid dynamics has been employed to predict well performance based on high quality laboratory testing. In future the laboratory tests will be designed to yield data most useful for the model and the model and grid scale will continue to be adjusted based on the specific challenge and objective. The detailed workflow used to achieve more accurate well performance prediction will be outlined in the paper.
