Hydraulic Analysis of Gas/Oil/Sand Flow in Horizontal Wells

Bello, O. O., Udong, I. N., Falcone, G. and Teodoriu, C. (2010) Hydraulic Analysis of Gas/Oil/Sand Flow in Horizontal Wells. In: SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Lima, Peru, 1-3 Dec 2010, (doi: 10.2118/136874-MS)

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Abstract

The limited knowledge and understanding of three-phase gas-oil-sand flow behaviour and transport processes has hampered the design, safe operation and project profitability of horizontal wells deployment in unconsolidated hydrocarbon reservoirs. This work presents analytical equations for calculating pressure drop characteristics and optimal flow rate to avoid sand particles deposition and accumulation in a horizontal production well under steady state conditions. The analysis is based on multiphase transport fundamentals and mechanics of particle motion in three-phase flow. The pressure gradient results predicted by the proposed model show a satisfactory agreement with a published model. A sensitivity study is then made (after model validation) using the new model to investigate effects of operating, design and system parameters on pressure gradient and optimal transport velocity under wide-ranging conditions found in practice. The potential advantages of the new methodology are also reported.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Falcone, Professor Gioia
Authors: Bello, O. O., Udong, I. N., Falcone, G., and Teodoriu, C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy

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