13304

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING I
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
GAS WELL
• Darcy’s Law for Oil flow is also used in equation of gas flow
• The solution of partial differential equation from combination of
The Continuity and Darcy’s Law for radial flow
• The unit of variables:
• Pr : reservoir pressure, psia
• Pwf : flowing bottom hole pressure, psia
• k = permeability, md
• h = formation thickness, ft
• TR : reservoir temperature, oR
GAS WELL
gas reservoir
Pr Specific assumptions:
Pressure

➢ the compressibility and the viscosity

of the fluid can’t be considered as
constant

➢ the flow rate is high → turbulence

→ more pressure losses

➢ the liquid fraction is neglected

Pwf

Temperature
Basic Equation Gas Flow in Porous Medium
q sc =
(
0.703x10 −6 kh Pr2 − Pwf2 ) • Derivation of Darcy’s law for gas in
radial flow.
  re  
 g TR Z ln   − 0.75 • Similar single model as mentioned in
  rw   Darcy’s Law for Oil flow is also used in
this derivation
0.703x10 −6 kh
C= • The first equation on the left is Darcy’s
 r   Law for gas flow
g TR Z ln  e  − 0.75
  rw   • In this equation the main assumption
is the gas flow is laminar
(
q sc = C Pr2 − Pwf2 ) • The unit of variables:
• Pr : reservoir pressure, psia
• Pwf : flowing bottom hole pressure, psia
• Z : gas compressibility • k = permeability, md
• re : draiange radius, ft
• h = formation thickness, ft
• rw : wellbore radius, ft
• TR : reservoir temperature, oR
• qsc : gas production rate, MMSCF/d
• C : performance constant of well
Gas Flow Equation – Turbulent Flow
• Based on empirical observations,
Ideal – Laminar Flow Rawlins and Schellhardt modified the
(
q sc = C Pr2 − Pwf2 ) equation, by adding the exponent “n”
that shows deviation from the ideal
flow behavior.
• Refer to the equation for non-ideal
condition, the relationship of qsc vs
(
q sc = C P − P r
2 2 n
wf ) (Pr2-Pwf2) would develop straight line
in a log-log plot.
Non - Ideal – Turbulent Flow • The slope of the plot would be equal
to 1 in laminar flow, and less than 1 in
The values of C and n are obtained turbulent flow.
using test data • The minimum value of n is 0.5
Back Pressure Test
• The first method of test to determine
productivity of gas wells is Back Pressure Test
• The diagram on the left show how the test is
conducted
• The first step, the well is shut in until the
pressure in the reservoir reach reservoir
pressure
• Then the well is produced at a certain rate (by
applying a certain choke size), and the test is
run until a constant production rate is obtained.
At this flow period the bottom hole flowing
pressure is measured
• The above procedure are repeated 4 times, and
the result could be plotted in log-log paper.
Isochronal Test
• The procedure is quite similar to Back
Pressure Test, unless in isochronal test,
the well is shut in before changing the
flow rate.
• The production period and shut in
period are conducted at certain period
of time, and this step is repeated 4 times,
at different flow rate.
• This test represent transient conditions
• At the end of test, prolong production
test is conducted to obtain stabilized
pressure. This test show stabilized
deliverability line
Modified Isochronal Test
• Similar procedure to Isochronal
test is conducted, unless the period
time of production and shut in are
conducted in the same time. The
test are concluded by conducting
extended flow rate.
• The data interpretation is similar to
isochronal test, unless the value of
Pr is taken from the data at every
shut in condition.
IPR curve (gas well)
• In a case of a gas well, the IPR is a curve. Mainly two models can be used to represent the
behaviour of the gas flowing in the reservoir : the 2 back pressure equations.

• The parameters of these models can be determined with help from isochronal well test
results. The most adequate model is the one which is the closest to the measurements.

• The default model is the second back pressure equation. In this equation, n is all the more
close to 0.5 that the flow is turbulent.
MODELS

In the case of stabilized high flow rates, 2 main types of gas well
behaviours:

First back pressure Equation Second back pressure Equation

aqg +b−
(P
r
2
− Pwf2 )
=0 (
qg = C P − P 2 2
)
n
r wf
qg

2 parameters to characterize the well behaviour:

(a ; b) or (C ; n) determined from well tests
KATZ’S TEST
Pwf

Pwf initial = Pr Prm

Pwf1 stabilized pressure

Pwf2
Pwf3
Pwf5
Pwf4

q
q5
q4
q3
q2
q1

t1i t1f t2i t2f t3i t3f t4i t4f Time

t tbu  tbu t tbu t

t
In this test, Pwfi and q are unstable values
IDENTIFICATION OF BOTH BACK PRESSURE EQUATIONS FROM WELL TESTS

First Back Pressure Equation

aq + b −
(Pr
2
− Pwf2 )=0 aq + b =
(P r
2
− Pwf2 )
q q

Second Back Pressure Equation

(
qg = C P − P
r
2 2 n
wf ) (
log qg = log C + n log Pr2 − Pwf2 )

can be written as linear functions

CASE OF STABILIZED WELL TEST

example of the identification of the second back pressure equation

log-log plot
(
log qg = log C + n log Pr2 − Pwf2 )
log qg
n
n = slope of the
linear regression

( 2
log Prm − Pwf2 )
logC logC = intersection between the linear
regression and the logq axis
CASE OF NON STABILIZED WELL TESTS

example of the identification of the second back pressure equation

points obtained
log q during drawdown periods
(Pwfi,qi) , i = 1..4

point obtained
with (Pwf5,q5) = stabilized point

(
log Prm2 − Pwf2 )
logC

(
qg = C P − P r
2
)
2 n
wf
 METHOD TO IDENTIFY MODEL PARAMETERS
WITH WELL TESTS MEASUREMENTS
With well tests, we measure 4 or 5 times q and Pwf

Back Pressure 1 Back Pressure 2

()
log Pr2m −Pw2f

We calculate
(Pr
2
− Pwf2 ) We calculate log q and (
log Prm2 − Pwf2 ) ()
log Pr2m −Pw2f

We plot q versus
(Pr
2
− Pwf2 ) (
log Prm2 − Pwf2 )
()
log Pr2m −Pw2f
We plot log q versus ()
log Pr2m −Pw2f

q
linear regression (+ use of stabilized (q,Pwf)) linear regression (+ use of stabilized (q,Pwf))

a and b determination n and logC determination

model 1 model 2
ABSOLUTE OPEN FLOW POTENTIAL

AOFP represents the case of production where Pwf = 0.

In this case, P1 is maximum, because :

P1 = PrShutIn − Pwf
0
Then, the production rate is maximum
(by considering only the reservoir point of view).

example : The 2nd back pressure equation : (

qg = C P − P
r
2
)
2 n
wf

can be written : AOFP = C P 2 (

rShutIn )
n
INFLOW – EXERCISE7 : MODELING OF A GAS WELL
BEHAVIOUR
A dry gas well was tested at various flow rates with back pressure tests :
Flow rate (Mcfd) Bottom hole pressure (psia)

Shut in 3120
7800 2870
10590 2750
13960 2588
17615 2389

questions:
•By using the back pressure equations, build both models and give the AOFP of the well. Choose
the adequate model.
•The well is flowed at 25% of the AOFP. In this case, what is the bottom hole pressure?
•The reservoir pressure declines to 2980 psia, what is the new AOFP ?
INFLOW – EXERCISE : MODELING OF A
GAS WELL BEHAVIOUR
Back pressure 1: (Pr2 – Pwf2) / q = aq + b
plot (Pr2 – Pwf2)/q versus q and directly determine a and b

Back pressure 2: q = C (Pr2 – Pwf2)n => log q = log C + n log (Pr2 – Pwf2)
plot log q vs. log (Pr2 – Pwf2) and directly determine n and logC, hence C

Plot Test Data Pr (psi) = 3120

X mod1 q (Mcfd) 7800 10590 13960 17615
Pwf (psi) 2870 2750 2588 2389
Pr2 - Pwf2 1497500 2171900 3036656 4027079
2 2
Y mod1 (Pr - Pwf )/q 192 205 218 229
2 2
X mod2 log(Pr - Pwf ) 6.18 6.34 6.48 6.60
Y mod2 log(q) 3.89 4.02 4.14 4.25
mod1 = Back pressure 1 model plot mod2 = Back pressure 2 model plot
INFLOW – EXERCISE : MODELING OF A
GAS WELL BEHAVIOUR
Back pressure 1 model Back pressure 2 model
230 4,3
y = 0,0037x + 164,5 y = 0,8236x - 1,1937
(Pr2 - Pwf2)/q

4,2
220
4,1

Log q
210 Data
4,0 Data
200 Linear (Data) Linear (Data)
3,9

190 3,8
5000 10000 15000 20000 6,1 6,2 6,3 6,4 6,5 6,6 6,7

q Log (Pr2 – Pwf2)

Back pressure 1 model: does not yield a perfect fit IPR relationship:
Plot determines directly (Pr2 - Pwf2)/q = 0.0037q + 164.5
q @ Pwf = 0 => AOFP = 33.7 MMscfd
(
q = 0.064 31202 − Pwf2 )0.8236

Back pressure 2 model achieves a better fit with test data in this case
y = 0.8236x –1.1937 => log q = 0.8236 log (Pr2 – Pwf2) –1.1937
n = 0.8236 and logC =-1.1937 => C = 0.064
21 21
INFLOW – EXERCISE : MODELING OF A
GAS WELL BEHAVIOUR
• Absolute Open Flow Potential

AOFP = 0.064(9734400) = 36.4MMscf / d

0.8236

• Pwf for the well flowing at 25% AOFP

q = 0.25 * 36.4 = 9.1MMscf / d

1 1
q n  9114  0.8236
Pwf = Pr2 −   = 3120 2 −   = 2815 psia
C   0.064 

• AOFP after depletion

AOFP = 0.064 2980 2 ( )0.8236

= 33.8MMscf / d
Isochronal Test Plot Exercise
Flow Test Pwf Q Pr
hours psia MMscf/d psi

Shut in 2200 0.00 2200

6 1892 2.80 2200

6 1782 3.40 2200

6 1647 4.80 2200

6 1511 5.40 2200

C = 4.29 x 10-6
n = 0.94
AOF = 8.25 MMscf/d
Modified Isochronal Test Exercise
Time of Pwf, psia Flow Rate Remarks
Test (hrs) MMscf/d
14 2000 0.00 Shut in
10 1842 4.00 Flow #1
10 1982 0.00 Shut in
10 1712 6.00 Flow #2
10 1960 0.00 Shut in
10 1511 8.00 Flow #3
10 1913 0.00 Shut in
10 1306 10.00 Flow #4
26 1072 10.00 Extended
n = 0.76 Flow
C = 0.000124 68 2000 0 Final Shut
AOF = 12.91 MMscf/d In
IPR Gas Well
• In the case of gas wells, the velocity of the flow generates turbulences, which are
represented in the models by a specific skin.
• Consequently, the relationship between the production rate and the drawdown isn't linear.
• We dispose on different models, and more particularly the two back pressure equations.
These models are generic, and can be adapted to each case of well by estimating their 2
parameters (a and b, or C and n) with help from well test analysis.
• The model used by default is the second back pressure equation, which is more often the
most representative of the actual behaviour of the gas well. In this model, n is the factor of
turbulence : when it is close to 0.5, the flow is very turbulent. When it is close to 1, the
turbulences are very low.

25
INFLOW PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP
Pwf
(psi)
case of gas wells
not linear – mainly due to
Pr turbulence

0 q
AOFP (Mscf/day)
Reservoir Deliverability
• Reservoir pressure
• Pay zone thickness and permeability
• Reservoir boundary type and distance
• Wellbore radius
• Reservoir fluid properties
• Near-wellbore condition
• Reservoir relative permeability
THE RESERVOIR WELLBORE INTERFACE
C k .h
Pr
qBo o   re  3 
Pr − Pwf =  ln   − + S ' 
 P =Pwf
q= f ( P) dP  r  4 
  re  3 Ckh   w 
 ln   − + S ' 
 r  4 
  w 
case of oil well
one phase flow

Data:
reservoir thickness : 25 ft well radius: 0.25 ft
reservoir permeability: 120 mD skin: 0
viscosity: 2.5 cP production rate: 600 STB/d
FVF: 1.25 bbl/STB

Question:
Calculate the pressure profile and list the pressure drop
across the following 1 ft intervals: [rw;1.25] [4;5] [19;20]
[99;100] [744;745]. Conclusion ? 28
INFLOW EXERCISE1 : NEAR WELLBORE PRESSURE
PROFILE
radius pressure
qBo o  r  r (ft) p (psi)
interval drop (psi)
P = Pwf + ln 
Ckh  rw  0.25 1800
0.25ft - 1.25ft 142
1.25 1942

P = 1800 +
(2.5)(1.25)(600) ln r  4 2045
4ft - 5ft 19
(0.00708)(120)(25)  0.25  5 2064

19 2182
19ft - 20ft 4
 r 
20 2186
P = 1800 + 88.28 ln  99 2328
 0.25  100 2329
99ft - 100ft 1

744 2506.1
744ft - 745ft 0.1
logarithmic shape 745 2506.2

pressure profile (psi)

3000
Conclusion
2500
The near wellbore area
pressure (psi)

2000
plays a major role
1500 p (psi)
on the well productivity.
1000

500

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
radius (ft)
SKIN EFFECT ON THE PRESSURE DROP
P PR

Pskin = (Pwf )no disturb − (Pwf )Actual

well near wellbore
zone

Estimated pressure profile without disturbance

Actual pressure profile in the case of

a positive skin factor
Pskin < 0 Actual pressure profile in the case of
Pwf a negative skin factor

Pskin > 0
radius

well near wellbore zone

reservoir
Well Performance Analysis
Well Performance
Analysis
Pr, Ps, Qp

IPR
Well
deliverability
VLP

Yes, but … Natural no

Flow well ?
Artificial Lift
Artificial
(start/restart, optimize) yes
lift

Qp