Pipesim Fundamentals 2009.1

PIPESIM Fundamentals
Schlumberger Public
Workflow/Solutions Training
Version 2009.1
Schlumberger Information Solutions July 10, 2009
Schlumberger Public
Copyright Notice
2009 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or translated in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission of Schlumberger Information Solutions, 5599 San Felipe, Suite100, Houston, TX 77056-2722.
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Table of Contents
About this Manual

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What You Will Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What to Expect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Course Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Workflow Diagram] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 2 3 4 5
Module 1 PIPESIM Introduction

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Lesson 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Lesson 2: A Tour of the User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lesson 3: The PIPESIM File System and Calculation Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Output Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Lesson 4: Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Lesson 5: Single Branch Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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Module 2 Simple Pipeline Tutorials

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Single-Phase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Modeling a Water Pipeline with Hand Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Modeling a Water Pipeline with PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Primary Output File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Auxiliary Output File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 3: Analyzing Multiple Scenarios with Sensitivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 4: Modeling a Single-Phase Gas Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 5: Calculating Gas Pipeline Flow Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Multiphase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Modeling a Multiphase Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 21 22 25 31 32 33 36 38 40 42 48 48
Module 3 Oil Well Performance Analysis

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: NODAL Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Building the Well Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Performing NODAL Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 3: Performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Calibrating PVT Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Flow Correlation Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Matching Inflow Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Evaluating Gas Lift Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 3: Working with Multiple Completions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 5: Flow Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Modeling a Flow Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57 58 59 63 64 66 67 68 68 69 71 74 74 76 76 76
Module 4 Gas Well Performance

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Lesson 1: Compositional Fluid Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Equations of State (EoS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Binary Interaction Parameter (BIP) Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Exercise 1: Creating a Compositional Fluid Model for a Gas Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Exercise 1: Calculating Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Exercise 2: Calibrating the Inflow Model Using Multipoint Test Data . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Lesson 3: Predicting Erosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 API 14 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Salama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Exercise 1: Selecting a Tubing Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Lesson 4: Modeling Chokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Exercise 1: Modeling a Flowline and Choke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Exercise 2: Predicting Future Production Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Lesson 5: Liquid Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Turner Droplet Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Exercise 1: Determining a Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading . . . . . . . . . . 99 Review Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
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Module 5 Horizontal Well Design

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Constructing the Well Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal Well Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 3: Specifying Multiple Horizontal Perforated Intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 103 105 107 108 108 109
Module 6 Subsea Tieback Design

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Developing a Compositional PVT Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Constructing the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 3: Sizing the Subsea Tieback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Hydrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydrate Mitigation Strategies in PIPESIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Selecting Tieback Insulation Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Determining the Methanol Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PI-SS Indicator (Severe-Slugging Group) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Screening for Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydrodynamic Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pigging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ramp-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evaluating Each Scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Sizing a Slug Catcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 112 112 114 116 116 117 118 119 120 120 121 122 123 123 125 126 126 126 128 128
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Module 7 Looped Gas Gathering Network

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Solution Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Building a Model of a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 2: Performing a Network Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Looped Gathering Network Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 131 131 132 132 138 140 143 143
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Module 8 Water Injection Network

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Crossflow in Multilayer Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise 1: Determining Fluid Distribution in a Water Injection Network . . . . . . . Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 145 146 149 149
Appendix A PIPESIM 2009 Fundamentals Answer Key

Module 2: Simple Pipeline Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1 Single-Phase Flow Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module 3: OilWell Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Nodal Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Question (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 5: Modelling a Flow Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module 4: Gas Well Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 3: Predicting Erosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 4: Modelling Chokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 5: Critical Gas Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module 5: Horizontal Well Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design . . . . . . . . Lesson 2: Hydrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Module 7: Looped Gas Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 151 151 151 152 152 152 153 153 153 153 154 154 155 155 155 155 155 156 156 156 156 156
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About this Manual
About this Manual

This training material and guide is designed to give you an introduction into the PIPESIM software application. PIPESIM is a production engineers tool that covers a wide range of applications relevant to the oil and gas industry. Applications featured in this training manual include well performance, fluid modeling, flow assurance and network simulation.
Learning Objectives
After completing this training, you will know how to: build a single branch well or pipeline model define a black oil or compositional fluid model perform single branch simulation operations build a network model perform a network simulation.
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What You Will Need

You must have the following hardware and software: Personal computer with minimum 512 MB RAM PIPESIM 2009.1 Training datasets
What to Expect
In each module within this training material, you will encounter: Overview of the module Prerequisites to the module (if necessary) Learning objectives A workflow component Lessons, explaining a subject or an activity in the workflow Procedures, showing the sequence of steps needed to perform a task Exercises, which allow you to practice a task by using the steps in the procedure with a data set Scenario-based exercises Questions about the module Summary of the module
You will also encounter notes, tips and best practices.
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Course Conventions
Characters typed in Bold Represents references to dialog box names and application areas or commands to be performed. For example, "Open the Open Asset Model dialog box." Used to denote keyboard commands. For example, "Type a name and press Enter." Identifies the name of Schlumberger software applications, such as Petrel or GeoFrame. Characters inside <> triangle brackets Indicate values that the user must supply. sqlplus <username>/ <password>, usually with a sentence that defines the values. Represent file names or directories. "... edit the file lease.dat and..." Represent lists and option areas in a window, such as Attributes list or Select Options area. Identifies the first use of important terms or concepts. For example, "Stacking of data" Characters typed in fixedwidth Represent code, sql, and other literal text that the user sees or types. For example: sqlplus <username>/ <password> .
Characters typed in italics
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NOTE:
Some of the conventions used in this manual indicate the information to enter, but are not part of the information For example: Quotation marks and information between brackets indicate the information you should enter. Do not include the quotation marks or brackets when you type your information.
Instructions to make menu selections are also written using bold text and an arrow indicating the selection sequence, as shown below: 1. Click File menu > Save (the Save Asset Model File dialog box opens.) OR Click the Save Model toolbar button.
An OR is used to identify an alternate procedure.
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Icons
Throughout this manual, you will find icons in the margin representing various kinds of information. These icons serve as at-a-glance reminders of their associated text. See below for descriptions of what each icon means.
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Workflow Diagram
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Figure 1
PIPESIM workflow
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Summary
In this introduction, we have: defined the learning objectives outlined what tools you will need for this training discussed course conventions that you will encounter within this material provided a high-level overview of the workflow.
In the following modules, you will learn how PIPESIM deals with oil and gas well performance, horizontal well design, and gathering and injection networks.
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NOTES
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PIPESIM Introduction
Module 1
This module introduces PIPESIM 2009.1 and describes the graphical user interface (GUI) in detail to familiarize you with the application environment.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: create a new or open an existing project navigate through the user interface understand the structure of the output file display plots in PsPlot.
You will also develop an understanding of PIPESIM toolbars, file system, engines, and operations.
Lesson 1
Introduction
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PIPESIM is a steady-state, multiphase flow simulator used for the design and analysis of oil and gas production systems. With its rigorous simulation algorithms, PIPESIM helps you optimize your production and injection operations. As shown in Figure 2 on the following page, PIPESIM models multiphase flow from the reservoir through to the surface facilities to enable comprehensive production system analysis. PIPESIM is most often used by reservoir, production or facilities engineers as an engineering user type to model well performance, conduct nodal (systems) analysis, design artificial lift systems, model pipeline networks and facilities, and analyze field development plans and optimize production. NOTE: Steady-state flow simulation implies that the mass flow rate is conserved throughout the system. This means there is no accumulation of mass within any component in the system.
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Figure 2
Total production system
PIPESIM modules are available and licensed separately, depending on your needs: Base System
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Production system analysis software for well modeling, NODAL analysis, artificial lift design, pipeline/ process facilities modeling and field development planning. Optional add-on to PIPESIM to model complex networks that may include loops, parallel lines and crossovers Optional add on to PIPESIM Optional add-on to PIPESIM. Compositional model is not required.
Network Analysis (NET)
Compositional Model Multiflash Package
Multiflash Hydrates Multiflash Wax Thermodynamics Multiflash Asphaltene PIPESIM Linux Compoutation Engines Avocet Gas Lift Optimization Module
Optional add-on to Multiflash Optional add-on to Multiflash Optional add-on to Multiflash Used only with Avocet IAM when ECLIPSE Parallel, and is run on a Linux Cluster Network Optimization option caclulates the optimal gas lift allocation to a network of gas lifted wells
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PIPESIM OLGAS Steady State Flow Correlation Two Phase PIPESIM OLGAS Steady State Flow Correlation Three Phase PIPESIM Rod Pump Design and Optimization PIPESIM Rod Pump Diagnostics
3rd-party 2-phase mechanistic multiphase flow model 3rd-party 3-phase mechanistic multiphase flow model 3rd-party module for designing rod pumps 3rd-party module for diagnosing rod pump performance based on digitized dynocards Single-phase wax deposition model embedded in PIPESIM that uses wax properties characterized with the DBR Solids application Standalone application that predicts the wax and asphaltene precipitation temperature
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PIPESIM DBR Wax Deposition
DBR Solids Wax and Asphaltene Precipitation DBR Solids Wax Deposition Characterization
Standalone application that characterizes wax properties for use in PIPESIM wax deposition
Lesson 2
A Tour of the User Interface
The PIPESIM graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to easily construct well and network models within a single environment. To launch PIPESIM from the Start menu, select Program files > Schlumberger > PIPESIM. As shown in Figure 2 on the preceding page, the PIPESIM interface consists of one main window, a menu bar, a status bar, a standard toolbar and three specific toolbars related to single branch and network modeling views. The standard toolbar (Figure 3 PIPESIM toolbars and menus3) contains common commands that are displayed in both the single branch and network views. The Single Branch toolbar (Figure 4 on the following page) is displayed only in single branch view, while the Network toolbar Figure 5 on page 11) and the Net Viewer toolbar are displayed in the Network view.
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You may also hide the toolbars from view using the Menu bar.
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PIPESIM toolbars and menus
Menu Bar
Consists of some of the familiar Windows menus, including File, Edit, Help, and more. All the tools available in other toolbars, plus all operations in PIPESIM. Shows the status of running operation. If there is no operation running, it will show the path of model. Available in both single branch and network model, and is comprised of the icons and processes shown below.
Status Bar Standard Toolbar
Figure 4
Standard toolbar functionality
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Single Branch Toolbar
This is available only in single branch models or the network model in single branch mode. It consists of all objects required to build the physical model. These tools can also be accessed from the Menu bar.
Figure 5
The Single Branch toolbar
Network Toolbar
This toolbar is available only in the network model view. It consists of all objects required to build the physical network model. These tools can also be accessed from the Menu bar.
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Figure 6
The Network toolbar
NOTE:
Icons in the Network toolbar and the Net Viewer bar are not highlighted in the Single Branch model. Similarly, icons in the Single Branch toolbar are not highlighted in the network model. From the Network model, you must access the Single Branch viewing mode by double-clicking on the object to insert necessary equipment, such as compressors, pumps, chokes, and more.
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Lesson 3
The PIPESIM File System and Calculation Engines
PIPESIM generates several input and output files in its working directory when you run a model. The input files are processed by the simulation engine to create output files.
PIPESIM Engines
PIPESIM uses one engine for a Single Branch model and another engine for a Network model. Psimstub.exe is the PIPESIM engine for single branch operations Pnetsub.exe is the PIPESIM engine for a network simulation
You can set or change the path of these engines by selecting Setup > Preferences > Choose Paths.
PIPESIM File System

PIPESIM stores data in these formats:
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ASCII files Binary files Microsoft Access database Table 1: PIPESIM File Extensions and their Use
Ext. *.bps Type of File Single branch model PIPESIM file Application All the data necessary to run a model. Single Branch model file includes data for units, fluid composition, well IPR, system data, and more. The support team requires these files when you make support queries. *.bpn Network model PIPESIM file Same as above for a Network model Output Files *.out Output File All output data in ASCII format. The output file is produced from both Single Branch and Network models. Node by node results are reported in output files. The output file is divided into sections. You have the option to show or hide a section by using Setup > Define Output. Mostly, errors are reported in output file. Remember to check this file in case of an error in a PIPESIM model.
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Table 1: PIPESIM File Extensions and their Use

*.sum Summary file Summary report of PIPESIM output, i.e., pressures and temperatures at sources and sinks. Plot Files *.plc Profile Plot Variables you can plot with distance and elevation in PsPlot. These variables include pressure, temperature and fluid properties, and more. PsPlot is a plotting utility in PIPESIM. Same as the *.plc file, but does not contain variables such as distance and elevation. This file is primarily used to see sensitivity of one variable to another. For example, you can plot water cut with system outlet pressure. Miscellaneous Files *.psm This is the keyword input file generated by the user interface for the PIPESIM single branch engine - psimstub.exe. In certain situations (mainly debugging) this file can be manually modified via expert mode. All instructions sent to the PIPESIM network engine - pnetstub.exe. The PIPESIM engine reads this file for processing not the *.bpn file. Access Database File Black oil fluid data, electric submersible pump (ESP) performance curves, user-defined pump and compressor curves, and pressure survey data. You can access this file by selecting Setup > Preferences > Choose Paths. You can set the path of this file in the Data Source box. *.pvt PVT file A single stream composition and a table of fluid properties for a given set of pressure and temperature values. If needed, this file can be created by a commercial PVT package, such as Multiflash, Hysys, DBRSolids, or others, or via the Compositional module in PIPESIM. *.unf *.env *.map Unit file Stores user-defined unit sets, which can be passed from user-to-user. Phase envelope file Flow regime map
*.plt
System Plot
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*.tnt
*.mdb
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Output Files
The PIPESIM output file is an ACSII format file, generated by either a Single Branch or a Network model. This is a very large file divided into many sections. You can customize the output report by selecting Setup > Define output.
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Figure 7
Define Output tab
Figure 8
Sample output file (primary output section)
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Lesson 4
Plots
Plots in PIPESIM are displayed with a plotting utility called PsPlot. The path to the PsPlot executable is normally located in the PIPESIM installation directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\ PIPESIM\Programs\PSPlotX.exe. You can set the path of PsPlotX.exe by selecting Setup > Preferences > Choose Paths. You can use PsPlot to open both *.plc and *.plt files. Optionally, you can view data in tabular mode by clicking on the Data tab.
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Figure 9
Tabular view of PsPlot data
You can change display settings of PsPlot, such as title, minimum or maximum axis, color, legends and more, by selecting Edit > Advanced Plot Setup.
Figure 10
Advanced Plot Setup dialog
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Lesson 5
Single Branch Operations
There are many single branch operations available in PIPESIM. System analysis Enables you to determine the performance of a given system for varying operating conditions on a case-by-case basis. Results of the analysis are provided in the form of plots of a dependent variable, such as outlet pressure, versus an independent variable, such as flow rate. You can generate families of X-Y curves for the system by varying either a single sensitivity variable (e.g., watercut) or by applying permutations of a group of sensitivity values. The ability to perform analysis by combining sensitivity variables in different ways makes the system analysis operation a very flexible tool for plotting data on a case-by-case basis. A typical plot resulting from a system analysis is shown in Figure 11.
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Figure 11
Typical System Analysis plot
Pressure/ temperature profile
Generate pressure and temperature profiles of the system as a function of distance along the system. Both temperature and pressure profiles are generated on a node-by-node basis for the system.
NOTE:
The system analysis operation also generates Pressure/ Temperature profile plots for each case. Quickly compare various multiphase flow correlations against measured data. The Data Matching operation introduced in PIPESIM 2009.1 is recommended for regression of friction and holdup multipliers to tune multiphase flow correlations to match well test data.
Flow correlation comparison
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Data matching
Select parameters that will be automatically adjusted to match measured pressure and temperature data for a particular system. These parameters include multipliers for heat transfer coefficient (to match temperature measurements), as well as friction factor and holdup factor multipliers (to match pressure measurements). This operation allows you to select and rank multiple flow correlations, and to simultaneously match pressure and temperature measurements.
NODAL analysis
A common way to analyze well performance is through a NODAL analysis plot to visually assess the impact of various system components. This is done by splitting the system at the point of interest known as the NODAL analysis point and graphically presenting the system response upstream (Inflow) and downstream (Outflow) of the nodal point. The point at which the inflow and outflow curves intersect is the operating point for the given system, as shown in Figure 12.
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Figure 12
NODAL analysis Inflow/Outflow curves
Optimum horizontal well length
Predicts hydraulic well bore performance in the completion. The multiple source concept leads to a pressure gradient from the blind-end (toe) to the producing-end (heel) which, if neglected, results in over-predicting deliverability. The reduced drawdown at the toe results in the production leveling off as a function of well length, and it can be shown that drilling beyond an optimum length would yield no significant additional production.
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Reservoir tables
For the purposes of reservoir simulation, it is often necessary to generate VFP curves for input to a reservoir simulation program. The VFP curves allow the reservoir simulator to determine bottom hole flowing pressures as a function of tubing head pressure, flow rate, GOR, watercut and the artificial lift quantity. The reservoir simulator interface allows you to write tabular performance data to a file for input into a reservoir simulation model. Currently, the following reservoir simulators are supported: ECLIPSE PORES VIP COMP4
MoReS (Shells in-house reservoir simulator) Well performance curves

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These can be created in the network solver to produce faster solution times. A curve is created that represents the performance of the well under specified conditions. The network solver will then utilize this curve instead of modeling the well directly. Determines the gas lift injection rate possible based on the casing head pressure for a well.
Gas lift rate vs. casing head pressure Artificial lift performance
Analyzes the effects of artificial lift of a production well using either gas lift or an electric submersible pump (ESP). The performance curves allow for sensitivities on various parameters, including wellhead pressure, watercut, tubing and flowline diameters.
NOTE:
The artificial lift operation is essentially a specific implementation of the system analysis operation.
Review Questions
What is the basic premise of steady-state flow modeling? What single branch operations are available?
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Summary
In the module, you gained an understanding of PIPESIM toolbars, file system and engines, and operations, and learned how to: start PIPESIM with a new or existing project navigate and learn the user interface view results in output file display plots in PsPlot select single branch options identify PIPESIM computer executables and data files.
In the next module, you learn how to build and run simple models.
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NOTES
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Simple Pipeline Tutorials
Module 2
The purpose of these tutorials is to familiarize you with the PIPESIM Single Branch interface by building and running simple examples. You begin by performing a simple hand calculation to determine the pressure drop in a water pipeline, and then construct a simple pipeline model to validate pressure drop along a horizontal pipeline for a given inlet pressure and flow rate. You will also run some sensitivity studies on the model.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: build the physical model create a fluid model choose flow correlations perform operations
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view and analyze results.
Lesson 1
Single-Phase Flow Calculations
Consider the case, illustrated below, of a pipeline transporting water.
Figure 13
Pipeline transporting water
The pressure change per distance L for single phase flow is given by Bernoullis equation:
dp dp dp dp = + + dL total dL frictional dL elevational dL accelerational
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The accelerational term is normally negligible except for low pressure and high velocity gas flow, although PIPESIM will always calculate this term. Assuming the accelerational term to be zero for your hand calculation, the pressure gradient equation becomes:
dp fv 2 dL total = 2 gd (frictional) - g sin (elevational)

where,
= fluid density (lbm/ft3)

g = gravitational constant f = moody friction factor v = fluid velocity (ft/s) d = pipe inside diameter (ft)
Exercise 1
Modeling a Water Pipeline with Hand Calculations
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In this exercise, using the data in the table and assuming the flow is isothermal, you perform a hand calculation to determine the delivery pressure of the pipeline using single-phase flow theory. NOTE: You will need a hand calculator or MS Excel to complete this exercise Table 2: Water Pipeline Data
Pipeline Data Diameter Length Elevation Change Horizontal Distance Ambient Temperature Inclination Angle Roughness Relative Roughness d L Z X Tamb q e 3 20,025 1,000 20,000 60 2.866 0.0015 0.0005 Fluid Data Water viscosity Water density in ft ft ft degF in in (=.05002 radians) (= 0.25 ft)
/d
w w
1.2 63.7
cp lbm/ft3
(= 8.06e-4 lb/ft-s)
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Table 2: Water Pipeline Data

Operating Data Source Temperature Inlet Pressure Water Flowrate Tinlet Pin Qw 60 1,200 6,000 Constants Gravitational g 32.2 ft/s2 degF psia BPD (= 0.39 ft3/s)
1. Calculate the water velocity:
v=
Qw d 2 4
= _____________ ft/s
2. Calculate the Reynolds number:
Re =
vd = ______________
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Is the flow laminar or turbulent? (See the Moody Diagram on the following page.)
3. Determine the friction factor using the Colebrook-White equation for turbulent flow. NOTE: This equation is implicit for f and requires an iterative procedure (e.g., Goalseek function in Excel). Alternatively, you may lookup the friction factor using the Moody diagram shown below.
f = 1 1 . 74 2 Log 18 . 7 2 + 10 Re f D
2
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f = __________________________
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fv 2 4. Evaluate the frictional pressure term, 2 gd :
dp dL friction = __________ psf/ft /144 = _______ psi/ft

For the given length of pipe, L,
dp friction = _____________ psi

5. Evaluate the elevational pressure term, sin NOTE: If using Excel, be sure the angle is in radians.
dp dL friction = __________ psf/ft /144 = ________ psi/ft

dp elevation = _____________ psi

6. Add the frictional and elevational terms to determine the total pressure term:
dp dL total = __________ psf/ft /144 = ________ psi/ft

dp total = _____________ psi

7. Calculate the outlet pressure given the inlet pressure:
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Pout = Pin - dp total = __________ psia
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Exercise 2
Modeling a Water Pipeline with PIPESIM
In this exercise, you use PIPESIM to build the water pipeline analyzed in the previous hand calculation and compare the results.
Getting Started
1. Start PIPESIM from the Start menu by selecting Start > Program Files > Schlumberger > PIPESIM. 2. Click NEW Single Branch Model.
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3. From the Setup > Units menu, select the Eng(ineering) units. 4. From the Setup > Define Output tab, uncheck all report options except Primary Output and Auxiliary Output.
Building the Physical Model (a Water Pipeline Model)

You begin by defining the physical components of the model. 1. Click Source and place it in the window by clicking inside the Single Branch window. 2. Click Boundary Node shown below. and place it in the window, as
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3. Click Flowline , and link Source_1 to the End Node S1 by clicking and dragging from Source_1 to the End Node S1. NOTE: The red outlines on Source_1 and Flowline_1 indicate that essential input data is missing.
4. Double-click Source_1 and the source input data user form displays. a. Fill in the form, as shown in the figure.
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b. Click OK to exit the user form. 5. Double-click Flowline_1 and the input data user form is displayed. 6. Fill the form as shown below, ensuring that the rate of undulations = 0 (no terrain effects).
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7. Click the Heat Transfer tab and fill in the form for an adiabatic process, i.e., no heat gained or lost between the system and its environment.
8. Click OK to exit the user form, and accept the overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) defaults.
Creating the Fluid Model (Water) and Selecting Flow Correlations

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1. Select Setup > Black Oil to open the Black Oil Fluid menu. 2. Fill in the Black Oil user form, as shown below, and click OK when you are finished.
3. Go to File > Save As and save the model as <Excercise1_WaterPipe.bps>.
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4. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, select the Moody single-phase flow correlation.
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Performing Operations
1. From the Operations menu, select the Pressure/Temperature Profile operation. 2. Enter the known flowing conditions, as shown below.
3. Click Run Model. The pressure calculation uses the Moody correlation (default single-phase correlation).
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4. View and analyze the results. The pressure profile below should be visible upon completion of the run.
5. Click the Data tab to display a tabular output of the Pressure/ Temperature profile. Notice that the outlet pressure is 89 psia.
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6. (Optional) Copy this data into Excel: a. Highlight the cells of interest. b. Press Ctrl + C. c. Select a cell in Excel and press Ctrl + V.
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7. An abbreviated form of the full output file is presented in the Summary results file. To open this file, go to the Reports menu and select Summary File. You can observe the output:
The Liquid holdup value displayed (175 bbl) is the total liquid volume for the entire pipe. 8. The Summary file reports the frictional and elevational components of the total pressure change in the pipeline. Compare the results of PIPESIM to your hand calculations by entering the appropriate values in the table.
Result Hand Calculation PIPESIM Schlumberger Public
Liquid Velocity (ft/s) Pfrictional (psi) Pelevational (psi) Ptotal (psi) Outlet Pressure (psia) 9. View the output file by selecting Reports > Output File. By default, the output file is divided into five sections: Input Data Echo (Input data and Input units summary) Fluid Property Data (Input data of the fluid model) Profile and Flow Correlations (Profile and selected correlations summary) Primary Output Auxiliary Output If the units reported in the output file are not the desired ones, you should change the units (Setup > Units), pick the preferred unit system, and rerun the simulation.
NOTE:
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The primary output is shown below:
The Primary Output File

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The primary output contains 16 columns: Node number: node at which all the measures on the row have been recorded. (The nodes have been spaced by default with a 1,000 foot interval) Horizontal distance (cumulative horizontal component of length) Elevation (absolute) Angle of inclination (from the horizontal) Angle of inclination (from the vertical) Pressure Temperature Mean mixture velocity Elevational pressure drop Frictional pressure drop Actual liquid flow rate at the P,T conditions of the node Actual free gas rate at the P,T conditions of the node Actual liquid density at the P,T conditions of the node Actual free gas density at the P,T conditions of the node Slug number Flow pattern
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Notice that, as the pressure decreases the liquid density decreases, which means the velocity must increase to maintain a constant mass flow rate.
The Auxiliary Output File

The auxiliary output is shown below:
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The auxiliary output consists of 20 columns: Node number Horizontal distance (cumulative) Elevation (absolute) Superficial liquid velocity Superficial gas velocity Liquid mass flow rate Gas mass flow rate Liquid viscosity Gas viscosity Reynolds number Liquid volume fraction Liquid hold-up fraction Liquid water cut Fluid enthalpy Erosional velocity ratio Erosion rate (if applicable) Corrosion rate (if applicable)
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Hydrate temperature subcooling (if applicable) Number of temperature Iterations Number of pressure iterations TIP: The values of the Reynolds number indicate that the flow regime is turbulent (Nre > 2000) and are consistent with the results of the hand calculations.
Exercise 3
Analyzing Multiple Scenarios with Sensitivities
Continuing with the previous example, you now explore how your model responds to different inlet temperatures. To modify the P/T profile operation: 1. From the Operations menu, select the Pressure/Temperature Profile Operation. a. Select Source_1 as the Object and Temperature as the Variable. b. In the Pressure/Temperature Profile user form, click
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Range
c. Fill in the input form, as shown.
d. Click Apply and close the Set Range window. The completed form is shown below.
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2. Click Run Model. The pressure calculation uses the Moody correlation (Default single phase correlation). 3. Observe the PsPlot output. This pressure profile should be visible upon completion of the run.
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Notice that the highest inlet temperature generates the lowest pressure drop. As the temperature increases: the viscosity decreases the Reynolds number increases the corresponding friction factor decreases the frictional pressure gradient is lower.
In other words, T NOTE:
Re =
vd f
dp dL friction
In the case of water, the effect of the temperature on the density is negligible, as water is essentially an incompressible fluid.
4. Select the Data tab in the Plot window to see all the data for each temperature in a tabular format.
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5. Observe the output file (*.out). The output file can be opened in one of two ways: Click the Output File button from within the Operations (Pressure/Temperature Profiles) dialog. OR Select Reports > Output File. By default, the output file contains the information for the first case only. (T = 20 degF). 6. To report all sensitivity cases: a. Select Setup > Define Output. b. Choose an option. c. Set the number of cases to print to <4>.
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7. Re-run the operation. TIP: If you do not change the operation or alter any of the parameters within the Operations menu, you can run the simulation by clicking Run .
8. Open the output report to view the results of the four sensitivity cases. 9. Return to the Setup > Define Output menu and check the Segment Data in Primary Output option. 10. Re-run the operation.
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11. Open the output file and observe that additional segments have been inserted.
NOTE:
By default, PIPESIM performs the pressure drop calculation for each of those additional segments to obtain precise averaged values of properties, such as liquid holdup or velocities at the main nodes.
Exercise 4
Modeling a Single-Phase Gas Pipeline

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In this exercise, you investigate the flow of a single phase gas without changing the physical components of our previous example. To investigate the flow of a single phase gas: 1. Select Setup > Black Oil and modify the user form, as shown below, to represent 100% gas (change GOR to LGR).
2. Under the Setup > Define Output menu, uncheck the box labeled Segment Data in Primary Output
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3. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile and modify the Pressure/Temperature profile operation as shown below.
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4. Click Run Model. As for the case of a single-phase liquid, the pressure calculation will be done using the Moody correlation. 5. Inspect the pressure profile plot upon completion of the run.
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In the previous example using water, the density remained constant because water is essentially incompressible. However, gas is a compressible fluid with a density described by the ideal gas law, rearranged into the following expression:
g =
pM zRT
where,
g = gas density
p = pressure M = Molecular Weight z = gas compressibility factor R = ideal gas constant T = Temperature Notice that the highest inlet temperatures yield the highest pressure drop. This is because, as the temperature increases the density decreases, which results in a decrease in the Reynolds number. Correspondingly, the friction factor increases and thus, the frictional pressure gradient is higher. In other words,
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T g Re = Also, because
dp vd f dL friction
dp fv 2 = dL friction 2 gd
the velocity increase due to gas expansion has an exponential effect on the frictional pressure term. This accounts for the increase in the frictional gradient along the flowline and the curvature in the pressure profile plot. NOTE: The viscosity of the gas increases slightly with increasing temperature, but this effect is small and does little to offset the effects of decreasing density.
Exercise 5
Calculating Gas Pipeline Flow Capacity
In the previous exercises, you calculated the outlet pressure given a known inlet pressure and flow rate. In this exercise, you specify known inlet and outlet pressures and calculate the corresponding gas flow rate. There are three key variables involved in Single Branch operations: Inlet pressure Outlet pressure
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Flow rate
Two of these variables must be specified and the third is calculated. Some operations allow you to specify all three variables, in which case a matching variable, such as pump speed or choke setting, must be specified. PIPESIM generally performs calculations in the direction of flow. Therefore, when the outlet pressure is calculated, as in the previous examples, the solution is non-iterative in that the outlet pressure is calculated during the first and only pressure traverse calculation. However, when outlet pressure is specified and either the inlet rate or the flow rate is calculated, the process becomes iterative, and successive estimates of the calculated variable are supplied until the calculated outlet pressure agrees with the specified pressure. To calculate gas deliverability: 1. Open the Pressure/Temperature Profiles user form and select Gas Rate as the calculated variable. 2. Specify <600 psia> for the outlet pressure. 3. Clear the temperature sensitivity values, shown in the figure, by highlighting the cells and pressing Ctrl + X.
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4. Click Run Model on the user form. 5. Observe the PsPlot output.
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The gas flow rate corresponding to the specified pressure drop is shown in the legend beneath the profile plot.
6. Observe the output files (*.out). The iteration routine for this operation can be seen in the output file, as shown below.
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7. Save your file as <exer5.bps>.
Lesson 2
Multiphase Flow Calculations
While pressure losses in single-phase flow in pipes have long been accurately modeled with familiar expressions such as the Bernoulli equation, accurate predictions of pressure loss in two-phase flow have proved to be more challenging because of added complexities. The lower density and viscosity of the gas phase causes it to flow at a higher velocity relative to the liquid phase, a characteristic known as slippage. Consequently, the associated frictional pressure losses result from shear stresses encountered at the gas/liquid interface as well as along the pipe wall. Additionally, the highly compressible gas phase expands as the pressure decreases along the flow path. Further complicating matters are the variety of physical phase distributions that are characterized by flow regimes or flow patterns, as shown in Figure 14 andFigure 15 on the following page. The prevailing flow pattern for a specific set of conditions depends on the relative magnitude of the forces acting on the fluids.
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Buoyancy, turbulence, inertia, and surface-tension forces are greatly affected by the relative flow rates, viscosities, and densities of a fluid, as well as the pipe diameter and inclination angle. The complex dynamics of the flow pattern govern slippage effects and, therefore, variations in liquid holdup and pressure gradient.
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Figure 14
Multiphase flow regimes for horizontal flow
Figure 15
Multiphase flow regimes for vertical flow
Many empirical correlations and mechanistic models have been proposed to predict liquid holdup and pressure loss. (Refer to the PIPESIM help system for details).
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Some are very general, while others apply only to a narrow range of conditions. Many of these approaches begin with a prediction of the flow pattern, with each flow pattern having an associated method of predicting liquid holdup. Because the gas travels faster in steady-state flow, it will occupy less pipe volume. The fraction of pipe volume occupied by the liquid is called the liquid holdup and is illustrated in Figure 16, below. Liquid holdup is generally the most important parameter in calculating pressure loss. Liquid holdup is also necessary to predict hydrate formation and wax deposition, and to estimate the liquid volume expelled during pigging operations for sizing slug catchers. The liquid holdup prediction is used to determine a two-phase friction factor from which a pressure gradient is calculated.
Figure 16
Liquid Holdup
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Exercise 1
Modeling a Multiphase Pipeline
The previous exercises explored single-phase flow of water and gas through a pipeline. In this exercise, you modify the existing pipeline model and explore multiphase flow. 1. Insert Report Tool line, as shown. at the beginning and end of the flow-
2. Click on the flowline to highlight the object, and drag the tip connected to the source to the first Report icon.
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3. Release the mouse button when the arrow is on top of the Report Tool icon and the flowline turns yellow.
4. Repeat the previous step for the second Report Tool icon. 5. Select Connector the Source icon. and connect the first Report Tool to
6. Select the Boundary node and press the Delete key. Your model should now appear as shown below:
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7. Double-click on each of the Report Tool icons and enter the data shown in the figure.
8. Double-click on the Flowline and select the Heat Transfer tab.
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9. Choose the typical Heat Transfer Coefficient value for bare pipe exposed to air, as shown below.
10. Select Setup > Black Oil and specify the fluid properties, as shown below.
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11. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, select Beggs and Brill Revised (Taitel-Dukler map) for the horizontal flow correlation and Hagedorn and Brown for the vertical flow correlation. NOTE: Observe that the Swap angle is set to 45. This is the angle that corresponds to the switch between use of the vertical and horizontal flow correlation. In this example, the pipeline inclination angle is about 3, which means that only the horizontal flow correlation is used.
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12. Double-click on Source_1 and change the pressure to <4800 psia>.
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13. Select Operations > Pressure Temperature Profiles and enter the information shown in the figure. NOTE: The pressure drop is calculated using the Moody correlation (default single-phase correlation) and the Beggs and Brill Revised correlation. The results from the Taitel-Dukler Flow Regime map will be reported, and will influence the pressure drop calculations performed by the Beggs and Brill Revised correlation if the flow regime is different from that predicted by the Beggs and Brill correlation.
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14. Run the model. 15. Observe the pressure profile plot.
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16. From the Reports menu, open the Output file The following display can be seen in the primary output section of the output file.
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Notice that the flow is initially single-phase liquid until the pressure falls below the bubblepoint upon which two-phase oil-gas flow is present. The single-phase Moody correlation is used in the first part of the pipe, and the Beggs and Brill multiphase correlation is used in the second part of the pipe after the pressure falls below the bubble point. NOTE: The holdup for each of the segment may be seen in the auxiliary output.
The number in the far right column is the Erosional Velocity Ratio (EVR = actual velocity/API 14e limit) and is displayed only when it is higher than 1. The spot reports output is shown below. NOTE: To view the graphics and output in SI or Custom units, specify the units via the Setup > Units option, and rerun the model.
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Review Questions
Which types of pressure drop contributions are reported by PIPESIM in output file (by default)? What is the default single-phase flow correlation in PIPESIM? How do you describe a Black Oil fluid model for water or dry gas? Did you get any difference in pressure drop between hand calculation and PIPESIM reported results? If yes, why?
Summary
In this module, you learned how to: build the physical model create a fluid model choose flow correlations perform operations view and analyze results.
In the next module, you learn about oil well performance analysis.
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NOTES
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Oil Well Performance Analysis
Module 3
This module examines a producing oil well located in the North Sea. You analyze the performance of this well using NODAL analysis, calibrate black oil fluid (low GOR) using laboratory data, and match flow correlations with pressure survey data. You will also analyze the behavior of the well with increased water cut, and find an opportunity to inject gas at a later stage when the well is unable to flow naturally.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: perform NODAL analysis estimate bottomhole flowing conditions calibrate pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) data perform flow correlation matching
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perform inflow performance relationship (IPR) matching conduct water cut sensitivity analysis evaluate gas lift performance install a flow control valve.
Lesson 1
NODAL Analysis
NODAL analysis is used to evaluate the performance of an oil well. It involves specifying a nodal point, usually at the bottomhole or wellhead, and dividing the producing system into two parts - the inflow and the outflow. This is represented graphically in Figure 17, on the following page. The solution node is defined as the location where the pressure differential upstream (inflow) and downstream (outflow) of the node is zero. Solution nodes can be judiciously selected to isolate the effect of certain variables. For example, if the node is taken at the bottomhole, factors that affect the inflow performance, such as skin factor, can be analyzed independently of variables that affect the outflow, such as tubing diameter or separator pressure.
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Nodal Analysis
Psep
PR
Inflow
Outflow
Pwf
Pwf
PR
Psep
17
Flow rate
Figure 17
Intersection points of the inflow and outflow performance curves
Getting Started
Before beginning an oil well performance analysis:
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1. Select File > New > Well Performance Analysis. 2. From Setup > Units, set the engineering units.
Exercise 1
Building the Well Model
To build the well model: 1. Select a Vertical Completion object from the single branch toolbar, and place it in the Single Branch flow diagram. 2. Select a Boundary Node and place it in the flow diagram.
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3. Select a Tubing object and connect VertWell_1 to the End Node S1 by clicking and dragging from VertWell_1 completion to the End Node S1. NOTE: The red outlines on VertWell_1 and Tubing_1 indicate that essential input data is missing.
4. Double-click on the completion and enter the properties listed in the table.
Reservoir and Inflow Data Completion model Use Vogel? Reservoir Pressure Reservoir Temperature Liq. Productivity Index Well PI Yes 3,600 psia 200 degF 8 stb/d/psi
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5. Double-click on the tubing object, and enter the tubing properties based on data listed in the table.
Deviation Data Measured Depth (ft) 0 1,000 2,500 5,000 7,500 9,000 True Vertical Depth (ft) 0 1,000 2,450 4,850 7,200 8,550
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Geothermal Gradient Measured Depth (ft) 0 9,000 Tubing Data Bottom MD (ft) 8,600 9,000 Internal Diameter (inches) 3.958 6.184 Ambient Temp. (degF) 50 200
6. Specify an Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient = 5 btu/hr/ft2/F (override the default value). NOTE: You can use the overall heat transfer coefficient to calculate total heat transfer through the pipe wall. The overall heat transfer coefficient depends on the fluids and their properties on both sides of the wall, as well as the properties of the wall and the transmission surface.
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7. Select the Summary table button to observe the configuration summary. 8. Set the Distance between nodes to <100 ft>. 9. Select Setup > Black Oil. 10. Enter the fluid properties, as shown in the table. Assume default PVT correlations and no calibration data.
Black Oil PVT Data Water Cut GOR Gas SG Water SG Oil API 10 % 500 scf/stb 0.8 1.05 36 API
NOTE:
The fluid physical properties are calculated over the range of pressures and temperatures encountered by the fluid. These physical properties are subsequently used by multiphase flow correlations to determine the phases present, the flow regime, and the pressure losses in single and multiphase flow regions. The heat transfer calculations use the fluid thermal properties.
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11. From the Setup > Flow Correlation menu, ensure that the Hagedorn-Brown correlation is selected for vertical flow and the Beggs-Brill Revised correlation is selected for horizontal flow. NOTE: Select the correlation that is best suited for the fluid and operating conditions of interest. There is no universal rule for selecting a multiphase flow correlation that is good for all operating scenarios. See the PIPESIM help stystem for information on the applicability of flow correlations. 12. Save the model as <CaseStudy1_Oil_Well.bps>.
Exercise 2
Performing NODAL Analysis
In this exercise, you perform a NODAL analysis operation for a given outlet (wellhead) pressure to determine the operating point (intersection) and the absolute open flow potential (AOFP) of the well. To do this, add a NODAL analysis point at the bottomhole to divide the system into two parts. Part A extends from reservoir to the bottomhole, while Part B runs from the bottomhole to the wellhead. To perform a NODAL analysis: 1. Select a NODAL analysis point from the toolbar and drop it near the completion. 2. Click on the tubing, and drag its bottom tip over to the NODAL analysis point. 3. Insert a connector to link the completion with the NODAL analysis point.
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N .A . Point
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4. Select Operations > NODAL analysis. 5. Enter an Outlet Pressure (Boundary Condition) of <300 psia>. 6. Leave Inflow Sensitivity and Outflow Sensitivity empty. TIP: Increasing the number of points in inflow and outflow curves provides more detailed curves from which a more accurate intersection can be read. Click Limits on the Nodal Analysis window to change the number of points in inflow and outflow curves. 7. Run the model. 8. Inspect the plot to determine the answers.
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Results
(Outlet) Wellhead Pressure Operating Point Flow rate Operating Point BHP AOFP 300 psia
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Exercise 3
Performing a Pressure/ Temperature Profile
The Pressure/Temperature profile calculates pressure and temperature on a node-by-node basis for the system. The results are plotted for pressure or temperature as a function of distance/elevation along the flow path. To estimate bottom-hole flowing conditions: 1. Run Operations > Pressure / Temperature Profile. 2. Enter the Outlet (Tubing head) pressure of <300 psia>. 3. Specify the liquid rate as the calculated variable. 4. Leave Sensitivity Data empty. NOTE: Inlet and outlet pressure always reference the boundaries of the system. In this particular case, inlet pressure is the reservoir pressure, while the outlet pressure corresponds to wellhead pressure. The inlet pressure is specified at the completion or source level, whereas the outlet pressure is always specified manually within the operation.
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5. Run the model. 6. Inspect the plot and summary output to determine answers.
Results
Wellhead Pressure Production Rate Flowing BHP Flowing WHT Depth at which gas appears 300 psia
BEST PRACTICE:
NODAL analysis and the Pressure/Temperature profile would give you the same results, but it is lot easier to get results from the Pressure/Temperature profile because the solution is explicitly reported, rather than visualized in the plot.
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What is the significance of intersection between the inflow and outflow curves? What are the advantages/disadvantages of performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile versus a NODAL analysis?
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Lesson 2
Fluid Calibration
Fluid properties (also known as PVT properties) are predicted by correlations developed by fitting experimental fluid data with mathematical models. Various correlations have been developed over the years based on experimental datasets covering a range of fluid properties. The PIPESIM help system describes the range of fluid properties used to develop each correlation, which helps you select the most appropriate correlation for the fluid at hand. The default correlations in PIPESIM are based on the overall accuracy of the correlations as applied to a broad range of fluids. To increase the accuracy of fluid property calculations, PIPESIM provides functionality to match PVT fluid properties with laboratory data. Calibration of these properties can greatly increase the accuracy of the correlations over the range of pressures and temperatures for the system being modeled. For example, calibration of the bubble point pressure may result in the initial appearance of gas at a depth of perhaps a thousand feet higher or lower than an uncalibrated model. This results in a significantly different mixture fluid density and thus a much different elevational pressure gradient. Likewise, calibration of the fluid viscosity may drastically improve the calculation of the frictional pressure gradient, especially in heavy oils and emulsions. If the calibration data is omitted, PIPESIM calibrates on the basis of oil and gas gravity alone, resulting in a loss of accuracy. Once the calibration is performed, a calibration factor calculated as ratio of measured value to the value calculated by selected correlation. There are two calibration options available in PIPESIM: Single Point calibration Multi-Point calibration
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Single Point Calibration

In many cases, actual measured values for some properties show a slight variance from calculated values. When this occurs, it is useful to calibrate the property using the measured point. PIPESIM can use the known data for the property to calculate a calibration constant Kc; Kc = Measured Property @(P,T)/Calculated Property @(P,T) This calibration constant is used to modify all subsequent calculations of the property in question, that is: Calibrated value = Kc (Predicted value)
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Multi-Point Calibration
In multi-point calibration, black oil correlations are tuned so that the correlation honors all data points (Figure 18).
Figure 18
Correlation running through all data points
A calibration factor is calculated for every measurement point, and a plot is generated for the Pressure vs. Calibration factor, as shown in Figure 19, below.
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Figure 19
Pressure vs. Calibration factor
NOTE:
This is not a best fit method, as all points are fitted exactly. Any outlying data should be smoothed before entering it into PIPESIM.
Exercise 1
To calibrate PVT data:
Calibrating PVT Data
1. From Setup > Black Oil, select the Viscosity Data (Optional) tab. 2. Enter the following calibration data:
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3. Under Dead Oil Viscosity, select Users 2 Data points as the correlation. a. Enter the following measurements: Dead Oil Viscosity Measurements
Property Viscosity Temperature (degF) 200 60 Value 1.5 cp 10 cp
b. For Live Oil Viscosity, ensure that the Chew and Connally correlation is selected. c. For the Emulsion Viscosity Method, select the Brinkman 1952 correlation. d. For the Undersaturated Oil Viscosity, select the Bergman-Sutton correlation. 4. Select the Advanced Calibration Data tab and click Single-Point Calibration. 5. Enter the measured data to calibrate the PVT model.
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PVT Calibration Data

Range P > Pb P = Pb P <= Pb Property OFVF Sat. Gas OFVF Live Oil Viscosity Gas viscosity Gas Z factor Value 1.18 500 scf/ stb 1.22 1.1 cp 0.029 cp 0.8 Pressure (psia) 3,000 2,100 2,100 2,100 2,100 2,100 Temp (degF) 200 200 200 200 200 200
6. Select the following PVT correlations: Property

Saturated gas OFVF at / below bubblepoint Live oil viscosity Gas Z Lasater Standing Chew and Connally Standing
Correlation
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7. From the Advanced Calibration Data tab, select Plot PVT Data (Laboratory Conditions GOR = GSAT) to generate a plot of the PVT properties for various pressures and temperatures. 8. Select Series and change the y-axis to Oil Formation Volume Factor. 9. Verify that the predicted values match the calibration points.
10. Repeat step 6 through step 8 for Oil viscosity and Gas viscosity to ensure the predicted values are correct. NOTE: Dead Oil conditions are at 14.7 psia.
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Notice that the predicted oil viscosity value at a temperature of 60 degF and 14.7 psia is 10.0 P, consistent with the laboratory dead oil data. 11. Now that the fluid model is calibrated, re-run the PressureTemperature Profile. 12. Determine the flowing bottomhole pressure, flowing wellhead temperature, and production rate for the given wellhead pressure.
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13. Compare your answers to the uncalibrated model results in Exercise 3 of the previous lesson. 14. Inspect the plot and summary output to determine answers.
Results
Wellhead Pressure Production Rate Flowing BHP Flowing WHT Depth where gas appears Calibrated Uncalibrated
NOTE:
The quantity defined by PIPESIM as stock tank GOR is actually the produced GOR, a dynamic property. The solution gas GOR calibration, an intrinsic property, is specific to the reservoir oil at reservoir conditions and is obtained through laboratory experiments. The solution gas liberated at standard conditions is called the associated gas. Produced gas may also include a contribution from the gas cap, otherwise known as free gas. In other words: Produced gas = associated (solution) gas + free gas If free gas is produced, the produced GOR will be higher than the solution GOR, and therefore the calculated bubble point based on the specified produced GOR will be higher than that defined by the solution GOR calibration point.
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Lesson 3
Pressure/Temperature Matching
The pressure distribution of the fluid as it flows though the tubing is very important in production engineering tasks such as selecting tubing sizes, forecasting well productivity, and designing artificial lift installations. Pressure distribution along particular tubing may be obtained from actual measurements taken with pressure gauges using wireline/slickline at different depths in the well while it is flowing at a constant rate. The result of this measurement is a plot of fluid pressure along tubing versus vertical depth, called a Flowing Gradient survey (FGS), shown below.
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Figure 20
Flowing Gradient survey
When an FGS is available, it is always best to compare different multiphase flow correlations with the FGS, to determine the one that best matches the FGS. Additionally, the correlation may be tuned to more accurately match the data. Optimization routines in PIPESIM allow the PIPESIM Single Branch engine to calculate optimal values of parameters to match measured pressure and/or temperature data. The matching is performed by tuning parameters, such as friction and hold-up factor multiplier for pressure matching, and a U-factor multiplier for temperature matching. After the model is tuned, you should validate it against test data measured at different conditions. WARNING: Avoid using large tuning factors. The recommended tuning range of friction and holdup factor multipliers are +/- 15% (i.e., 0.85 - 1.15). If it needs > -/+ 15% to match the actual measured data, you should review the data again. Large adjustments in friction and holdup factors could also be due to poor fluid characterizations.
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Exercise 1
Flow Correlation Matching
An FGS is available for this well. In this exercise, you use the measured data to select the most appropriate vertical flow correlation. To perform a flow correlation match: 1. Select Data > Load/Add Measured Data. 2. Select New. 3. Enter the test data, as shown in the figure.
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4. Click Save Changes.
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5. Go to Operations > Data Matching and, enter the range of calibration factors, as shown in the figure. NOTE: You may uncheck the calibration factor for horizontal flow as there is no horizontal flow in this model.
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6. Click the Flow Correlation tab and select some of the vertical multiphase flow correlations, as shown below.
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7. Go to the Run tab and specify the given Outlet Pressure (Wellhead) and Liquid Rate. 8. Select the Inlet Pressure as the calculated variable and click Run model.
9. View the results in Data Matching window to determine which flow correlation agrees most closely with the measured data. 10. Select the best correlation and click Save Selected Results to update the model with this correlation and the matched values for the friction factor, holdup factor, and U-Value multipliers. NOTE: Weighting factors are used to set the relative importance of the pressure and temperature error terms if both pressure and temperature data have been specified.
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Results
Best Vertical Correlation Flowing BHP Head Factor Multiplier Friction Factor Multiplier U Factor Multiplier
Exercise 2
Matching Inflow Performance
It is known from a pressure gradient survey that this particular well can flow 6,500 bbl/d of liquid against 300 psia of wellhead pressure. Using the correct flow correlation from the previous exercise, run the Pressure/Temperature profile to determine how much this well can produce for the same boundary conditions. If the calculated flow rate is different from measured flow rate (6,500 bbl/d), it is time to determine the Productivity Index (PI) that matches the test data.
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In this exercise, you also determine the absolute open flow potential (AOFP) of the well with the new PI, given a reservoir pressure known to be 3,600 psia. TIP: The Productivity Index (PI)is expected to be in the range from 5 to10 stb/d/psi.
To perform the IPR matching: 1. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile. 2. Enter the Outlet Pressure and the Liquid Rate. 3. Select Other variable and click Define. 4. Select Object VertWell_1 and the Variable Productivity Index. 5. Enter the expected range of PI and click OK.
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6. Run the model and review the PsPlot for calculated Liquid PI. NOTE: Update the PI for the completion with the matched value.
Results
Matched PI STB/d/psi
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What is the minimum data requirement for black oil fluid model in PIPESIM? How can you use lab PVT data to improve black oil correlations?
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Which data should you use in black oil calibration, i.e., flash or differential? What components of the pressure drop are reported by PIPESIM? What is the recommended way of selecting a multiphase correlation in PIPESIM? What is the role of the pressure loss in the completion during flow correlation matching?
Lesson 4
Well Performance Analysis
After you define the well and fluids descriptions and match them to generate an accurate model for the well, several simulation operations may be performed to evaluate a variety of operating scenarios.
Exercise 1
Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity Analysis
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After an initial design has been made, it is important to evaluate how the system will respond to changing operating conditions. Increase in water production in the late life of oil and gas fields is inevitable, whether because of water injection or water coning. Using the wellhead pressure and reservoir pressure from the previous exercise, determine the highest possible water cut this well will produce. NOTE: Change the completion PI in the well model from the previous exercise.
There are two methods available to solve this problem Method A: System analysis, and Method B: NODAL analysis.
Method A System Analysis

To run a System analysis: 1. Select Operations > System Analysis and enter the Outlet Pressure. 2. Calculate the liquid rate. 3. For the X-axis variable, select Fluid Data. 4. Enter the water cut values of <30 to 70%> in increments of 5%. 5. Leave Sensitivity Variable 1 empty. 6. Run the model to generate a plot of calculated liquid rate vs. water cut.
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7. Interpolate to identify the water cut at which the calculated production rate drops to zero. NOTE: You may need to rerun the model using finer sensitivity values for the water cut.
Method B NODAL Analysis

To run a NODAL analysis: 1. Go to Operations > NODAL analysis. 2. Enter the Outlet Pressure. 3. Leave Inflow Sensitivity empty. 4. Enter the water cut values of <30 to 70%> in increments of 5%. 5. Select the Limits button and change the number of outflow points to display to 50. 6. Run the model to generate the NODAL analysis plot. 7. Identify the lowest water cut for which there is no solution point. NOTE: You may need to rerun the model using finer sensitivity values for the water cut.
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Results
Critical Water Cut
Exercise 2
Evaluating Gas Lift Performance
The basic principle behind gas lift injection in oil wells is to lower the density of the produced fluid in the tubing. This results in a reduction of the elevational component of the pressure gradient above the point of injection, and a lower bottomhole pressure. Lowering the bottomhole pressure increases reservoir drawdown and, thus, production rate. In this exercise, you examine how this well responds to gas lift by introducing a Gas Lift Injection point at 8,000 feet MD in the tubing equipment. You have two tasks to accomplish: Determine how the well responds to gas lift when the water cut is 10% and 60%. Determine the liquid production rates as a function of the gas lift rate and water cut.
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Table 2: Gas Lift Data

Wellhead Pressure (psia) Injection Gas SG Injection Gas Surface Temp (degF) 300 0.6 100
To evaluate gas lift performance: 1. Double-click on Tubing and select the Downhole Equipment tab. 1. Under Equipment, select Gas Lift Injection. 2. Click Properties. 3. Enter a default gas lift rate of <1 mmscf/d>. 4. Go to Operations > Artificial Lift Performance and enter the Outlet Pressure. 5. For Sensitivity Data, enter water cut values of <10%> and <60%>.
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6. For the Gas Lift Injection Rate: a. Select Range. b. Enter a start value of <1.0>. c. Enter an end value of <10.0>. d. Enter increments of <0.5>. 7. Run the model to generate a plot of calculated liquid rate vs. gas lift rate for different water cuts. 8. Inspect the plot and summary output to determine answers.
Results
Gas Lift Rate (mmscf/d) 1 2 4 6 10 Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @ 10% Wcut Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @ 60% wcut
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Exercise 3
Working with Multiple Completions
Log analysis shows that a shallow gas zone exists at a TVD of 7,500 feet (Figure 21). As an alternative to gas lift injection, you can investigate the benefits of perforating this zone and self lifting the well.
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Figure 21
Shallow zone at 7,500 feet
Defining a Second Completion

To define a second completion: 1. Insert a second vertical completion below the NODAL analysis point. 2. Connect to the original completion using a separate tubing model, as shown below.
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3. Modify the upper tubing string to extend only to the top of the upper perforations. a. Modify the Deviation survey such that it will extend to only 7,200 feet TVD, as shown in the figure.
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b. Modify the Geothermal survey such that the ambient temperature at an MD of 7,500 feet is 180 degF. c. In the Tubing Configurations tab, specify a bottom MD of 7,500 feet and a tubing ID of 3.958 inches. d. In the Downhole Equipment tab, remove the gas lift injection. e. Click OK to close the menu. 4. Double-click on the lower tubing string to define its properties, a. In the Deviation Survey tab, define the lower tubing string profile, as shown in the figure.
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b. In the Geothermal Survey tab, specify temperatures of 180 degF at 7,500 feet and 200 degF at 9,000 feet. c. In the Tubing Configuration tab, specify a tubing ID of 3.958 inches to a depth of 8,600 feet MD, and 6.184 inches to a depth of 9,000 feet. d. Click OK to close the menu. 5. With no test data at hand, model the reservoir performance of the upper zone using the pseudo-steady state Darcy equation. Specify the upper completion using the following data:
Reservoir Properties - Upper Gas Zone Model Use Pseudo-pressures? Reservoir pressure Reservoir Temperature Thickness Permeability Mechanical Skin Rate Dependant Skin Pseudo-steady state yes 3,000 psia 180 degF 5 feet 20 md 0 0 Schlumberger Public
6. Select the Fluid model tab within the completion dialog and enter the following: a. Use a locally-defined fluid model with an LGR of 0 STB/ mmscfd, and a water cut of 0% (all gas). b. Specify a gas gravity of 0.67. c. Leave all other properties and correlations at their default settings. NOTE: The fluid data used for a well/source is defined by a default, local data set or an override value [for watercut and/or GOR/GLR/OGR/LGR]. If there are multiple fluids present in the system with different intrinsic properties, define the main fluid as the default and all others as local fluids.
7. To analyze the effect of perforating the upper zone (compared with gas lift injection), run a Pressure/Temperature Profile for the 60% water cut case. a. From Setup > Black Oil, set the water cut to 60%. NOTE: This water cut affects only the lower zone because the lower zone uses the default fluid model, while the upper zone is defined with a local fluid model.
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b. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile. c. Specify the Outlet Pressure as <300 psia>. d. Specify the Mass Rate as the Calculated Variable. e. Run the model. f. Inspect the output file to determine the results.
Results
Wellhead Pressure Liquid Rate (stb/d) Gas Rate (upper zone) (mmscfd) 300 psia
Question
Comparing the results of gas lift injection versus perforating the upper zone, roughly how much gas lift injection would result in the same liquid rate achievable through perforating the upper zone?
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Equivalent gas lift injection rate: ______________
Lesson 5
Flow Control Valve
A downhole flow control valve (FCV) allows you to model socalled 'intelligent' or 'smart' wells. The methodology implemented provides a simple way of modeling single branch (non-multilateral) intelligent wells in which FCVs are located close to the reservoir. An FCV can restrict the completion flow rate through the system; however, they are available only for vertical completions. The purpose of an FCV is to provide a restriction to fluid flow, thereby reducing the productivity (or injectivity) of a given completion. They are useful in a model containing multiple completions. An FCV is very similar to a choke. Like a choke, it can be modeled as a fixed-size orifice, in which form it presents a restriction to flow resulting in a pressure drop that increases as flow rate increases. Unlike a choke however, a maximum flow rate can also be specified. This is applied to the completion and, if necessary, the choke bean diameter is reduced to honor the limit. The choke diameter and flow rate limit can be applied separately or together. If they are both supplied, they are treated as maximum limits.
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As shown in Figure 22, the Flow Control Valve dialog uses radio buttons to present a choice between a Generic valve and a Specific valve.
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Figure 22
Flow Control Valve properties
A generic valve is specified with its Equivalent Choke Area, Gas and Liquid Flow Coefficients, and choice of Gas Choke Equation method. The choke area can be omitted if a Maximum Rate Through Valve is specified. If it is present, the FCV is modeled with that choke area but, if the resulting flow rate exceeds the limit, the area is reduced to honor the limit. You must choose a Specific Valve from the list of available valves provided in the PIPESIM database. Many of the specific valves are multi-position devices, as they allow you to select the effective choke area from a range of pre-installed fixed chokes. If a flow rate limit is supplied, the simulation selects the choke position required to honor the limit. Because the choke area cannot be calculated to match the limit exactly, this usually results in the flow rate being lower than the limit. The valve position may be specified or omitted. If specified, the FCV is modeled with the corresponding choke area, but if the resulting flow rate exceeds the limit, a lower position number is used. Valve positions are numbered in order of increasing choke size, starting with position zero. This position usually specifies a diameter of zero to allow the valve to be shut. An FCV may have as many as 30 positions.
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Exercise 1
Modeling a Flow Control Valve
A formation integrity test indicates you should not flow more than 2 mmscfd of gas from the upper formation. To make sure, install the FCV in the upper completion. To model a flow control valve: 1. Double-click on the upper completion and check Flow Control Valve. 2. In the FCV Properties window, set the Maximum Rate through Valve to 2 mmscfd. 3. Leave Equivalent Choke Area empty. 4. Run the model and view the output file for Bean Size. Required Bean Size: _______________ 5. (Optional) Select any Specific Valve to sensitize on FCV and generate a plot liquid flow rate vs. FCV position. TIP: Select SLB : TRFC-HN-AIS value and use System Analysis and mass flow rate.
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Review Questions
What is the effect on tubing performance curve of increasing the water cut? What is the difference between a standard choke and an FCV? What is the difference between a generic valve and a specific valve?
Summary
In this module, you learned how to: perform a NODAL analysis estimate bottomhole flowing conditions calibrate PVT data perform flow correlation matching perform IPR matching conduct a Water Cut Sensitivity analysis evaluate gas lift performance. install a flow control valve.
In the next module, you learn about evaluating gas well performance.
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NOTES
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Gas Well Performance
Module 4
A gas well has been drilled for which Drill Stem Test (DST) and compositional fluid data are available. In this module, you will model the performance of this well.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: model compositional fluid calibrate the Inflow model perform a NODAL analysis at bottomhole perform a System analysis select the optimum tubing size model flowline and choke performance calculate pressure drop due to increased condensate production.
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Lesson 1
Compositional Fluid Modeling
PIPESIM offers fully compositional fluid modeling as an alternative to the Black Oil model. Compositional fluid modeling is generally regarded as more accurate, especially for wet gas, condensate and volatile oil systems. However, detailed compositional data is less frequently available to the production engineer. PIPESIM currently has access to two compositional packages: SIS Flash, developed by Schlumberger. This is the same Equation of State package used by other GeoQuest products, such as ECLIPSE Compositional, PVTi, VFPi, and others. Multiflash, a 3rd-party compositional package (InfoChem).
Equations of State
Equations of State (EoS) describe the pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) behavior of pure components and mixtures. Most thermodynamic and transport properties are derived from the Equation of State, and are a function of pressure and temperature.
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One of the simplest Equations of State for this purpose is the ideal gas law, PV=nRT, which is roughly accurate for gases at low pressures and high temperatures. NOTE: The Black Oil model uses this equation along with a compressibility factor (z) to account for non-ideal behavior.
However, this equation becomes increasingly inaccurate at higher pressures and temperatures, and fails to predict condensation from a gas to a liquid. As a result, much more accurate Equations of State have been developed for gases and liquids. The Equations of State available in PIPESIM include SIS Flash, Multiflash, and Viscosity EoS.
SIS Flash
2-Parameter Peng-Robinson. 3-Parameter Peng-Robinson
Multiflash
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Standard Peng-Robinson Standard SRK Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) (default) Peng-Robinson Benedict-Webb-Rubin-Starling (BWRS)
Viscosity
Compositional fluid models also use Viscosity models based on corresponding state theory. Available Viscosity models include: Pederson (default) Lohrenz-Bray-Clark (LBC)
Comparative testing has shown the Pedersen method to be the most widely applicable and accurate for oil and gas viscosity predictions. Multiflash uses the Pedersen method as the default viscosity model, though an option is available to choose the LBC model for backward compatibility.
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The choice you make of the Equation of State has a large effect on the viscosities predicted by both methods. The LBC method is more sensitive to the Equation of State effects than the Pedersen method.
Figure 23
Selecting the default Viscosity option
Binary Interaction Parameter (BIP) Set

Binary interaction parameters (BIPs) are adjustable factors used to alter the predictions from a model until the predictions match experimental data as closely as possible. BIPs are usually generated by fitting experimental VLE or LLE data to the model in question. BIPs apply between pairs of components, although the fitting procedure may be based on both binary and multicomponent phase equilibrium information.
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Figure 24
Selecting a BIP in the Compositional Properties window
Emulsion Viscosities
An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquid phases. One phase (the dispersed phase) is carried as droplets in the other (the continuous phase). In oil/water systems at low water cuts, oil is usually the continuous phase.
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As water cut is increased, there comes a point at which phase inversion occurs, and water becomes the continuous phase. This is the Critical Watercut of Phase Inversion, otherwise called the cutoff, which occurs typically between 55% and 70% water cut. The viscosity of the mixture is usually highest at, and just below, the cutoff. Emulsion viscosities can be many times higher than the viscosity of either phase alone. Three mixing rules have been implemented that are identical to the options currently available in the Black Oil section. You can choose any of these options: Set to oil viscosity Volume ratio of oil and water viscosities Woelflin, which uses Woelflin correlation at watercut less than, or equal to, CUTOFF, and water viscosity at watercut greater than CUTOFF.
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Figure 25
Mixing options
Flashing Options
Flash calculations are an integral part of all reservoir and process engineering calculations. They are required whenever it is desirable to know the amounts (in moles) of hydrocarbon liquid and gas coexisting in a reservoir or a vessel at a given pressure and temperature. These calculations are also performed to determine the composition of the existing hydrocarbon phases. Given the overall composition of a hydrocarbon system at a specified pressure and temperature, flash calculations can determine four factors: Moles of the gas phase Moles of the liquid phase Composition of the liquid phase Composition of the gas phase
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The compositional module uses inline flashing (PVT tables built in memory) as the default mode of compositional simulation. For inline flashing, PIPESIM has three options Interpolation, Interpolation when close to phase boundary, and Rigorous. Interpolation To maximize the speed of the simulation, not all requested P/T points are flashed. A pressure/ temperature grid is defined and only these points are created. For points not lying exactly on a grid point, fourpoint interpolation is used. The default grid points can be changed via the compositional option. This is the fastest, but least accurate, method. Interpolation when close to a Phase Boundary In a case where one or more of the four points used for the interpolation is in a different phase, a full flash is performed and the data point added to the table. This will improve accuracy, but at the cost of speed. Rigorous A full flash is always performed. Very accurate, but slow!
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Figure 26
Flashing options
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Exercise 1
Creating a Compositional Fluid Model for a Gas Well
To create a compositional fluid model: 1. Open the Compositional Fluid menu by selecting Setup > Compositional. 2. Choose the Options tab and ensure that Multiflash is selected. NOTE: Schlumberger employees select SIS Flash. Your results will be slightly different.
3. Click the Component Selection tab. 4. Add library components by selecting the desired components from the list and clicking Add >>. 5. Specify the mole fractions.
Composition (%) Methane Schlumberger Public Ethane Propane Isobutane Butane Isopentane Pentane Hexane 78 8 3.5 1.2 1.5 0.8 0.5 0.5
6. Add the C7+ pseudo-component: a. Select the Petroleum Fractions tab. b. Enter the pseudo-component name and data. c. Highlight the row number for the pseudo-component and click Add to Composition.
Pseudo-Component Stock Tank Properties C7+ BP C7+ MW C7+ SG 214 degF 115 0.683
7. Return to the Component Selection tab and specify a C7+ mol fraction of <6>.
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8. To determine the water content at saturation at reservoir conditions: a. Add an arbitrary amount of water, such as 20 moles, to the composition. b. Select the Flash/Separation tab. c. Click the PT button and enter the reservoir pressure and temperature, <4,600 psia> and <280 degF>, respectively. d. Perform a flash, and read the water content for the vapor fraction from the screen. NOTE: The hydrocarbon vapor components will be normalized to include the mole fraction of water.
e. Copy and paste (Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V) the water and the normalized hydrocarbon composition back into the compositional editor main screen. NOTE: Water may be carried along with the gas in the vapor phase or entrained in the gas in droplet form. There exists at any temperature and pressure a maximum amount of water vapor that a gas is able to hold. A gas is completely saturated when it contains the maximum amount of water vapor for the given pressure and temperature conditions. Keeping the volume and pressure constant on water vapor-saturated gas, water will condense out at lower temperatures because the capacity of the gas to hold water is less. The same is true if the volume and temperature are kept constant, but the pressure is allowed to increase.
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9. Click Phase Envelope to generate a phase envelope using the water-saturated composition. 10. From the main Component Selection tab, click Export, name the composition <sat_gas> and click Save. 11. Select Setup > Flow Correlations and choose Gray Modified for the vertical flow correlation. 12. Select File > Save As and save the model as <GasWell.bps>.
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What are the differences between SIS Flash and Multiflash? What is the tradeoff between the rigorous flash option and the interpolation flash option? What is the likelihood of forming an emulsion when water and gaseous hydrocarbons are the two phases present?
Lesson 2
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Gas Well Deliverability
Based on the analysis for flow data obtained from a large number of gas wells, Rawlins and Schellhardt (1936) presented a relationship between the gas flow rate and pressure drawdown that can be expressed as: Qsc = C(pR2 pWF2)n where, Qsc = gas rate (mmscf/d) pR = average reservoir pressure (psia) pWF = flowing bottomhole pressure C = flow coefficient (mmscf/day/psi2) n = non-Darcy exponent The exponent n is intended to account for the additional pressure drop caused by the high-velocity gas flow, i.e., turbulence. Depending on the flowing conditions, the exponent n may vary from 1.0 for completely laminar flow to 0.5 for fully turbulent flow. The performance coefficient C in above equation is included to account for: Reservoir rock properties Fluid properties Reservoir flow geometry
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This equation is commonly called the deliverability or back-pressure equation. If you can determine the coefficients of the equation - n and C - you can calculate the gas flow rate Qsc at any bottomhole flow pressure pWF and construct the IPR curve. Deliverability testing has been used for more than sixty years by the petroleum industry to characterize and determine the flow potential of gas wells. There are essentially three types of deliverability tests: Conventional deliverability (back-pressure) test Isochronal test Modified isochronal test
Essentially, these tests consist of flowing wells at multiple rates and measuring the bottomhole flowing pressure as a function of time. When the recorded data are properly analyzed, it is possible to determine the flow potential and establish the inflow performance relationships of the gas well.
Exercise 1
Calculating Gas Well Deliverability

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In this exercise, you construct the simple physical well model shown below, and perform a simulation to calculate deliverability. 1. Using the Single Branch toolbar, insert a vertical completion, tubing, and NODAL analysis point, as shown in the figure.
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2. Edit the reservoir and tubing data according to the data in the table.
Reservoir Data Static Pres Reservoir Temp. Gas PI 4,600 psia 280 degF 1 x 10-6 mmscf/d/psi2 Tubing Data Mid perf TVD Mid perf MD Ambient temp EOT MD Tubing ID Casing ID 11,000 feet 11,000 feet 30 degF 10,950 feet 3.476 inches 8.681 inches
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The vertical completion properties for Well_1 are shown in the figure below, followed by an example of tubing properties for a simple model.
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3. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile Operation. a. Select the Gas Rate as the calculated variable. b. Specify an Outlet Pressure of <800 psia> and click Run. 4. The flow rate appears below the plot. You can read the bottomhole flowing pressure on the plot. 5. On the Plot menu, select Series. 6. Change the Y-axis to Temperature. You can read the bottomhole and wellhead temperatures on the plot.
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Results
Pres = 4,600 psia, Tres = 280 degF % H2O @ saturation Po = 800 psia QG Pwf BHT WHT
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Exercise 2
Calibrating the Inflow Model Using Multipoint Test Data
In this exercise, you use the back-pressure equation for inflow performance relationship for a gas well producing at a pseudo-steady state. Using a multipoint well test, the C and n parameters are calculated. 1. Double-click Completion. 2. Select the Back Pressure Equation from the drop-down menu. 3. Click Calculate/Graph and enter the test data listed in the table..
Multipoint Test Data QGas (mmscf/d) 9.7 11.9 14.3 Schlumberger Public Pwf (psia) 3,000 2,500 1,800
TIP:
To position data points, right-click and drag on a plot. To zoom in, click and drag a window across the data points towards the lower right. To zoom out, click and drag a window towards the upperleft.
4. Rerun the Pressure/Temperature Profile operation to determine the following: Gas flow rate Bottomhole flowing pressure Bottomhole flowing temperature Wellhead temperature
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5. Inspect the profile plot and summary file to determine results.
Results
Back Pressure Equation Parameter C Parameter n Po = 800 psia QG Pwf Tbh (degF) Twh (degF)
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What IPR methods are available in PIPESIM for gas wells?
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What are the three types of gas well deliverability tests? Does the C factor in the back pressure equation change over time?
Lesson 3
Predicting Erosion
Erosion has been long recognized as a potential source of problems in oil and gas production systems. Erosion can occur in solids-free fluids but, usually, it is caused by entrained solids (sand). Two erosion models are available in PIPESIM API 14 E and Salama.
Figure 27
Selecting erosion options
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API 14 E
The API 14 E model comes from the American Petroleum Institute, Recommended Practice, number 14 E. This is a solids-free model which calculates only an erosion velocity (no erosion rate). The erosion velocity Ve is calculated with the formula:
Where m is the fluid mean density and C is an empirical constant. C has dimensions of (mass/(length*time2)) 0.5. Its default value in engineering units is 100, which corresponds to 122 in SI units. The current practice for eliminating erosional problems in piping systems is to limit the flow velocity to that calculated by this correlation.
Salama
The Salama model was published in Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol 122, June 2000, "An Alternative to API 14 E Erosional Velocity Limits for Sand Laden Fluids," by Mamdouh M. Salama. This model calculates erosion rate and erosional velocity. The parameters required for the model are Acceptable Erosion rate, Sand production ratio, Sand Grain Size, Geometry Constant and Efficiency. The equations in Salama's paper use a sand rate in Kg/day. This is obtained from the supplied volume ratio using Salama's 'typical value' for sand density - 2650 kg/m 3.
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Exercise 1
Selecting a Tubing Size
In this exercise, you perform a NODAL analysis to select an optimum tubing size. The available tubing sizes have IDs of 2.992 inches, 3.958 inches, 4.892 inches, and 6.184 inches. Your final decision will be based on these criteria: Flow rate (High) Erosional velocity ratio (<1). Cost (Generally increases with size)
To select a tubing size: 1. Ensure that the model includes a NODAL analysis object located between the tubing and the completion. 2. Select Operations > NODAL analysis. a. Enter <800 psia> as the Outlet Pressure. b. Enter the tubing IDs as the Outflow Sensitivity.
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c. Run the model and observe the outflow curves.
3. Another way to analyze the effect of the tubing ID, is to perform a Pressure/Temperature profile. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature Profile. a. Enter the tubing size as the sensitivity. b. Specify the flow rate as the calculated variable and run the model. c. From the profile plot, change the X-axis to Erosional Velocity Ratio (EVR = actual velocity / API 14e limit) by selecting the Series option from the toolbar. This lets you determine the maximum erosional velocity ratio. Based on the results of the NODAL analysis and EVR calculations, which tubing size would you select? ____________
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4. Record the results below for the selected tubing size, and specify this tubing size in the tubing object in subsequent exercises and procedures.
Results
Po = 800 psia QG Pwf BHT WHT Well-head, Selected Tubing Max. Erosional velocity ratio
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Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What are the criteria for optimum tubing selection? What is the basic difference between the API 14 E and the Salama correlation?
Lesson 4
Modeling Chokes
Wellhead chokes are used to limit production rates to meet surface constraints, protect surface equipment from slugging, avoid sand problems due to high drawdown, and control flow rate to avoid water or gas coning. Placing a choke at the wellhead increases the wellhead pressure and, thus, the flowing bottomhole pressure which reduces production rate. Pressure drop across wellhead chokes is usually very significant, and various choke flow models are available for critical (sonic) and subcritical flow (Figure 28).
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Figure 28
Gas fraction in the fluid and flow regimes
Sound waves and pressure waves are both mechanical waves. When the fluid flow velocity in a choke reaches the traveling velocity of sound in the fluid under the in situ condition, the flow is called sonic flow. Under sonic flow conditions, the pressure wave downstream of the choke cannot go upstream through the choke because the medium (fluid) is traveling in the opposite direction at the same velocity. As a result, a pressure discontinuity exists at the choke, which means that the downstream pressure does not affect the upstream pressure. Because of the pressure discontinuity at the choke, any change in the downstream pressure cannot be detected from the upstream pressure gauge. Any change in the upstream pressure cannot be detected from the downstream pressure gauge either. This sonic flow provides a unique choke feature that stabilizes the well production rate and separation operation conditions.
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Whether a sonic flow exists at a choke depends on a downstream-toupstream pressure ratio. If this pressure ratio is less than a critical pressure ratio, sonic (critical) flow exists. If this pressure ratio is greater than, or equal to, the critical pressure ratio, sub-sonic (sub-critical) flow exists. The critical pressure ratio is about 0.55 for natural gas, and a similar constant is used for oil flow. In some wells, chokes are installed in the lower section of tubing strings. This choke arrangement reduces wellhead pressure and enhances oil production rate as a result of gas expansion in the tubing string. For gas wells, a downhole choke may reduce the risk of gas hydrates. A major disadvantage of using downhole chokes is that replacing a choke is costly.
Exercise 1
Modeling a Flowline and Choke
In this exercise, you add a horizontal flow line and a choke to the model. You use the gas rate calculated in the previous exercise to determine the choke bean size that results in a manifold (end of flowline) pressure of 710 psia.
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To model a flowline and choke: 1. Ensure the tubing ID is set to 3.958 inches. 2. Insert a choke at the wellhead and reconnect the tubing to the choke. 3. Select the mechanistic model for both critical and sub-critical flow. TIP: You may enter any choke size you wish, but it will be overridden by the sensitivity variable.
4. Insert a flowline downstream of the choke and connect it to a node representing the manifold.
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5. Specify the flowline using the data in the table.

Flow-line length Flow-line ID Pipe Roughness Wall thickness Ambient Temp 300 feet 6 inches 0.001 inches 0.5 inches 60 degF
6. Select Operations > Pressure Temperature Profile. a. Select Other Variable as calculated, and input a choke size. A good estimate is a size between 1 inch and 3 inches. b. Set the Outlet Pressure to 710 psia. c. Specify the gas flow rate calculated in the previous exercise. d. Run the model and see the PsPlot for the choke size. 7. Enter the resulting choke size into the choke model.
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8. Re-run the Pressure/Temperature profile with outlet pressure as the calculated variable to verify that the calculated wellhead pressure is 800 psia. 9. Inspect the output file to determine individual pressure drops for the reservoir, tubing, choke and flow line.
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Results
Po = 710 psia Choke size Pressure losses across system P Reservoir P Tubing P Choke P Flow-line
Exercise 2
Predicting Future Production Rates
In this exercise, you use System analysis to calculate the gas rate as a function of reservoir pressure. To predict future production rates: 1. Right-click and choose Active to deactivate the choke and flowline. These objects should be highlighted in red to indicate they are inactive. 2. Select Operations > System Analysis. 3. Choose Gas Rate as the calculated variable. 4. Set the wellhead pressure to <800 psia>. 5. Use Reservoir (Static) Pressure as the X-axis variable, and set these values: 4,600 psia 4,300 psia 3,800 psia 3,400 psia
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6. Run the model and view the resultant plot.
Results
Reservoir Pressure (psia) 4,600 4,300 3,800 3,400 Gas Rate (mmscfd)
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Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What is the difference between critical and sub-critical flow? What effect does changing the manifold pressure have if the choke is in critical flow? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using downhole chokes instead of wellhead chokes?
Lesson 5
Liquid Loading
Gas wells usually produce natural gas-carrying liquid water and/or condensate in the form of mist. As the gas flow velocity in the well drops because of reservoir pressure depletion, the carrying capacity of the gas decreases. When the gas velocity drops to a critical level, liquids begin to accumulate in the well (liquid loading). This increases the bottomhole pressure, which reduces the gas production rate. A low gas production rate will cause gas velocity to drop further and, eventually, the well will cease producing.
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Turner Droplet Model

In predominantly gas wells operating in the annular-mist flow regime, liquids flow as individual particles (droplets) in the gas core and as a liquid film along the tubing wall. By analyzing a large database of producing gas wells, Turner found that a force balance performed on a droplet could predict whether the liquids would flow upwards (drag forces) or downwards (gravitational forces). If the gas velocity is above a critical velocity, the drag force lifts the droplet, otherwise the droplet falls and liquid loading occurs. This is illustrated in Figure 29.
Figure 29
Turner Droplet model
When the drag is equal to weight, the gas velocity is at critical. Theoretically, at the critical velocity, the droplet would be suspended in the gas stream, moving neither upward nor downward. Below the critical velocity, the droplet falls and liquids accumulate in the wellbore.
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In practice, the critical gas velocity is generally defined as the minimum gas velocity in the tubing string required to move droplets upward. The general form of Turner's equation is given by:
where, g = gas phase density (lbm/ft3) l = liquid phase density (lbm/3) = interfacial tension (dynes/cm) vt = terminal velocity of liquid droplet (ft/sec) Liquid loading calculations are performed in every operation, and are available for review in output files and plot reports. Review the output file to determine if the well is under liquid loading. A value of Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio in excess of 1 indicates loading. The NODAL analysis plot will report the Liquid Loading Gas Rate when the X-axis is configured to display gas rate. For every point on the outflow curve, the value of Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is calculated and the critical gas rate is calculated at a point where liquid loading velocity ratio is equal to 1. NOTE: The reported value comes from interpolation of the outflow curve between two points, one with a velocity ratio below 1 and another with a velocity ratio above 1. Therefore, the accuracy of the results depends on the number of points on the outflow curve.
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Exercise 1
Determining a Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading
To determine the Critical Gas Rate: 1. Select Operations > NODAL analysis. 2. Select Limits and change these settings: Number of points on each inflow curve = 100 Number of points on each outflow curve = 200 Inflow curves to extend to the AOFP Outflow curves limited to the pressure range of the inflow curves
3. Set the outlet pressure to 800 psia and run the model.
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4. Plot the Pressure at NA point vs Stock Tank Gas Rate. Note the stock tank gas rate on the Data tab. The reported critical gas rate is _________ mmscfd NOTE: The reported critical gas rate refers to the outflow curve, which you can validate by performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile operation at the same conditions (flow rate and outlet pressure).
5. Perform a Pressure/Temperature Profile operation to calculate inlet pressure at the given critical gas rate corresponding to outflow outlet pressure of 800 psia. 6. View the output file to see if the Maximum Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is close to 1, which is consistent with the results of the NODAL analysis.
Review Question
What actions can be taken to prevent liquid loading?
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Summary
In this module, you learned how to: build a simple well model calibrate the inflow model perform a NODAL analysis at bottomhole perform system analysis select optimum tubing size model flowline and choke performance calculate the pressure drop due to increased condensate production.
In the next module, you learn about using PIPESIM to design and evaluate horizontal well performance.
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NOTES
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Horizontal Well Design
Module 5
This module shows you how to use PIPESIM to design a horizontal well and evaluate horizontal well performance.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: optimize horizontal well length perform horizontal well IPR / sensitivity model a horizontal well with multiple perforated intervals.
Lesson 1
Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions

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The main advantage of a horizontal well, as compared to a vertical well, is to enhance reservoir contact and, thereby, enhance well productivity. There are also many circumstances that lead to drilling horizontal wells (Cooper, 1988): Thin reservoirs The increased area of contact of the horizontal well with the reservoir is reflected by the Productivity Index (PI). Typically, the PI for a horizontal well may be increased by a factor of 4 when compared to a vertical well penetrating the same reservoir. When irregular reservoirs exist, the horizontal well can effectively intersect isolated productive zones which might otherwise be missed. A horizontal well can also intersect vertical natural fractures in a reservoir. A horizontal well provides minimum pressure drawdown, which delays the onset of water/gas breakthrough. Even though the production per unit well length is small, the long well length provides high production rates. If the ratio of vertical permeability to horizontal permeability is a high, a horizontal well may produce more economically than a vertical well.
Heterogeneous reservoirs
Reduce water/ gas coning
Vertical permeability
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These IPR methods are available in PIPESIM for designing horizontal wells. Steady State Production The simplest form of horizontal well productivity calculations are the steady-state analytical solutions, which assume that the pressure at any point in the reservoir does not change with time. According to Joshi (1991), even though very few reservoirs operate under steady-state conditions, steady state solutions are widely used because: Analytical derivation is easy. The concepts of expanding drainage boundary over time, effective wellbore radius and shape factors allows the conversion to either transient or pseudosteady state results to be quite straightforward. Steady-state mathematical results can be verified experimentally.
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The steady-state distributive productivity index is based upon Joshi's SPE 16868 "Review of Horizontal and Drainhole Technology." The equation is based on the assumption that the horizontal well drains an ellipsoidal volume around the wellbore of length L. Pseudo-Steady State Production It is often desirable to calculate productivity from a reservoir with unique boundary conditions, such as a gas cap or bottom water drive, finite drainage area, well location, and so forth. In these instances, pseudo-steady state equations are employed. Pseudo-steady state or depletion state begins when the pressure disturbance created by the well is felt at the boundary of the well drainage area. The Pseudo-steady state productivity index is based on Babu and Odeh's SPE paper 18298. It is recommended that you read this reference before applying the equation. The equation is based upon the Pseudo-steady state IPR well model applied to a rectangular drainage area.
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Distributed Productivity Index Method
This option uses straight line PI value for liquid or gas. The distributed productivity index relationship is: Q = J(Pws - Pwf)L for liquid reservoirs OR Q = J(Pws2 - Pwf2)L for gas reservoirs, where J = distributed productivity index.
The Optimum Horizontal Completion Analysis module can accurately predict the hydraulic wellbore performance in the completion, and is an integral part of the PIPESIM reservoir-to-surface analysis. PIPESIM uses a technique in which the horizontal completion is subdivided into vertical cross-sections, and flow is treated independently from other cross-sections. This multiple source concept leads to a pressure gradient from the blind-end (toe) to the producingend (heel) which, if neglected, results in over-predicting deliverability. The reduced drawdown at the toe results in the production leveling off as a function of well length, and it can be shown that drilling beyond an optimum length would yield no significant additional production.
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Exercise 1
Constructing the Well Model
To construct the well model: 1. Construct the physical horizontal well model shown in the figure, using the tubing data in the tables that follow.
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Wellbore Deviation Survey Data MD (ft) 0 7,000 7,700 8,400 9,000 9,500 TVD (ft) 0 7,000 7,600 8,000 8,200 8,300 Geothermal Survey MD 0 9000 Schlumberger Public Ambient Temp. (degF) 50 200 Tubing Configuration Bottom MD (ft) 9500 ID (in) 2.992 Completion Data Static Pressure Temperature Completion Model IPR Model Type Distributed PI 4,600 psia 200 degF Distributed PI Distributed PI 1.00E-9 mmscf/d/psi2/ft Wellbore Data Length ID Tambient (degF) 10,000 feet 2.992 inches 200 degF Pipe Roughness (in) 0.001 U Value (Btu/hr/ft2) 2 2
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2. Select Setup > Compositional. a. Enter the following composition:

Component Methane Ethane Propane Isobutane Butane Mol % 0.846 0.087 0.038 0.013 0.016
b. Enter the water content of <2 BBL/mmscf>. 3. Select Setup > Flow Correlations and specify Beggs-Brill Revised for both horizontal and vertical flow.
Exercise 2
Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal Well Length

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To evaluate the optimal horizontal well length: 1. Select Operations > Optimum Horizontal Well Length. 2. For an outlet pressure of 200 psia, evaluate the optimal length of a horizontal well up to approximately 10,000 feet and the pressure loss from the toe to the heel of the horizontal well. Optimal horizontal well length: ____________________.
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Exercise 3
Specifying Multiple Horizontal Perforated Intervals
Additional geological information suggests that the reservoir consists of four sand intervals that are 500, 400, 400, and 500 feet in width, with equally spaced impermeable intervals of 400 feet in width. To specify multiple intervals: 1. Specify separate horizontal completions for each interval with flowline objects to connect the completion intervals, as shown in the figure below.
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2. Run a Pressure Temperature profile with the Gas Rate as the calculated variable and 200 psia as the Outlet Pressure.
Results
Po = 200 psia QG Bhp
Review Questions
What are the advantages of a horizontal well over a vertical well? What are the basic completion models in PIPESIM for horizontal wells? Explain the shape of the horizontal well length versus production rate curve
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Summary
In this module, you learned how to: construct a horizontal well optimize horizontal well length perform horizontal well IPR / sensitivity model a horizontal well with multiple perforated intervals.
In the next module, you learn how to design a subsea tieback.
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Subsea Tieback Design
Module 6
The offshore frontier poses some of the greatest technical challenges facing the oil and gas industry, particularly as we venture into ever deeper waters and more remote locations. Development costs can be substantial and many new production systems must be designed to accommodate subsea multiphase flow across long distances to be economically viable. Managing costs over extended distances introduces a number of complex risks and reliability becomes a key concern due to high intervention costs and potential for downtime. Characterizing and managing these risks requires detailed multidisciplinary engineering analysis and has led to the emergence of a new field called flow assurance. Design of subsea tiebacks requires multiphase flow simulation to assure that fluids will be safely and economically transported from the bottom of the wells all the way to the downstream processing plant. Four flow assurance issues are discussed in this module, including hydrates, heat loss, erosion, and liquid slugging.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: develop a compositional model of the hydrocarbon phases size the subsea tieback line and riser determine the pipeline insulation requirements screen the results for severe slugging at the riser base size a slug catcher.
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Lesson 1
Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design
In this case study, a client plans to produce four condensate wells into a subsea manifold, through a subsea tieback, and up a riser to a platform. The oil and gas will be separated, with the oil pumped to shore and the gas compressed to shore.
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Figure 30
Subsea Tieback
Exercise 1
Developing a Compositional PVT Model
In this exercise, you develop a compositional PVT model based on the data in the tables that follow. Table 3: Pure Hydrocarbon Components
Component Carbon Dioxide Methane Ethane Propane Isobutane Butane Isopentane Pentane Hexane Moles 3 72 6 3 1 1 1 0.5 0.5
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Table 4: Petroleum Fractions

Name C7+ Boiling Point (degF) 214 Molecular Weight 115 Specific Gravity 0.683 Moles 12
Table 5: Aqueous Component

Component Water Volume ratio (%bbl/bbl) 10
To develop a Compositional PVT model: 1. Open the Setup > Compositional menu to enter the pure components noted in the preceding tables. 2. Select the pure hydrocarbon components from the component database. TIP: Make multiple selections by holding down the Ctrl key.
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3. After selecting all pure hydrocarbon components, click Add >>. 4. Select the Petroleum Fractions tab and characterize the petroleum fraction C7+ by entering these parameters: petroleum fraction name BP MW SG in Row 1
5. Highlight the row by clicking Row 1, and click Add to composition >>. 6. Return to the Component Selection tab and enter the number of moles for C7+. 7. Select the Options tab and select Multiflash. 8. Select the SRK equation of state. 9. Select the Pedersen viscosity model. 10. Generate the hydrocarbon phase envelope by clicking Phase Envelope.
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Exercise 2
Constructing the Model
In this exercise, you construct the subsea tieback model. To construct the model: 1. Using the Single Branch toolbar, insert the objects shown in the figure below.
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2. Specify each object based on the data provided in the tables that follow. NOTE: To enter the detailed heat transfer data in the flowline and riser, select the Heat Transfer tab and click Calculate U value. Ensure that your Riser Elevation survey matches that shown below.
Manifold Data Pressure Temperature 1,500 psia 176 degF Subsea Tieback Data Rate of undulations Horizontal Distance Elevational difference Available IDs Heat Transfer: Ambient temperature Pipe thermal conductivity Insulation thermal conductivity Insulation thicknesses available Ambient fluid 38 degF 35 Btu/hr/ft/degF 0.15 Btu/hr/ft/degF 0.25 in + 0.25 in increments water 0'/1000 feet (not hilly) 6 miles 0 feet (horizontal) 9,10,11 inches
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Ambient fluid velocity Burial depth Ground conductivity
1.5 ft/sec Leave it blank (Elevated above ground) 1.5 Btu/hr/ft/degF Riser (use detailed profile)
Horizontal Distance Elevational difference Available IDs Heat Transfer: Ambient temperature @ riser base Ambient temperature @ 1,200 feet Ambient temperature @ 800 feet Ambient temperature @ 400 feet Ambient temperature @ topsides Pipe thermal conductivity Insulation thermal conductivity Insulation thickness Ambient fluid Ambient fluid velocity
0 feet (vertical pipe) 1,600 feet 9,10,11 inches
38 degF 42 degF 48 degF 56 degF 68 degF 35 Btu/hr/ft/degF 0.15 Btu/hr/ft/degF 0.50 in (plus additional 0.25 in increments if required) water 1.5 ft/sec Schlumberger Public
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Exercise 3
Sizing the Subsea Tieback
You will now determine the required ID for the subsea tieback, such that the separator pressure for the maximum expected rate is no less than 400 psia. The expected production rate is 14,000 STBD. The system will be designed to accommodate between 8,000 STBD (turndown case) and 16,000 STBD, should the wells produce more than expected. The riser must be the same ID as the tieback, and you must not exceed the erosional velocity. To size the subsea tieback: 1. From the Setup > Flow Correlations menu, make the following selections: Vertical Flow Correlation = Hagedorn Brown (Duns & Ros map) Horizontal Flow Correlation = Beggs-Brill Revised
2. Perform a System analysis with the minimum, maximum, and expected flow rates as the X-axis variable, and the available IDs for the flowline and riser as Change in Step sensitivity variables.
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3. Determine the minimum flowline ID that satisfies the separator pressure requirement (400 psia) for the maximum flow rate. 4. Change the Y-axis to display Erosional Velocity Ratio Maximum. 5. Verify that the selected flowline ID does not exceed an erosional velocity ratio of 1.0 for the expected flow rate.
Results
Property Pipeline and Riser ID Max. erosional velocity ratio for selected ID Min. Separator pressure for selected ID Max. separator pressure for selected ID Value
Lesson 2
Hydrates
Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds with a snow-like consistency that occur when small gas molecules come into contact with water at below a certain temperature. Hydrate formation temperature increases with increasing pressure, therefore, hydrates risk increases at higher pressures and lower temperatures. When hydrates form inside the pipeline, the flow can be blocked by hydrate plugs. Hydrate forming molecules most commonly include methane, ethane, propane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
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Three hydrate crystal structures have been identified - Structures I, II, and H. The properties of Structures I and II hydrates are well defined. Structure H hydrates are relatively new, and their properties are less well defined. Hydrates can very easily form downstream of a choke where fluid temperature can drop into the hydrate formation region due to JouleThompson cooling effects. Figure 31, below, shows a typical gas hydrate curve which is very useful for subsea pipeline design and operations. On the left side of the curve is the hydrate formation region. When pressure and temperature are in this region, water and gas will start to form hydrate. Many factors impact the hydrate curve, including fluid composition, water salinity and presence of hydrate inhibitors. NOTE: Generating Hydrate curves requires the PIPESIM Multiflash Hydrate Package and cannot be used with SIS Flash.
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Figure 31
Hydrate curve
Hydrate Mitigation Strategies in PIPESIM

Two common strategies available in PIPESIM to mitigate hydrates formation are thermal insulation and chemical inhibitors. Thermal insulation carries a higher upfront capital cost whereas chemical inhibition carries a higher operational cost.
Thermal insulation
Heat transfer between the fluid and surroundings occurs, depending upon the temperature gradient. There are two options for modeling the heat transfer in PIPESIM Input U value and Calculate U value. Input U value is an overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) based upon the pipe outside diameter is entered. Calculate U value includes the following information, which can be entered to compute the overall Heat Transfer coefficient. Pipe coatings Thickness of the pipe coat. K (Thermal conductivity) of the material
Pipe conductivity
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Ambient fluid (Air or Water) Ambient Fluid Velocity Pipe burial Depth Ground conductivity (for flowlines only)
Chemical Inhibitors
Thermodynamic inhibitors can be used to shift the hydrate curve towards the left, thereby lowering the hydrate formation temperature. Examples of inhibitors include methanol and ethylene glycol. Kinetic and anti-agglomerate inhibitors comprise a category known as Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors (LDHIs). These inhibitors do not lower the hydrate formation temperature; instead, they help prevent the nucleation and agglomeration of hydrates to avoid blockage formation. The effects of these types of inhibitors cannot be modeled with PIPESIM.
Exercise 1
Selecting Tieback Insulation Thickness
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Using the tieback/riser ID selected above, determine the thickness of the insulation required for both the flowline and the riser, such that the temperature of the fluid does not cross the hydrate curve for all possible flow rates. To select tieback insulation thickness: 1. Double-click on the Report tool, and ensure that Phase Envelope is checked. 2. Select Operations > Pressure/Temperature profile. 3. Specify Separator (outlet) pressure as the calculated variable, and the three design flow rates as the sensitivity variables. 4. Use the Series menu on the resulting plot to change the Xaxis to Temperature and the Y-axis to Pressure to display the phase envelope. 5. Observe the production path on the phase envelope and its proximity to the hydrate curve. 6. If required, perform successive runs while increasing the insulation thickness of both the flowline and riser by 0.25 inch increments until sufficient.
Results
Property Req. Insulation thickness Value
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Exercise 2
Determining the Methanol Requirement
Assume the flowline has been installed but it is under-insulated with only 0.25 inch of insulation. In this exercise, you determine the required injection volume of methanol to ensure that hydrates do not form. To determine the methanol requirement: 1. Insert an injector just downstream of the source, as shown in the figure below.
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2. Double-click on the Injector (Use temp. = 68 degF) and select Edit Composition. a. Specify a composition of <100% Methanol>. b. Click OK to accept the composition. 3. Select Setup > Heat Transfer Options, and verify that Enable Hydrate Sub-Cooling Calculation is selected. 4. Select Operations > System Analysis. a. Specify a liquid rate of <8,000 BPD> and select calculated variable as the outlet pressure. b. For the X-axis variable, select the Injector as the object and Rate as the Variable. c. Select Range and enter a range of <50 to 500 BPD> in increments of 50 BPD. d. Uncheck the active status on all sensitivity variables with defined values. e. Run the model. 5. On the resulting plot, change the Y-axis to display Maximum Hydrate Subcooling Temperature.
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6. From the plot, determine the required Methanol injection rate, such that the flowing temperature is always above the stable hydrate temperature. NOTE: A Positive Hydrate Subcooling in the output file indicates the fluid temperature is below the hydrate stability temperature.
Results
Property Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d) Value
Questions
These questions are for discussion and review. What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermal insulation versus chemical inhibition for prevention of hydrates? What is the basic difference between thermodynamic inhibitors and low-dosage hydrate inhibitors?
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Lesson 3
Severe Riser Slugging
Severe slugging in risers may occur in a multiphase transport system consisting of a long flowline followed by a riser. Severe slugging is a transient phenomenon that can be split into four steps, as shown in Figure 32 on the following page Step 1: Slug formation corresponds to an increase of the pressure in bottom of the riser. The liquid level does not reach the top of the riser. During this period, the liquid is no longer supported by the gas and begins to fall, resulting in blockage to the riser entrance and pipeline pressure buildup, until the liquid level in the riser reaches to the top. Step 2: In slug production, the liquid level reaches the riser outlet, and the liquid slug begins to be produced until gas reaches the riser base. In bubble penetration, gas is again supplied to the riser, so the hydrostatic pressure decreases. As a result, the gas flow rate increases. This corresponds to gas blowdown. When the gas produced at the riser bottom reaches the top, the pressure is minimal and the liquid is no longer gaslifted. The liquid level falls and a new cycle begins.
Step 3:
Step 4:
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Figure 32
The four slugging steps Schlumberger Public
PIPESIM does not rigorously model severe slugging associated with risers, as this is a transient phenomena, but it does report a dimensionless indicator of the likelihood of this occurring (PI-SS number in PIPESIM output file). Severe slugging is most prevalent in cases in which a long flowline proceeds a riser, especially for cases in which the flowline inclination angle is negative going into the riser. In cases of severe slugging, the slug catcher must be able to receive a volume of liquid at least equal to the volume of the riser. However, severe slugging can be mitigated by topsides choking or riser base gas lift including self-lifting mechanisms.
PI-SS Indicator (Severe-Slugging Group)

The PI-SS indicator (severe-slugging group) is the ratio between the pressure build-up rates of gas phase and that of liquid phase in a flowline followed by a vertical riser:
where, Z = Gas compressibility factor R = Gas universal constant T = Temperature (K)
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M = Molecular weight of gas WG = Gas mass flow rate (kg/s) WL = Liquid mass flow rate (kg/s) g =Acceleration due to gravity (m/s2) LF = Flowline length (m) = Average flowline gas holdup Severe slugging is expected when the Pots number is equal to, or less than, unity. Pots model can be used to determine the onset of severe slugging, but the model cannot predict how long the severe slugs will be and how fast severe slugs will be produced into the separator. The PI-SS indicator is available as part of the PRIMARY output in PIPESIM.
Exercise 1
Screening for Severe Riser Slugging
To screen for severe riser slugging:

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1. Deactivate the methanol injector and reset the insulation thickness to that determined to prevent hydrate formation. 2. Under Setup > Define Output, select three cases to print. This reports the full output of each sensitivity value with the Report tool selections appended to the bottom of each sensitivity output. 3. Perform a System analysis with an inlet pressure of 1,500, outlet pressure calculated and liquid rates of <8,000; 14,000 and 16,000 BPD>. 4. To check for severe slugging: a. Configure the Y-axis of the System analysis plot to display the PI-SS number. This represents the maximum value of the PI-SS number along the flowline. b. View the Output report in Reports > Output File, to determine the prevalent flow regime at the riser base for the different rates. Results
Severe Slugging PI-SS number at riser base Flow pattern at riser base 8,000 stb/d 14,000 stb/d 16,000 stb/d
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Lesson 4
Slug Catcher Sizing
PIPESIM is frequently used to estimate the capacity requirements for slug catchers. More detailed analysis is typically performed with transient simulators such as OLGA. For offshore platforms, you must balance the high cost of added weight to the platform with the potential of a large slug overwhelming the liquids handling capacity and shutting down the entire system. There are three typical scenarios to consider in the sizing of slug catchers for this type of system: Hydrodynamic slugging Pigging Ramp-up
Hydrodynamic Slugging
Most multiphase production systems will experience hydrodynamic slugging. Designing systems simply to avoid hydrodynamic slugging (e.g., larger pipe ID) is not common practice. Because hydrodynamic slugs grow as they progress through the pipe, long pipelines may produce very large hydrodynamic slugs.
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PIPESIM calculates the mean slug length as a function of distance traveled by using the SSB or Norris Correlations. A continuous intermittent flow regime is required for this to occur. A probabilistic model (again, based on Prudhoe Bay field data) is applied to calculate the largest slug out of 10, 100 and 1,000 occurrences. The 1/1000 slug length is often used to determine slug catcher volume requirement. The slug output from PIPESIM yields the length and frequency for the selected slug size correlation: Mean slug length (distribution is assumed skewed log normal) 1 in 1,000 slug length and frequency 1 in 100 slug length and frequency 1 in 10 slug length and frequency
The preceding probabilities represent various levels of confidence regarding the maximum slug size. For example, a 1 in thousand slug length of 50 meters indicates there is only 0.1% probability of the maximum slug length exceeding 50 meters. Symbols that may appear in the slug output have the following meanings: 0.0 Flow is not in a slugging regime (as calculated by the relevant flow map correlation at spot report) and, thus, no hydrodynamic slugs are required. The slug length calculated using the chosen slugging correlation is negative and, therefore, slug size is indeterminate at this point in the flowline.
N/A
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It should be noted that the slug size data output is only printed if SLUG is specified in the Windows menu option Define Output.
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Figure 33
Define Output menu options
Alternatively, you can insert the Report tool and check Slugging values and Sphere-generated Liquid Volume values, as shown in Figure 34, below.
Figure 34
Selecting report properties
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Pigging
In multiphase flow in horizontal and upwards inclined pipe, the gas travels faster than the liquid due to lower density and lower viscosity. This is called slippage. Multiphase flow correlations predict the slipratio which depends on many factors, such as fluid properties, pipe diameter and flow regime. To preserve continuity, recall the definition of liquid holdup discussed in Module 2. In steady-state flow, the gas travels faster, so it will slip past the liquid and occupy less pipe volume. This gives rise to a higher liquid volume fraction than if the gas traveled at the same velocity, resulting in liquid holdup, as illustrated in Figure 35, below.
Figure 35
Liquid Holdup Schlumberger Public
During a pigging operation, a solid object the diameter of the pipeline is sent through the line to push out liquids and debris. As a pipeline is pigged (Figure 36), a volume of liquid builds up ahead of the pig and is expelled into the slug catcher as the pig approaches the exit. PIPESIM considers that the pig travels at the mean fluid velocity and, thus, the volume of liquid that collects ahead of the pig is a function the degree of slip between the gas and liquid phases (i.e., magnitude of liquid holdup). PIPESIM reports this volume as the sphere generated liquid volume (SGLV). The slip ratio (SR) is also reported, which is the average speed of the fluid divided by the speed of the liquid. The volume of liquid expelled at the receiving terminal as a result of pigging can be estimated using steady-state analysis as a first order approximation.
Figure 36
Pigging operation
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Ramp-up
When the flow rate into a pipeline increases, the overall liquid holdup typically decreases because the gas can more efficiently sweep out the liquid phase. When a sudden rate increase (ramp-up) occurs, the liquid volume in the pipeline is accelerated resulting in a surge. A ramp-up operation is illustrated in Figure 37. The size of the surge is influenced by the sensitivity of liquid holdup with respect to the overall flow rate. A simple material balance approach can be applied to estimate the volume of the associated surge. For more details, see Cunliffe's method entry in the PIPESIM help system.
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Figure 37
Ramp-Up Operation
Evaluating Each Scenario

For a more detailed analysis of slug catcher sizing, you should also consider the drainage rates of the primary separator and slug catcher. Hydrodynamic slugs and pig-generated slugs typically occur over a short duration (minutes), while the surge created by a ramp-up operation can be a long duration (hours/days).
Exercise 2
Sizing a Slug Catcher
In this exercise, you screen for severe slugging and determine the required size of the slug catcher based on the largest of the following criteria, multiplied by a safety factor of 1.2. Consider these criteria: Hydrodynamic slugging, which is the requirement to handle the largest slugs envisaged, chosen to be statistically the 1/ 1000 population slug size. This is determined by using the SSB or Norris Correlations. The requirement to handle liquid swept in front of a pig.
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Transient effects, such as the requirement to handle the liquid slug generated when the production flow is ramped up from 8,000 to 16,000 STB/D, i.e., Ramp-up surge. For the purposes of sizing a slug-catcher, it is assumed that severe riser slugging may be mitigated with topsides choking or riser-based gas lift.
NOTE:
To size the slug catcher: 1. In the Report tool, verify that slugging values and sphere generated liquid volume are selected. 2. Re-run the System analysis configured in the previous exercise. 3. For each sensitivity value, scroll down and read the reported 1/1000 slug volume and the Total Sphere Generated Liquid Volume So Far. 4. For the ramp-up case, calculate the difference in total liquid holdup, as this will be the surge volume. You must convert from ft3 > bbl. The conversion factor is 5.615 ft3/bbl. NOTE: The surge associated with ramp-up occurs over a much longer time period than the other cases. The ramp-up volume does not consider the drainage rate of the separator or the duration of the ramp-up. See Cunliffes Method in the PIPESIM help system for information on how to calculate the ramp-up duration.
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5. Inspect the output file and observe the flow regimes along the profile for each case. 6. Based on the results in the table below, select a slug catcher size that will be able to handle the largest slug volume for all conditions.
Results
Slug Catcher Sizing 1/1000 slug volume (bbl) Sphere generated liquid volume (bbl) Ramp-up volume (bbl) Design volume for slug catcher (bbl) (use 20% safety factor) 8,000 stb/d 14,000 stb/d 16,000 stb/d
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Review Questions
What types of slugs are reported by PIPESIM? How do you report SGVL at particular location in the system? Why should the SGVL not be greater than the total liquid holdup? Can PIPESIM be used for transient analysis?
Summary
In this module, you learned how to:
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develop a compositional model of the hydrocarbon phases size the subsea tieback line and riser determine the pipeline insulation requirements screen the results for severe slugging at the riser base size a slug catcher.
In the next module, you learn about looped gas gathering networks.
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NOTES
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NOTES
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Looped Gas Gathering Network
Module 7
You must model the network as a complete system to account for the interaction of wells producing in a common gathering system. The wellhead pressure and, thus, the deliverability of any particular well, is influenced by the backpressure imposed by the production system. Modeling the network as a whole allows the engineer to determine the effects of such actions as adding new wells, adding compression, looping flowlines and changing the separator pressure. In this module, you learn how to build a gathering network and perform a network simulation to evaluate the deliverability of the complete system.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: build a model of the network specify the network boundary condition
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solve the network and establish the deliverability.
Lesson 1
Model a Gathering Network
Network models are constructed using the network module and solved using its calculation engine. The basic stages involved in developing a network model are: 1. Build a model of the field, including all wells and flowlines. 2. Specify the boundary conditions. 3. Run the model.
Boundary Conditions
To solve the network model, you must enter the correct number of boundary conditions. Boundary nodes are those that have only one connecting branch, such as a production well, injection well, source or sink. The number of boundary conditions required for a model is determined by the models Degrees of Freedom, determined as follows: Degrees of Freedom = number of wells (production and injection) + number of sources + number of sinks For example, a 3 production well system producing fluid to a single delivery point has 4 degrees of freedom (3+1), regardless of the network configuration between the well and the sink.
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Each boundary can be specified in terms of Pressure OR Flow rate OR Pressure/Flow rate (PQ) curve. Additionally, the following conditions must be satisfied: The number of pressure, flow rate or PQ specifications must equal the degrees of freedom of the model. At least 1 pressure must be specified. All each source (production well & source) the fluid temperature must be set.
Solution Criteria
A network has converged when the pressure balance and mass balance at each node are within the specified tolerance. The calculated pressure at each branch entering and leaving a node is averaged, and the tolerance of each pressure is calculated from the equation: Ptol = (P - Pave.)/Pave. x 100% If all Ptol values are within the specified network tolerance, that node has passed the pressure convergence test. This is repeated for each node.
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The total mass flow rate into and the total mass flow rate out of a node are averaged. The tolerance is calculated from the equation: Ftol = (Tot. mass flow rate in - Tot. mass flow rate avg.) / Tot. mass flow rate avg. x 100% If the Ftol value is within the specified network tolerance, that node has passed the mass convergence test. This is repeated for each node. The network has converged when all of the foregoing conditions are satisfied.
Exercise 1
Building a Model of a Network
In this case study, your goal is to establish the deliverability of a production network. The network connects three producing gas wells in a looped gathering system, and delivers commingled product to a single delivery point.
Getting Started
1. Open PIPESIM and go to File > New > Network to create a new network model. 2. Go to File > Save As to save the model in your training directory, e.g., c:\training\pn01.bpn. Using the engineering data available at the end of this case study, build a model of a network.
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3. Click Production Well as shown.
to place Well_1 in the work area,
4. Double-click on Well_1 to reveal the components, as shown below.
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5. Double-click on the vertical completion to enter the inflow performance data. 6. Enter a gas PI of <0.0004 mmscf/d/psi2> and a reservoir temperature of <130 F>. NOTE: You will enter the reservoir pressure later when the network boundary conditions are specified.
7. Double-click on the tubing and select Simple Model as the preferred tubing model. 8. Define vertical tubing with a wellhead datum MD of <0 feet> and mid perforations TVD and MD of <4,500 feet>. 9. The ambient temperatures are 130 degF at mid-perforations and 60 degF at the wellhead. The tubing has an I.D. of 2.4 inches. NOTE: Essential data fields are shown in a red outline; if the fields are not outlined, data entry is optional.
10. Close the view of Well_1 by clicking at the upper-right corner of the window, or by selecting File > Close to return to the network view.
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11. Copy the data to Well_2 and Well_3. a. Select Well_1. b. Using the commands Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste (or Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V), create two copies of the well. NOTE: By default, the names of the copied wells will be Well_2 and Well_3 and contain the same input data as Well_1.
12. Position the new wells, as shown in the figure below.
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13. Modify the data of Well_3. a. Double-click on Well_3 and modify the completion and tubing data. b. For the vertical completion, enter a gas PI of <0.0005 mmscf/d/psi2> and reservoir temperature of <140 F>. c. Define vertical tubing with a wellhead TVD of <0> and mid-perforations TVD and MD of <4,900 feet>. d. The ambient temperatures are 140 degF at the mid-perforation depth and 60 degF at the surface. The tubing has an I.D. of 2.4 inches. e. Close the view of Well_3 to return to the network view. 14. Specify the composition of each production well. This step defines the compositions at the production wells. Well_1 and Well_2 are producing from the same zone and, thus, are assumed to have the same composition. Well_3 has a composition that is different than that shown in the data section at the end of the case study. The most efficient way to define the compositions is to set the more prevalent composition (that for Wells_1 and Well_2) as the global composition, and then specify the composition of Well_3 as a local composition.
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The composition data of all wells is given at the end of this exercise in Summary data. a. Save the current network model. b. On the Setup > Compositional menu, and enter the global composition (Well_1 and Well_2). c. To define the local composition for Well_3, right-click on Well_3 and select Fluid Model. d. Select Use locally defined fluid model and click Edit. e. Enter the composition of Well_3. 15. Connect the network together. a. Insert a sink and some junction nodes. NOTE: Holding down the Shift key while placing junction nodes allows for multiple insertions. Be sure to release the Shift key before the final insertion.
The network should now look like this:
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b. Use the Branch this: i.
button to connect J_1 to J_2. To do
Click the Branch object.
ii. Hold down the left mouse button over J_1 and drag the cursor to J_2. iii. Release the mouse button. A connected branch is shown in the figure.
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16. Double-click on the arrow in the center of B1 to enter data for that branch. a. Double-click on the flowline to enter the following data:
Rate of Undulations Horizontal distance Elevation difference Inner Diameter Wall Thickness Roughness Ambient Temperature 10/1000 30,000 feet 0 feet 6 inches 0.5 inches 0.001inches degF
b. Close the B1 window to return to the network view. 14. As the looped gathering lines are all identical, the data for branch B1 can be used to define the other looped gathering lines. a. Select B1 by clicking on the arrow in the middle of the branch, and copy/paste B1 to create B2, B3, and B4.
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b. To connect a pasted branch: i. Click the arrow in the middle of the new branch. You will see that highlight boxes appear at either end of the branch.
ii. Move the cursor over the right-hand, highlight box. The cursor changes to an up arrow (), as shown below. Use this end of the branch to drag and drop onto a junction node.
c. Position the new branches, as shown in the figure.
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d. Connect the wells to the adjacent junction node and connect J_4 to the sink, as shown.
15. Double-click on branch B5 and insert the following objects in the order shown in the figure below: Liquid separator with an efficiency of 100% Compressor with a pressure differential of +400 psi and an efficiency of 70% After-cooler (heat exchanger) with an outlet temperature of 120 degF and P of 15 psi Flowline with the following properties:
10/1000 10,000 feet 0 feet 8 inches 0.5 inches 0.001 inches degF Schlumberger Public
Rate of undulations Horizontal distance Elevation difference Inner Diameter Wall Thickness Roughness Ambient Temperature
a. Click Connector
to join the equipment together.
b. Close the Single Branch window.
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16. Select Setup > Flow Correlations menu, and choose Beggs-Brill Revised as the global vertical and horizontal multiphase flow correlations. 17. In the Options Control tab of the Flow Correlations menu: a. Select use network options. b. Click Apply network options to all branches. 18. Select Setup > Erosion and Corrosion Options and choose the deWaard Corrosion model. NOTE: This model calculates a corrosion rate caused by the presence of CO2 dissolved in water. Concentrations of CO2 and water are obtained from the fluid property definitions, (black oil or compositional). The corrosion rate will be zero if CO2 or the liquid water phase is absent from the fluid.
19. In the Options Control tab of the Erosion and Corrosion Options menu: a. Select use network options.
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b. Click Apply network options to all branches. 20. Save the model as <gas_network>.
Exercise 2
Performing a Network Simulation
To perform a network simulation: 1. Select Setup > Boundary Conditions and specify these boundary conditions:
Node Well_1 Well_2 Well_3 Sink_1 Pressure 2,900 psia 2,900 psia 3,100 psia 800 psia
All flow rates are calculated by the network solver. NOTE: Any pressure specification defined in the single branch model must be re-specified in the network model. However, the boundary pressures specified in the Network view will update the pressures defined in the single branch model for use in single branch operations.
2. Open the Setup > Iterations menu to set the network tolerance to <1%>.
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3. Save the model. 4. Click Run .
5. When the network has solved, you should get the message: pn01 Finished OK. When this message is displayed, click OK. 6. Click Report Tool TIP: .
What is the gas production rate at the sink? ______ mmscfd. More comprehensive reporting is available by clicking Summary File .
7. Hold down the Shift key, and select the flow route from Well_3, branch B3 and branch B5. 8. Click Profile Plot .
9. You should obtain the pressure profile for these three branches, and the effect of the compressor at J_4 on the system pressure should look similar to the figure below.
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10. Select Series and change the Y-axis to Corrosion Rate to observe the calculated corrosion rate. Maximum Corrosion Rate in network = ______ mm/year 11. Determine the field production rate in the event of a compressor shutdown. Assuming a bypass line exists around the compressor, deactivate the compressor object, and rerun. Gas production rate at the Sink: _______ mmscfd NOTE: Edit the legend and title on PsPlot to improve the graphical presentation.
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Looped Gathering Network Data
Figure 38
Network layout
Table 6: Completion and Tubing Data

Well_1 and Well_2 Schlumberger Public Gas PI Wellhead TVD Mid Perforations TVD Mid Perforations MD Tubing I.D. Wellhead Ambient Temperature Mid Perforations Ambient Temperature 0.0004 mmscf/ d/psi2 0 4,500 feet 4,500 feet 2.4 inch 60 degF 130 degF Well_3 0.0005 mmscf/ d/psi2 0 4,900 feet 4,900 feet 2.4 inch 60 degF 140 degF
Table 7: Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well_1 and Well_2)

Component Carbon Dioxide Methane Ethane Propane Isobutane Butane Isopentane Pentane Hexane Moles 3 72 6 3 1 1 1 0.5 0.5
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Table 8: Petroleum Fraction (Well_1 and Well_2)

Name C7+ Boiling Point (degF) 214 Molecular Weight 115 Specific Gravity 0.683 Moles 12
Table 9: Aqueous Component (Well_1 and Well_2)

Table 10: Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well_3)

Component Carbon Dioxide Methane Ethane Propane Isobutane Butane Isopentane Pentane Hexane Moles 2 Schlumberger Public 71 7 4 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.5 0.5
Table 11: Petroleum Fraction (Well_3)

Name C7+ Boiling Point (degF) 214 Molecular Weight 115 Specific Gravity 0.683 Moles 10.5
Table 12: Aqueous Component (Well_3)

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Table 13: Data for Looped Gathering Lines (B1, B2, B3, and B4
Rate of undulations Horizontal distance Elevation difference Inner diameter Wall thickness Roughness Ambient temperature Overall heat transfer coefficient 10/1000 30,000 feet 0 feet 6 inch 0.5 inch 0.001 inch 60 degF 0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/degF
Table 14: Data for Deliver Line (B5)

Separator type Separator efficiency Schlumberger Public Compressor differential pressure Compressor efficiency After cooler outlet temperature After cooler delta P Flowline Rate of undulations Flowline Horizontal distance Flowline Elevation difference Flowline Inner diameter Flowline Wall thickness Flowline Roughness Flowline Ambient temperature Flowline Overall heat transfer coefficient Liquid 100% 400 psi 70% 120 degF 15 psi 10/1,000 10,000 feet 0 feet 8 inch 0.5 inch 0.001 inch 60 degF 0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/degF
Table 15: Boundary Conditions

Node Well_1 Well_2 Well_3 Sink_1 Pressure 2,900 psia 2,900 psia 3,100 psia 800 psia Temperature 130 degF 130 degF 140 degF (calculated variable)
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Review Questions
How do you change tolerance in PIPESIM Network model? What are the rules for pressure and flow rates in PIPESIM Net? Where do you see corrosion rate in the PIPESIM output?
Summary
In this module, you learned how to: build a model of the network specify the network boundary condition solve the network and establish the deliverability.
In the next module, you learn about water injection networks.
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NOTES
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Water Injection Network
Module 8
In this module, you learn how to build and simulate a water injection network. Other features illustrated in this module include crossflow, single-phase (water), and electric submersible pump (ESP) lifted production well.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will know how to: build an injection network insert an ESP into a well model multilayer reservoir with and without crossflow.
Lesson 1
Crossflow in Multilayer Wells

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Figure 39 shows how crossflow may occur when production from one zone is injected into another zone of lower pressure. This may occur in either production or injection systems.
Figure 39
Crossflow Types in Layered Reservoir
NOTE:
To model all crossflow scenarios, you must use this engine keyword from Setup > Engine Options: OPTIONS REVERSEFLOW = ON.
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Exercise 1
Determining Fluid Distribution in a Water Injection Network
A water production well feeds water into an injection system consisting of two injection wells with multiple completions. The water is lifted from the production well by an ESP. Figure 40, below, schematically represents the layout of the studied water injection system. The objective of the exercise is to determine the fluid distribution (the water, in this instance) in an injection system from a single production well.
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Figure 40
Water Injection network by electric submersible pump (ESP)
To determine fluid distribution: 1. Create a new Network model by selecting File > New > Network. 2. Layout the network as shown in Figure 40 using the data in the tables below.
Water Production Well Reservoir Pressure Temperature Productivity Index (PI) Tubing Model Orientation Tubing depth Tubing ID ESP depth ESP model ESP stages ESP speed 4,000 200 100 simple vertical 6000 7 2,000 Centrilift IB700 30 3,600 rpm ft. TVD in ft. TVD psia degF STB/d/psi
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Surface Flowlines (all) Ambient Temperature HTC 50 0.2 Flowline Data Flowline B1 B2 B3 Distance (ft) 150 15,000 10,000 Elevation Difference (ft) 0 0 0 Diameter (in) 8 6 6 degF BTU/hr/ft2/degF
Both injection wells have 1.995-inch ID tubing and the properties listed in the tables that follow.
Injection Well 1 FCV Reservoir Pressure (psia) 4,400 4,600 Schlumberger Public Res Temp (degF) 210 220 Injection PI (stb/d/psi) 2 3 No FCV Maximum Liquid = 1,500 STB/d Zone 1_3 4,800 235 8,200 5 Equivalent Choke Area = 0.25 in2
Zone Zone 1_1 Zone 1_2
MD/TVD (ft) 7,800 7,900
Injection Well 2 FCV Reservoir Pressure (psia) 4,500 4,800 5,000 Res Temp (degF) 220 250 270 Injection PI (stb/d/psi) 4 5 4 No FCV Maximum Liquid = 1,000 STB/d FCV Closed
Zone Zone 2_1 Zone 2_2 Zone 2_3
MD/TVD (ft) 7,900 8,500 8,800
NOTE:
For each of the lower two multi-layer tubing objects, be sure to use the bottom MD of the upper tubing string for the datum MD for the next lower tubing string (e.g., Datum MD for tubing between zone 1_1 and 1_2 should be 7,800 ft). Leave all other parameters at their default settings.
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3. Create a global fluid model for water by selecting Setup > Black Oil. 4. Specify a watercut of 100%. 5. Select Beggs-Brill Revised as the vertical and horizontal multiphase flow correlations. 6. Select Setup > Engine Options and enter the following in the additional Engine Keywords field (TOP of network file): OPTIONS REVERSEFLOW = ON 7. Go to Setup > Boundary Conditions and specify these boundary conditions:
Node Producer Well_1 Well_2 Pressure 4000 psia 4800 psia 5000 psia
8. Click Run Model

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to start the simulation. and select Clear.
9. Click Report Tool
10. Click on the producing well and each of the injectors.
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11. Plot the pressure profiles for the entire network by selecting all objects in the network, and click Profile Plot.
Review Questions
Which crossflow scenario occurs in your model? What is the effect of installing FCV in your model. Remove the FCVs from completions and compare the results. Which crossflow scenarios now occur? What other way can a water fluid model be defined?
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Summary
In this module, you learned how to: model a water injection network model a multilayer injection well model an ESP.
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NOTES
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PIPESIM 2009 Fundamentals Answer Key
Appendix A
Module 2: Simple Pipeline Tutorials

Lesson 1 Single-Phase Flow Calculations
Exercise 1: Hand Calculations
1. Water Velocity: 7.9ft/s 2. Reynolds number: ~157,000; turbulent flow 3. Friction Factor: ~ 0.0193 4. dP(friction) = 662 psi 5. dP(elevation) = 442 psi 6. dP(Total) = 1106 psi 7. Outlet Pressure = 94 psia
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Exercise 2: PIPESIM Calculation

Liquid velocity = 7.91-7.94 ft/s P(outlet) = 89.3 psia
Exercise 5: Gas Flowline Capacity

Flowrate = 10.47 mmscfd
Module 3: OilWell Performance Analysis

Lesson 1: Nodal Analysis
Exercise 2: Performing Nodal Analysis
(Outlet) Wellhead Pressure Operating Point Flow rate Operating Point BHP AOFP 300 psia 8,510 stb/d 2,536 psia 21,290 stb/d
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Exercise 3: Performing a Pressure/Temperature Profile

(Outlet) Wellhead Pressure Production Rate Flowing BHP Flowing WHT Depth at which gas appears 300 psia 8,518 stb/d 2,535 psia 137 degF 7,200 ft
Lesson 2: Fluid Calibration

Exercise 1:
Wellhead Pressure Production Rate Flowing BHP Flowing WHT Depth at which gas appears Schlumberger Public 300 psia 7,834 stb/d 2,620 psia 134 degF 7,000 ft
Lesson 3: Pressure/Temperature Matching

Exercise 1: Flow Correlation Matching
Wellhead Pressure Vertical Correlation Flowing BHP Head Factor Friction Factor U Factor 300 psia Hagedorn Brown 2,633 psia 1.1475 1.0071 0.93604
Exercise 2: Matching Inflow Performance

Wellhead Pressure PI 300 psia 6.728
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Lesson 4: Well Performance Analysis

Exercise 1: Conducting a Water Cut Sensitivity Analysis
Wellhead Pressure Water Cut 300 psia 60%
Exercise 2: Evaluating Gas Lift Performance

Gas Lift Rate (mmscf/d) 1 2 4 6 10 Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @ 10% Wcut 7,755 8,398 9,064 9,369 9,528 Liq. Prod. Rate (stb/d) @ 60% wcut 4,942 5,948 6,853 7,267 7,662
Exercise 3: Working with Multiple Completions

Schlumberger Public Wellhead Pressure Liquid Rate (stb/d) Gas Rate (upper zone) (mmscfd) 6,814 4 300 psia
Question (Optional)
Equivalent gas lift injection rate: 4
Lesson 5: Modelling a Flow Control Valve

Exercise 1: Modeling a Flow Control Valve
Required Bean Size: 0.04734 in2
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Module 4: Gas Well Performance

Lesson 2: Gas Well Deliverability
Exercise 1: Calculating Gas Well Deliverability
Pres = 4,600 psia, Tres = 280 degF % H2O @ saturation 1.8549 Po = 800 psia QG Pwf BHT WHT 18.22 mmscfd 1,713 psia 236 degF 169 degF
Exercise 2: Calibrating the Inflow Model Using Multipoint Test Data

Schlumberger Public Back Pressure Equation Parameter C Parameter n 7.9793682e-007 1 Po = 800 psia QG Pwf Tbh (degF) Twh (degF) 14.97 mmscfd 1547 psia 233 degF 164 degF
Lesson 3: Predicting Erosion

Exercise 1: Selecting a Tubing Size
Based on the results of the Nodal Analysis and EVR calculations, which tubing size would you select? 3.958 in
Po = 800 psia QG Pwf BHT WHT 15.38 mmscfd 1370 psia 229 degF 163 degF
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Well-head, Selected Tubing Max. Erosional velocity ratio 0.7657
Lesson 4: Modelling Chokes

Exercise 1: Modeling a Flowline and Choke
Po = 710 psia Choke size 1.5 Pressure losses across system P Reservoir P Tubing P Choke P Flow-line 3,227 psia 568 psia 90 psia 1.681 psia Schlumberger Public
Exercise 2: Predicting Future Production Rates

Reservoir Pressure 3,400 3,800 4,200 4,600 Flow rate 7.3370 9.4069 11.6604 14.0942
Lesson 5: Critical Gas Rate

Exercise 1: Determining a Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading
The reported critical gas rate: 3.57 mmscfd
Module 5: Horizontal Well Design

Lesson 1: Inflow Performance Relationships
Exercise 2: Evaluating the Optimal Horizontal Well Length
Optimal horizontal well length: 10,000 ft
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Exercise 3: Specifying Multiple Horizontal Perforated Intervals

Po = 200 psia QG Bhp 25 mmscfd 2,727 psia
Module 6: Subsea Tieback Design

Lesson 1: Flow Assurance Considerations for Subsea Tieback Design
Exercise 3: Sizing the Subsea Tieback
Property Pipeline and Riser ID Max. erosional velocity ratio for selected ID Schlumberger Public Min. outlet pressure for selected ID Max. outlet pressure for selected ID 10 inch 0.7651 981 psia 1,262 psia Value
Lesson 2: Hydrates
Exercise 1: Selecting Tieback Insulation Thickness
Property Req. Insulation thickness 1 in Value
Exercise 2: Determining the Methanol Requirement

Property Req. Methanol Injection Volume (bbl/d) 500 Value
Lesson 3: Severe Riser Slugging

Exercise 1: Screening for Severe Riser Slugging
Property PI-SS number at riser base Flow pattern at riser base 8,000 stb/d 1.01 Intermittent 14,000 stb/d 1.27 Intermittent 16,000 stb/d 1.28 Intermittent
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Lesson 4: Slug Catcher Sizing

Exercise 1: Sizing a Slug Catcher
Property 1/1000 slug volume (bbl) Sphere generated liquid volume (bbl) Ramp-up volume (bbl) Design volume for slug catcher (bbl) 8,000 stb/d 165 464 961 799 = 162 464 * 1.2 = 556.8 14,000 stb/d 181 434 16,000 stb/d 215 426
Module 7: Looped Gas Gathering Network

Lesson 1: Model a Gathering Network
Exercise 2: Performing a Network Simulation
Maximum Corrosion Rate in network: 44 mm/year Gas production rate at the Sink: 38.3 mmscfd.
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NOTES
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PIPESIM Fundamentals

Schlumberger Information Solutions July 10, 2009

About this Manual

Module 1 PIPESIM Introduction

Module 2 Simple Pipeline Tutorials

Module 3 Oil Well Performance Analysis

Module 4 Gas Well Performance

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Module 5 Horizontal Well Design

Module 6 Subsea Tieback Design

Module 7 Looped Gas Gathering Network

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Module 8 Water Injection Network

Appendix A PIPESIM 2009 Fundamentals Answer Key

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

About this Manual

About this Manual

What You Will Need

You will also encounter notes, tips and best practices.

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1t

About this Manual

Characters typed in italics

An OR is used to identify an alternate procedure.

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

About this Manual

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

About this Manual

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

About this Manual

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

About this Manual

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Total production system

Network Analysis (NET)

Compositional Model Multiflash Package

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

PIPESIM DBR Wax Deposition

A Tour of the User Interface

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Figure 3 Schlumberger Public

PIPESIM toolbars and menus

Status Bar Standard Toolbar

Standard toolbar functionality

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Single Branch Toolbar

The Single Branch toolbar

The Network toolbar

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

The PIPESIM File System and Calculation Engines

PIPESIM File System

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Table 1: PIPESIM File Extensions and their Use

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Define Output tab

Sample output file (primary output section)

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Tabular view of PsPlot data

Advanced Plot Setup dialog

PIPESIM Fundamentals Workflow/Solutions Training Version 2009.1

Single Branch Operations

Typical System Analysis plot

Pressure/ temperature profile

Flow correlation comparison

dp dL friction = ____ psf/ft /144 = _ psi/ft

dp dL friction = __ psf/ft /144 = psi/ft

dp dL total = __ psf/ft /144 = psi/ft