Efficient solution for production optimization, using proactive or reactive approach

Available as a module for Petrel™ subsurface software, Petrel advanced completion optimization (ACO) incorporates a workflow that uses the Intersect™ high-resolution reservoir simulator for detailed model-based comparative analysis of multiple lower completion options. It enables optimizing hydrocarbon recovery with respect to various factors, including project economics, constraints, and environmental footprint.

In the case of intelligent completions, the workflow simulates and compares fluid movements across the reservoir section over the life of the well for a range of interval control valve (ICV) completions. Powered by streamlines, it uses the concept of time of flight—the time it takes unwanted fluids (such as water and gas) to reach the wellbore—to recommend proactive adjustments to ICV positions; alternatively, a constraint-based reactive approach is used to suggest valve choke settings. In either case, the goal is to optimize production and recovery. Now you can replace conventional methodologies for ICV completion optimization, which are time and computational resource intensive and lack the ability to help optimize valve settings after ICV installation in the well.

Workflow for reservoir-centric lower completion design and ICV optimization across well life

At the completion concept selection stage, Petrel ACO and the rich functionality of the Petrel software enable identifying the well design—single-bore or multilateral well, number of laterals, conventional, inflow control device (ICD), or intelligent completion—that will maximize results. If an intelligent completion is a concept under study, the workflow enables reservoir and completion engineers to optimize ICV selection and packer placement to maximize oil recovery and delay the breakthrough of unwanted fluids, such as water and gas. It supports ICVs with on-off, multiposition, or continuously variable chokes.

In conjunction with the Intersect reservoir simulator, the workflow evaluates multiple ICV configurations to identify the best solution—based on user constraints such as cost and produced water treatment capacity—while reducing simulation time and computational resource requirements by a factor of >100. The outputs are flow rates, volumes, and pressures, which can be used to compare recovery, production, flowing bottomhole pressures, drawdown, and fluid movements across the reservoir. Subsequently, simulation results can be used to adjust valve settings over the life of the well as part of an active production optimization routine.

Optimal well performance at lower cost

• Enhance oil production and maximize recovery
• Minimize production of water and other unwanted fluids
• Evaluate multiple well and completion designs faster and with lower computational cost
• Optimize completion design postdrilling based on the latest LWD results. 

Industry-standard software

• Included in Petrel software with the core Petrel reservoir engineering license
• Powered by Intersect high-resolution reservoir simulator

How can the simulations be validated?

With respect to equipment modeling, we have great flexibility in matching ICD, autonomous ICD (AICD), or ICV flow characteristics. On the reservoir side, the models should be history matched where possible. In SPE-192926, we describe a framework we built for using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to update reservoir models as production data become available.

What types of data are required to get started?

Data necessary to build a reservoir simulation model are required, namely

• subsurface data, such as well logs (including production logs, if available) for the target and offset wells
• fluid data, such as pressure, volume, and temperature (PVT) data
• data from formation tests, such as deep transient tests or drillstem tests, or reservoir pressure and relative permeability data.

Alternatively, we can work with your simulation model, provided it includes all the above information.

I have a reservoir model for the ECLIPSE™ industry-reference reservoir simulator. How can I convert it for use with the Intersect simulator?

The model can be migrated directly using the migrator provided with your license for the Intersect simulator. If you prefer, SLB can do the conversion for you.

How can I sign up for training on Petrel ACO?

Training is available for completion and simulation engineers. Please contact us to schedule.

How can I sign up for training on the Intersect simulator?

Please schedule training via NExT.

Using the Olympus model as a benchmark, what are the computational savings?

We compared the computational resource requirements for Petrel ACO versus traditional optimization for equivalent asset NPV outcomes. Traditional optimization required 42 hours of cloud computation to execute hundreds of simulation cases. Petrel ACO was able to achieve similar results in 1 hour, using a laptop.

Does SLB provide technical support for or paid studies using Petrel ACO?

Yes, our completions reservoir engineers are here to support and provide comparative studies of realistically feasible completion designs.