Summary
An inflow-control device (ICD) is completion hardware that is deployed as
part of well completions aimed at distributing the inflow evenly. Even though
the detailed structures vary from one design to another, the principle for
different ICDs is the same--restrict flow by creating additional pressure drop
and therefore adjusting wellbore pressure distribution to achieve an evenly
distributed flow profile along a horizontal well. With a more evenly
distributed flow profile, one can reduce water or gas coning, prevent sand
production, and solve other drawdown-related production problems. In general,
ICDs are not adjustable; once installed in the well, the location of the device
and the relationship between rate and pressure drop are fixed. This makes the
design of a well completion and ICDs extremely critical for production. ICDs
can be either beneficial or detrimental to production, depending on the
reservoir condition, well structure, and completion design. Realizing that
reservoir conditions will change during the life of a well, the impact of an
ICD is a function of time. Reservoir heterogeneity and uncertainty can
complicate the situation easily. The ICDs sometimes can be overlooked if the
design is based only on reservoir flow simulations at initial conditions.
In this paper, we will investigate how and when an ICD should be used. An
integrated analysis method of inflow (reservoir) and outflow (wellbore) is used
to generate the flow profile of a horizontal well, and additional frictional
pressure drop created by ICDs will be considered. Two conditions that result in
production problems, wellbore pressure drop and reservoir heterogeneity, will
be addressed. The focus will be on when and how an ICD can optimize production.
Examples will be used to illustrate that it is critical to understand the
reservoir conditions and wellbore dynamics together when designing a well
completion with ICDs. The observations from this study show that overdesigned
ICDs will not just increase the cost of well completion, but also will impact
the well performance negatively. ICDs are not a universal solution of
production problems. The application requires a thorough understanding of
long-term reservoir behavior and upfront reservoir characterization for
implementation.
© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
9 March 2010
- Meeting paper published:
5 October 2009
- Revised manuscript received:
10 February 2011
- Manuscript approved:
9 March 2011
- Published online:
1 September 2011
- Version of record:
15 September 2011
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