SPE Drilling & Completion
Volume 27, Number 2, June 2012, pp. 204-215

SPE-160481-PA

A Dynamic Model of Percolating Gas in a Wellbore

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DOI  More information 10.2118/160481-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/160481-PA

Citation

  • Hauge, E., Stamnes, Ø.N., Aamo, O.M., and Godhavn, J.-M. 2012. A Dynamic Model of Percolating Gas in a Wellbore. SPE Drill & Compl  27 (2): 204-215. SPE-160481-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/160481-PA.

Summary

The two-phase dynamics of gas percolating up a vertical well filled with water is described by two ordinary-differential equations and algebraic relations. We model the gas as bubbles distributed with a distribution function along the well. The model is based on first principles and accommodates tracking of the front of the gas. An unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is used together with the model and wired-drillpipe (WDP) pressure measurements to estimate the liquid-holdup profile as the gas is circulated out of the well. The performance of the model and the method of estimation are compared with results from a state-of-the-art simulator.

© 2012. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 15 April 2011
  • Revised manuscript received: 21 December 2011
  • Manuscript approved: 7 February 2012
  • Published online: 29 May 2012
  • Version of record: 11 June 2012