Method for Calculating Critical Liquid Carrying Flow Rate of Oil-gas-water Three-phase Horizontal Wells

doi:10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2022.01.26.03

Abstract

Abstract: Horizontal wells located in medium-shallow layers of western Sichuan produce fluids to varying extents. When wells suffer from liquid loading, engineers must implement foam assisted lift or other technologies to stabilize the production. The easiest way to recognize liquid loading is to calculate the critical gas flow rate of gas wells. Two commonly used models for critical liquid carrying flow rate calculation are droplet and liquid film models, and the two models are established based on droplets or liquid film reversal as the onset of liquid loading. However, the result by the two models do not match well with observations in gas wells is low in the research area. To solve this problem, experimental investigation on liquid-loading behavior in horizontal gas wells and corresponding modeling study have been conducted. The results indicate that liquid is not yet loaded in wellbore when the droplets or liquid film are reversed. Therefore, predicted liquid-loading onset by the two models is too conservative. Then, a new criterion of liquid-loading onset is proposed based on the observed flow phenomenon and dragging capability of gas core. With the decrease of inclination, the measured critical gas flow rate increases first and subsequently decreases, reaching maximum at inclined angle of about 40°. Based on measured data and considering the effect of oil cut and inclined angle, a new liquid-loading predicting model was established. The new model was applied to prediction of liquid loading in wellbore of horizontal wells in the medium-shallow layers with oil-gas-water three-phase flow. The accuracy of the new model is 91.4%, suggesting that it is worth promoting and applying in similar gas wells.

Key words: horizontal well, critical gas flow rate, droplets reversal, inclined angle, oil cut, liquid loading

CLC Number:

TE37

WANG Xu, LU Guangliang, LUO Chengcheng, LIU Yonghui. Method for Calculating Critical Liquid Carrying Flow Rate of Oil-gas-water Three-phase Horizontal Wells[J]. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science & Technology Edition), 2022, 44(3): 167-175.

0
/ / Recommend

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: http://journal15.magtechjournal.com/Jwk_xnzk/EN/10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2022.01.26.03

http://journal15.magtechjournal.com/Jwk_xnzk/EN/Y2022/V44/I3/167

References

[1] 王旭. 川西中浅层气藏泡沫排水采气工艺技术研究与应用[J]. 钻采工艺,2020,43(2):70-71. doi:10.3969/J.ISSN.1006-768X.2020.02.18 WANG Xu. Research and application of technology of gas recovery by foam drainage in shallow-middle gas reservoir in Western Sichuan[J]. Drilling & Production Technology, 2020, 43(2):70-71. doi:10.3969/J.ISSN.1006-768X.2020.02.18
[2] 瞿超超,刘正中,殷鸿尧,等. 新型排水采气用抗凝析油泡排剂[J]. 石油学报,2020,41(7):872-873. doi:10.7623/syxb202007008 QU Chaochao, LIU Zhengzhong, YIN Hongyao, et al. A new anti-condensate foaming agent for drainage gas recovery[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinic, 2020, 41(7):872-873. doi:10.7623/syxb202007008
[3] 刘世义,傅春梅,邹一峰,等. 川西气田低压低产井泡沫排水新技术及其应用[J]. 新疆石油天然气,2017,13(2):76-78. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2677.2017.02.017 LIU Shiyi, FU Chunmei, ZOU Yifeng, et al. A new foam drainage gas recovery technology and application in low-pressure & low-production wells in Western Sichuan Gas Field[J]. Xinjiang Oil & Gas, 2017, 13(2):76-78. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2677.2017.02.017
[4] 刘通,周兴付,陈海龙,等. 毛细管泡沫排液采气工艺在低压、小液量水平井中的推广应用——以川西坳陷中浅层气藏为例[J]. 天然气工业,2018,38(6):83-90. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2018.06.011 LIU Tong, ZHOU Xingfu, CHEN Hailong, et al. Popularization and application of capillary foam deliquification technology in horizontal wells with low pressures and low liquid production rates:A case study on middle-shallow gas reservoirs in the Western Sichuan Depression[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2018, 38(6):83-90. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2018.06.011
[5] 张烈辉,罗程程,刘永辉,等. 气井积液预测研究进展[J]. 天然气工业,2019,39(1):57-63. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2019.01.006 ZHANG Liehui, LUO Chengcheng, LIU Yonghui, et al. Research progress in liquid loading prediction of gas wells[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2019, 39(1):57-63. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2019.01.006
[6] 刘通,郭新江,王雨生,等. 川西积液水平井井筒压力及液位预测[J]. 石油钻采工艺,2017,39(1):97-102. doi:10.13639/j.odpt.2017.01.019 LIU Tong, GUO Xinjiang, WANG Yusheng, et al. Borehole pressure and liquid level prediction of liquid-loading horizontal wells in West Sichuan[J]. Oil Drilling & Production Technology, 2017, 39(1):97-102. doi:10.13639/j.odpt.2017.01.019
[7] 覃峰. 天然气开采工艺技术手册[M]. 北京:石油工业出版社,2008,203-204. QIN Feng. Natural gas production technology manual[M]. Beijing:Petroleum Industry Press, 2008, 203-204.
[8] 王武杰,崔国民,魏耀奇,等. 倾斜气井临界携液流速预测新模型[J]. 石油勘探与开发,2021,48(5):1053-1060. doi:10.11698/PED.2021.02.17 WANG Wujie, CUI Guomin, WEI Yaoqi, et al. A new model for predicting the critical liquid-carrying velocity in inclined gas wells[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2021, 48(5):1053-1060. doi:10.11698/PED.2021.02.17
[9] 王琦,李颖川,王志彬,等. 水平气井连续携液实验研究及模型评价[J]. 西南石油大学学报(自然科学版),2014,36(3):139-145. doi:10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2014.01.22.01 WANG Qi, LI Yingchuan, WANG Zhibin, et al. Experimental study and model evaluation on continuous liquid removal in horizontal gas well[J]. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science & Technology Edition), 2014, 36(3):139-145. doi:10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2014.01.22.01
[10] 刘永辉,艾先婷,罗程程,等. 预测水平井携液临界气流速的新模型[J]. 深圳大学学报(理工版),2018,35(6):551-557. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1249.2018.06551 LIU Yonghui, AI Xianting, LUO Chengcheng, et al. A new model for predicting critical gas velocity of liquid loading in horizontal well[J]. Journal of Shenzhen University(Science & Engineering), 2018, 35(6):551-557. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1249.2018.06551
[11] 王其伟. 多级孔板提高井筒气体携液能力实验研究[J]. 西南石油大学学报(自然科学版),2020,42(1):78-83. doi:10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2018.07.24.01 WANG Qiwei. An experimental study on improving the liquid-carrying capacity of wellbore gas by a multi-stage orifice[J]. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science & Technology Edition), 2020, 42(1):78-83. doi:10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2018.07.24.01
[12] TURNER R G, HUBBARD M G, DUKLER A E. Analysis and prediction of minimum flow rate for the continuous removal of liquid from gas wells[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1969, 21(11):1475-1482. doi:10.2118/2198-PA
[13] COLEMAN S B, CLAY H B, MCCURDY D G, et al. A new look at predicting gas-well load-up[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1991, 43(3):329-333. doi:10.2118/20280-PA
[14] NOSSEIR M A, DARWICH T A, SAYYOUH M H, SALLALY M E. A new approach for accurate prediction of loading in gas wells under different flowing conditions[J]. SPE Production & Facilities, 1997, 15(4):241-246. doi:10.2118/66540-PA
[15] 李闽,郭平,谭光天. 气井携液新观点[J]. 石油勘探与开发,2001,28(5):105-106. doi:10.3321/j.issn:1000-0747.2001.05.031 LI Min, GUO Ping, TAN Guangtian. New view of gas well carrying liquid[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2001, 28(5):105-106. doi:10.3321/j.issn:1000-0747.2001.05.031
[16] GUO B, GHALAMBOR A, XU C. A systematic approach to predicting liquid loading in gas wells[J]. SPE Production & Operations, 2006, 21(1):81-88. doi:10.2118/94081-PA
[17] 王毅忠,刘庆文. 计算气井最小携液临界流量的新方法[J]. 大庆石油地质与开发,2007,26(6):82-85. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-3754.2007.06.021 WANG Yizhong, LIU Qingwen. A new method to calculate the minimum critical liquids carrying flow rate for gas wells[J]. Petroleum Geology & Oilfield Development in Daqing, 2007, 26(6):82-85. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-3754.2007.06.021
[18] ZHOU D, YUSN H. New model for gas well loading prediction[C]. SPE 120580-MS, 2009. doi:10.2118/120580-MS
[19] VANT WESTEND J M C, KEMP H K, BELT R J, et al. On the role of droplets in cocurrent annular and churn-annular pipe flow[J]. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2007, 33(6):595-615. doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2006.12.006
[20] LIU Y H, LUO C C, ZHANG L H, et al. Experimental and modeling studies on the prediction of liquid loading onset in gas wells[J]. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2018, 57:349-358. doi:10.1016/j.jngse.2018.07.023
[21] 陈德春,姚亚,韩昊,等. 定向气井临界携液流量预测新模型[J]. 天然气工业,2016,36(6):40-44. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2016.06.006 CHEN Dechun, YAO Ya, HAN Hao, et al. A new prediction model for critical liquid-carrying flow rate of directional gas wells[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2016, 36(6):40-44. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2016.06.006
[22] BARNEA D. Transition from annular flow and from dispersed bubble flow-unified models for the whole range of pipe inclinations[J]. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 1986, 12(5):733-744. doi:10.1016/0301-9322(86)90048-0
[23] ZHANG H Q, WANG Q, SARICA C, et al. Unified model for gas-liquid pipe flow via slug dynamics-Part 1:Model development[J]. Journal of Energy Resources and Technology, 2003, 125(4):266-273. doi:10.1115/1.1615246
[24] 肖高棉,李颖川,喻欣. 气藏水平井连续携液理论与实验[J]. 西南石油大学学报(自然科学版),2010,32(3):122-126. doi:10.3863/j.issn.1674-5086.2010.03.023 XIAO Gaomian, LI Yingchuan, YU Xin. Theory and experiment research on the liquid continuous removal of horizontal gas well[J]. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science& Technology Edition), 2010, 32(3):122-126. doi:10.3863/j.issn.1674-5086.2010.03.023
[25] BELFROID S, SCHIFERLI W, ALBERTS G, et al. Predicting onset and dynamic behavior of liquid loading gas wells[C]. SPE 115567-MS, 2008. doi:10.2118/115567-MS
[26] WANG Z B, GUO L J, ZHU S Y, et al. Prediction of the critical gas velocity of liquid unloading in horizontal gas wells[C]. SPE 189439-PA, 2018. doi:10.2118/189439-PA
[27] FAN Y, CEM S. A novel approach for system instability prediction using nodal analysis[C]. SPE 196134-MS, 2019. doi:10.2118/196134-MS
[28] 赵哲军,刘通,许剑,等. 气井稳定携液之我见[J]. 天然气工业,2015,35(6):59-63. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2015.06.008 ZHAO Zhejun, LIU Tong, XU Jian, et al. Stable fluid-carrying capacity of gas wells[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2015, 35(6):59-63. doi:10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2015.06.008
[29] WALLIS G B. One-dimensional two-phase flow[M]. 1st Ed. New York:McGraw-Hill, 1969.