Well Trajectory
Better Trajectory. Better Well. Better Returns.
Preview the Possibilities While Drilling Laterals
We provide real-time, virtual modeling services for well trajectory optimization and drawdown management to minimize the length of production intervals of horizontal wells blocked by formation solids and proppant plugs formed during production. LateralFlow™ is a high-fidelity simulation solution for the dynamics of 3- and 4-phase flows in horizontal wellbores. It delivers the physics-based optimization of well trajectories and choke management strategies through identifying the blocked production intervals considering numerous factors, such as inflow profile of oil, water, and gas; flowing bottomhole pressure; initial decline rate; completion design; production time; and solids properties. The volume of deposited solids in the horizontal wellbore and other predicted parameters are used to quantify the effect of solids accumulation on well productivity and recovery factor.
By virtually modeling the flow of produced fluids in the lateral of a well that has not yet been drilled, we predict where and when the solids will accumulate and explore mitigation strategies.
Predicted parameters (ratios) to quantify deposition of solids in the lateral wellbore
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Blockage Factor: The ratio of the length of blocked production intervals to the total length of production intervals
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Deposited-to-Pumped-Proppant Ratio: The ratio of the mass of deposited proppant in the lateral to the mass of proppant pumped into the well
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Solids Holdup: The ratio of the cross-sectional area occupied by solids to the total cross-sectional area of the production liner or casing
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Average Solids Holdup: The ratio of the volume of deposited solids in the lateral to the internal volume of the production liner or casing
How It Works
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Identify
blockages
Identify blocked production intervals with the LateralFlow Analysis-the blockage factor and other parameters required to determine the impact of blockage on the production decline.
Explore mitigation
strategies
Explore possible mitigation scenarios with LateralFlow Planner by virtually modifying the well trajectory and previewing the impact of the modeled change.
Review
possibilities
Common scenarios for simulating in LateralFlow Planner include trajectory optimization, choke management, and stimulation optimization. Share the options with the multidisciplinary team.
Confirm and assist in implementation
Confirm the planned trajectory, make adjustments in the portion of the lateral ahead of the drill bit by previewing the impact of the changes in real time, and manage the choke size during production.
Manage optimally drawdown during the IP period
Determine the initial target rate and choke size so proppant and fractured rock particles do not plug up the lateral when the well is first brought on production. A well designed considering the lateral-blockage constraint enables the operator to use a less aggressive flowback strategy to prevent excessive proppant production and proppant crushing.
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LateralFlow Planner is the only interactive tool for modeling solids deposition mitigation strategies in real time before the drill bit ever reaches the landing point.
Technical Specifications
Flow Model
3-phase oil-water-solids flow or 4-phase gas-oil-water-solids flow is simulated when the flowing bottomhole pressure is above or below, respectively, the bubble point pressure of oil. A high-resolution discretization is used in combination with an adaptive grid.
Well Completion Model
Completion design details are incorporated into the well model to simulate a wide range of completion methods: plug-and-perf, sliding sleeve, pre-perforated liner, limited-entry liner (LOL), sand screens, and Inflow Control Devices (ICD’s).
Solids Plug Model
A proprietary model of plug formation predicts the length of production intervals that are completely blocked by solids.
Fluid and Solids Properties
A black-oil PVT model or an equation-of-state model is used to predict properties of the produced fluids. Solids properties are the properties of proppant, fractured rock particles, or formation solids (sand or carbonate) determined for the used completion design.