Abstract
Gas lift is a simple, reliable artificial lift method which is frequently used in offshore oil field developments. In order to enhance the efficiency of production by gas lift, it is vital to exactly predict the distribution of temperature-field for fluid within the wellbore. A new mechanistic model is developed for computing flowing fluid temperature profiles in both conduits simultaneously for a continuous-flow gas-lift operation. This model assumes steady heat transfer in the formation, as well as steady heat transfer in the conduits. A micro-units discrete from the wellbore, whose heat transfer process is analyzed and whose heat transfer equation is set up according to the law of conservation of energy. A simplified algebraic solution to our model is conducted to analyze the temperature profile. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with the new model. The results indicate that mass flow rate of oil and the tubing overall heat transfer coefficient are the main factors that influence the temperature distribution inside the tubing and that the mass flow rate of oil is the main factor affecting temperature distribution in the annulus. Finally, the new model was tested in three various wells and compared with other models. The results showed that the new model is more accurate and provides significant references for temperature prediction in gas lift well.
Highlights
As reservoir pressure declines, the production decreases and there is a need to use artificial lift methods to increase the production rate [1,2,3]
This paper presents a new model to describe the temperature distribution in annulus and tubing during the operation of gas lift
Temperature distribution in the wellbore is very important during the gas lift operation, which laid the foundations for the analysis and prediction of fluid flow in oil pipe, and the determination of position of the suction valve, etc
Summary
The production decreases and there is a need to use artificial lift methods to increase the production rate [1,2,3]. In terms of gas-lift design, the thermally actuated safety valves have been used since the 1930s in many different applications. In 2013, Duan [25] predicted the temperature profile in a waxy oil-gas pipe flow and he considered the different parameters and used the heat balance in his model. Cheng [26] represented a model for distribution of thermal properties and oil saturations in steam injection wells He involved the temperature logs in his studies. Han [27] studied the transient two phase fluid and heat transfer model with periodical electric heating He analyzed the heat-flux conservation among different layers and presented the derivatives of temperature in location and time. This paper presents a new model to describe the temperature distribution in annulus and tubing during the operation of gas lift. This methodology is applied to some field cases to compare with other models
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