Analysis of Processes Mechanized Oil Mining with the Methods Theory of Electrical Circuits

Abstract

The authors investigate the problems of the development of the oil and gas complex at the last stage of operation, when oil is extracted by lifting. The main methods of lifting employed in the Russian Federation and the USA are described. A particular focus is placed on large water cuts at this stage of oil production. Literature on the issue under investigation is reviewed and the problem is set to analyze and construct models of oil production processes at the stage of well operation by lifting methods using network analysis (electrical circuits) in order to rationally manage all processes comprehensively. A typical flow chart of the oil production process by lifting methods is described. Technological processes of oil production are compared to processes in electric circuits. Thus the process of pumping purified formation water into injection wells by means of block cluster pumping units is similar to the process of recharging a battery using an electric power generator. The process of filling a production well with gas-liquid mixture displaced from the formation under pressure of injection wells is similar to the process of charging a capacitor from a battery, the process of lifting liquid from production wells using production pumps — to the process of discharging a capacitor on an active load. The simplified electrical diagram of a typical flow chart of oil production processes at this stage is given. Based on the given equivalent electrical circuit of technological processes, according to the laws of theoretical electrical engineering, models of the battery charging, capacitor charging and discharging processes are built. The table of correspondence of the parameters of technological and electrical circuits is presented on the basis of which the authors propose simplified models of the processes of pumping purified formation water into injection wells using unit cluster pumping stations, of filling a production well under pressure of the injection well, lifting liquid from production wells by means of suction pumps and conditions under which various operating modes of lifting processes are achieved.