Flow simulation for a horizontal well with slotted screen and ICD completions based on the wellbore–annulus–reservoir model

Abstract

A flow is observed in the pipe for the horizontal section of slotted screen completion and inflow control device (ICD) completion, and an annulus flow exists between the pipe and the borehole wall. Based on the principles of mass conservation and momentum conservation, a model for variable mass flow in an oil reservoir to simulate wellbore–annulus–reservoir state in the horizontal section of slotted screen completion and ICD completion is proposed. Consequently, based on the newly established formation transient seepage model and wellbore and annulus variable mass flow model, an accurate prediction of the production rate of a horizontal well as well as optimized design parameters for slotted screen completion and inflow control device (ICD) completion are achieved. The predicted flow profiles of the established model are confirmed using the simulation software from Computer Modeling Group Ltd. When external casing packers are not considered, findings show that the predicted production rates of both slotted screen completion and ICD completion, which are obtained using the variable mass flow models without annulus flow modeling, are higher than the rates obtained using the variable mass flow models with annulus flow modeling. Both models show that the pressure profile and flow profile of the borehole wall are more uniform in wellbore–annulus–reservoir in horizontal wells. The flow model for horizontal wells with annulus flow modeling should be established to improve the accuracy of the predicted production.