Production Optimization Using Nodal Analysis

Training Hours        

25 Training Hours (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily)

Specific Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:

1       Analyze the System: Deconstruct the entire production system into interacting components (nodes) and analyze the performance of each component individually.

2       Calculate Performance: Accurately construct both the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) and the Vertical Lift Performance (VLP) curves using appropriate equations and correlations.

3       Determine Operating Point: Locate and interpret the optimum Operating Point of the system to balance inflow and outflow, ensuring maximum sustainable flow.

4       Evaluate Optimization Scenarios: Conduct Sensitivity Analysis to evaluate the impact of changing system variables (e.g., tubing size, surface choke pressure) on the overall production rate.

5       Design Artificial Lift: Utilize Nodal Analysis as the primary tool for designing, selecting, and optimizing Artificial Lift Systems (specifically Gas-Lift and ESP).

Course Content (Outline):

Day 1 – Fundamentals of Production System and Nodal Analysis

·       Introduction: Components of the production system (reservoir, completion, wellbore, flowlines).

·       Nodal Analysis Concept: Methodology, principles, and selection of the appropriate Reference Node (Bottomhole, Wellhead, Separator).

·       Fluid Properties (PVT): Review of necessary fluid property calculations.

·       Hydraulic Correlations: Introduction to Multiphase Flow correlations.

Day 2 – Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) Analysis

·       IPR Applications: Analyzing oil and gas flow from the reservoir to the sandface.

·       Oil Wells: Vogel’s and Fetkovich’s equations, including wells with water/gas production.

·       Gas Wells: Calculating productivity index and estimating performance.

·       Completion Effects: Analysis of Skin Effect and Flow Efficiency (FE) and strategies for mitigation.

Day 3 – Outflow Performance and System Integration

·       Vertical Lift Performance (VLP): Calculating pressure drop in the tubing (due to friction and gravity).

·       Vertical Flow Curves: Generating and plotting VLP curves using advanced correlations.

·       Total System Analysis: Integrating the IPR and VLP curves.

·       Determining the Operating Point: Locating the intersection point and interpreting the results for actual flow rate and pressure.

Day 4 – Optimization, Sensitivity, and Bottleneck Identification

·       Sensitivity Analysis: Evaluating the impact of changes in: Tubing size, flowline diameter, and wellhead pressure.

·       Surface Chokes Analysis: Calculating and evaluating the performance curves of chokes.

·       Bottleneck Identification: Systematically identifying the component that limits the overall production rate.

·       Optimization Strategies: Using Nodal Analysis results for making effective field decisions.

Day 5 – Nodal Analysis for Artificial Lift Systems (Applications)

·       Artificial Lift Overview: Principles and selection criteria.

·       Nodal Analysis for Gas-Lift: System design, optimizing injection gas rate, and locating injection points.

·       Nodal Analysis for Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP): Pump selection, performance matching, and analysis of power requirements.

·       Practical Exercises and Case Studies: Application of industry-standard simulation software (Hands-on session).