Optimization of the number of openhole packers in horizontal wells completed by inflow control devices for different types of reservoirs

Abstract

Openhole packers are completion hardwares that are deployed as a part of the ICDscompletion system to produce a more uniform inflow profile. From the perspective ofthe operability and the economy of the ICDs completion system, the number of openholepackers needs to be optimized in order to achieve the most cost-effective completionsolution for different types of reservoirs. In this study, both steady-state approach andtransient-state approach are used to evaluate the effects of the ICDs completion withopenhole packers on the inflow equalization and the well performance optimization.The steady-state approach employs a semianalytical model that considers reservoirheterogeneity and pressure drops in the annulus, tubing, and ICDs. The transientstateapproach employs an advanced multisegment well model of the reservoirsimulator EclipseTM. The simulation results indicate that: (i) For a high-permeabilityhomogeneous reservoir, the most cost-effective completion solution should not useopenhole packers in the ICDs completion system; (ii) For a heterogeneous sandreservoir, the simulation needs to be performed in order to find the optimum numberof openhole packers depending on the degree of reservoir heterogeneity; (iii) For afractured carbonate reservoir, the number of openhole packers needs to be maximizedin order to guarantee that there is only one ICD joint per compartment.