Abstract

In this publication, the author demonstrates three specific applications of wellbore modeling. Case 1 considers simulation of a SAGD un-balanced developed steam chamber.  Case 2 looks at steam rapid condensation due to shale layer block effects. Case 3  is a simplified well testing method with coupled reservoir/wellbore model. To simulate these cases, an accurate and robust wellbore model is needed. This wellbore model must integrate tubing/annulus/cashing, so a traditional well model cannot handle all these cases. The steam condensation process is not an isothermal process, thus a thermal model for the reservoir must be applied. As a result,  a coupled wellbore/reservoir thermal model which can handle the cases  needs to be considered. Well models can be divided into either standard well models and multi-segment well models. The multi-segment well models have several advantages including accounting for acceleration and friction lost, calculating phase holdup, and drift-flux can even calculate slips between phases. Based on the literature review and cases study, the future work can be summarized as development of an accurate and robust model, validation with analytic and numerical methods and comparing simulation results with field data.