Well Nodal Analysis

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Well Nodal Analysis

Well Nodal Analysis

Well Nodal Analysis is the fundamental petroleum engineering technique published in 1979 by Joe Mach [1]. For his invention Joe Mach was honored as a JPT Legend of Production and Operations in 2009[2].

Well Nodal Analysis is used to predict the well rate and performance by combining the reservoir inflow with the wellbore lift capacity by intersecting the IPR and VLP curves on a pressure vs rate plot.

For the given reservoir Well Nodal Analysis calculates how much oil, water and gas can be produced by the given well.

PQplot is a Well Nodal Analysis software available online at www.pengtools.com.

The Power of Well Nodal Analysis

Location of various nodes [1]

Well Nodal Analysis is the cornerstone of petroleum engineering. It allows to:

  1. Calculate the well production potential and identify the performance gaps to maximize oil and gas production.
  2. Evaluate the various well nodes impact on production. Nodes: reservoir, perforation, tubing string, restrictions, downhole safety valves, the surface chokes, the surface flow lines and separator.

Typical Applications

  • Estimation of well production potential and absolute open flow (AOF)
  • Tubing sizing
  • Selection of the operating wellhead pressures
  • Artificial lift design. Gas lift. ESP sizing.
  • Sensitivity studies

Math and Physics

Well Nodal Analysis is done on a pressure vs rate plot. IPR and VLP curves intersect at well operating point.

Well IPR curve: Darcy's law, Vogel's IPR, Composite IPR.

Well VLP curve: Hagedorn and Brown multiphase flow correlation

Well Nodal Analysis Example

SGg=0.65
SGo=35 API

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mach, Joe; Proano, Eduardo; Brown, Kermit E. (1979). "A Nodal Approach For Applying Systems Analysis To The Flowing And Artificial Lift Oil Or Gas Well"Free registration required (SPE-8025-MS). Society of Petroleum Engineers. 
  2. JPT, staff (2009). "Legends of Production and Operation"Free registration required. Journal of Petroleum Technology. Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE-1209-0033-JPT).