DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIENCE IN APPLICATION OF A COMPLEX MECHANISTIC MODEL OF A VIRTUAL FLOW METER FOR WELLS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Abstract

Link for citation: Ilyushin P.Yu., Vyatkin K.A., Kozlov A.V., Andreev D.V. Development and experience in application of a complex mechanistic model of a virtual flow meter for wells equipped with electric centrifugal pumps. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 6, рр.140-150. In Rus. The relevance of the study lies in the need to create a tool for calculating the flow rate of wells by indirect signs. Currently, intelligent control stations, for the operation of which it is necessary to have up-to-date data on the state of well operation, including flow rate, are widely used. However, in modern conditions, flow rate measurements are performed periodically, which does not allow quickly analyzing the operating conditions of wells and optimizing the operation parameters of downhole pumping equipment. In this regard, the regulation of well operation modes is not timely, which leads to decrease in the efficiency of oil production. Thus, there is a need to create special software for automatic calculation of well flow rates – virtual flow meters. To date, there are no virtual flow meters that use all the physical data from wells necessary for calculating and predicting the flow rate. Purpose: to create the most accurate model of a mechanistic virtual flow meter. Methods: set of techniques based on technological processes for accurate calculation of production rates and identification of problem wells; developed algorithm for reconciliation and agreement of the obtained calculation results. Results. As a result, a new mechanical virtual flow meter model was obtained. It examines all the data necessary for calculating the flow rate during well operation. The flow rate was calculated on three wells within two weeks, then compared with the actual values. The deviation from the real values was no more than 8,7 %. The evaluation of correlation coefficients for various models for calculating the flow rate was carried out, the optimal sets of calculation models for low-rate and high-rate wells were identified. A virtual flow meter was also tested on a complicated well stock. Based on the graphs obtained, it can be concluded that it is possible to use the flow meter to predict various emergency situations. Conclusions. The study of already existing models of mechanistic virtual flow meters made it possible to understand that not all the necessary data are used to calculate the well flow rate. The use of this model will significantly improve the accuracy of the calculated and predicted flow rates, including the identification of various complications in oil production. Thus, the virtual flowmeter presented in the paper will make a significant contribution to the automation and digitalization of oil production.

Keywords

• virtual flow meter
• well
• flow rate
• model
• complications