A semi-empirical approach to modelling well deliverability in gas condensate reservoirs.

A critical issue in the development of gas condensate reservoirs is accurate prediction of well deliverability. In this investigation a procedure has been developed for accurate prediction of well production rates using semi-empirical approach. The use of state of the art fine grid numerical simulation is time consuming and computationally demanding, therefore not suitable for real time rapid production management decisions required on site. Development of accurate fit-for-purpose correlations for fluid property prediction below the saturation pressure was a major consideration to properly allow for retrograde condensation, complications of multiphase flow and mobility issues. Previous works are limited to use of experimentally measured pressure, volume, temperature (PVT) property data, together with static relative permeability correlations for simulation of well deliverability. To overcome the above limitations appropriate fluid property correlations required for prediction of well deliverability and dynamic three phase relative permeability correlation have been developed to enable forecasting of these properties at all the desired reservoir conditions The developed correlations include; condensate hybrid compressibility factor, viscosity, density, compositional pseudo-pressure, and dynamic three phase relative permeability. The study made use of published data bases of experimentally measured gas condensate PVT properties and three phase relative permeability data. The developed correlations have been implemented in both vertical and horizontal well models and parametric studies have been performed to determine the critical parameters that control productivity in gas condensate reservoirs, using specific case studies. The improved correlations showed superior performance over existing correlations on validation. The investigation has built on relevant literature to present an approach that modifies the black oil model for accurate well deliverability prediction for condensate reservoirs at conditions normally ignored by the conventional approach. The original contribution to knowledge and practice includes (i) the improved property correlations equations, (4.44, 4.47, 4.66, 4.69, 4.75, 5.21) and (ii) extension of gas rate equations, for condensate rate prediction in both vertical and horizontal wells. Standard industry software, the Eclipse compositional model, E-300 has been used to validate the procedure. The results show higher well performance compared with the industry standard. The new procedure is able to model well deliverability with limited PVT and rock property data which is not possible with most available methods. It also makes possible evaluation of various enhanced hydrocarbon recovery techniques and optimisation of gas condensate recovery