Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

6.0

NodalSystems(SystemsAnalysis)

6.1

Introduction

Nodalanalysisistheapplicationofsystemsanalysistothecompletewellsystemfromtheouter
boundaryofthereservoirtothesandface,acrosstheperforationsandcompletionsectiontothe
tubing intake, up the tubing string including any restrictions and downhole safety valves, the
surfacechoke,theflowlineandseparator.Itusesacombinationof;
1. Wellinflowperformance.
2. Downholemultipurposeflowconduitperformance(verticalordirectionalconduitperformance).
3. Surfaceperformance(includingchoke,horizontalorinclinedflowperformanceandseparator).
In this section, the performance of either a naturally flowing or artificial lift well will be
determined.Theeffectofvariouschangesinonecomponentofthesystemhasanoveralleffecton
theentiresystem.Typicalwellsareselectedinordertoshowtheeffectofvariouschanges,suchas;
1.
2.
3.
4.

Separatorpressure.
Flowlinesize.
Surfacechokesize.
Tubingsize.

Analysisshowswhetherornottheparticularwellislimitedinitsproductionratebythereservoirs
abilitytogiveupfluidsorbytheproducingsystem.Theselectionofvariousparameters,suchas
separatorpressureorsizeofflowlineisrelatedtoeconomics. Forexample,theselectionofthe
separatorpressureinagasliftsystemisextremelyimportantindeterminingcompressorhorse
power.Separatorpressuresfrom40to120psimayhaveverylittleeffectontheflowratefroma
lowproductivitywell(perhaps10B/D),butmayhaveaverydecisiveeffectontheflowrateofhigh
productivitywells(perhaps500B/D).Acompletesystemsanalysisshowstheeffectofvaryingthe
separatorpressureoncompressorhorsepowerand,hence,theeconomicfeasibilityofbuyingmore
orlesshorsepower.Thevariousprofitindicatorssuchaspayout,rateofreturn,netpresentvalue,
etc.,canbeusedtomakethedecision.
Inothercases,thechangingoutoftheflowlinemaypermitthesameseparatorpressurebutreduce
thewellheadflowingpressureand,hence,increaseproductionconsiderably.
Itmaybethatthedownholeandhorizontalconduitshavenotbeenproperlysized. Toosmalla
tubingsizemayretardtheproductionrateaswellastoolargeatubingsize.Also,lowflowrates
canbeinefficientinlargetubingsizesandundesirableheadingconditionsmayexist.

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6.2

InflowPerformanceCurves

Inperformingasystemanalysisonawell,itisnecessarytohavegoodtestdataonthewellsothat
thereservoircapabilitycanbepredicted.
ReferringtoFigure61,wenotethattheIPR(InflowPerformanceRelationship)curvemaybe
shownas;
1. Astraightline(constantPIProductivityIndexdenotedJ).
2. AcurvewhichshowsthatthePIisdecreasingwithrate(asingaswells).
3. Acombinationof1and2.

2000

P1

Pwf (PSI)

P2

P3

1000

0
0

400

800

1200

1600

q0 (BOPD)
Fig.61InflowPerformanceCurves.

TheconstantPInormallyoccursforsinglephaseliquidflowabovethebubblepointpressure,and
thecurvedlineshowsthePItobedecreasingbelowthebubblepointpressurebecauseoftwophase
flowconditionsinthereservoir(liquidplusgas).Figure62showsaseriesofIPRcurvesforfuture
reservoirpressureconditions.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

ThefollowingmethodsandrespectiveequationsmaybeusedtopredicttheshapeofIPRcurves.
1.

ConstantPI

2.

ChangingPI

a.

VogelsEquation1forundamagedwells,FE=1.0.(FE=FlowEfficiency).

q L J P r P wf

P wf 2
P wf
1 0.2
08
.
Pr
Pr
q 0 (max)
q0

b.

StandingsModificationtoVogelsEquationfordamagedorstimulatedwells2,FE=1.0.

q0

P
P
1 0.2 wf 08. wf
Pr
Pr
q 0 (max)
where
3.

Pwf=Pr(PrPwf)FE

StandingsRelationshipforpredictingfutureinflowcurves3.

J *2 ( K ro / o B o) 2

*
J 1 ( K ro / o B o) 1
4.

FetkovichsEquationforoilwells4
q 0 J 0 P r 2 P wf 2

5.

FetkovichsEquationforpredictingfutureinflowcurvesforoilwells4

n
P r2 2
2

q 0 J 01
P r P wf
P r1
whereJ01wasdeterminedatPr1andweareinterestedinmakingflowratepredictionswhenthe
staticpressureisPr2.
6.2.1

TubingIntakeCurves

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Figure63shows a tubingintake orvertical multiphase flow curve beingadded tothe inflow

performancecurveinordertodeterminetheflowrate.Ifthesimplestcaseofaconstantwellhead
pressureisassumed,thenthiscurveiseasilyconstructedbyassumingflowratesanddetermining
the corresponding flowing bottomhole intake pressure for a set tubing size, GOR, wellhead
pressure,depthandfluidproperties.Anynumberofverticalmultiphaseflowcorrelationsmaybe
usedwiththemostpopularbeingthoseofHagedornandBrown5,Orkiszewski6,DunsandRos7
andBeggsandBrill8.Modernsoftwareallowtheseindividualcurvestobegenerateddirectlywith
thecomputerasopposedtoreferringtothethickvolumesofpregeneratedcurves.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Fig.62FutureInflowPerformanceCurves.

Tubing Size : 2.992 in. I.D.

PI = 2.000 B/D/Psi

2000

1600

P w f (P S I)

GOR = 600

1200

800

Rate possible Obtained

(The intersection of both curves)

400

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

q0 (BOPD)

Fig.63TubingIntakeCurveinCombinationwithIPRCurve.

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6.2.2

HorizontalFlowCurves

Forthemorepracticaloilfieldproblem,ahorizontalflowlineisgenerallyincorporatedintothe
system.Aconstantseparatorpressurecanbeexpected,butastheflowratechanges,thewellhead
pressurewillincreaseand,hence,thetubingintakepressurewillalsoincrease.Thesametypeof
plotcanbemadeasinFig.63,exceptthewellheadpressurechangeswitheachflowrate.
Themannerofsolutionistoassumeaflowrate,findthewellheadpressurebyusingahorizontal
multiphaseflowcorrelation,andthen,usingthatwellheadpressure,findthetubingintakepressure.
ThewellheadpressurescanbeplottedonthesamegraphasnotedinFigure64,orthewellhead
pressuresmaybeusedforanalternatesolutionasnotedinFigure65.
6.2.3

OtherConsiderations

Theeffectonproductionrateofvariousrestrictions,suchassurfacechokes,downholechokes,
safety valves, and completion restrictions, can all be properly accounted for. These can be
adequatelyhandledintheentiresystem,foranyproducingoilorgaswell.

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Fig.64IntakeCurvefromCombinedFlowlineandTubingMultiphaseFlow.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

Tubing Size : 2.992 in. I.D.

Flowline Size : 3.000 in. I.D.
PI = 2.000 B/D/Psi

500

P w f (P S I)

400

300

Rate Possible

200

GOR = 600

100
GOR = 600

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

q0 (BOPD)

Fig.65AlternateSolutiontoExhibit64.

6.3

TheNodalConcept

Figure66isaschematicofasimpleproducingsystem.Thissystemconsistsofthreephases:
1. Flowthroughporousmedium.
2. Flowthroughverticalordirectionalconduit.
3. Flowthroughhorizontalpipe.
Figure67showsthevariouspressurelossesthatcanoccurinthesystemfromthereservoirtothe
separator.Beginningfromthereservoirthesearenotedas;

P1=PrPwfs
=
P2=PwfsPwf =
P3=PURPDR =
P4=PUSVPDSV
P5=PwhPDSC =
P6=PDSCPSEP =
P7=PwfPwh
=

IntroductiontoWellTesting

Pressurelossinporousmedium.
Pressurelossacrosscompletion.
Pressurelossacrossregular,chokeortubingnipple.
=
Pressurelossacrosssafetyvalve.
Pressurelossacrosssurfacechoke.
Pressurelossinsurfaceflowline.
TotalpressurelossintubingstringwhichincludesP3andP4.
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Totallossinsurfaceflowlineincludingsurfacechoke.

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Fig.66SimpleProducingSystem.

ThevariouswellconfigurationsmayvaryfromtheverysimplesystemofFigure66tothemore
complex system ofFigure67,oranycombination thereof,andpresentdaycompletions more
realisticallyincludethevariousconfigurationsofFigure67.Inordertosolvethetotalproducing
system problem, nodes are placed to segment the portion defined by different equations or
correlations.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

P8

Pwh

Gas Sales

P6
Psep

P5

PDSV

Separator
Stock Tank

P4
PUSV

P1 = (Pr - Pwfs)
P2 = (Pwfs - Pwf)
P3 = (P UR - P DR)
P4 = (P USV - P DSV)
P5 = (Pwh - P DSC)
P6 = (P DSC - Psep)
P7 = (Pwf - Pwh)
P8 = (Pwh - Psep)

P7

PDR
P3

= Loss in Porus Medium

= Loss across Completion
= Loss across Restriction
= Loss across Safety Valve
= Loss across Surface Choke
= Loss in Flowline
= Total Loss in Tubing
= Total Loss in Flowline

PUR

Pwf
P2

Pwfs

Pr
P1

Fig.67PossiblePressureLossesinCompleteSystem.

Figure68showslocationsofthevariousnodes.ThisfigureisthesameasFigure67exceptonly
thenodepositionsareshown.

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1A

1B

Node

Location

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1A
1B

Separator
Surface Choke
Wellhead
Safety Valve
Restriction
Pwf
Pwfs
Pr
Gas Sales
Stock Tank

Remarks
Functional
Functional
Functional

Fig.68LocationofVariousNodes.

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Fig.69NodesforSimpleProducingSystem.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

Thenodeisclassifiedasafunctionalnodewhenapressuredifferentialexistsacrossitandthe
pressureorflowrateresponsecanberepresentedbysomemathematicalorphysicalfunction.
Node1represents the separator pressure, which is usually regulated at aconstant value. The
pressureatnode1Aisusuallyconstantateithergassaleslinespressureorgascompressorsuction
pressure.Thepressureatnode1Bisusuallyconstantat0psig.Therefore,theseparatorpressure
willbeheldconstantatthehigherofthetwopressuresneededtoflowsinglephasegasfromnode1
tonode1Aortoflowsinglephaseliquidfromnode1tonode1B. Itwillbeassumedthatthe
separatorpressureisconstantforanyflowrate,anditwillbedesignatedasnode1.
Noticethatinthesystemtherearetwopressuresthatarenotafunctionofflowrate.TheyarePrat
node8andPSEPatnode1.Forthisreasonanytrialanderrorsolutiontothetotalsystemproblem
mustbestartedatnode1(PSEP),oratnode8(Pr)orbothnodes1and8ifandintermediatenode
suchas3or6isselectedasthesolutionnode. Oncethesolutionnodeisselected,thepressure
dropsorgainsfromthestartingpointareaddeduntilthesolutionnodeisreached.Thefollowing
fourexamplesshowthisprocedureforthefourpossiblenodesshowninFigure69.Althoughall
nodesarenotshown,thesamenodenumbersaremaintainedasinFigure68.Note:Prcanbea
function of flow rate or drainage distribution in the reservoir. However, for the flow rates
investigatedinthissection,Prisassumedtobeconstant.
6.3.1

ExampleProblem1UsingNode8toFindtheFlowRatePossible

(Node8=Pr)Givendata:
Flowingoilwell
Separatorpressure:
Flowline:
WOR:
Depth:
GOR:
Pr:
IPR:
Tubingsize:

100psi
2",3000ftlong
0
5000ftmidperf.
400scf/B
2200psi
PI=1.0B/Dpsi
(assumeconstant)
23/8"

Findtheoilflowrateusingnode8asthesolutionpoint?
Procedure:
1. Selectflowratesforatrialanderrorprocedure:Assumeflowratesof200,400,600,800,1000
and1500B/D.
2. Foreachrate,startatPSEP=100andaddallthepressurelossesuntilreachingPratnode8.
FromFigure69,wenotethattheselosseswouldbeP31+P63+P86orlossinsurface
flowline+lossintubingstring+lossinporousmedium.Thesevariouslossesfortheassumed
ratesarenotedinTable61.
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3. Plotthecreatedpressurevsflowrate(Figure610). Thisrepresentsthesystemperformance
fromtheseparatortoPr.
4. PlotPratthegiven2200psi(Figure610).
5.
6. Theintersectionofthereservoirpressurelineandthesystemperformancelinegivesthepresided
flowrate(900BOPD).

q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

PSEP
100
100
100
100
100
100

Horiz.
Multiphase
Flow
P3
P31
115
15
140
40
180
80
230
130
275
175
420
1320

Vertical
Multiphase
Flow
P6
P63
750
635
880
740
1030
850
1220
990
1370
1095
1840
1420

IPR

P8
950
1280
1630
2020
2370
3340

Total
Loss

P86
400
600
800
1000
1500

P81
850
1180
1530
1920
2270
3240

Table61

6.3.2

ExampleProblem2UsingSolutionNode6toFindFlowRate(FlowingBottomhole
Pressure)

Givendata:SameasExampleProblem1
Forthissolution,pressuredropsmustbeaddedfromnode1tonode6andsubtractedfromnode8
tonode6.
Procedure:
1. SincethepredictedflowrateisalreadyknownfromExample1,thesameflowrateswillbe
assumed:200,400,600,800,1000and1500B/D.
2. Determinethepressurelossfromnode1(separator)tonode6(Pwf).Foreachassumedflow
rate,startnode1(PSEP)andaddP31+P63.Table62showstheseresults.
2. Determinethepressureloss(P86)from
node8(Pr)tonode6(Pwf).ForaconstantPIassumptionthiscanbecalculatedfromtheequation
P86=AssumedRate/PI.ThesevaluesarenotedinTable63.
4. PlotP6vsqfrombothstep2andstep3(Figure611).Node6iscalledtheintakenodesince
thispointistheintakefromthereservoirintotheproductiontubing.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

TheintersectionofthePIlineandthesocalledintakecurveisthepredictedflowrateforthis
system(900BOPD,Figure611).Thepresentationbasedontheselectionofnode6asthesolution
nodeisgoodifitisdesiredtoevaluatechangingPrsordifferentIPRcurves.Noticetheansweris
thesameasExample1andthisistrueregardlessofthenodeselection.

Assumed
Rate
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

PSEP
100
100
100
100
100
100

Horiz.Multiphase
Flow
Pwh
P31
115
140
180
230
275
420

VerticalMultiphase
Flow
P6
P63

15
40
80
130
175
320

750
880
1030
1220
1370
1840

635
740
850
990
1095
1420

Table62.

Assumed
Rate
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

Pr

P86

P6=Pwf

2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200

200
400
600
800
1000
1500

2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
700

Table63.

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F
ig.610SolutiontoExampleProblem1.

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Fig.611SolutiontoExampleProblem2.
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Section6

6.3.3

NodalAnalysis

ExampleProblem3UsingSolutionNode3tofindtheFlowRate(Flowing
WellheadPressure)

GivenData:SameasExampleProblem1.
Forthissolutionwehaveselectedthewellheadasthelocationofthesolutionnode.Therefore,this
isacommonpointatwhichweaddthepressurelossesfromnode1tonode3andsubtractpressure
lossesfromnode8tonode3.
Procedure:
1. Assumethesameflowratesasforthepreviousexamples:200,400,600,800,1000and1500
B/D.
2. Determinethepressurelossfromnode1(separator)tonode3(wellhead).Foreachassumedrate
andforPSEP=100psiwefindP31andP3(Pwh).ThesevaluesaretabulatedinTable64.
3. Determinethepressurelossfromnode8(Pr)tonode3(Pwh).Foreachassumedrate,startatPr
andaddP86+P63ThesevaluesaretabulatedinTable65.
4. PlotP3vsqfrombothstep2andstep3(Figure612).Node3iscalledtheflowingwellhead
pressure(Pwh).
5. Theintersectionoftheflowlinepressuredroplineandthedownholeperformancecurveisthe
predictedflowrateforthesystem(900BOPD,Figure612). Thepresentationbasedonthe
selectionofnode3asthesolutionnodeisgoodifitisdesiredtoevaluatedifferentflowlinesor
wellheadbackpressure.Noticethepredictedrateof900BOPDremainsthesame.
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Fig.612SolutiontoExampleProblem3.

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PSEP

200
400
600
800
1000
1500

100
100
100
100
100
100

P31
forHoriz.Multiphase
Flow
15
40
80
130
175
320

P3=Pwh
115
140
180
230
275
320

Table64.

q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

Pr
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200

P6
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
700

P86
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

P3
610
440
450
330
180

P63
1390
1250
1150
1070
1020

Table65.

6.3.4

ExampleProblem4UsingSolutionNode1toFindFlowRate(Separator)

GivenData:SameasExampleProblem1.
In this example, the separator pressure is held constant at 100 psi and is designated as node
Therefore, all pressurelosses from node 8 (Pr) to node1 (separator) are determined and then
subtractedfromnode8.
Procedure:
1. Assumeflowratesof:200,400,600,800,1000and1500B/D.
Foreachrate,startatPr=2200psiandsubtractP86+P63+P31.Thisinformationisnoted
inTable66.
2. PlotP1fromTable6vsq(Figure613).
3. PlotPSEPatthegiven100psi(Figure613).
4. Theintersectionoftheseparatorpressurelineandthesystemperformancelineisthepredicted
flowrate(900BOPD,Figure613).Thepresentationbasedontheselectionofnode1asthe
solutionnodeisgoodifitisdesiredtoevaluatedifferentseparatororheaderpressures.Notice
thatthepredictedrateof900BOPDremainsthesame.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Fig.613SolutiontoExampleProblem.

FromIPR

q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

Pr
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200

P6
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
700

P86
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

FromVertical
Multiphase
Flow
P3
P63
610
1390
550
1250
450
1150
330
1070
180
1020
P3<0

FromHoriz.
MultiphaseFlow
P1
595
524
412
255
P1<0
P1<0

P31
15
26
38
75
P31>180

P81
1605
1676
1788
1945
P81>2200
P81>2200

Table66.

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6.3.5

DiscussionofExampleProblems1through4

Itisimportanttonoticethatwhenstartingatthereservoir(node8),theslopeoftheresulting
systemscurveonthepressureflowratediagramatthesolutionnodeiszeroornegative.Thiscan
beobservedinfigures610through613.Thisisexpectedsinceanysystemscurvedevelopedby
startingatPr(regardlessofthesolutionnode)includesreservoirperformanceintheformofPIor
IPR.ApressureflowratecurvegeneratedbystartingatPractuallydisplaystherequiredpressureat
thesolutionnodeforthereservoirtoproducethestatedflowrate.Forexample,theverticaland
IPR curve shown on Figure 612 shows that if a flowing wellhead pressure of 100 psi could
somehowbecreated,thereservoirandwellwouldproduce1100B/D.
Incontrast,noticethatwhenstartingattheseparatorpressure(node1),theslopeoftheresulting
systemscurveonthepressureflowratediagramatthesolutionnodeiszeroorpositive.Thisis
again shown clearly in figures 610 through 613. The pressureflow rate curve generated by
startingattheseparatorpressuredisplaysthecreatedpressureatthesolutionnodeforeachflow
rate. Forexample,theflowlinecurveshownonFigure612showsthatforaproductionrateof
1100BOPDthecreatedwellheadpressureis300psi.
Thetotalproducingsystemwillproduceonlywherethecreatedpressureatanynodeisequaltothe
requiredpressureatthatnodeforthestatedproducingrate. Thisoccurswherethetwocurves
intersect as shown in figures 610 through 613. Notice on Figure 612 for 1100 BOPD, the
requiredpressureis100psiatnode3(wellheadpressure)andthecreatedpressureis300psi.
Therefore,thissystemwillnotproduce1100BOPD.Obviously,theratepossiblemustbethesame
irrespectiveofthenodeselectedtosolvetheproblem.Differentnodesareselectedforconvenience
basedonwhichsystemparameteristobestudied.Forexample,supposeinourexampleproblemit
isdesiredtoknowwhatthiswellwillproducewitha3"IDflowline. Anewflowlinesystem
curvecouldbegenerated andoverlaidonFigure612asshownonFigure614. Node3was
selectedforthesolutionnodebecauseofclarityofpresentationshowingtheflowlinepressureloss.
NoticethatthesameverticalandIPRcurveappliesregardlessoftheflowlinesystem.

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Fig.614EffectofChangeinFlowLineSize.

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Fig.615TaperedStrings.
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6.4

ChangesinFlowConduitSize

Thusfar,thediscussionhaspertainedtotherathersimplesystemshowninFigure69.Noticethat
onthissystemthereisonlyoneflowlinesizeandonetubingsize.Ofcourse,itispossibleand
sometimesadvantageoustochangeoneofthesepipesizesinthemiddleofthestring.Toevaluatea
systemofthisnature,thesolutionnodecouldbeplacedatthepointwherethepipesizechanges.
6.4.1

ExampleProblem5TaperedTubingStrings

Supposethatinthepreviousexampleforsomereasonitwasnecessarytosetalinerfromnear3500
feetthroughtheproducingzoneat5000feetandthislinerwasofsuchIDthat23/8"tubingwasthe
largestsizetubingthatcouldbeinstalled.Letusinvestigatethepossibleproductionrateincreases
byinstallinglargerthan23/8"tubingabovethelinerfrom3500feettothesurface.RefertoFigure
615.
GivenData:SameasExample1.
Thesolutionnode(node5)selectedtosolvethisproblemislocatedatthetubingtaper(Figure6
15).Inthisexample,thepressuredropsmustbeaddedfromnode1tonode5andsubtractedfrom
node8tonode5.MaintainingthesamenomenclatureasinFigure68,wehavedesignatedthe
taperedconnectionasnode5.
Procedure:
1. Assumeflowratesof200,400,600,800,1000and1500B/D.
2. Determinethepressurelossfromnode1(separator)tonode5(taperedconnection).Foreach
assumedrateandstartingwithPSEP=100psiweaddP31+P53.Table67summarizes
theseresults,andboth27/8"and3"tubingareevaluatedabovethetaperedconnection.
3. Determinethepressurelossesfromnode8tonode5.foreachrate,startatPr=2200psiand
subtractP86+P65.TheseresultsarenotedinTable68.
4. PlotP5vsqfrombothstep2andstep3(Figure616).
5. Theintersectionofthetwoperformancecurvesatthetaperedconnectionpredictsaflowrateof
about1020BOPDfor2.5"IDtubingand1045BOPDfor3"IDtubing.Remember,fora2.0"ID
tubingstringthepredictedratewas900BOPD.Noticethattheincreaseinratefrom2.0"IDto
2.5"IDismuchmoresignificantthantheincreaseinratefrom2.5"IDto3"ID.Aspointedout
previously,thisproblemcouldhavebeensolvedbyplacingthesolutionnodeatanypointinthe
system.However,thisapproachcansimplifytheproceduredependingonthemannerinwhich
thecurvesorcomputerprogramsavailableareformatted.Thissameprocedurecouldbeusedifa
changeinflowlineconfigurationoccursatsomepointalongthepathofthehorizontalsystem.

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NodalAnalysis

Horiz.MultiphaseFlow
q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

PSEP
100
100
100
100
100
100

P3
115
140
180
230
275
420

P31
15
40
80
130
175
320

(27/8"Tubing)
VerticalMultiphaseFlow
P5
P53
475
360
500
360
600
420
718
488
820
545
970
550

Table67a.

Horiz.MultiphaseFlow
q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

PSEP
100
100
100
100
100
100

P3
115
140
180
230
275
420

P31
15
40
80
130
175
320

(3"IDTubing)
VerticalMultiphaseFlow
P5
P53
420
305
475
335
560
380
660
430
780
505
900
480

Table67b.

FromPI
q
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

Pr
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200

P6
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
700

P86
200
400
600
800
1000
1500

FromVertical
MultiphaseFlow
P5
P65
1400
600
1300
500
1170
430
1000
400
820
380
360
340

Table68.

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Fig.616TaperedStringSolution(Example5).

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Fig.617SurfaceChokeProblem.

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Section6

6.5

NodalAnalysis

FunctionalNodes

Inthepreviousdiscussion,ithasbeenassumedthatnopressurediscontinuityexistsacrossthe
solutionnode. However,inatotalproducingsystemthereisusuallyatleastonepointornode
wherethisassumptionisnottrue.Whenapressuredifferentialexistsacrossanode,thatnodeis
termedafunctionalnodesincethepressureflowrateresponsecanberepresentedbysomephysical
ormathematicalfunction.Figure68showsexamplesofsomecommonsystemparameterswhich
arefunctionalnodes.
Ofcourse,therearemanyothersurfaceordownholetoolsorcompletionmethodswhichcould
create pressure drops with flow rates as those shown in Figure 68 (such as safety valves,
perforations,etc.).
ItisimportanttonoticethatforeachrestrictionplacedinthesystemshowninFigure68the
calculationofpressuredropacrossthatnodeasafunctionofflowrateisrepresentedbythesame
generalform.
Pqn
Thatis,thepressuredrop,P,isproportionaltotheflowrate.Infact,therearemanyequations
availableintheliteraturetodescribethesepressuredropsforcommonsystemrestrictions.Itisnot
thepurposeofthissectiontodiscussthemeritofthedifferentequations,butrathertoshowhowto
usethemoncetheselectionhasbeenmade,consideringtheentireproducingsystem.
6.5.1

SurfaceWellheadChoke

RefertoFigure617foraphysicaldescriptionofthewellwithasurfacechokeinstalled.Thesame
nodesassetoutinFigure68aremaintained.
Sincethewellheadchokeisusuallyplacedatnode2,thiswillbethesolutionnodeselectedtosolve
theproblem. Itisnecessarytosolvethisproblemintwoparts. Thefirstpartofthesolutionis
exactlythesameaspreviouslyshown.Inspectionoffigures617and612showthatthevertical
andIPRperformancecurveactuallyrepresentstheupstreampressurefromnode2(Pwh,Figure
612)andthehorizontalsystemperformancecurveactuallyrepresentsthedownstreampressure
fromnode2(PDSC,Figure612).Thusfar,wehaveconsiderednopressuredropacrossthenode
and,therefore,thepredictedrateiswhereupstreampressureequalsthedownstreampressure(Pwh
=PDSC). However,weknowthewellheadchokewillcreateapressuredropacrossfunctional
node2foreachflowrate. Thiscreated Pcanbecalculatedwithoneofmanypressuredrop
equationsforchokebeans.Therefore,thesolutionprocedureistofindandplottherequiredPvs
qfromFigure612andoverlaythecreatedPvsqfromthechokebeanperformancecalculations.

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6.5.2

ExampleProblem6DetermineEffectofSurfaceChokeSizesUsingNode2asthe
SolutionNode

GivenData:SameasExample1
Procedure:
1. Generatethetotalsystemanalysiscurveusingnode2asthesolutionnodeexactlyasdonein
Example3,(Figure612).
2. Selectarbitraryrequiredpressuredropsacrossnode2(P=PwhPDSC)anddeterminethe
flowrateforeachPasshowninFigure618.(NoticeFigure618isthesameasFigure612
withPsdisplayed).TheseresultsarenotedinTable69.
3. Fromstep2,plottherequiredPvsqasshownonFigure619.
4. Calculatethecreatedpressuredropvsflowrateforchokebeansofinterest.Theequationused
forthesecalculationsis:
Pwh

C R 0.5 q
S2

(fromGilbert)

where
Pwh = Flowingwellheadpressure,psi.
R

GLR;MCF/STB.

Grossliquidrate,STB/D.

Chokebeansize,64thsofaninch

Constant,assume500forthis
problem.

Gilbertnotedthathisformulaisgoodwhenthedownstreampressure(PDSC)islessthan70%of
theupstreampressure(Pwh)orPDSC/Pwh<0.7.Supposeweareinterestedininvestigatingwell
performanceforthefollowingchokebeansizes: 16/64",20/64",24/64",28/64".Table610
showstheseresults.
The Pscalculatedareuniquetotheexamplesystemsincethedownstreampressureswere
calculated for the example system. Notice that in each case a check was made to ensure
PDSC/Pwh0.7sothatGilbertsequationwouldapply.Ifthisisnotthecase,asubcriticalflow
equationmustbeusedtocalculatePacrossthechoke.
5) Fromthetablesgenerated,plotthechokebeanperformanceasshownonFigure620.
6) OverlaytheresultsshownonFigure619andFigure620toproduceFigure621.
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Figure621displaysthetotalsystemperformancefordifferentwellheadchokesizes.Thesystem
performancecurveshowstherequiredPforvariousflowratesconsideringtheentiresystemfrom
reservoirtoseparator.ThechokeperformancecurvesshowthecreatedPforvariousflowrates
consideringchokeperformancefordifferentchokesizes.Theintersectionpointsofthecreatedand
requiredPsrepresentthepossiblesolutions.Forexample,theratewilldropfrom900BOPDto
715BOPDwiththeinstallationofa24/64"wellheadchoke.Figure622showsanotherpresentation
that is often used to evaluate wellhead chokes. The presentation shows the entire system
performance,whichsometimesisadvantageous.Thesametechniquesdiscussedinthispaperare
usedtogeneratethistypeofanalysis.Noticethatthissolutiongivesthesameanswer.
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Fig.618SurfaceChoke.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Fig.619TotalSystemsPerformanceCurveforSurfaceChokeProblem6.

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P=PwhPDSC
100
200
300
400

q,B/D
800
690
560
410
Table69.

16/64
q
BOPD
300
400
500
600

PDCS
From
Fig618
128
140
160
180

Pwh
From
Gilbert
370
494
617
741

PDCS
From
Fig618
128
160
200
250

Pwh
From
Gilbert
237
395
553
711

PDCS
From
Fig618
160
200
250
300

Pwh,psi
From
Gilbert
274
384
494
603

PDCS
From
Fig618
227
275
330

Pwh,psi
From
Gilbert
322
403
484

PDSC/Pwh

P=PwhPDSC

.35
.28
.26
.24

242
354
457
561

PDSC/Pwh

P=
PwhPDSC

.54
.41
.36
.35

109
235
353
461

PDSC/Pwh

P=
PDSCPwh

.58
.52
.51
.50

114
184
244
303

PDSC/Pwh

P=
PDSCPwh

.70
.68
.68

95
128
154

20/64
q

300
500
700
900
24/64
q

500
700
900
1100
28/64
q

800
1000
1200

Table610.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Fig.620ChokeBeanPerformance.

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Fig.621SystemsPerformanceforVariousWellheadChokes.

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Fig.622SurfaceChokeEvaluation.

6.5.3

ExampleProblem7

Inordertofurtherillustratetheeffectofcertainvariables,suchastubingsize,flowlinesize,etc.,
twoproblemswillbeworked. Oneisahighproductivitywell(highrate)andtheotheralow
productivitywell.ThehighratewellisdesignatedwellAandthelowratewellaswellB.
DataforWellA:
Depth
Pr
J
GOR
TubingSize
FlowlineLength

=
=
=
=
=
=

8000ft.
2800psi
15B/Dpsi
400SCF/STB
21/2in.OD
4000ft.

FlowlineSize
CasingSize
SeparatorPressure
Wellproduces

= 21/2in.ID.
= 7in.
= 100psi
100%oil

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NodalAnalysis

DataforWellB:
SameasWellAexcept:
Pr=2300psi,Pb=2300psiandonetestshows500B/DforPwh=180
Figure 623 shows the solution to these problems assuming no restrictions are present in the
productionconduits.Table611summarizestheresults:

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Fig.623SolutiontoDeterminePossibleRateforWellAandWellB.

qo(BOPD)
Pwf(psi)
Pwh(psi)

WELLA
2320
2650
550

WELLB
850
1380
200

Table611.

6.5.3.1 EffectsofSeparatorPressure
Inanalyzingthesewells,itisimportanttoseetheeffectofdifferentseparatorpressureswhile
maintaining everything elseconstant. Several computer runs weremade varying theseparator
pressurefrom40to200psiasshowninFigure624.Note,thatforthehighproductivitywell,the
changeinseparatorpressurehasasignificanteffectontheflowrate.Table612showstheresults:
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qo(BOPD)
Psep(psi)
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200

WellA
2350
2340
2330
2320
2305
2290
2270
2245
2215

WellB
855
852
850
848
845
842
840
838
835

Table612.

6.5.3.2

EffectsofFlowlineSize

Theflowlinesizeswerevariedbetween2"and4"nominalsizeswitheverythingelseremaining
constant.ThisinformationisplottedinFigure625.Notethattheflowlinesizehasagreatdeal
moreeffectforWellAthanforWellB.Table613summarizestheseresults:

qo(BOPD)
Flowline
Size(in)
2
21/2
3
4

WellA
1480
2320
2950
3650

WellB
690
850
890
925

Table613.

6.5.3.3 EffectsofTubingSize
Thetubingsizeswerevariedbetween2"and4"sizesandallothervariableswereheldconstant.
Again,itisnotedthatforallWellAthelargerdiametertubingsizesshowalargeincreaseinrate,
whileWellBshowslowerincreasesinflowrates.Refertofigures626and627.Table614
summarizestheseresults:

qo(BOPD)
TubingSize(in)
2
21/2
3
4

WellA
1800
2320
2600
2700

WellB
730
830
910
950

Table614.
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NodalAnalysis

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Fig.624EffectofseparatorPressure.

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Fig.625EffectofFlowlineSize.
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Fig.626EffectofTubingSize.

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Fig.627EffectofTubingdiameter.

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Section6

6.6

NodalAnalysis

GeneralDiscussionontheEffectoftheVariables

Systemsanalysiscanbeusedtoincludetheeffectofdifferentvariablesontheproductionrateofa
well.
Theeffectofseparatorpressureismoresignificantforhigherproductivitywellsthanforlower
productivitywells. Thismaybeveryimportant,forexample,whengasliftisimplementedona
wellwheretheincreaseinproductionrateduetoadecreaseinseparatorpressuremaybecompared
totheeconomicsofthecompressorhorsepower.
Anincreaseinflowlinesizecanrepresentsignificantadditionalproductionrate,especiallyinhigh
productivitywells.Theflowlineshouldalwaysbeatleastaslargeasthetubingsize,oronesize
larger.Atthesametime,considerationshouldbegiventothefactthattoolargeaflowlinemaynot
beusedforlowflowrates,whichisnotnormallyindicatedbythestandardhorizontalmultiphase
flowcorrelationsasanadversecondition.
The increase of tubing size can considerably affect the production rate of a well. Significant
additionalproductionratemaybeachievedinhighproductivitywellsaftertubingsizeincrease.
However,thereisalimittotheincreaseintubingsizewithwhichthemechanismoftwophaseflow
will still be efficient. As the area for flow increases, the fluid velocities decrease, creating
excessivefallback,whichcausesveryunstableandinefficientflowconditions,asituationwhichis
analogoustosmallflowratesforagivenlargetubingsizeinlowerproductivitywells.
Since vertical multiphase flow correlations differ considerably in predicting that rate at which
flowingbottomholepressurebeginstoincreaseforthenextsmallerrate,theexampleproblemwas
worked with the Hagedorn and Brown, Duns and Ros, Orkiszewski and Beggs and Brill
correlations, respectively, as shown in Figure 628. Table 615 summarizes these results: In
choosingacombinationoftubingflowlinesizes,thenatureoftheinflowperformancerelationship
shouldbeconsideredunderpresentandfutureconditions.AsshowninFigure629anincreasein
tubingflowlinesizescausesasignificantincreaseinflowrates,especiallyforWellA,forwhichall
possibleratesoccuratstableandefficientconditions.However,forWellB,allpossibleratesafter
thetubingflowlineincreaseoccurunderunstablepressureconditionsveryclosetothoseatwhich
thecriticalrateexists.IftheGORwoulddecrease(GOR=140SCF/STB),theneventuallyWellB
willnotflowunderthehighercapacitytubingflowlineconfiguration.Althoughtheproductionrates
would be smaller under the lower capacity configurations, this particular tubingflowline
configurationnotonlywouldensureefficientandstableflow,butalsowouldcausethewelltoflow
foralongerperiodoftime.

Correlation
HagedornandBrown
DunsandRos
Orkiszewski
BeggsandBrill

CriticalRate(BOPD)
70
350
400
310
Table615.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

6.7 GraphicalRepresentationoftheTotalProducingSystemforOneWell
RefertoFigure630,whichshowsmostofthecomponentsandvariablesthatexistsinanyone
well.Themostcommonwayofplottingthisinformationistousepressureontheordinatevsflow
rateontheabscissa,althoughitmaybereversedinsomecasestopermitapressuredepthploton
thesameexhibit.
EachcurveorstraightlineinExhibit630hasveryimportantsignificanceinevaluatingacomplete
systemandeachwillbebrieflydiscussed.
1. StaticPressure,Pr.Thestaticpressureisthestartingpointforallsystemsgraphsandisshownas
astraightline.Thiswouldalsorepresentaninfiniteproductivityindexline.
2. SandFaceIPRCurve,Pwfs.Thislinerepresentstheflowingpressurethatexistsatthesandface
fordifferentflowrates.Itisonlythesameasthemeasuredflowingbottomholepressurewhen
norestrictionsexistinthecompletionofthewell,suchasgenerallyexistintheperforationor
perhapsagravelpack.
3. FlowingBottomHolePressure,Pwf.Thisrepresentstheflowingpressurethatexistsatthecenter
oftheperforatedintervalandisthatpressuremeasuredbyrunningapressurerecordinggaugein
thewell.
4. TubingIntakeCurve.Thisrepresentsthepressurerequiredatthebottomofthetubingstringto
allowcertainproductionratestoenterthestocktankand,therefore,includespressurelossesin
theflowlineandtubingstring,surfacechokes,safetyvalvesandanyotherrestrictions.Itshould
be noted that the tubing intake curve can be shifted to the right by removing any of the
restrictionsandisnormallyalsoshownwithoutrestrictions.
5. ChokePerformanceCurve.AChokeperformancecurveisshownonthisplot.Inthiscase,itis
sizedtogivetheflowrateofqLforPchoke.
6. HorizontalFlowlineCurve.Thiscurveispreparedbyassumingflowratesand,startingwiththe
separatorpressure,obtainingthepressurerequiredonthedownstreamsideofthechoke.
7. Theseparatorpressureisareasonablyconstantvalueforallrates.
8. Thestocktankpressureisaconstantvalueatallrates.
SeveralchangesorimprovementsmaybemadeafterstudyinganexhibitsimilartoFigure630.
Thefirstquestionmaybe:Whatdominatesthiswellatthepresenttime?Itappearstobethe
tubingintakecurvewhichconsistsofpressurelossesinthehorizontalflowline,surfacechokeand
tubingstring. Thecurvecanbeimmediatelyshiftedtotherightand,therefore,theratecanbe
increased byenlarging orevenremoving thesurfacechoke.Largerflow lines andevenlarger
tubingsizeswillalsoshiftthiscurvetotherightandgivehigherproductionrates.
OneofourobjectiveswouldbetotrytomakethePwfandPwfslinecoincide.Therealsoappearsto
bequitealarge pacrossthecompletion,whichsuggeststheneedforgreatershotdensityin
perforating or possibly a restricted gravel pack or other completion problems. The separator
pressure can possibly be lowered, which will also increase the rate. If the objective is lower
producingrates,thenthiscaneasilybeaccomplishedbyinstallingasmallersurfacechoke.
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6.8

Summary

Anodalsystemhasbeenpresentedinordertoeffectivelyevaluateacompleteproducingsystem.
Allofthecomponentsinthewell,startingfromthestaticpressure(Pr)andendingattheseparator,
areconsidered.Thisincludesflowthroughtheporousmedium,flowacrosstheperforationsand
completion,flowupthetubingstringwithpassagethroughapossibledownholerestrictionand
safetyvalve,flowinthehorizontalflowlinewithpassagethroughasurfacechokeandontothe
separator.
Withtheaidofmultiphaseflowcorrelationsoncomputer,asystemsgraphcanbequicklyprepared.
Thisgraphcanthenbeanalyzedtodeterminewhatdominatedthewell.Ifhigherorlowerratesare
theobjective,thenthesystemsgraphshowsimmediatelywhatcanbedonetoaccomplishthis.
Manywellsmaynothavesufficientperforations,orpipesizesmaybeinadequate.Thesetypesof
problemscanbeeasilydetected.Fracoracidjobsmayormaynotbenecessary.Itmaybethatthe
wellistubingdominatedandnotreservoirdominated.Inthatcase,astimulationtreatmentisnot
necessaryunlesstubingsizesareincreased.
Good systems analysis can greatly improve the efficiency of a well or group of wells. This
approachcandictatewhethereitherwellstimulation ordecreasesincertaincomponents inthe
systemmayresultinimprovingtheproductionrateofawell,thusreducingexcessiveexpenditures.

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Fig.628CriticalVelocityPredictionwithDifferentCorrelations.

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Section6

NodalAnalysis

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Fig.629EffectoftheNatureofIPRCurvesonTubingFlowlineSize.

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Fig.630GraphicalRepresentationofTotalProducingSystem

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