Optimization of Flow Control with Intelligent Well Completions in a Channelized Thin Oil Rim

The intelligent well technology provides the capability to remotely monitor and control multiple production zones using Inflow Control Valves (ICV) installed on the production tubing. Employing intelligent completions, the objective might be to allocate the inflow rates for each zone such that the objective function (cumulative oil or net present value of the well) is maximized. In this paper, a method for determining the optimized application of different intelligent well control strategies is presented. The optimization algorithm, which is based on trust region method, has been coupled with a commercial flow simulator and applied to a conceptual sandstone thin oil rim model containing a heterogeneous high permeable longitudinal channel to quantify the benefits of intelligent completions over a base case with a conventional completion. Three control strategies have been defined, analyzed and optimized, including a Fixed Flow Control Device, On/Off control valve and Infinitely Variable Control Valves. Having Implemented intelligent well technology and a reactive control strategy, 11% improvement in net present value (equivalent to 126 $MM) was obtained. As a result, this approach can offer an appropriate and efficient loop between downhole measurements and control decisions to optimize the implementation of intelligent well completions.