A Unified Wellbore Model for Reservoir Simulation

Abstract

Abstract A comprehensive well model that exists within a next-generation parallel reservoir simulator is described. It incorporates a general formulation approach which handles global phase-component partitioning allowing any number of phases and components, where any component can exist in any phase. The model can run in either isothermal or thermal mode, the latter including special features for steam injection and production. A multisegment capability enables the wellbore to be divided into segments for improved accuracy when simulating horizontal and multilateral wells. This unified well model reduces to a ‘conventional’ model when a single segment is used.