Benefits of Passive Inflow Control Devices in a SAGD Completion

Abstract

Abstract Passive inflow control devices (PICDs) have been in use for decades as a tool to manage both frictional effects within the completion system and reservoir heterogeneities that result in an unbalanced injection or production profile. These tools provide an additional pressure drop at select points along a well lateral, evening the distributed flow profile and maximizing economic recovery of oil and gas. Conventional applications of PICDs have become increasingly well understood, yet novel uses still exist, such as the use of PICDs in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) environments. The SAGD well is characterized by a number of challenges, including poor development of the steam chamber, low reservoir pressure, uneven oil production, and contrasting reservoir permeability. In this paper a typical Albertan SAGD environment is considered against known PICD behavior to quantify the economic benefits of PICD use in the SAGD well pair. Furthermore, the specific benefits of hybrid-geometry autonomous PICDs are highlighted for use in the production well, focusing on possible "steam trap" effects with this geometry. Lessons learned regarding PICD simulation in a thermal environment are shared, outlining a suggested workflow for future modeling work.