Prosper® Tutorial 05:

Modelling a multilateral
Dry Gas Producer
 Modelling a multilateral Dry Gas Producer

A multilateral well is a well that has more than one lateral going out of the bore hole and
connecting the well with the one or multiple reservoirs.

Objectives of multilaterals are either to produce a larger drainage area than a single mono-
bore or to access multiple reservoirs from a single mother bore.
 Objectives

The main objectives of this example are to show:

 How to set-up a multilateral well model in PROSPER.

 How to use the model to predict the gas production rate from the well against a well head
pressure of 200 psig.

 Determine the contribution of each lateral.

 Determine the pressure drop in each lateral.

 Statement Of The Problem
It is intended to drill a multilateral gas well with 2 laterals draining the same gas reservoir
as shown in the screen shot below:

It is intended to build a PROSPER well model for the well.

Once the well model is constructed, it will be used to predict the flow rate when the well head
pressure is 200 psig.

Note that PROSPER can also model a configuration where each lateral penetrates different
multiple reservoirs.
 PVT Input Data
The information in the next table describes the PVT properties of the fluid.

Reservoir Fluid : Dry and Wet Gas

Gas Gravity : 0.63 (sp. gravity)
Separator Pressure : 500 (psig)
Condensate To Gas Ratio: 0 (STB/MMscf)
Condensate Gravity : 50 (API)
Water To Gas Ratio : 2 (STB/MMscf)
Water Salinity : 100000 (ppm)
Mole Percent H2S : 0 (percent)
Mole Percent C02 : 0.15 (percent)
Mole Percent N2 : 3.6 (percent)
Gas Viscosity Correlation: Lee et al
 PVT Input Data
The following lab measurements are also available:

PVT lab data at a reference temperature of 65 degF:

Pressure Z Factor Gas viscosity Gas FVF

[psig] - [cP] [ft3/scf]
100 0.9815 0.0109 0.1271
225 0.9613 0.01109 0.0595
350 0.9412 0.01127 0.0383
475 0.9213 0.01147 0.0279
600 0.9017 0.01171 0.0218
 System Equipment Input Data
Deviation survey:

In PROSPER, the deviation survey can have its origin anywhere: well head, sea-bed, platform, mean sea
level, RKB and so on.

The key thing is to describe all the equipment in the well in a manner consistent with the origin selected.
The well head depth does not have to coincide with the origin of the deviation survey.

Measured True Vertical

Depth Depth
(feet) (feet) The deviation survey here must stops at the tie-
0 0 point: the node that links the tubing to the down
900 900 hole network of the laterals.
1068 1062.3
1188 1164.1 This deviation will affect the pressure drop of
1285 1237.7 the commingled flow that arrives at surface. The
1360 1288.8 contribution of each lateral and its impact of
1516 1374.1 pressure drop down hole will be accounted by the
1578 1398.4 multilateral IPR model.
 System Equipment Input Data

Surface Equipment:

All equipment located downstream of the well head are part of the surface
equipment. The surface equipment can include well head chokes, risers, flow
lines, fittings, and so on.

In this example the surface equipment will not be modelled.

 System Equipment Input Data
Down hole Equipment.

The down hole equipment include the tubings, casings, nipples, Sub-
surface Safety valves, and so on.

Consistent with the deviation survey, this section will describe all equipment
between the well head and the tie-point.

Equipment Type Measured Depth in ft Tubing Internal Diameter in

inches
Xmas Tree 0 N/A
Tubing 260 6
SSSV N/A 4.5
Tubing 1577 6
 System Equipment Input Data
Static Geothermal Gradient:

The geothermal gradient expresses the rate of increase in temperature per unit depth.
The geothermal gradient is independent of the well flow rate.

When using the rough approximation temperature prediction method, the geothermal
gradient is entered versus measured depth. PROSPER internally converts the
measured depth into true vertical depth and it is the temperature gradient based upon
the true vertical depth that is used during the calculation.

Formation measured Depth in ft Formation Temperature in degF

0 40
1578 62

The overall heat transfer coefficient is 3 btu/h/ft2/F.

Note: The overall heat transfer (also called U value) is a composite number that captures the
different heat transfer mechanisms taking place: conduction, convection and radiation. It can
be thought of as the inverse of the thermal resistance in the surroundings of the wellbore.
 System Equipment Input Data
Average Heat Capacities.

Here the default average heat capacities will be used:

Phase Heat Capacity in btu/lb/F

Oil: 0.53
Gas: 0.51
Water: 1
 System Equipment Input Data
Multilateral IPR Data.

Available data from the Tie point to the reservoir:

Tie point data:

Measured Depth 1577 (feet)

True Vertical Depth 1398.4 (feet)

For the equipment T1, i.e. the pipe between Tie Point Data to Joint 1:
 System Equipment Input Data
Deviation survey:

Measured Depth in ft True Vertical Depth in ft Azimuth in degrees

1577 1398.4 0
1650 1424.3 230.6

Equipment data:

Equipment Type Measured Inside Diameter Inside

Depth Roughness
(feet) (inches) (inches)
Tubing 1650 7 0.0006
 System Equipment Input Data
Joint data:

Measured Depth: 1650 (feet)

True Vertical Depth: 1424.3 (feet)

Lateral 1 data:

Well bore radius: 0.354 ft Dietz shape factor: 31.6

Lateral 1 deviation survey:

Measured Depth in ft True Vertical Depth in ft Azimuth in degrees

1650 1424.3 230.6
1701 1437 243
1840 1449.3 264.9
1940 1450.9 269.8
 System Equipment Input Data
Lateral 1 equipment data:

Equipment Type Measured Depth in ft Tubing ID in inches Tubing Roughness in inches

Tubing 1900 3.5 0.0006

Lateral 1 perforation data:

Perforation
Perforation Perforation Perforation
Interval Local (Mechanical) Non-Darcy Flow
Interval (MD) Interval (TVD) Interval (TVD)
(MD) End in Skin Value Factor
Start in ft Start in ft End in ft
ft
1650 1900 1424.3 1450.3 0 2.80E-10
 System Equipment Input Data
Lateral 2 data:

Well bore radius: 0.354 ft

Dietz shape factor: 31.6

Lateral 2 deviation survey:

Measured True Vertical Azimuth
Depth in ft Depth in ft in degrees
1650 1424.3 230.6
1710 1430.1 231.3
1784 1432.7 239.2
1908 1432.2 257.6
2024 1438.5 267.1
2155 1447.9 256.6
2290 1445.8 248.1
2395 1449.8 238.8
2436 1449.9 235
2483 1449.8 231
 System Equipment Input Data
Lateral 2 equipment data:

Tubing Tubing
Equipment Measured Inside Inside
Type Depth Diameter Roughness
(feet) (inches) (inches)
Tubing 2483 4 0.0006

Lateral 2 perforation data:

Perforation Perforation Perforatio Perforatio Local

Interval Interval n Interval n Interval (Mechani Non-Darcy
(MD) Start in (MD) End in (TVD) (TVD) End c al) Skin Flow Factor)
ft ft Start in ft in ft Value
1670 2483 1426.23 1449.8 0 2.80E-10
 System Equipment Input Data
Reservoir data.

Reservoir model: Petroleum Experts

PVT data:
Reservoir Pressure 557 (psig)
Reservoir Temperature 65 (deg F)
Condensate Gravity 45 (API)
Reservoir Gas Gravity 0.63 (sp. gravity)
Reservoir Water Salinity 10000 (ppm)
Water Gas Ratio 2 (STB/MMscf)
Condensate Gas Ratio 0 (STB/MMscf)

Lateral 2 perforation data:

 System Equipment Input Data

Petrophysical parameters:

Reservoir Permeability 244 (md)

Reservoir Thickness 50 (feet)
Drainage Area 500 (acres)
Reservoir Top Depth (TVD) 1400 (feet)
Reservoir Vertical 25 (md)
Permeability
Reservoir Porosity 0.28 (fraction)
Connate Water Saturation 0.25 (fraction)
 Step by Step
The following pages provide a step-by-step procedure that will lead to the solution of the
problem:

- Set-up a multilateral well model for a dry gas producer in PROSPER.

- Use the model to predict the gas production rate from the well against a well head pressure
of 200 psig.

- Determine the contribution of each lateral.

- Determine the pressure drop in each lateral.

System Options:
Here, one simply select | File | New if a PROSPER file is already open. Afterwards, select |
Options | Options and make the following choices.

Fluid: Dry and Wet Gas

Inflow Type: Multilateral Well
 Step by Step

Select | Done to complete this step.

 Step by Step
PVT data Input.

The information in this table describes the PVT properties of the fluid.
Reservoir Fluid : Dry and Wet Gas
Gas Gravity (air=1) : 0.63
Separator Pressure in psig: 200
Condensate To Gas Ratio in 0
stb/MMscf:
Condensate Gravity in API: 50
Water To Gas Ratio in stb/MMscf: 2
Water Salinity in ppm: 100000
Mole Percent H2S in mole percent: 0
Mole Percent C02 in mole percent: 0.15
Mole Percent N2 in mole percent: 3.6
Gas Viscosity Correlation : Lee et al
 Step by Step
The following lab measurements are also available for PVT calibration at a reference
temperature of 65 degF:

Pressure Z Factor Gas viscosity Gas FVF

[psig] - [cP] [ft3/scf]
100 0.9815 0.0109 0.1271
225 0.9613 0.01109 0.0595
350 0.9412 0.01127 0.0383
475 0.9213 0.01147 0.0279
600 0.9017 0.01171 0.0218
 Step by Step
Select | Input Data and then enter the fluid parameters at stock tank conditions:
 Step by Step
In order to enter the lab data, select | Match Data and populate the table with the data
provided:
 Step by Step
Here select | Done and then | Regression | Match all and the | Parameters to see the dialog
below:
 Step by Step

For all PVT data, the parameter 1 is close to unity and the parameter 2 practically zero.
This indicates that the PVT data are of good quality and will be used for for this model.
The Lee et al Viscosity model requires the least correction and will therefore be
selected.

Note that a green message is being flashed to remind the use that the PVT data has been
matched.

Select | Done | Main to complete this.

 Step by Step
Saving the file.
Like working with any other computer program, it is good practice to save the file
frequently in order to avoid data loss if for example the computer crashes.

To save a file, simply select | File | Save as.

Afterwards, simply browse to the place where the file is to be saved.

It is suggested to save the file as *.OUT file

The rest is self-explanatory.

 Step by Step
System Equipment Description.

In order to describe system equipment (ie. the the hardware in and around the well
bore), simply select | System | Equipment (Tubing etc) | All

Now by selecting | Edit, the software will take the user through all the screens necessary
to input the equipment data starting with the deviation survey
 Step by Step
Deviation Survey.

Here are the data:

Measured True Vertical
Depth Depth
(feet) (feet)
0 0
900 900
1068 1062.3
1188 1164.1
1285 1237.7
1360 1288.8
1516 1374.1
1578 1398.4

With | Edit, one shall populate the deviation survey screen as follow:
 Step by Step

Note: It is possible to input or import a large

deviation survey table into PROSPER. A
filtering algorithm is implemented that will
select up to 20 of the most relevant data
points describing the well trajectory.
For this, use the | Filter button located on
the top right of this screen.

Select | Done and the next screen labelled

Surface Equipment will follow.
 Step by Step
Surface Equipment.

This model will not include any surface equipment.

Selecting the "Cancel" button located on the top left corner of the screen will take the
user to the next screen: the down hole equipment description screen.

Down Hole Equipment.

The down hole equipment includes the tubings, casings, nipples, Sub-surface Safety
valves, and so on.

Equipment type Measured Depth in ft Tubing Inside Diameter in inches

Xmas Tree 0
Tubing 260 6
SSSV N/A 4.5
Tubing 1577 6
 Step by Step

Select | Done to proceed to the next screen: the geothermal gradient.

 Step by Step
Geothermal gradient.

The data available are:

Formation Measured Depth in ft Formation in degF

0 40
1578 62

The overall heat transfer coefficient is 3 btu/h/ft2/F.

 Step by Step

Select | Done to proceed to the average heat capacity screen.

 Step by Step

Average Heat Capacities.

The default average heat capacity values will be used for this example

Note: The | Default button will reset any user-entered values.

With | Done the entry screen of the Equipment data section will be accessed.

Equipment Summary.

From the Equipment Data screen, one can generate a sketch of the well bore with |
Summary | Draw Down Hole and this is the sketch of the well bore that would appear:
 Step by Step

Select | Main to exit the screen.

 Step by Step

Saving the PROSPER file.

Like working with any other computer program, it is good practice to save the file
frequently in order to avoid possible data loss.
To save a file, simply select | File | Save and then simply answer YES to the question
"Do you want to overwrite this file?“

Multilateral IPR Input section Drawing the model.

To access the interface where to describe the multilateral IPR, select | System I Inflow
Performance.
 Step by Step
The IPR interface consist in a Network section where we can draw the situation of the
example using the short cut icons.

From left to right, the icons represent:

- Tie-Point: this is the depth at which the combined IPR is computed.

- Junction: this is a node from where a lateral can branch out.
- Completion: this describes the details of the perforation and
- Reservoir: contains the pertinent reservoir data like pressure, permeability, Dietz-
shape factor and so on.

Select the first short cut icon starting from left, or click on the drop down menu and
select "Add Tie-point" as shown in the next screen shot.
 Step by Step

Click anywhere in the blank screen to add a Tie point and give it the label "Tie point".
 Step by Step

The next short cut icon (Going from left to right) is the Add Junction.

Select Add Junction and click somewhere else in the screen to add the junction, label it
"Joint".

Then select the Add Completion next to the "Add Junction" and click in the screen to add a
completion, label it "Lateral 1".

Click somewhere else in the screen to add a second completion, named it "Lateral 2".

Then select Add Reservoir from the drop down menu and click on the screen to add a
Reservoir icon.Label it "Reservoir"

One should have a schematic similar to the next screen shot.

 Step by Step

From the drop down menu, the user may select the command "Move" and then select
any object to move it around.
 Step by Step

The next step is to connect the different objects together, so we can select the
command "Add Link" from the drop down menu.

Then click on the Tie point and drag it to the Joint, this will create a connection between them.

Repeat the process of linking the following items:

 Joint to Lateral 1.

 Lateral 1 to Reservoir.

 Joint to Lateral 2.

 Lateral 2 to Reservoir.
 Step by Step

Entering the data

Tie point: Measured Depth = 1577 ft and True vertical Depth = 1398.4 ft
 Step by Step
At this stage we need to start entering the data for the different sections. Double click on the
Tie point added icon to access the input panel.

Enter the depths of the Tie point as shown in the next snap shot.

Click Done to exit this section and keep the changes.

 Step by Step
Casing from Tie point to Joint

Double click on the next element called "T1" which is a piece of casing going from the Tie
point to the joint where the laterals are separated.
 Step by Step
Select the Input Data tab to access the deviation survey input screen and the
equipment tabs:

Deviation survey tab:

 Step by Step
Equipment Tab:

Once the two tabs are completed click on Done.

 Step by Step
Joint:
Double click on the Joint icon.
In this section the data has been transferred automatically from the deepest point of the
previous element.
On the right hand side we can see a that the elements that need to be completed are marked
with a red x.

Click Done.
 Step by Step
Lateral 1:
Double click on lateral 1 to access the input panel of the completion element. Enter the well-
bore radius and Dietz shape factor as shown below.

Click Input Data.

Select the Input Data tab at the top right corner

of the screen to proceed.
In the Input data section there are 3 tabs to
complete (Deviation, Equipment, Perforation
Details).

The 3 sections are shown below in the following

screen shots:
 Step by Step
Deviation:
 Step by Step
Equipment:
 Step by Step
Perforation Details:

Click Done to exit and save the changes in this section.

 Step by Step
Lateral 2:

Double click on the lateral 2 to start entering the information for this icon.

Enter the well-bore radius and Dietz shape factor, then click Input data to move to the next
section.
 Step by Step
In the Input Data section there are 3 tabs to enter the data:

Lateral 2 Deviation:
 Step by Step
Lateral 2 Equipment:
 Step by Step
Lateral 2 Perforations:

Click Done to exit and save the results.

 Step by Step
Reservoir.

Double click on the blue reservoir icon to enter the data for the reservoir.

Select the Petroleum Experts Reservoir model on the left hand side, enter the PVT data for
the reservoir and click on Input Data.
 Step by Step
In the Input Data section enter the reservoir parameters as shown in this snapshot.

Select | Done to exit this screen.

 Step by Step
Before proceeding, it is recommended to check the inputs by visualizing the sketch of the
multilateral network.
For this, select | Visualise | All and the following sketches appear:

| Analyse | Calculate to generate a composite IPR for both laterals: Select Curve as
calculation option.
Step by Step

The calculation is triggered by selecting the

"Calculate" button.

At the end of the calculation, the following

IPR plot is displayed:
 Step by Step

Note: The IPR plot obtained is referenced at the Tie point and it considers the pressure drop
across the down hole network of casings, tubings and chokes if the finite conductivity switch
is activated. In other words, the IPR curve represents the relationship between the gas
flow rate and the Tie Point Pressure.
 Step by Step

The IPR plot curve is calculated for 20 values of pressure with the corresponding 20
values of rate.
In this IPR plot we can see that at very high flow rates (close to the AOF) the IPR curve
goes backwards.
The reason for this behavior can be explained by the fact that at low Tie Point
Pressures, the expansion of the gas in the wellbore causes high gas velocities that, on
their turn, produce high pressure drops along the well. The higher pressure drops cause a
reduction in the production itself, therefore the "knee" in the curve.

Usually this behaviour will not affect the performance of the well as the intersection of the
VLP/IPR is rarely close to the AOF.

Click Finish in the Plot.

Click | Done | Finish and | Done to go the main section of PROSPER.

 Step by Step

Estimation of the well flow rate and inspecting the detailled results.

The response of a well bore combines fluid properties (PVT), reservoir data (IPR) and tubing
response (VLP).
The fluid properties are used to compute the reservoir response (IPR) and the tubing
response (VLP).
For a given set of boundary conditions (given reservoir pressure and well head flowing
pressure), the well flow rate is the intersection between the IPR curve and the VLP curve.

In order to compute this intersection point with PROSPER, simply select | Calculation |
System (Ipr +Vlp) | 3 Variables.

After selecting the system calculation, one needs to enter the well head flowing pressure as
per screen-shot next:
Step by Step
 Step by Step

The top node pressure is the downstream pressure of the system. Since here there is no
pipeline included in this model, the top node pressure is the well head flow pressure.

Surface Equipment Correlation: This applies to any pipeline in the model. Since this model
does not include any pipeline, the choice of a pipeline correlation is irrelevant.

Vertical Lift Correlation: Petroleum Experts 2.

Solution Node: Bottom Node.

Rate Method: Automatic – Linear.

Left-Hand Intersection: DisAllow.

One can proceed with | Continue | Continue and | Calculate with the following results:
 Step by Step

One can read a gas rate around 56 MMscf/d.

 Step by Step
If one select | Plot | System Plot, the system plot (VLP + IPR plot) is displayed as follow:

Select | Finish to return to the previous screen:

 Step by Step

Now select | Solution details | Inflow Layer details. Here the rate and pressure
distribution along each lateral is displayed:
Step by Step

One can plot them with | Plot and

select the variables of interest with
| Variables.
Step by Step

With | Done, the following plot is

generated:
 Step by Step

The plot above shows pressure and rate distribution versus depth for both laterals.