Scale Flow Assurance Workflows in

Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mack Shippen - Schlumberger
PIPESIM Product Champion

OLI Simulation Conference

November 17, 2010
Abstract

Multiphase flow simulation is critical to the understanding of impact of flow assurance issues
on oilfield production system design and operation. While the modeling of organic solids such
as hydrates, waxes and asphaltenes has in recent years become commonly available in
multiphase flow simulators, detailed modeling of inorganic scales has been regarded as a
more specialist discipline due to the inherent complexities of water chemistry. Consequently,
scale prediction methods currently available in upstream multiphase flow simulators are quite
simplified. As scaling behavior for a given fluid is governed by the prevailing pressures and
temperatures, accurate prediction of the occurrence, location and severity of scaling depends
on accurate modeling of the pressure and temperature profiles along the complete production
system. This work aims to combine state-of-the-art scale prediction models with state-of-the-
art multiphase flow and heat transfer simulation technology to better understand scaling
behavior and quantify risks in performing flow assurance studies. A workflow is presented
which describes the coupling of the scale model with multiphase flow simulation and presents
an example case study to illustrate the benefits of this approach.
Overview

Background – Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mechanism of ScaleChem – PIPESIM Workflow
Case Study
Summary and Future Work
Overview

Background – Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mechanism of ScaleChem – PIPESIM Workflow
Case Study
Summary and Future Work
Total Production Compressor
System Separator

Riser Pump
Choke gas
Flowline
oil

Safety Valve Export lines

Tubing

Reservoir
Completion
 ΔP8 = Psep – PCD
Pressure Loss in
System
ΔP7 = PRB – Psep
ΔP9 = Psep – PPD
ΔP6 = PDSC – PRB

ΔP10 = PCD – PGD

ΔP3 = PUSV – PDSV
•Flow in porous media
•Multiphase Flow in pipes ΔP11 = PPD – PLD
ΔP4 = Pwf – Ptf •Chokes/restrictions
•Pumps/Compressors

ΔP1 = PR – Pwfs
Temperature
Changes in
System ΔT7 = TRB – Tsep
ΔT5 = Ttf – TDSC

ΔT6 = TDSC – TRB

ΔΤ10 = TCD – TGD

•Convection (free, forced)
•Conduction ΔΤ11 = TPD – TLD
ΔT4 = Twf – Ttf •Elevation
•Radiation
•JT Cooling/Heating
•Frictional Heating

ΔT1 = TR – Twfs
Segmentation
Nodal Analysis

Psep

Node taken at Bottom Hole

model reservoir to separator

Inflow = PR – Pwf
Outflow = Pwf – Psep
Pwf PR
Nodal Analysis
Psep

PR Inflow
Outflow
Pwf

Pwf PR Psep

Flowrate
Overview

Background – Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mechanism of ScaleChem – PIPESIM Workflow
Case Study
Summary and Future Work
PVT File Structure
Vapor/Liquid Phases Solid Phases (Optional)
•Gas •Liquid 3
•Hydrocarbon liquid •Water ice
•Aqueous liquid •Hydrate type 1
•Hydrate type 2
•Wax
V/L Phase Properties •Asphaltene
•Scale total
•Mass Fraction against total composition •Scale species 1
•Density •Scale species 2
•Viscosity •Scale species…
•Heat Capacity
•Enthalpy
•Entropy Solid Phase Properties
•Thermal Conductivity •Mass Fraction
•Compressibility factor •Density
•Surface tension against gas phase •Thermal Conductivity
•Interfacial tension against other liquid phase •Phase appearance curves
•Molecular Weight •Etc.
Fluid Property File Generation

ScaleChem PIPESIM
PVT Tables
PVT Calculations – Loose vs. Tight

Loose Tight
Advantages Advantages
Fast More accurate
Simple to Implement Can mix fluids
Can sensitize on fluid
properties (eg. watercut)
Overview

Background – Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mechanism of ScaleChem – PIPESIM Workflow
Case Study
Summary and Future Work
Case Study
 Fluid Composition

Stock Tank Properties Hydrocarbon Water

Watercut 50 % Component  Mol % Species mg/L
Gas‐Oil Ratio 640scf/STB Carbon Dioxide 2.7 Cations
Methane 34.6 Na+ 20,400 
Ethane 7.0 K+ 402 
Propane 6.5 Ca++ 20 
Isobutane 1.5 Mg++ 829 
Butane 4.1 Ba++ 1 
Isopentane 1.9 NH4+ 104 
Pentane 2.6 Anions
Hexane 3.6 Cl‐ 37,000 
C7+ 35.5 SO4‐‐ 20 
HCO3‐ 715 
C7+ BP 344ºF
C7+ MW 283
Phase Envelope
Nodal Analysis

Tubing ID = 3 1/2”

Tubing ID = 2.41”

Skin = 0.7

Skin = 10
Phase Envelope
Phase Envelope 2
Pressure-Temperature Profile
Nodal Analysis – Possible Scale Impact

Tubing ID = 1.4”

Tubing ID = 2.9”

Skin = 0.7

Skin = 10
Results Available

Phase Envelope
– Scale Appearance Lines (Total & by species)
Profile Plots
– Total Scale Mass Fraction (eg. ppm, mg/L)
– Scale Species Mass Fraction
– Scale Species Pre- and Post- Scale Index
System Plots
– Max. Scale Mass Fraction/branch
– Max. Pre-Post Scale Index/branch
Overview

Background – Multiphase Flow Simulation

Mechanism of ScaleChem – PIPESIM Workflow
Case Study
Summary and Future Work
Summary

ScaleChem-PIPESIM workflow leverages complex water

chemistry analysis and rigorous multiphase flow simulation
Can be used to predict occurrence, location and severity of
scale precipitation for entire production system
Availability:
– ScaleChem ?
– PIPESIM 2011 – Summer 2011
Future work

Tight coupling at engine level

Input for pipe corrosion calculations
Black Oil scale analysis?
Questions?