Controlling the flow

摘要

A uniform inflow control system helps operators meet water management and field economic challenges by equalizing longitudinal inflow along the entire production profile. Long horizontal wells are a double-edged sword for today's operators. On the one hand, they maximize reservoir contact and improve recovery efficiency and total well productivity. On the other hand, non-uniform flow profiles can result in premature water or gas breakthrough, screen plugging and erosion, all of which can reduce production, reserves, profitability and well life, and thus defeat the original purpose of the horizontal well. Creating a uniform flow profile along the lateral section can optimize production while delaying water and gas coning and preventing erosion. Baker Oil Tools' Equalizer technology is the basis of a uniform flow system that has been proven to prevent water and/or gas coning in sandstone formations and prevent excessive water breakthrough in naturally fractured carbonate formations for long horizontal and highly deviated wells throughout the world. Lateral lengths have ranged from 1,100 ft to 12,000 ft (335 m to 3,660 m). In addition to single laterals, the system offers the benefit of uniform flow to wells with two or more laterals.