What is Nodal Analysis

A tool to optimize production from wells

Allows you to diagnose resistances to flow in
the production system

page 1
 Simple Producing System

Gas Sales
Choke Flowline
Separator

Stock Tank

Vertical or Inclined
Tubing

Completion

Reservoir

page 2
 Possible Pressure Losses in Complete System

Pwh P8 Gas Sales

P6
Separator

P5 Psep Stock Tank

PDSV

P4

PUSV P1 = (Pr - Pwfs) = Loss in Porus Medium

P2 = (Pwfs - Pwf) = Loss across Completion
P3 = (P UR - PDR) = Loss across Restriction
P7 P4 = (P USV - PDSV) = Loss across Safety Valve
P5 = (Pwh - P DSC) = Loss across Surface Choke
P6 = (P DSC - Psep) = Loss in Flowline
P7 = (Pwf - Pwh) = Total Loss in Tubing
PDR P8 = (Pwh - Psep) = Total Loss in Flowline
P3

PUR

Pwf Pwfs Pr
P2
P1

page 3
 What is a Node

A division point in the well

rate into the node = rate out of the node
Only one pressure exists at the node

page 4
 Location of Various Nodes of the Production System

6 7 8A Gas Sales

Stock Tank
8
5
8B

Node Location

8 psep -Separator
7 Surface Choke
6 Wellhead
5 Safety Valve
4 4 Restriction
3 Pwf - bottom hole/wellbore
2 Pwfs - Sand face
1 Pr Reservoir

3 2 1

page 5
 Inflow/Outflow Performance
Inflow Performance Outflow Performance

Flow into the node

(-) sign, subtract losses

pwf = pr - pformation - pcompletion

Pwf

Pwf Flow out of the node

Reservoir
(+) sign, add losses

pwf = psep + pflowline + pchoke + ptubing

page 6
 Graphical Presentation of Rate and Pressure drop
INFLOW at Node 3

Inflow Equation:

pwf = pr - pform - pcomp

1 Reservoir Pressure
Pform1 Pform2
Pcomp1 2 Rate/pre
ss ure at Sa
n
Pcomp2 d Face

3
Rate
/pr essu
Pressure

re in
W el
lbore

q1 q2

Production Rate
page 7
 Graphical Presentation of Rate and Pressure drop
OUTFLOW at Node 3

Outflow Equation:

pwf = psep + pflowline + pchoke + ptubing

ke
Inta
g e
bin rv
Tu Cu
4

ve
e Cur
nc
rf orma
e
k eP
Cho
Ptbg2 5
Pressure

Ptbg1 ve
wlin e Cur
lo
Pchoke2 6 F
Pchoke1

Pflow1 Pflow2
7 Separator Pressure
q1
q2 8 Stock Tank Pressure

Production Rate
page 8
 Graphical Representation of Total Producing System
Solution at Node No. 3

1 Static Pressure

P Formation
2
IPR Cu
rve for
Sand F
P Completion ace Pr
essure
3
e Flo
ntak wi ng
I Pre
Pressure

bing rve ssu

re i
P Tubing Tu Cu nW
4 ellb
ore
ve
e Cur
an c
P Choke erform line Cur
ve
ok eP ntal F
lo w
5 Ch 6 Horizo

P flowline
7 Separator Pressure Rate qL

P Surface 8 Stock Tank Pressure

Facilities

--------- Inflow
Production Rate
--------- Outflow
page 9
 Inflow/Reservoir Performance

PRODUCTIVITY INDEX
4000 Inflow Performance from Straight PI

Pressure, psig
PI = 5 STB/D/psi
3000

2000 1

1000

0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
qo
PI = , STB / D Liquid Rate, Bbl/D
( p r p wf )

pformation + pcompletion
page 10
Not Used
 Inflow/Reservoir Performance
SINGLE PHASE LIQUID FLOW - PSEUDO-STEADY STATE
k o h ( pr p wfs )
qo =
141.2 o Bo [ln( re / rw ) 0.75 + S + Dq o ]

4000 Inflow Performance from PSS Eqn.

3000
pr = 4000 psia
Pressure, psig

kh = 3500 md-ft
k = 70 md
2000 h = 50 ft
o = .44 cp
Bo = 1.47 B/STB
re = 1490 ft (160 acre)
1000 rw = 0.354 ft
S=0
D=0

0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Not Used Liquid Rate, Bbl/D

page 11
 Inflow/Reservoir Performance
Straight PI vs Pseudo-steady State Equation

4000 Straight PI vs PSS Eqn.

3000
Pressure, psig

2000
qo ko h
PI = =
. o Bo[ln(re / rw) 075
( pr pwf ) 1412 . + S + Dqo ]

1000
PI = 5 STB/D/psi

0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

Liquid Rate, Bbl/D

page 12
 Well Productivity

Flow Efficiency Productivity Index

qo
PI = STB/D/psi
( pr pwf )
p actual
FE =
p ideal
qo ko h
PI = =
. o Bo [ln(re / rw ) 0.75 + S + Dqo ]
( pr pwf ) 1412
pr pwf pSkin
FE =
( pr pwf ) Therefore,
PIideal
FE =
PIactual

FE = 1.0 for Skin = 0

< 1.0 >0 Productivity Ratio
> 1.0 <0

1
PR =
FE
page 13
 Outflow Performance

Constructing an Intake Curve from Gradient Curves

Pressure, psig
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
0

2000 GOR = 800 scf/STB

WHP = 200 psig
Depth, ft

4000

6000

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

8000 Pwf (psig) = 1356 1642 1965 2744 5124
q (STB/D) = 1000 2000 3000 5000 10000

page 14
 Outflow Performance
Constructing an Intake Curve from Gradient Curves

Pressure, psig
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
0

2000 GOR = 800 scf/STB

WHP = 400 psig
Depth, ft

4000

6000

(6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

8000
Pwf (psig) = 1719 1970 2260 2967 5283
q (STB/D) = 1000 2000 3000 5000 10000

page 15
 Outflow Performance
Constructing an Intake Curve from gradient curves

6000
(10)

5000
GOR = 800 scf/STB WHP = 400 psig (5)

4000
Pressure, psig

(9) WHP = 200 psig

3000 Not Used
(8) (4)
(7)
2000 (6)
(3)
(2)
1000 (1)

0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Inflow @ Sa Not Used
Liquid Rate, Bbl/D
page 16
 Inflow & Outflow Performance = Nodal Analysis

6000 Total System Capacity

5000 SOLUTION AT BOTTOMHOLE NODE
Intake Curve
Pressure, psig

4000 WHP = 400 psig

3000
Inflow Performance
PI = 5 STB/D/psi
2000

1000

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

Liquid Rate, Bbl/D

page 17