The theory of the automatic phase selection controller and its performance analysis

Bottom water coning, to a large extent, will shorten the reservoir anhydrous production time and seriously affects horizontal well performance. As a result, the comprehensive benefit of the exploitation is damaged, which is the restriction of horizontal efficient key during the development of bottom water reservoir. At present most of the oil fields in China are facing high water-cut and low oil production traditional ICD (Inflow Control Device) is only suitable for the well before water breakthrough, and affects little after water breakthrough. Therefore, a new water control tool, automatic phase selection controller (PSC), has been developed based on the current technical difficulties and practical problems in the exploitation of oil field by horizontal wells in China. Automatic phase selection controller based only on the fluid properties and flow path to distinguish fluid and limit the output of the water without the use of any moving parts. The flow field analysis, sensitivity analysis, erosion analysis, water control ability and comparison analysis of ICD pressure drop are carried out by using CFD software. Simulation results indicate that: (i) the pressure drop generated by the water flow in the PSC is higher than the oil flow in it, and the main reason is the water rotating at a high speed in the tool to produce higher pressure drop and oil will not rotation; (ii) the pressure drop of the fluid flow through the valve is mainly determined by the viscosity and flow rate of the fluid, and the density of the fluid is very low; (iii) the sand carrying liquid can cause the erosion damage to the PSC, but the erosion rate is very small and at affordable range; (iv)the higher the water content is, the greater the pressure drop across the valve is; (v) as soon as water breaks through into the well PSC would be able to provide more flow resistance than nozzle type ICD. The experimental results show that the PSC can be applied to restrict water production after water breakthrough in the well and the CFD software can be used in the design and performance analysis of the PSC. Engineering application has been used to verify indoor simulation and the results show that PSC has potential practical application in increasing oil recovery.